Please read all information carefully.
Plese be sure to include your name, student number and program you are applying to when emailing the University of Windsor.
How is a PhD program different from an MSW program?
A PhD program is more research-intensive meaning that the course work and entire focus of the program is designed to teach you how to conduct rigorous research that has an impact and builds on our current knowledge.
What can I do with a PhD?
Graduates with a PhD in social sciences are more likely to be employed in tenure-track post-secondary institutions than they are in the private sector. This holds true with our graduates as well with most finding employment at academic institutions while others obtain higher employment positions in community organizations.
What do you mean by online?
Our program is currently online for the Fall 2025 cohort admissions. This means that all courses are taught synchronously, and students are expected to attend all classes in their entirety.
Do I need a supervisor to apply for the program?
You are not required to have a dissertation supervisor in place before applying to the program. However, it is often a good idea and may be looked upon favorably for admissions to the program.
How long will it take me to complete the program?
On average our students complete the program in 5 to 6 years, which is in line with the average number of years Canada wide (average 5.5 years). However, depending on your other responsibilities it can take a shorter or longer period to complete. In addition, students should keep in mind that entrance scholarship is available for 4 years.
If I am a University of Windsor student (current or graduate), do I still need to upload my uWindsor transcript?
Yes, please upload all transcripts from post-secondary institutions you’ve attended. Please ensure to add your uWindosr Academic history to your application when applying.
The School of Social Work will not obtain your transcript on your behalf; you must provide your uWindsor transcript in UWinsite Student. Please make sure to add all post-secondary schools attended when completing your application.
Please make sure your transcript includes the following:
1) your name
2) name of the institution
3) the degree awarded (or currently enrolled in)
4) the credit weighting
5) the grade awarded for each class.
Including transcripts that do not contain all required information will delay the processing of your application.
Can I mail in my transcript?
No. Please upload a digital copy of your transcript into UWinsite Student. We do not accept hard copies of the application documents for the Social Work PhD application.
Make sure your transcript includes the following:
1) your name
2) name of the institution
3) the degree awarded (or currently enrolled in)
4) the credit weighting
5) the grade awarded for each class.
Including transcripts that do not contain all required information will delay the processing of your application.
Do I need to submit official transcripts during the application process?
No, please do not send any official documents to the University of Windsor during the application process.
You are only required to upload electronic copies of your transcripts to the application portal (in PDF format).
When uploading your transcripts to UWinsite Student, they must include your full name, the name of the institution attended, program of study, credit weighting and grade awarded for each class or else they cannot be used to assess your application.
Documents that do not include all required information will delay the processing of your application.
I’ve submitted my application and paid the $125 application fee. What are next steps?
Once your application and payment have been processed, you will receive an application acknowledgement email.
Note that it may take up to two business days to receive this email.
Can the two-business day waiting period, between my payment being processed and receiving my confirmation email, be waived when I start the application process?
No, this cannot be waived; please keep in mind this turn around period, when starting the application process.
I am experiencing technical issues UWinsite Student - how do I proceed?
If you are having technical issues in UWinsite Student, please create a ticket with our IT Services (https://www.uwindsor.ca/itservices/support/ticket).
Please notify the Graduate Secretary (gradsw@uwindsor.ca) of the issue, and update them accordingly. It is imperative you advise the School of Social Work immediately of any technical issues prior to the application deadline.
Please include your name, student number, and program you are applying to, in your email.
I did not receive my activation information- how do I proceed?
If you have not received your activation information, please contact your Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist, for further assistance.
Your ‘Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist’ is assigned alphabetically by last name.
Copy the Graduate Secretary (gradsw@uwindsor.ca), on your email communication, so the Social Work department is aware of the technical issues as well.
Please include your name, student number, and program you are applying to, in any email communication.
I am unable to upload my documents to UWinsite Student.
Be sure that you have waited at least 24 hours after you receive your confirmation email, as it sometimes takes that long for the system to be updated with your information.
If you have already accessed your portal, please check that you are uploading your forms in PDF format only.
Visit this ask.UWindsor article for instructions to upload your documents.
If you are still having issues in UWinsite Student, please create a ticket with our IT Services (https://www.uwindsor.ca/itservices/support/ticket).
Please notify the Graduate Secretary (gradsw@uwindsor.ca) of the issue, and update them accordingly.
Please include your name, student number, and program you are applying to, in any email communication.
What do I do once I upload all my application documents in UWinsite Student?
Once you have uploaded all the required documents and are satisfied, click the “submit” button. We will not receive your application, unless you click the “submit” button.
The Referee link provides my Referee 20-45 days to submit their references; does this mean they have past the deadline to submit their references?
This is an automatically generated message that applies to all graduate programs but is not correct for the Social Work PhD program.
The date provided in the Referee Link email is not the deadline but is the expiry date for the referee link.
Please have your referee submit their reference by the Social Work PhD Application deadline, as it is a required part of the application package. The School of Social Work does not send out reminder emails to Referees, it is the applicant’s duty to insure all application documents and references are submitted by the deadline.
My Referee Link is broken and/or they did not receive it- how do I proceed?
If your Referee’s link is broken, or they do not receive the email with their link; contact your Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist for further assistance.
Your ‘Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist’ is assigned alphabetically by last name.
Please include your name, student number, and program you are applying to, in all email communication.
Please copy gradsw@uwindsor.ca, so the Social Work department is aware of the technical issues as well.
My Reference Link has expired- how do I proceed?
If your reference link has expired, contact your Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist for further assistance. Your ‘Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist’ is assigned alphabetically by last name.
Please copy gradsw@uwindsor.ca, so the Social Work department is aware.
Please include your name, student number, and program you are applying to, in all email communication.
My Referee has advised they have submitted their reference, but it is not appearing in UWinsite Student - how do I proceed?
Sometimes errors or omissions occur when your referee completes the form, and when it is submitted the system does not accept it. Please remind your referees that they must ensure that pop-ups are enabled in their browser before completing the form; this will ensure that they will be able to see any errors that will prevent the form from being submitted. It is also recommended that they use either Chrome or Firefox browsers, and that they do not try to complete the form on a mobile device. Once the submission is accepted, you will receive an email confirmation that this has been completed.
If your referee is still experiencing technical difficulties, in any capacity, contact your Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist for further assistance.
Your ‘Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist’ is assigned alphabetically by last name. Please copy gradsw@uwindsor.ca, so the Social Work department is aware of the technical issues as well.
Please include your name, student number, and program you are applying to, in all email communication.
I would like to change my Referee- how do I proceed?
If you are looking to make any changes to your Referees, pleasecontact your Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist for further assistance.
Your ‘Graduate and Professional Application Services Specialist’ is assigned alphabetically by last name.
Please include your name, student number, and program you are applying to, when emailing.
Please copy gradsw@uwindsor.ca, so the Social Work department is aware of the change.
Do I need to have all my references completed before I submit my application?
No. You can submit your application while still pending receipt of your references. Your application will then go into a holding pattern until all references are received; at that point your application will move forward in the system for processing.
References are due by the PhD Application deadline.
I have submitted my PhD application and would like to update my transcript or add additional information to my application.
Please be advised we do not accept updated transcripts or accept additional information once an application has been submitted.
Please be sure to review your application, in full, before submission, as we will not return applications once submitted.
What countries are exempt from providing English language proficiency examination scores?
Please review the Faculty of Graduate Studies website (https://www.uwindsor.ca/graduate-studies/346/admission-requirements); specifically the section ‘English Language Proficiency Examination Score Exemptions'
What testing am I able to provide regarding proof of English Proficiency?
Please review the Faculty of Graduate Studies website (https://www.uwindsor.ca/graduate-studies/346/admission-requirements); specifically the section ‘Tests (GRE/GMAT/English Proficiency)’
What are the fees for the program?
Please refer to the University of Windsor’s online tuition estimator for the most current breakdown of fees: https://www.uwindsor.ca/finance/fee-estimator.
Please note this does not include the cost of course materials such as textbooks or software licenses.
*Fees may change subject to the approval of the Board of Governors.
How do I find out my admission status?
You can track your application in UWinsite Student - Review this ask.UWindsor article for instructions on tracking your application in UWinsite Student.
It is important to note that most application decisions are made at the departmental level then verified and, in some cases, overturned by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
I’ve been admitted into the program. How do I accept my offer?
Congratulations, see the steps at ask.UWindsor - I have applied for a graduate program, and have been accepted. How do I accept my offer?
Graduate Secretary
Telephone: 519-253-3000 x 6096
E-Mail: gradsw@uwindsor.ca
*Windsor Hall is a locked building. Please contact the Graduate Secretary to discuss setting up a tour of the building. We are unable to give tours without an appointment.
*Please be sure to include your name, student number and program you are applying to, when emailing the Graduate Secretary.