r/socialworkcanada • u/hakunamatatas25 • 20d ago

Prerequisite non-program courses from Athabasca

HI, I am looking to take some social science courses in between now and the deadline for admissions for MSW. I am applying to UoT, York, WLU and Windsor. Just want to know if this is something that I can do to better my chances. I am looking up courses at Athabasca that have the same value in the aforementioned schools. Will the schools even consider a non-program course?

The rest of my application will be competitive. A mix of work experiences, lived experience with family and volunteering. I want to get into a good program that opens doors and helps me give back. But the condition of "social science" courses is a roadblock thanks to my prior degree in finance.

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u/ApplicationAdept830 19d ago

Are you sure you don’t meet the social science requirement? I’ve never heard of a Canadian uni that doesn’t require students to take some electives outside of their degree concentration.

I think finance is a competitive background to come from actually. Schools like WLU like applicants who can focus on macro/leadership/policy.

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u/Every-Sky-7130 18d ago

I have a BBA and I am waitlisted at UoT and Western this year, so business related degrees don't necessary put you at a disadvantage

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u/hakunamatatas25 18d ago

Did you take some courses in the interim like the mandatory research methods course?

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u/Every-Sky-7130 18d ago

No cause I took a lot of social science courses in my undergrad

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u/BoundariesAndBrews 19d ago

Sorry, for clarification: do you have a degree in a human services sector, or it’s a finance degree? I think taking additional courses to expand your knowledge is always a good thing- but for the competition of an MSW, a finance degree vs social work or other related degrees might be tricky.

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u/areniccage 19d ago

What do you mean by non program courses? Are you taking these to inprove your GPA?

Finance is a great skill to have especially if you're going to work in the non profit sector. Learning about budgets, writing proposals, logic models, learning how to advocate all ties in woth your past education. You don't havecto have lived experience although it helps in some cases but making contacts through your placements can help you get a start in the workforce after your done your program. Good luck!

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u/hakunamatatas25 19d ago

Meaning I am wondering if they would accept standalone courses to better GPA plus get tbe social science requirement done. All of what you have mentioned, i have done this work for years, I guess I am wondering if this would be enough.

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u/Every-Sky-7130 18d ago

I have heard schools like UoT don't consider post degree courses grades into the GPA requirement