Master of Social Work (Field: Gerontology)

Social workers provide a wide variety of services and programs, both in the community and in institutions that are aimed at enhancing the quality of life of older people and assisting families to adjust to the aging of their family member. Social workers also play a vital role in the development and implementation of social and economic policies at the provincial and national levels through research on aging, consultation with government, and through social advocacy.

All students enrolled in the Social Work in Gerontology field will automatically be enrolled in the Collaborative Specialization in Aging, Palliative and Supportive Care Across the Life Course.

Minimum Admission Requirements

MSW Two-Year Program and MSW Advanced-Standing Option

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Social Work's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants with an appropriate bachelor's degree with a minimum average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto mid-B in the final year of full-time study from a recognized university are admitted to a two-year MSW program.

• Applicants who hold a BSW degree with mid-B average in the final year of full-time study, or its equivalent from a recognized university, may be eligible for the MSW advanced-standing option.

• All applicants must have included 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in social science courses, including 0.5 FCE in research methodology. A mid-B is strongly recommended in the research methodology course.

• Experience (voluntary or paid) in the social services or related field and knowledge of critical social issues are recommended. Suitability for professional practice in social work will also be considered.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements. Advanced-standing applicants must declare their field and a preference for full-time or part-time studies at the time of application.

• Initial admission inquiries should be made directly to the Faculty of Social Work. Please note that applicants holding the minimum admission requirements are not guaranteed admission. All admission decisions are final.

Program Requirements

MSW Two-Year Program and MSW Advanced-Standing Option

• All MSW students: Agencies that offer practica will likely require a Vulnerable Sector Verification prior to commencing the practicum. Failure to pass this check will jeopardize a student's entry to practicum. Cost and time factors are associated with the Vulnerable Sector Verification. A delay in obtaining the results can impact the start time of a student's practicum. In anticipation of this requirement for the practicum, it is strongly recommended that students begin this process early.

• In the event that a student does not complete two or more required courses, or receives an FZ (inadequate) after repeating any course, normally steps will be taken by the Faculty to recommend the termination of the student's registration.

Year 1 Compulsory Courses

Year 1 MSW students in the Gerontology field must complete the required courses below:

• Eight half courses (4.0 FCEs).
• SWK1999H Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Workshop (0.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit), to be taken in the Fall session.
• the Year 1 practicum (0.5 FCE).

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

• Students in the MSW two-year program must declare their field by mid-February of Year 1.

• Note: Advanced-standing students normally complete the program in one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.

• The MSW thesis option provides hands-on research experience. The thesis is an independent piece of research intended to enable students to develop and apply research skills within the context of social work practice and to write a graduate thesis of publishable quality. Note: The thesis option is available to a limited number of students — maximum three in any given year — whose proposed research must be approved by a review panel and by the Associate Dean, Research.

• Students in the thesis option who have a minimum of two years' prior full-time social work experience are eligible to apply to take an additional 1.0 elective FCE in place of the Year 2 practicum. Workplace supervision must have occurred with an MSW supervisor; requests for substitution must be reviewed and approved by the Faculty Assessment Committee.

• Students who choose the thesis option may require at least one additional academic session to complete the program.

MSW Two-Year Program

• Students in the MSW two-year program must complete a total of 8.5 FCEs, including core MSW coursework (4.0 FCEs), required field coursework (2.5 FCEs), elective coursework (0.5 FCE), and practica (1.5 FCEs) in the student's field.

• Thesis option: students in the MSW two-year program complete a total of 8.5 FCEs, including:

  • Core MSW coursework (4.0 FCEs).

  • Required field coursework (2.5 FCEs).

  • Elective coursework (0.5 FCE) from the Collaborative Specialization (CS) in Aging, Palliative and Supportive Care Across the Life Course list of approved electives, excluding SWK4618H. To fulfil the elective requirement, students may request approval in advance from the CS Committee of an elective course not on this list.

  • The Year 1 practicum (0.5 FCE).

  • A thesis (1.0 FCE).

Year 2 Compulsory Courses

MSW Advanced-Standing Option

Students in the advanced-standing option:

• Will normally complete a total of 4.5 FCEs, including required coursework (3.0 FCEs), elective coursework (0.5 FCE), and a practicum (1.0 FCE).

• Thesis option: students must complete a total of 4.5 FCEs, including:

  • Required coursework (3.0 FCEs).

  • Elective coursework (0.5 FCE) from the Collaborative Specialization (CS) in Aging, Palliative and Supportive Care Across the Life Course list of approved electives, excluding SWK4618H. To fulfil the elective requirement, students may request approval in advance from the CS Committee of an elective course not on this list.

  • A thesis (1.0 FCE).

• Must complete the Year 1 compulsory courses. SWK4510H Research for Evidence-Based Social Work Practice must be completed before taking any of the research courses in the field.

• Complete SWK1999H Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Workshop (0.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit) during the Fall session of Year 1.

• Are expected to complete the requirements in three sessions (one year).

Program Length

6 sessions two-year full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
3 sessions advanced-standing full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions advanced-standing part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time