Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding Admission Requirements...
The following disciplines count as Social Sciences:
We require the equivalent of three full credit courses in the social sciences, equivalent to six half-credit courses , to include a half-credit course in research methodology. The following disciplines count as Social Sciences:
Anthropology
Economics
Family Relations and Human Development
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Social Development Studies
Social Work
Social Sciences
Plus any course designated as a Social Science by the university in which you completed your undergraduate degree.
Please review the listing of acceptable courses posted on our website at:
You can submit an electronic version of the course outline and required reading list to: admissions.fsw@utoronto.ca. The course information will be reviewed by the Associate Dean, Academic.
As long as all degree requirements are completed by August 16th, you can still apply for September admissions. If admitted, the offer would be conditional on the completion of your final year of full-time study with a mid-B standing and confirmation of degree conferral.
If you are applying for the two-year MSW Program, the GPA would be based on a full-course load of senior level credits, typically four or five full credits or equivalent, leading up to the awarding of your undergraduate degree. If it is necessary to go back to an earlier session, the Committee will review all the courses at the senior level in that particular session. If you are applying for the MSW Program with Advanced Standing, the GPA will be based on your final year of full-time study or equivalent.
The total application fee is $200. This covers the fee for both SGS ($125) and FIFSW ($75).
Regarding the Application Process…
The Admissions Committee will only review three references, of which at least one must be ACADEMIC (university course instructor), and at least one must be from your WORK or VOLUNTEER SETTING. Personal references are not appropriate (e.g., relatives, friends). Please review the detailed reference instructions at: https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/admissions/msw/msw-application/
All references submitted must be current.
If your referees do not have institutional email addresses, you will have to submit the reference in the traditional format. You or your referees can download the reference from our website.
If you are applying to the two-year MSW Program or MSW Program with Advanced Standing, download the reference form found at: https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/admissions/msw/msw-application/ – Click on MSW Reference Form.
If you are applying to the two-year MSW-ITR Field of Study, download the reference form found at:
https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/admissions/msw-itr/msw-itr-application-procedures/– click on MSW-ITR Reference Form.
The referee will complete the reference form and mail it in directly to our office at the following address:
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
Admissions Office
University of Toronto
246 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M5S 1V4
The academic reference should be from a professor who is able to comment on your academic ability. You should review our current reference form with the professor you are working with, and if they can comment on most of the areas, the reference should be acceptable. If not, we would recommend asking a former professor from your undergraduate program.
If you feel strongly that you cannot submit an academic reference, it is recommended that you include a cover letter with your Resume, explaining your choice of referees.
Yes: Referees will be permitted to upload the completed reference via the SGS online portal.
In order to change your referee information, send an email message with the following information to:
admissions.fsw@utoronto.ca
1) Your name and applicant number
2) The name of the referee you want taken off your online application
In addition, provide the following information for your new referee:
1) First Name, Last Name and Title
2) Institution
3) Phone Number
4) Relationship to Applicant
5) Email Address
Once this information is received and processed, you will be sent an email confirmation.
As an example, if you are only taking three courses from Sept – April, we will count back and include any summer courses you may have taken, and/or the previous Winter. In terms of how many credits – it must be the equivalent of a full-course load – minimum of four full credits at the senior level.
If your application status states Documents Pending, but you have submitted all required documents do not be concerned. Once your file is reviewed, the status will change to Under Review. This should be finalized by the end of January for MSW Applicants.
We do not accept late applications.
Admission offer letters will be sent out from mid-February to mid-April. As decisions are mailed out, your status on the On-line application will be changed to Decision made. By mid-April all decisions will be sent out.
Yes. It is a good idea to send in an updated official transcript that reflects fall term grades. Upon receipt of the official transcript, your GPA will be recalculated. The official transcript should be sent to:
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
Admissions Office
246 Bloor St. West
Toronto, ON M5S 1V4
.