Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) FAQs

Admission into the Bachelor of Social Work program at Toronto Metropolitan University is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Our Full-time, Four-year and Full-time, Advanced Standing: Direct Entry to Second Year programs are grades-only programs, which means Toronto Metropolitan University considers your application on the basis of academic achievement only.

Our Part-time, Advanced Standing: Direct Entry to Third Year program is a grades-plus program, which means Toronto Metropolitan University considers your application on the basis of grades plus non-academic requirements.

Non-academic requirements may include letters of reference, a resume, employment letters and a statement of intent.

TMU’s School of Social Work strives to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion in the student body and aims to respond to community needs. The admission committee provides opportunity for special consideration if you wish to have your application reviewed in this light. You may provide details regarding experiences that should be viewed within the lens of equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Applying to the Part-time, Advanced Standing: Direct Entry to Third Year program? Toronto Metropolitan University will assess your volunteer experience as part of the admissions process.

Volunteer experience is not a requirement for admissions into our other programs.

However, we strongly encourage you to pursue volunteer opportunities. Volunteering can provide you with valuable insight into the social work profession, and help you gain the knowledge and experience needed to excel in your field placements.

Take advantage of the resources and programming offered by the Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre at TMU. The Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre is focused on empowering and encouraging students to maximize their potential at TMU. They support all students from pre-arrival through to professional life.

It depends on whether you enrol as a part-time or full-time student, and on what year of the program you are in.

The undergraduate calendar outlines what courses you need to take, and when.

Part-time students take a minimum of one course and a maximum of three courses in their third and fourth year. Part-time courses are offered in the evening only, starting at 6pm.

Yes, as long as you meet TMU’s requirements. When granting transfer credits, Toronto Metropolitan University considers the length of course, the course content and the grade you received. More on transfer credits.

No. You must complete SWP 132 - Critical Social Work Foundations prior to taking core second-year social work courses.

This ensures you are adequately prepared for your second-year courses. If you receive transfer credits — while you can take fewer courses — it will still take you four years to complete the program.

The best way to modify your timetable would be to select elective courses that fit your schedule. Otherwise, opportunities to adjust your social work courses are limited.

Our program is intense and demanding. In third year, you are in the field on Tuesdays and Thursdays and in class for three days each week.

In fourth year, you are in the field on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and in class for three days each week.  

Part-time classes are offered every evening except for Friday.

Take advantage of the resources available to you. The Academic Support and Resource Centre provides learning support through individual appointments, workshops, peer support and other learning opportunities

If you fall behind or have trouble with an assignment, speak to your instructor.