University of Toronto

M.S.W. Thesis

The thesis option may be available to a maxium of three students in any given year. For students undertaking a thesis, this requirement is equivalent to two half-credit courses. Students in the thesis option who have at least two consecutive years of prior full-time social work experience are eligible to apply for exemption of two graduate-level elective half-credit courses.  A review process is in place for exemption requests to ensure that professional criteria have been met.  Workplace supervision must have been undertaken with an M.S.W. supervisor.  Requests for course substitutions must be reviewed jointly by the Associate Dean, Research and Associate Dean, Academic.  The number of students who can exercise the M.S.W. thesis option is subject to faculty availability.
The major steps in the thesis process are outlined below. Please refer to the MSW Thesis Manual for details:

1. The submission of two page proposal to be vetted by the Associate Dean of Research; please attach an updated resume clearly showing your research background; attach a covering letter explaining your rationale for undertaking a thesis;
2. The procurement by the student of a faculty member who has agreed to supervise the work; 
   At least one other academic member who will be on the thesis committee – referred to below as the supervisory committee;
3. When the completed thesis is approved by the supervisory committee, the supervisor appoints a non-committee member who will be the External Examiner. This person will read and assess the thesis. This person should be at arms-length but for a Masters defense said person can be affiliated with the University of Toronto.
4. An oral examination is held during which the student is examined on the content of the thesis. The final decision to accept, or not, the thesis will be based on both the written document and the oral defense.