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Social Work

Reference letter requests

Please follow the steps below to reach the appropriate referee if you are a current or previous student from the undergraduate or graduate program within the School of Social Work and require 1 of the following letters from our faculty:

  • graduate school academic reference letter
  • employment reference letter
  • registered social worker (RSW) registration reference letter

How to request a reference letter

1. Provide enough time for your request

Before contacting the school for a letter, please ensure that you provide ample time for your requests. We ask that you consider a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice latest prior to the deadline for submission of the reference (for academic references). Please only contact instructors with whom you have completed a course.

2. Provide all relevant information

Before reaching out to faculty (or instructor) for a reference, please gather and provide the following information when making your request:

  • a summary of your request:
    • the university/faculty/program to which you are applying
    • a description of the position you’re applying for (if an employment reference)
    • a brief overview of your academic goals, research interests, employment goals
  • your full name and, if changed, your name at the time of your study at UVic
  • UVic student number/V# and/or year of graduation
  • a copy of your current resume
  • a copy of your unofficial transcript

3. Contact a faculty member

Most academic institutions require an academic reference from a continuing faculty member. if you are unsure of our current faculty members, please visit the faculty page.

Note that some faculty may be listed as on leave, which may mean they are not checking their emails regularly and you may not receive a response or it may be delayed.

If you know the name of the faculty member from who you seek a reference, please contact them directly with your request. If you need assistance in identifying your previous faculty instructors, please contact the assistant to the director with your full name and UVic student number/V#.

4. Contact the school's director

In some cases, it is possible to have the director complete a reference. They will complete a review of your grades and resume and may not be able to speak fully to your ability, readiness, etc.

If, after contacting a minimum of 3 previous faculty instructors, you are unable to get a reference, please contact the assistant to the director and provide the names of the 3 instructors you’ve contacted along with the information as provided in step 2.

5. Contact available sessional lecturers

In some cases, you may choose to ask your previous sessional lecturer or a previous sessional field liaison for an academic or employment reference.

Our sessional lecturers work on a contract basis and are not compensated for their time to complete references. However, many of them acknowledge the importance of providing these letters or providing employment references based on the relationship they have built with students.

Letters of completion & confirmations of graduation

The School of Social Work does not provide letters of completion or confirmations of graduation. Please request these through the parchments and other graduation documents page.

If you require an evaluation assessment for national or international registration bodies (which require previous course syllabi) please contact our reception via email.