Application Deadlines

On-Campus Programs 

For Programs Requiring a Bachelor Degree

• MSW 2-year (full-time) starting September: Jan. 15
• MSW-MDiv (full-time) starting September: Jan. 15¹

For Programs Requiring a Bachelor of Social Work Degree

• MSW advanced standing (full-time) starting September: Dec. 1
• MSW Indigenous field of study (full-time) starting September: April 1
• MSW Indigenous field of study (part-time) starting September: April 1

Applications will open in mid-October each year for the full-time programs. 

Online-Only Part-Time Programs

For both the MSW full program and the MSW Advanced Standing program (part-time only), applications are accepted during the following time periods:

• September start: mid-October to Feb. 1
• January start: Feb. 2 to May 1
• May start: May 2 to Sept. 1

Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying.

Application Checklist

After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from fgps@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Viewing system.

An application for admission to all MSW programs must include:

• The Application Summary, which is generated after you complete your OUAC application (log back in to OUAC to retrieve it).
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
• A completed personal statement form.
• A completed summary of experience in human service organizations form. 
• A résumé of your academic and work experience. Include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee.
• Completed reference forms. Three references are required. One (1) Academic and two (2) Professional*

Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to Laurier’s Online Viewing system.

*Note: Applicants who have been out of school for three or more years, and who cannot obtain an academic reference, will be required to submit an additional professional reference in its place. A professional reference is someone who can speak to your work and/or volunteer experience in human services. Do not include personal references from friends and family. Reference forms are electronically submitted to Laurier by the referee and do not need to be uploaded. Applicants who have been out of school for three or more years, and who cannot obtain an academic reference, will be required to submit an additional professional reference in its place.

¹For MDiv/MSW program applicants: This program is jointly administered by Martin Luther University College and the Faculty of Social Work at Laurier. Applicants are required to apply to each area separately (Luther and Social Work) and to complete the application form and submit documentation and application fees as required for each area, by the specific deadlines for each program. When applying to the Faculty of Social Work, indicate in your personal statement that your anticipated program is the MDiv/MSW. Only applications for September (fall term) starts are considered.