MSW Admissions

Transcript(s):
Electronic pdf versions of all your post-secondary transcripts or academic histories (including Carleton) must be uploaded to your application.  Transcript 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 with your MSW application.  Enter their names, details, and email addresses into the 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”. The email will have a link to an academic referee form. Referees may need to check their spam or junk mail folders.  The referee form 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 using approximately 750 words per question, excluding references.
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.

MSW 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 (description below).  There is no minimum or maximum limit to the pages in the CV.  Applicants are welcome to submit any style of CV or Resume.

MSW Portfolio (Work Hours Summary Document):
One (1) is required. 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 processed.

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.