Individuals interested in the B.S.W (Post Degree) program must apply directly to the School of Social Work.

Enrolment in this program is limited. Eligibility is dependent upon completion of an undergraduate degree from a recognized university, including a total of six units of introductory Social Work or introductory Sociology and six additional units of introductory level courses from the Course List (or equivalent) Students who are interested in the B.S.W. (post degree) are strongly encouraged to take both SOCWORK 1AA3 and SOCWORK 1BB3 during their first degree. Students are also encouraged to take INDIGST 1A03 – Introduction to Indigenous Studies , in their first degree, as completion of this course will be required for completion of the B.S.W. To be considered for admission, students must normally have a minimum average of 6.0 on the most recent 30 units (five full credits) of university-level courses completed and evidence of personal suitability which may be evaluated by one or a combination of written statements, tests or interviews.

Admission Notes

1. Students who have successfully completed the two-year College of Applied Arts and Technology Social Services Diploma with a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (75%) are considered to have completed the equivalent of SOCWORK 1AA3 and SOCWORK 1BB3. Students who have successfully completed this diploma with a cumulative average of 3.4 – 4.0 (85%-100%) are not required to complete six additional units of introductory level courses from the Course List to be eligible for admission.
2. An applicant is required to complete the prerequisite undergraduate degree work by April of the year in which the application is made.
3. Indigenous students (includes First Nations, Métis & Inuit) may select an alternate application process. Please see section below for full details.
4. Enrolment in the B.S.W. program is limited. Students who intend to apply to the B.S.W. program must complete the Supplementary Application (see below).  Applicants must also apply to the University.
5. All applications for admission to the School of Social Work are considered annually and must be made directly to the School well before February 1 for the Fall/Winter term.

Application Components

Admission scores are based 50% on results from the Personal Statement and 50% on a student’s GPA.

1. Personal Statement – value 50% In accordance with the evaluation criteria of the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, our admission procedures include assessment of personal suitability as well as academic capability. The Personal Statement is designed in an effort to draw on applicants’ personal and professional experiences.
2. Academic Record – value 50% Every candidate’s GPA is calculated on the most recent 30 units (5 full credits) of university-level work, whether taken at McMaster or elsewhere.  If the applicant is currently registered in 30 units, then those are used; if they are registered in fewer units, then we will go to the previous session and select sufficient units to total 30 (taking the best grades from that session).  If an applicant has received advanced credit based on community college work, we will use any university courses they have taken plus sufficient units from the community college advanced standing credit work.

Mandatory Application Procedures

NON-McMaster Applicants – B.S.W Post-Degree

1. 1. Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) Form: This form is open for September 2024 applications. OUAC Application Link.   Please refer to OUAC Fees for up-to-date information. The deadline for applying is January 15, 2024. Once you have completed the OUAC application, you will have access to the following two mandatory application components within the checklist provided in your McMaster Student Portal.
   2. School of Social Work on-line Supplementary Application. The Supplementary Application will be due no later than February 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
      *To access the McMaster Student Portal you will require your Mac ID and password.
   3. The Personal Statement: Once you have completed the Supplementary Application you will have access to complete the Personal Statement within the McMaster Student Portal. The Personal Statement will close on February 1st, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.  You have access to complete and edit until February 1st, 2024.
   4. Transcripts: Applicants must arrange for McMaster to receive official transcripts from all external secondary and post-secondary institutions attended.  Currently registered students: submit transcripts as soon as final grades are available for each term (fall/winter).  Applicants whose studies are complete: submit final transcript(s) by March 1^st.  Applicants should upload all transcripts to their McMaster Student Portal

McMaster Applicants – B.S.W Post-Degree

1. 1. McMaster graduates must complete the McMaster Returning Student Application through OUAC.  Once you have completed the McMaster Returning Student Application, you will have access to the following two mandatory application components within the checklist provided in your McMaster Student Portal.  The McMaster Returning Student Application is due no later than February 1st at 11:59 p.m.
   2. School of Social Work on-line Supplementary Application: Now open for September 2024 admission.
      The Supplementary Application will be due no later than February 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
      *To access the McMaster Student Portal you will require your Mac ID and password.
   3. The Personal Statement: Once you have completed the Supplementary Application you will have access to complete the Personal Statement within the McMaster Student Portal. The Personal Statement will close on February 1st, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.  You have access to complete and edit until February 1st, 2024.
   4. Transcripts: Applicants must arrange for McMaster to receive official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended.  Currently registered students: submit transcripts as soon as final grades are available for each term (fall/winter).  Applicants whose studies are complete: submit final transcript(s) by March 1^st.  Applicants should upload all transcripts to their McMaster Student Portal.
      *Please note: McMaster students do not have to submit McMaster transcripts.

Application Materials

All written materials submitted in relation to application for undergraduate study in social work become the property of the School of Social Work, McMaster University and cannot be returned to the applicant regardless of the final decision regarding admission.

Documents submitted by applicants who are ACCEPTED will be kept on file until October 15th of the year in which application is made, at which time all materials except the application form, scoring sheets and transcripts will be destroyed. Prior to this date, written materials may be reviewed for administrative accuracy by the applicant in the presence of a Faculty Member or the Academic Department Manager, of the School of Social Work.

Documents submitted by applicants who are NOT ACCEPTED will be kept on file until July 15th of the year following application, at which time they will be destroyed. Prior to this date written materials may be reviewed for administrative accuracy by the applicant in the presence of a faculty member or the Academic Department Manager, of the School of Social Work.

Subsequent applications by individuals not accepted into the School of Social Work or by individuals who withdraw from the application process will require NEW applications and will require re-submission of ALL documents.

Application Withdrawal

Applicants who decide to discontinue their application at any point after submission are required to notify the School of Social Work in writing of their withdrawal.  Those who have applied through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) must also cancel their previous acceptance of the offer through their OUAC accounts if applicable. 

Notification of Acceptance

Normally, notification of final decisions will be mailed on or about June 15th. You must call the School of Social Work to confirm your acceptance within by the deadline provided in the offer letter date or your position will be forfeited. For those applicants who have also applied through the OUAC, an official letter of acceptance from the  Admissions Office will be emailed to you and you must also accept your offer through your OUAC account by the deadline specified in your offer letter.  Offers of acceptance cannot be deferred; students must complete a required social work Foundation course (SOCWORK 2A06, SOCWORK 2BB3, SOCWORK 2CC3, SOC WORK 3E03, SOCWORK 3F03) in the year of admission.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing applications are considered only after formal acceptance has been issued. You are required to submit supporting transcripts and course outlines for those courses on which you wish advanced standing to be based and identify those courses in the School of Social Work for which advanced standing is sought. If you are including work experience as a factor in your request for advanced standing, please submit a detailed job description and an evaluation (form to be supplied by the School) completed by your immediate supervisor. Note that requests for advanced standing cannot solely be based on work experience. You will be notified in writing about the decision of the Advanced Standing Committee.

Appeal Procedure

The recommendation concerning admission of an applicant by the School of Social Work Admission Committee is final and is subject only to review for administrative correctness.

Indigenous Students (Includes First Nations and Metis) Alternate Admissions Process and Criteria

The Circle of Indigenous Social Work Action has designed an admission process in pursuit of the School’s commitment to enhancing the accessibility of the undergraduate social work program to First Nations, Métis and Inuit applicants. Indigenous applicants may select the following Indigenous admission process or may opt for the process utilized by the general applicant population.

Admission via the Indigenous application process is based equally on the following criteria:

• Ability as measured by academic grades
• Personal Assessment, measured by the Personal Statement which may be written or presented orally. More details are available in the Supplementary Application. 
• A letter from a community member that addresses the applicant’s (1) readiness for the academic demands of the program, (2) alignment with values of social work and social justice, (3) involvement and identification with Indigenous community (historical, current, future). 

Given the colonial legacy of forced disconnection and dislocation from community, we do not require applicants to have an historical or current connection with Indigenous community. We seek the letter writer’s comments on the applicant’s Indigenous identity as they understand it, and their current and future intentions with respect to engagement with Indigenous communities.

You will find full details of the process in the Policy for Admission of Indigenous Students.

Please reach out to Lorna O’Connell for more information.

Additional Information

Are you still wondering if you are eligible to apply to the B.S.W. post-degree program?  Please contact Lorna O’Connell for more assistance in completing your application or other administrative concerns.

Lorna O’Connell

Administrative Assistant

(905) 525-9140 ext.. 23795

Email: oconnell@mcmaster.ca

or

Tammy Maikawa, Academic Department Manager

Email: millet@mcmaster.ca