Bachelor of Social Work (as a first degree)
| PROGRAM INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| School: Social Work | Campus: St. John's |
| Length: 4 years (1 year of prerequisite study + 3 years in the degree program) |
|
| Practical experience: Two 350 hours of field practica | |
| Prospective students: Fill out our student inquiry form to receive updates from Memorial. | |
| Program website | University Calendar |
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) (as a first degree) is completed in four years of full-time study. The School of Social Work also offers a Bachelor of Social Work (as a second degree) which can be completed over four semesters. Courses for both degrees are completed on the St. John’s campus and at two practica (field internship) sites throughout the province.
Through a combination of course work and two field practica, the bachelor of social work (BSW) programs emphasize social justice through hands-on learning. Students gain experience in assessment, interviewing, counselling, advocacy and community capacity building.
Jump to
• Admission requirements - entry to the university
• Your first year
• Admission requirements - admission into BSW
• Sample courses beyond first year
• Career opportunities
Important to know: Direct admission from high school into the Bachelor of Social Work (as a first degree) is not available.
You will need to apply to Memorial to complete the required prerequisite courses before applying for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work (as a first degree).
Admission from high school into Memorial University is subject to meeting the general admission requirements of the university.
Canadian high school students considering applying for fall general admission are encouraged to apply by March 1 to be considered for an entrance scholarship.
To easily access the prerequisite courses required for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work (as a first degree) program, it is recommended that you select Bachelor of Arts as your program of choice on the undergraduate application for admission.
Have a look at a sample schedule of 10 courses you may need to take if you plan to apply to the social work program.
This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.
| FALL SEMESTER | WINTER SEMESTER |
|---|---|
| Learning Objective One | Learning Objective One |
| Learning Objective Two | Learning Objective Five |
| Learning Objective Four | Learning Objective Six |
| Learning Objective Two - Six | Learning Objective Two - Six |
| Social Work 1710 | Learning Objective Two - Six |
Further assistance
For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.
For additional program information, visit the School of Social Work or email bswinquiries@mun.ca.
| Intake | Application deadline | Document deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (September) semester | March 1 | March 1 |
| Interim/unofficial transcripts uploaded to admissions portal: March 1 | ||
| Detailed course outlines/syllabi for transfer credit evaluation: March 1 | ||
| Completion of INC/ABS grades for current MUN students: May 15 | ||
| Final official transcripts and confirmation of degree: June 1 | ||
Direct entry from high school into the BSW programs is not possible. If you are eligible for admission to the programs, you will be ranked based on academic performance, a personal statement, and experience in human services that relates to social work.
Both programs are competitive for a limited number of seats. You must apply by March 1 in the year in which admission is being sought.
To apply for admission into the School of Social Work, indicate your desired degree option in the appropriate place on the undergraduate application for admission.
To apply to the BSW as a first degree program, you must complete the following 10 prerequisite courses (30 credit hours) at Memorial University, or the equivalent from another institution:
- Social Work 1710
- six courses (18 credit hours) from complementary studies courses which includes:
- learning objective one: two courses
- learning objective two: one course
- learning objective four: one course
- learning objective five: one course
- learning objective six: one course
- three additional courses (nine credit hours) from learning objectives two to six
You must complete these 10 prerequisite courses with a minimum of 65% in each course and achieve an average of at least 65% in your last 30 credit hours of undergraduate study.
You may be able to complete the prerequisite courses through online learning. All prerequisite courses must be attempted and completed by the end of the winter semester.
You must complete a minimum of 60 hours of work experience/volunteer experience and/or community involvement experience in human services that relates to social work while meeting the academic performance criteria.
Additional documents required for admission
Your application to the BSW as a first degree requires you to submit the following:
- Personal Statement and Experience Form - use this form to outline:
- your suitability for the BSW program; and
- your work/volunteer experience and/or community involvement in human services.
Note: All experience hours must be completed by the application deadline. You must use this form; no other form(s) will be accepted.
- Post-Secondary Transcripts - applicants currently or previously enrolled at another institution must submit:
- interim transcript showing in-progress courses: Email to admiss.docs@mun.ca by March 1.
- final official transcript: Submitted by June 1 of the year of application.
The School of Social Work provides full details on supporting documents required for admission.
SCWK 2711 - Social Justice and Social Work Practice
SCWK 3221 - Social Impacts on Human Development
SCWK 4323 - Field of Practice: Social Work in Addictions
The bachelor of social work prepares graduates to be advocates, community developers and policy makers. Some areas of practice include:
- child and family services
- gerontology
- primary healthcare and long-term care
- mental health and addiction services
- community settings