9:30 am 

MSW Program Orientation
EPH 222, 2nd floor, Eric Palin Hall, 87 Gerrard Street East (map)

Ryerson Student Union (RSU) various orientation events.
To view scheduled activities visit RSU Orientation or enquire in person at SC115, Student Centre, 55 Gould Street map).

Program of Study

The Program of Study/POS is a requirement of all Ryerson graduate students.  Students must consult with the Program Director to establish an initial program of study within the first four weeks of study in the program.  Subsequent revisions to the student's POS is agreed upon between the student and Program Director. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the most current POS has been approved of and submitted to Program Office.

Course enrollment cannot be formalized without a Program of Study.

Course Selection & Registration

Graduate course enrolment is administered through the Program Office via form request. Note the 'Yeates School of Graduate Studies Significant Dates' for exact dates and deadlines related to term enrollment activities. 

A 'Course Action Request' form is available each term to MSW students providing course and timetabling details for enrollment.  Students are advised to complete and submit this form to the program office for further action.

Your course selection is based on your Program of Study as approved of by the Program Director.  Additional approval from the Program (or the School of Graduate Studies) is required to be enrolled in courses not part of the student's program of study or the MSW curriculum.

INSTRUCTIONS: complete and return a MSW Program of Study/Course Action Request form to the Program Office by September 13 for course enrollment and no later than October 8 to establish a Program of Study.
The Program Office will confirm receipt of your form request.

If your RAMSS account is activated, you can confirm course enrolment, review your timetable and other course details online. New students to Ryerson will be matriculated/activated late August.

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Graduate/Teaching and Research Assistantships (GA/TA/RA)

Graduate students may apply for any GA, TA, or RA positions they qualify for once they have been matriculated and activated as Ryerson graduate students.

Graduate/Teaching Assistant refers to a student hired to assist the faculty member by carrying out tasks associated with the faculty member’s teaching activities. GAs and TAs are represented by a collective agreement, namely by CUPE, Local 3904, Unit 3

Research Assistant refers to a student hired to assist the faculty member by carrying out tasks associated with the faculty member’s research and/or scholarly activities.  In respect of their employment relationship, Research Assistants are represented by a collective agreement, namely by OPSEU, Local 596 during the fall and winter semesters.

University-wide GA, TA and RA opportunities are posted to Ryerson's 'Careers and Jobs' web page at www.ryerson.ca/jobs. Interested applicants must apply online.

When available GA, TA and RA positions will be posted by the School of Social Work (not by the MSW Program, School of Graduate Studies).  The number of positions will vary from year to year.  MSW students will receive notification of any posting by the School of Social Work.  

To maintain, full-time student status at Ryerson, a full-time graduate student  may not be employed more than 10 hours per week per semester. 

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Graduate Studies Significant Dates, Policies and Procedures

You are responsible for knowing key dates, policies and procedures.  Take some time to review the schedules and documents posted on the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) website.  These dates, policies and procedures apply to all Ryerson graduate students.  In particular, familiarize yourself with the SGS document - 'Masters and PhD Policies and Procedures'.

Further SGS graduate policies and procedures can be found online at:  www.ryerson.ca/graduate/policies/

Schedules of significant academic dates for Fall 2010, Winter 2011 and Spring/Summer 2011 terms are published by the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) and available online for reference or download at:   www.ryerson.ca/graduate/dates/

For the Fall and Winter terms, the MSW Program follow the SGS schedule of one 12-week session per term.  The Spring/Summer term is considered ONE academic term but is divided into two 6-week sessions per term (Spring = Session 1 and Summer = Session 2).

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Activate your Ryerson Online Identity

To access many of Ryerson's online resources, you must first activate your Ryerson online identity.  During the activation process, you will obtain a username and create your initial password. Once activated, your Ryerson online identity provides you with access to:

• RMail (https://mail.ryerson.ca)
• The Central Computer Labs including the Library and KHW71
• The my.ryerson portal and learning system
• RAMSS (via https://my.ryerson.ca)

NOTE: every Ryerson student must activate a Ryerson Matrix e-mail account. Your Ryerson e-mail address will be the official means of receiving university and program communications. Students should activate their Ryerson e-mail account during the registration week and no later than the end of the first week of classes in the Fall term. To activate your online identity and accounts go to: www.ryerson.ca/ccs/

Ryerson Student Photo-ID Card (One Card)

The OneCard is the official identification card for the Ryerson University community. As well as being the single most important piece of ID you possess during your time here at Ryerson it also serves as a convenience card for many of the services available on campus, including the library, printing and photocopying, food purchases, discounts, savings and more. For details on getting your OneCard go to: www.ryerson.ca/onecard/

The OneCard office will be accepting and processing new student applications beginning August 30.  New, incoming graduate students have until August 16th to apply online.  A OneCard cannot be processed until the student has been matriculated.  Matriculation of incoming students will begin early August.

Note:  Returning Ryerson Students only.  OneCard Validation stickers will no longer be issued.  Instead, your OneCard will be activated on enrolment of one or more class.

Graduate Student Lab, Lounge and Workspace

The MSW Student Lab is located in EPH 231B in the School of Social Work.  Graduate students can access computers and printer.  The MSW Student Lounge is located in EPH 108.  The lounge is furnished, as well with wireless internet and whiteboard. (map).

The Lab and Lounge is locked at all times and MSW students must have a valid OneCard to request access into the building where both the lab and lounge are located.  To request access, contact the MSW Program Office in the School of Graduate Studies, YDI-1109, 1 Dundas. (map) Bring with you a valid OneCard. In general, activation takes 24-48 hours.

A common Graduate Students' Workspace and Lounge is located at 111 Gerrard Street East(GER/Research and Graduate Studies).   The facility is locked at all times and access is via OneCard. Validation stickers are no longer issued to new/returning students.  Access is coded on your OneCard.

Important Websites and links to bookmark and review

• RAMSS refers to Ryerson's Administrative Management Self Service. Although you cannot register yourself in classes, you can view your enrolled courses, class schedules, grades and fees account online. Guide to RAMSS - www.ryerson.ca/service/guide/
• The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) - all graduate students should be familiar with the policies, procedures, information and resources found on the SGS website - www.ryerson.ca/graduate.
• The Office of Research Services (ORS) - www.ryerson.ca/ors/
  provides information on the ethics approval process for research proposals. All research conducted by Ryerson faculty and students must have prior authorization of the Ethics Review Board (ERB). While you may have ideas about the topic of your major research paper (MRP), it is important to wait for ERB approval before beginning any data collection.
• School of Social Work  - www.ryerson.ca/socialwork/
  At the undergraduate level, the School offers an applied four-year program of study leading to the Bachelor of Social Work degree and is affiliated with the Faculty of Community Services at Ryerson.