Graduates of non-accredited Canadian and American Social Work Programs or Graduates of Degree Programs that are not in Social Work

If you have obtained:

a) a social work degree from a social work program that is NOT accredited by the Canadian Association For Social Work Education (CASWE) or the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); or,

b) a social work degree from a country other than Canada or the United States that was evaluated by the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) as NOT being equivalent to the minimum of a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a social work program accredited by the CASWE; or,

c) a degree that is not in social work,

you may submit your combination of academic qualifications and experience performing the role of a social worker for the Registrar’s consideration and determination regarding whether it is substantially equivalent to the qualifications required for a degree in social work from a social work program accredited by the CASWE.

The registration policy sets out the following criteria to assist in the Registrar’s determination regarding whether you possess a combination of academic qualifications and experience performing the role of a social worker that is substantially equivalent to the qualifications required for a degree in social work from a social work program accredited by the CASWE:

• You must possess a minimum of a university level Bachelor’s degree, based on the norm of a four year first degree program, (or a three year Bachelor’s degree from Quebec) with a minimum of 40 per cent course credits in liberal arts, humanities, and social sciences.
• Included in this degree, or in some combination of acceptable education and training obtained outside of the degree, there must be content judged to be minimally equivalent to 10 undergraduate university level courses in 12 specific areas. (One full university level course is equal to approximately 75 hours. The Registrar will also consider two single semester courses that cover the content area.)  
• You must have practised in a situation where you performed the role of a social worker for one year, having had direct responsibility for providing social work services to individuals, groups and communities. 
• Within this year, 700 hours of your practice must have been supervised by a social worker.

Academic Qualifications: For a detailed description of the criteria that the Registrar will use to assess your application, please read the Registration Guide.

Experience Performing the Role of a Social Worker: For further information regarding the criteria with respect to your experience in performing the role of a social worker, please read the Registration Guide.

Practice of Social Work: It is a requirement for registration that you must have engaged in the practice of social work within the five years immediately before the date of the application or otherwise satisfy the Registrar that you are competent to perform the role of a social worker.

For further information with respect to the requirement regarding your practice of social work within the last five years, please read the Registration Guide.

Important information for applicants about the evaluation process

The Registrar’s evaluation of each application form and supporting documents is based on the criteria identified above. Please carefully review the requirements as they relate to your academic qualifications and experience performing the role of a social worker prior to initiating the application process.

The review process will only begin after the College has received all your documents and fees. The College will contact you if more information is required.

Applicants should be aware that due to the complexity of each application, the evaluation is a detailed and lengthy process. Once all required documents are received by the College, applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

How to Apply

Before downloading the Registration Guide, Application Form, and Length of Practice and Supervision Confirmation Form, please ensure you read Information for All Applicants.

Verification of Academic Qualifications:

Arrange for your university to forward directly to the College, an ORIGINAL and official transcript(s) of your academic qualifications with the institution's seal and signature of the Registrar.

The document must contain your name as it appears on the application form and the name under which you were issued your degree in social work. If the name used on the application form is different from the name on the academic verification, please explain.

The College accepts only original documents. Fax, email attachments, your own transcripts or photocopies of your academic transcripts are not accepted and will delay the application process.

Fees: The registration fee and non-refundable application fee must be enclosed with each application.

 

Mail your completed application form, any other documents you submit yourself, and the full fees to the College. A photocopy of the application or sending the application by fax or email will not be accepted. Ensure that all other required documents are forwarded to the College.

Ensure you forward the Length of Practice and Supervision Confirmation Form(s) to those persons who will provide information about your experience in performing the role of a social worker. The completed Length of Practice and Supervision Confirmation Form must be mailed by them directly to the College.

If you have questions about the application process, you may contact the College at 416-972-9882 or toll free 1-877-828-9380 or email Registration.

To download a registration package for a general certificate of registration in social work (combination of academic qualifications and experience performing the role of a social worker), please click on the following links:

1. Registration Guide*
2. Application Form
3. Length of Practice and Supervision Confirmation Form
   To be forwarded by you to the individual(s) you have chosen to complete the form about your practice and supervision.
4. Supplemental Form

* Before completing the application form, please read the registration guide for further requirements.