1. Welcome QY/MSW Orientation 2017
Shadi Martin, PhD.
Graduate Program Director (QY/MSW)
Lillian Iannone
Administrative &
Student Affairs Coordinator

2. MSW Program Requirements: Non-thesis option
Required courses: (6 credits) Research Methods 1, Qualitative (SWRK 653) Research Methods 2, Quantitative (SWRK 643) 6 complementary courses (18 credits) Fieldwork (12 credits) “ISP” (9 credits) Total of 45 credits

3. Program Requirements: Thesis option
Required courses: (6 credits) Research Methods 1, Qualitative (SWRK 653) Research Methods 2, Quantitative (SWRK 643) 4 complementary courses (12 credits) Thesis (27 credits) No fieldwork or field placement credits Total of 45 credits

4. Children & Families
606 Reclaiming Child Welfare [Fall] 610 Family Treatment [Winter] 622 Family Assessment [Fall] 623 Couple Counseling [Winter] 628 Violence against women [Fall] 657 Mental Health [Winter]

5. Health and Social Care
609 Understanding Social Care [Fall] 630 Adult Mental Health [Winter] 655 Seminar on Aging [Winter] 668 Bereavement [Winter] 669 Disability and Rehabilitation [Winter] 670 Seminar on Caregiving [Fall]

6. International & Community Development
532 International Social Work [Fall]
620 Migration & Social Work [Winter]
621 Trauma & Resilience [Fall]
626 International & Community Development [Winter]
633 Program Evaluation [Fall]
Social Policy Analysis [Fall]
624 Community Organization [Summer 2018]

7. Complementary Courses
633 Program Evaluation 635 Use of Self 649 Special Topics: Addictions IDFC500 Aboriginal Field Studies (offered in Summer)

8. Joint MSW/Law Program 1st year is comprised of law courses
Required courses: (6 credits)
Research Methods 1, Qualitative (SWRK 653)
Research Methods 2, Quantitative (SWRK 643)
5 complementary SW courses (15 credits)
Fieldwork (12 credits)
Joint MSW/Law “ISP” (12 credits)

9. External Courses Allowed up to 2 external Graduate Level courses
Provide course outline or calendar description to Advisor
Advisor deposits a note of approval in your student file
Keep a copy for your own records!
McGill course? Register through MINERVA
Quebec university? Inter-University Transfer Credit Agreement through CREPUQ. Information and application available from
Courses offered outside of Quebec? Apply as Special Student
Upon completion, provide an official transcript to Lillian
Exceptions are U of T & UBC: Graduate Transfer Agreement Form (available from Lillian in General Office)

10. Timeframes for MSW Studies
Full-time students: 3 years from initial registration
Students starting in September of 2017 must complete all requirements by August 15, 2020
Part-time students: 5 years from initial registration
Students starting in September of 2017 must complete all requirements by August 15, 2022

11. Terms of Study Full-time non-thesis students:
register for 3 consecutive full-time terms (12 or more credits)
register for 6 fieldwork credits (SWRK660) and 9 independent study project credits (SWRK690) in the 3rd term (summer or fall)
Part-time non-thesis students
register for a minimum of 3 credits per term (fall and winter); summer session is optional

12. Full or Part-Time Status * very important to remember *
If you have registered for 12 or 15 credits in any one term, you are considered “full-time” and must complete all requirements within 3 years of initial registration This shift in status applies to part-time non-thesis students and to half-time thesis students who request a change in their status to full-time

13. Tutorials
Are negotiated on an individual basis between student and professor
Follow the same deadlines for the completion of work as any course
Require the completion of a Tutorial Form, available from the Social Work website: (MSW Program, “Downloadable Forms”). All completed forms must be returned to Lillian (Room 300) at the beginning of the term
Tutorial grades are submitted by the professor to Lillian at the end of each term by the regular grade submission deadline for courses
Verify all your grades through MINERVA

14. Incomplete Coursework (1) * very important to remember *
Unable to complete the requirements for a particular course? Tell your professor; discuss your situation
If agreed upon, you will receive a "K“ (incomplete) grade
You and your professor must complete a “K/KE” form (available from the Social Work website, MSW Program, “Downloadable Forms”); provide a copy to Lillian for your student file
Keep a copy for your records!
Course requirements must be completed within an agreed upon deadline and cannot exceed 4 months from end of term
After 4 months, “K” becomes“KF” (incomplete/failure)
This grade remains on your transcript

15. Incomplete Coursework (2)
Under extenuating circumstances and ONLY IF accompanied by a medical certificate, you may request an additional extension
Complete a “K/KE” form, submit it along with medical note to Lillian in the General Office
Upon completion of the coursework, professor submits your grade
Any graduate student who receives 2 failures (including KF grades) will be required to withdraw from the University

16. University Regulations & Resources
Includes: University Failure Policy
University Re-read Policy

17. Your Assigned Advisor:
reviews and monitors course selection
What if you took almost the exact same course before?
Determines if you can be exempted from a course and advises you on replacing those credits!
reviews and approves of external courses
Get it in writing!!!
meets with you to discuss your ISP or thesis topic;
helps you focus your topic and design a manageable thesis or ISP
provides scholarly direction for the ISP or thesis
ensures ethical standards and ethical approval for research when needed
reviews a draft of a section or more for feedback

18. Changing Advisor?
Your Advisor helps you to identify other faculty members who may guide you in your ISP or thesis
You then approach other faculty members to discuss the topic of your ISP or thesis
You negotiate the advisory relationship
You inform the Graduate Program Director (MSW) and the Admin. & Student Affairs Coordinator (Lillian) of the change of advisor in writing

19. Advisor Leaves?
Talk to your advisor about plans for an upcoming sabbatical leave or retirement
Plan with your advisor prior to her/his leave
Ensure your advisor either continues to oversee your studies or assists you to find a new advisor
Report all changes, in writing, to the Graduate Program Director (MSW) and the Admin. & Student Affairs Coordinator (Lillian)

20. ISP & Thesis ISP Submission Dates: August 15, November 30, March 31
Thesis Submission Dates: Verify at
ISP paper 40 pages: See “MSW Non-thesis ISP Guidelines”: Go to
Thesis, maximum 100 pages: Go to
ISP graded by advisor only
External examiner for thesis only

21. Tips! Enjoy your QY/MSW experience
Network with colleagues through courses
Set goals/deadlines for completion of course work, ISP or Thesis
Tackle parts of your ISP or thesis in your courses
Become involved in QY/MSW Advisory Group & SWAGS
Talk with your advisor each term
Talk with the Graduate Program Director, “I am here for you!”