Black Student Application Program

Questions? Ask an ambassador!

Updated October 8, 2025

The Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) is committed to building a community where learners experience a barrier free education from the point of admissions through to graduation as they enter the social work profession.

The Black Student Application Program provides a dedicated admissions process for Black applicants who would like to apply through this option for the Two-Year MSW or Advanced Standing MSW programs. Applicants who submit their application through this program will follow the same admission requirements outlined in the admission requirement page of the MSW program.

All applications received through the Black Student Application Program will undergo a review process that includes representation from Black faculty, alumni or other community members.

Through this dedicated application process, we are affirming our intentional commitment to Black student representation in the Faculty and decreasing barriers to accessing the program for our Black applicants. This initiative implements recommendations made in the Anti-Black Racism Task Force Report of the University of Toronto.  

How to Apply

Within GradApp, on the Graduate Unit Selection page, for Program of Study select either:

• Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing – Black Student Application Program)
  OR
• Master of Social Work (2-Year MSW Program – Black Student Application Program)

Once selected submit the required application documents for the Master of Social Work – Advanced Standing OR the Master of Social Work 2-Year MSW Program.

For writing support for your application, please check out the following resources:

• If you are a current University of Toronto student, you can access your college writing centre for support
• Registered University of Toronto students can also check out Writing Plus for their online workshops on application letters
• Guide to writing personal statements for further education  

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should I apply for the MSW program through this option?

  Applying through this process ensures that a member of the Black community will participate in your application review process. Additionally, the Faculty is committed to building designated resources for Black students. Identifying that you are a Black applicant allows the Faculty to connect you with current and future resources, early scholarships and awards that may be available, and the opportunity to engage with Black faculty, students, and the Black Social Work Student Association (BSWSA), early in the program.

• Do Black applicants have to apply through this dedicated route?

  This application process is completely optional.

• Are my chances increased or decreased using this dedicated application process vs. applying through the non-dedicated option?

  This optional process does not guarantee admission, nor will it disadvantage applicants.

  The goal of this program is to offer the opportunity to have one’s qualifications assessed through a file review process that includes representation from the Black community who can contribute community-based/specific knowledge to their assessment of qualifications.

  This program is meant to enrich the application process and pay attention to the specific histories of both social work and large educational institutions such as the University of Toronto and their relationships with Black peoples.

  Anti-Black racism has had extremely negative impacts on Black communities and Black Social Workers. It is our responsibility to not only denounce anti-Black racism, but also to act in ways that take responsibility for harmful actions and structures, while building space for healing in the present and in the future. Ensuring that we are specifically paying attention to the needs and experiences of our Black applicants and social work students is important for diversifying and enriching the perspectives in our learning environment and for building capacity in the field more broadly. This application program allows us to be intentional in the goals combating anti-Black racism in social work education and practice.

• What documents are required to establish eligibility for this application process?

  Applicants who self-identify as Black are eligible for this application program without any additional documents.