SC-MSW 2019

Hello York University Advanced Standing MSW Students and Alumni, I am hoping we can use this forum to share tips, resources, and experiences regarding the MSW curriculum and the placement process at YorkU. I'm looking forward to starting the program and learning from one another!

Hello fellow MSW colleagues, I have created this forum as a way for MSW students and graduates to share their placement experiences with one another. I would appreciate it if people can share their experiences at school boards, hospitals, counselling and advocacy agencies. More specifically, if anyone did their placement with Peel Children's Centre, Peel District School Board, or the Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board, I would be very interested in hearing how your experience was. Thank you!

For candidates who got into York, I recently found out that our welcome orientation would be sometime at the end of May. The Graduate Program Engagement Coordinator and the Graduate Program Assistant would be sending out an email closer to the date. Looking forward to meeting you all there! 😊

I also have not seen or heard of anyone creating a group for York's Advanced Standing MSW. I don't use Facebook, but I wonder if people in the past have created LinkedIn MSW groups or a separate forum on The Grad Cafe.

If anyone on this forum can share their MSW placement experience, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

In my opinion, you have multiple diverse experiences in social services which is quite impressive!! Continue doing what you have done so far as it definitely is making a difference in the communities you are working with. If you want more experience in the field, pursue any opportunity that interests you. A lot of times when it comes to the MSW, schools are looking more for fit than anything else. It is hard to say exactly what each school is looking for, but an overall strong application (written statement, experience in social services, references, and GPA) would increase one's chances. Best of luck!

I applied to Laurier's On-Campus Advanced Standing MSW for September 2019 and I was rejected because I did not have enough hours in the field. In my rejection letter they stated that successful candidates had 3-6 years of full time experience in the field. I know that the online MSW is more competitive and that they have people apply with many years of experience (7+ years). It is extremely competitive and it is difficult to acquire that much experience for people who are recent graduates. I unfortunately was not aware of this when I applied as I thought that my 4515 hours of volunteer, placement, and summer work experience would be sufficient. If their website stated this information, I may have re-evaluated where else I applied to. Luckily I was accepted to York shortly after I got rejected from Laurier! I likely am going to enroll in Laurier's certificate programs after the MSW to acquire more clinical skills. It's great many on this forum are applying and doing the best they can! Better to try than to regret not attempting it. All the best everyone!

No problem. It unfortunately seems like they waitlist a lot of people. I know around 180 people applied to York's Advanced Standing MSW this year. Hopefully you and others are accepted soon!

My friend's classmate called York recently and they said that they are most likely going to waitlist applicants who have not received an acceptance into their Advanced Standing MSW. Hopefully they accept more people who are awaiting a response. All the best to everyone!

Has anyone created an online group or a forum on The Grad Cafe for York University's Advanced Standing MSW?

Congrats on getting into York's 2 year MSW!! I am a current BSW student at York who received entrance into their Advanced Standing MSW on March 14. In my acceptance letter I was offered the York Graduate Fellowship ($10,000) and the York Graduate Scholarship ($8,000)! York is the most generous school when it comes to funding! I am not certain what the amount is for the 2 year MSW, however, York would specify the amount on MyFile. If the letter isn't uploaded yet, you could always call the School of Social Work and inquire about your funding package. Here is the link for the program structure of all the MSW programs: https://socialwork.gradstudies.yorku.ca/msw/msw-program-structure/ You could also check out which courses were offered this year and what their time slots were on this website: https://w2prod.sis.yorku.ca/Apps/WebObjects/cdm.woa/6/wo/iYYEME69ysrVOBQKIFEs60/0.3.10.21 York generally has most courses run at the same time with most of the same professors that were listed from prior semesters. At times this changes, but at least you can get an idea of what was available prior. York's MSW is a very progressive program which focuses on Critical Social Work, social justice, advocacy, and research. York focuses on challenging macro societal issues and systems of oppression. A lot of critical thinking and self-reflection is used throughout their Social Work programs, however, Clinical Social Work practice is quite limited in their program (they have two electives which somewhat touch upon clinical practice such as Narrative Therapy and Critical Social Work and Group Facilitation and Social Justice). There also is a large emphasis on Marxism and Foucault in the MSW.

Thank you very much for this information! It is great to hear that prior MSW students have advocated to keep the discounted price, however, it's unfortunate to hear that it didn't remain. I am also interested in those certificates in addition to the mindfulness certificate. I most likely would enroll into a certificate or workshop program after I complete my MSW in order to help me specialize in certain areas of practice.

Would anyone suggest taking Laurier's Social Work Professional Development Certificates and Workshops after completing the MSW?

I also haven't heard of anyone being rejected from York's Advanced Standing MSW. Many of my classmates are "under consideration" as well. I know that those who got accepted had until March 28 to decline or accept the offer. From then the department said they were going to re-evaluate the application pool. Maybe if you call the School of Social Work they can better explain how they're giving out acceptances. Pam is always helpful All the best to those waiting!

Does anyone have any suggestions for MSW placements? Would anyone recommend doing a placement at a school or a hospital? If anyone here already did their MSW or are in the process of doing one, I would appreciate your feedback! Thank you!