MSW Admissions

1. Master of Social Work Admissions Overview
2. Essential Requirements for Students in the MSW Program
3. Our MSW Programs
4. The MSW Application & Required Document Details (Updated for 2025)
   1. Transcript(s)
   2. References
   3. MSW Statement of Intent
   4. CV/Resumé
   5. MSW Portfolio (Work Hours Summary Document)
   6. Application Notes
5. Financial Support
6. Admission Decisions
7. Have Questions?

Master of Social Work Admissions Overview

Our current admission cycle is for September 2025 with an application completion deadline of December 1, 2024 at midnight.
All applications are reviewed after December 1, and final admissions decisions are typically entered by the end of February each year.
The MSW application in Carleton 360 is open, and it will close December 1, 2024.
Late applications are not possible or accepted, and Fall is our only term of admission.

MSW Admissions Information Session:
The School of Social Work at Carleton normally holds at least one MSW Admissions session in the fall term of each year.
Slides from our MSW Admissions Information Session October 9 2024.

Essential Requirements for Students in the MSW Program

Before you apply, review and understand the Essential Requirements for Students in the MSW program

Our MSW Programs

We offer a two year MSW program for those without a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), and a one year MSW for those with an accredited Bachelor of Social Work.

The MSW Application & Required Document Details (Updated for 2025)

The application process to graduate studies at Carleton for all prospective students is the same and must be completed online.  Complete information regarding the application process is found on Carleton’s Graduate Admissions website, while MSW specific information is below.

Transcript(s)

Electronic pdf versions of all your post-secondary transcripts or academic histories (including Carleton) are uploaded to your application under the “Academic History” tab of Carleton 360. Official Transcripts are not required, and document must include current course registrations (if applicable), and the grading scale or legend if your university is outside of Ontario.  Upload multi-page transcripts as one document.

References

Two references are required for your MSW application.
One Academic Reference:  Please try to get a reference from your most recently attended academic program.  Even though it may have been some time since you were last in school, we encourage you to contact previous instructors/professors with a reminder of the class you took, when you took it, any specific assignments or presentations you did, and`your final grade. This may help them to write a strong reference for you. If you need to use a TA for an academic reference, that is fine although professors are preferred.
*** If you are unable to secure an academic reference, include a detailed rationale to the admissions committee with your statement document, and add an additional professional       reference.
One Professional Reference:  At least one referee must be provided who can comment on your social work related experience.

Once you submit your application and your fee payment is processed, your referees will receive an automated email from graduate_studies@carleton.ca with the subject line “Carleton Referee for Admission”. (Referees may need to check their spam or junk mail folders.)  The email will have a link to an academic referee form which asks how long they have known you; in what capacity; would they recommend the applicant to a grad program at their own university; and aptitude for advanced research.  It asks them to rate the applicant on: academic achievement, research potential, originality, judgement, motivation, ability to work independently, oral communication, written communication, and potential as a research assistant.
Some of the questions would not be relevant to professional references so they would indicate “Not applicable”.
The form follows up with an area where the referee would further describe the applicant’s abilities, or insert their reference letter.
Once your referee completes and submits the reference, it will take 1-2 business days before you see this reflected in  your application in Carleton Central.
Ensure you give your referees plenty of time to complete the form by the December 1st deadline.

MSW Statement of Intent

Answer the following two questions in one statement document using approximately 750 words per question, excluding references.
Upload under the “Experience & Interests” tab of Carleton 360 application; OR to your application in Carleton Central once payment is processed and you receive your Carleton ID # and instructions for accessing Carleton Central.
Question 1 – How have your life, work and educational experiences contributed to your understanding of yourself and others in relation to the society in which we live? (You may wish to        reflect on various aspects of your identity such as gender and sexual orientation, economic/class status, life as an Indigenous person, racial and cultural background, or abilities or                  disabilities.)  How do you see your personal narrative contributing to your educational and professional goals. How will Carleton’s School of Social Work program help you address these        goals.
Question 2 – Write a scholarly essay (i.e. with citations and references) addressing a social problem you might want to engage with as a social worker. What are the theories, concepts,        factors that contribute to or cause this problem.

CV/Resumé

One (1) is required. Please provide a detailed CV/Resume, organized chronologically beginning with your most recent experience. Please use your CV to describe the work you list in the      Portfolio-Work Summary Document (described below).  There is no minimum or maximum limit to the pages in the CV, and applicants are welcome to submit any style of CV or Resume.
Upload under the “Experience & Interests” tab of Carleton 360 application; OR to your application in Carleton Central once payment is processed and you receive your Carleton ID # and instructions for accessing Carleton Central.

MSW Portfolio (Work Hours Summary Document)

Prepare a document containing all social work-related hours of experience.  This document should contain 3 tables: Paid Work Experience, Volunteer Work Experience, and Placement/Co-op Experience (if applicable).  Total the hours in each table and provide a Grand Total of Paid and Unpaid hours.  Describe your experiences in your CV/Resume, not in these tables.  Use hours completed up to the time of your application and put (con’t) in the end date column for any work that will continue past the date this document is added to your application.  Convert the document to a reduced sized pdf and upload under the “Experience and Interests” tab of Carleton 360 application, or in Carleton Central once payment is processed.
*** Update Nov 11 2024: create and submit portfolio document in portrait orientation, not landscape. 

Application Notes

***Application documents can be uploaded before you submit your application and make fee payment; OR after payment is processed and you receive your Carleton ID # and instructions for accessing Carleton Central.
***If you feel you have something important to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee that is not addressed in the rest of the application (e.g. reason for low or failed grade/year, absence of academic or work reference etc.), then include a brief letter to the Admissions Committee identifying this. Include it with your CV or Statement of Intent document.
Please refer to the Application FAQs webpage if you have an issue with your application.
General details for required documents is found on Carleton’s Graduate Admissions website under Required Documents.
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Financial Support

Consideration for scholarship funding and financial support including teaching assistantships is made at the time of admission to a full-time program. A separate application is not required, all successful full-time applicants are considered for admission funding.  Current and prospective graduate students are encouraged to apply for Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) scholarships and Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS), which are awarded annually to outstanding students by the federal and provincial governments. For more information on awards and funding, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

International Student Funding
Funding for International applicants is extremely limited. International applicants should ensure personal or external funding and financial aid as needed.
For more information on awards and funding, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Admission Decisions

The School of Social Work will submit admission decisions by the end of February.

We will not be confirming receipt of your completed application. To check on your application, enter Carleton Central to see what documents have been uploaded (yours and your referees). Successful applicants will be notified by email from Graduate Studies. You can check your application status in Carleton Central.
If an applicant is Not Recommended for Assessment and therefore not offered admission into the program, there is no appeal process available. Please note that this communication from the School, or from one of its faculty or staff, does not constitute approval for admission.
Upon receiving an Offer of Admission, you will have 21 days to indicate acceptance. An offer of admission may include conditions that must be met before you will be admitted to the MSW program.  Successful applicants are responsible for meeting the conditions and any ensuing late registration fees.

Have Questions?

Please see Frequently Asked Questions at the following links MSW FAQs, and General Application FAQs  Still have questions?  Email  swgrad@cunet.carleton.ca.

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