Tips For Your University of Windsor MSW Application
Applying for MSW programs can be a tricky process between navigating university websites and application requirements. Believe me, I’ve been there too! To help make the process as smooth as possible, I’ve created a guide to applying to the MSW programs at the University of Windsor so you can spend more time focusing on putting your best foot forward on your application.
UWindsor MSW Programs
Similar to many MSW programs at Canadian schools, there are a few different application streams for the UWindsor MSW programs. They offer both on-campus programs, as well as online programs. At UWindsor, the MSW programs are designed to provide students with professional skills and knowledge, particularly from an ecological systems perspective.
You can find more information on each of the programs discussed below at the UWindsor website here!
MSW for Working Professionals (online, part-time)
UWindsor offers two tracks of their online program designed for working professionals: regular track and advanced standing. The regular track program is for applicants who have completed a degree other than a BSW, and the program is expected to take 32 months to complete. In addition, they offer an advanced standing program for applicants who hold a BSW, and this program takes 16 months to complete. For both of these programs, it is important to note that they are synchronous, meaning that students in these programs will have to attend virtual classes at set times. In addition, these programs involve practicum placements which must be completed in Ontario.
On-Campus MSW (in-person, full-time)
In addition to the online programs, UWindsor also offers in-person, on-campus MSW programs as well. Similar to the online programs, they offer both a regular track program for non-BSW applicants, as well as an advanced standing program for those with a BSW. The regular track program takes 20 months, while the advanced standing program takes 12 months. Both of these programs are full-time, with the regular track program beginning every September and the advanced standing beginning every May.
MSW/JD combined degrees program
In addition to the programs discussed above, UWindsor also offers the option to complete your MSW and JD simultaneously. This program is 3 years in length for applicants with a BSW and 4 years for applicants holding a non-BSW degree. This program is full-time only and is held on-campus at UWindsor. The remainder of this post is specific to the general MSW programs outlined above, but if you’re looking for more information on the MSW/JD program, you can find it on the university’s website here!
UWindsor’s MSW Application Process
The application process for the MSW programs at UWindsor is fairly straightforward. First, you will need to complete the online application form. As part of the application form, you will also need to provide contact information for your references. Once you have submitted the form, you will need to upload your supporting documents, including your professional experience form (more on this below!), unofficial transcripts, personal statement, and program policy statement. It is important to note that all references are due by the application deadline, so make sure you give your references lots of time to complete them!
You can find more information on applying to the Working Professionals (online) MSW here or the on-campus MSW program here.
References
The MSW for Working Professionals (online) and the MSW (on-campus) programs have slightly different reference requirements. For the online MSW, applicants are required to submit three references: one from a current supervisor, one from a helping professional, and one academic reference. If you have been out of school for more than 5 years, the academic reference can be replaced with another professional reference – see the FAQs here for more details.
The on-campus MSW program at the University of Windsor requires only two references; one academic reference, and the other from a supervisor (employer or volunteer). Similarly, if you have been out of school for an extended period of time (10+ years) you can replace your academic reference with another employer reference. For any other questions you may have about references for the on-campus MSW, you can find their FAQs here.
References can be a confusing and tricky part of the application process. You can check out our guide to grad school references for further guidance on who you should ask to be your reference, how to ask, and more!
Professional Experience Form
Instead of a resume, the UWindsor MSW programs require applicants to submit a professional experience form. The forms are slightly different for the on-campus vs online programs, so make sure you are filling out the correct form! That said, the content they require is almost exactly the same, so my comments below apply to both forms!
The professional experience forms are very similar to what would typically be included in a resume or CV, and the forms themselves are fairly straightforward. They include space to provide information such as start and end date, whether the experience was full- or part-time, the agency name and contact information, total hours, and a job description.
In addition, both forms include space where you can discuss any publications or conference presentations that you may have completed in the past. Lastly, the working professionals (online) experience form includes space for you to note any relevant trainings or workshops you have completed, as well as any professional associations you may be a member of.
You can find the experience form for working professionals here or for on-campus applicants here!
University of Windsor Personal Statement Prompts
For all four of the MSW streams at UWindsor, the personal statement questions and requirements are the same. The personal statement is comprised of two questions, each with a maximum word count of 400 words. In total, the maximum word count for the statement is 800 words, meaning it is important to be concise.
Below, I’ll break down each of the prompts and give some tips on how to answer them! Get a free copy of our personal statement template to help you brainstorm ideas for your personal statement.
Prompt #1: Describe your experiences (work, volunteer, social, personal, and professional) that contribute to your motivation to pursue graduate studies in social work, and to your commitment to social justice and to creating change. If you do not have a BSW, include how your previous studies are relevant to Social Work.
In this question, they are asking about your experiences, but it is important to make sure you are not just repeating what you already said on your professional experience form. Rather, in answering this question, it will be helpful to highlight the specific skills and values that you took away from your experience, and how it is related to social work.
Answering what motivates you to pursue graduate studies in social work can be tricky, especially if you have a BSW and are already working in the field. Again, it is important to be as specific as possible here – saying something generic like “I want to help people” doesn’t show the admissions committee your unique perspective, or why you want to be a social worker specifically.
For this question, thinking about your “mission statement” will be really helpful in giving a narrowed-down answer. To do so, you can start thinking about what experiences you have had up to now that made you decide to go into social work, as well as your future goals in the profession. By considering what gaps might exist in your knowledge or experience, you will be able to narrow down your “why” for pursuing the program even more. For more guidance, we have an entire blog post dedicated to your mission statement that you can check out here to help you get started!
Prompt #2: Explain why you have chosen your area of interest (i.e., child welfare, health, gerontology). Discuss your current understanding of social problems in that area.
Although this prompt is a bit generic, it is basically asking you to analyze a social issue that you are interested in. When choosing your social issue, it can be helpful to pick something related to your past personal and professional experience. By doing this, you will not only have insight into the issue already, but it will also help your entire statement to feel more cohesive and demonstrate your critical thinking skills.
As well, choosing a fairly specific issue will help you be able to write a detailed answer in a limited amount of space. Rather than trying to analyze something super broad like homelessness, try to narrow it down even further by choosing something more specific such as the relationship between mental health and experiencing homelessness.
Lastly, when answering this question, I would make sure to include at least 2-3 scholarly references to back up your discussion of the social issue. This part of the statement is important because it is your opportunity to demonstrate your academic writing and research skills to the admissions committee. For more guidance on answering the social justice issue prompt, you can check out this post with more tips and examples! You can also get a free copy of our personal statement template here.
Final Tips
The School of Social Work at the University of Windsor shares some criteria that will be used in evaluating the statements: ability to communicate clearly and succinctly, evidence of critical and analytical skills, potential contribution to practice in area of interest, and complement between social work and the applicant’s identified professional goals/interests. Therefore, it is important to make sure that each of these aspects is represented throughout your personal statement.
Although APA format is generally preferred in social work, UWindsor has some specific formatting requirements, so it is important to follow them. They request that your statement be single-spaced, in size 12 font, and in either Times New Roman or Arial. That said, when formatting your in-text citations and references for the statement, I would still suggest following the APA 7 guidelines. You can find a guide to formatting your student paper in APA 7 here!
Each question of the personal statement has a 400-word limit, which is short! If you are having trouble being concise, I would start to think about whether there are any details you have included that could potentially be omitted. For example, applicants will often include a sentence or two about the organization that they worked for or tasks included in their role, but these details don’t add a ton about why you will be an amazing social worker! Basically, anything that doesn’t directly explain why you are a well-qualified applicant can probably be omitted.
Lastly, all documents will need to be uploaded to your application as PDFs, so make sure you save your personal statement as a PDF before you submit it!
Although applying for MSW programs can be stressful, Uwindsor’s application can be boiled down to just a few parts: the application form, the resume, the references, and the personal statement. By following the suggestions above, you’ll be prepared to submit a great application and be one step closer to being accepted to your dream program!
Applying to the University of Windsor? Our team of Application Advisors specialize in supporting applicants who are applying to MSW programs in Canada. Learn more about how they can help you here.
