41 Regulations Governing the Degree of Master of Social Work

The degrees of Master of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy are offered in social work.

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) may be completed by part-time or full-time study. All program components are offered online except on-campus institutes and field practicum.

The focus of the M.S.W. program is creative approaches to critical thinking for leadership in diverse social work practice. The program allows professionally qualified social workers holding the Degree of B.S.W. 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 program is designed to be accessible to students in remote and rural areas, and requires that: (1) students have a computer and Internet access; and (2) can travel to St. John’s for the institute portion of three practice courses. Students may incur charges for Internet services, long distance telephone charges, and travel and accommodation expenses.

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.

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 M.S.W. Program Committee of 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 M.S.W. Program Committee of 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.

41.1 Qualifications for Admission

Admission to the M.S.W. program is limited, selective, and competitive. Meeting the minimum criteria for admission does not guarantee acceptance to the program.
To be considered for admission, an applicant shall hold a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree (or an equivalent professional undergraduate degree in social work approved by the M.S.W. Program Committee of the School of Social Work) 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.
In addition to the stated academic requirements, the applicant must have completed, subsequent to obtaining the B.S.W. 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 fulfillment of this requirement.
For ten percent of seats per year, priority is given to applicants of Indigenous ancestry who meet the minimum criteria for admission. When the number of eligible applicants wishing to be considered under this clause exceeds the number of seats available, priority will normally be given to bona fide residents of Newfoundland and Labrador (see Qualifications for Admission). Applicants wishing to be considered under this clause shall complete the Educational Equity section of the Supplementary Information form at the time of application.
For an additional ten percent of seats per year, priority is given to applicants from other equity-seeking groups, based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability and/or being disadvantaged by their economic position/background and who meet the minimum criteria for admission. When the number of eligible applicants wishing to be considered under this clause exceeds the number of seats available, priority will normally be given to bona fide residents of Newfoundland and Labrador (see Qualifications for Admission). Applicants wishing to be considered under this clause shall complete the Educational Equity section of the Supplementary Information form at the time of application.
Not withstanding the above, and in keeping with the School’s commitment to achieving equitable representation in the student body, the M.S.W. Program Committee of the School of Social Work, at its discretion, may give preference to additional applicants of Indigenous ancestry and/or members of other equity-seeking groups who meet the minimum criteria for admission.
Not withstanding the above, and in keeping with the University’s special obligation to educate the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador, when the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of seats available, priority will normally be given to bona fide residents of Newfoundland and Labrador (see Qualifications for Admission).
Applicants will be deemed bona fide residents of Newfoundland and Labrador if at the time of application they are currently residing or have a permanent address in the province.