The degrees of Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) and Doctor of Philosophy are offered in social work.

The M.S.W. may be completed by part-time or full-time study. All program components are offered by distance format, and not in a regular classroom format. “Distance delivery” includes course delivery using any or all of web-based format, traditional correspondence (readings packages, mailed assignments), and/or teleconferencing, audio-conferencing, and/or videoconferencing.

The Degree of M.S.W. is offered in selected specializations. The program allows professionally qualified social workers holding the Degree of BSW or an equivalent professional undergraduate degree in Social Work to undertake intensive advanced work in a specialized area of social work knowledge and practice. The particular specializations offered may change from time to time, according to resources, societal needs, the state of knowledge and trends in professional practice. Currently, advanced clinical practice is the specialization offered.

The program is designed to be accessible to students in remote and rural areas, and assumes that: (1) students will have a computer and internet access; and, (2) can travel to St. John's for the institute portion of the three practice courses. Students studying outside St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, will be expected to purchase Internet service or to incur long distance charges for accessing their Memorial University of Newfoundland Internet account.

The deadline date for receipt of applications for admission in September of each year is February 28. All application forms and accompanying documents for admission to the program (e.g., transcripts, referees’ letters, certificates of conduct) must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies on or before the deadline of February 28 in any year. Under special circumstances, late applications and admissions in other semesters may be considered.

Entrance into all courses and the offering of any course in an academic year is by approval of the School, consistent with the student's program. Students are admitted only into a designated program of studies in an area of specialization.

The School of Social Work may deliver special offerings of the M.S.W. and/or other programs of the School to identified groups of out-of-province students where numbers warrant. These offerings will be self supporting, and therefore subject to an additional one-time non-refundable tuition fee as approved by the Board of Regents and payable on first registration following formal admission to the program. Students will also pay appropriate tuition fees for each semester during their tenure in the program.

Admission to the special offerings of these programs will be competitive, using the same procedures and standards that are in place for students applying to the St John's campus program(s).

Subject to approval by the Graduate Studies Committee for the School of Social Work, students admitted to an out-of-province program offering may apply to transfer to the equivalent program on the St. John's campus. In such instances, the fee structure under which the student was admitted will not change. Subject to approval by the Graduate Studies Committee for the School of Social Work, students admitted to a St. John's based program may apply to transfer to the equivalent out-of-province program. In these instances, students transferring from the St. John's based program offerings to an equivalent out-of-province offering will be required to pay a pro-rated one-time fee upon formal transfer to the special offering.

1. Admission is limited, selective and competitive.

2. To be considered for admission an applicant shall hold a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from an institution recognized by the Senate, with at least second class standing, and an average of at least 70% in the last 60 undergraduate credit hours, or an equivalent professional undergraduate degree in social work approved by the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Social Work for recommendation to the Dean.

3. In addition to the stated academic requirements, the applicant must have completed, subsequent to obtaining the BSW Degree, at least two years employment in professional social work practice or in a comparable human service discipline or activity. Extensive relevant experience prior to undergraduate degree work may be recognized in full or partial fulfilment of this requirement.