The School of Social Work offers two unique undergraduate social work programs:

• bachelor of social work (as a first degree)
• bachelor of social work (as a second degree)

The first degree program is completed in four years of full-time study. The second degree program is completed over four semesters. Courses 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.

Admission requirements

The Bachelor of Social Work as a Second Degree is a 60 credit hour program intended for candidates who have completed a university degree, the required prerequisite courses, meet the academic performance requirements, and have work experience/volunteer experience and/or community involvement in human services related to social work.

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 be considered for admission to the bachelor of social work as a second degree program, you must have:

• been awarded a Bachelor’s degree, or been approved (by the end of the winter semester for the year in which admission is being sought) for the award of a Bachelor’s degree from a university recognized by Memorial University of Newfoundland
• achieved an average of at least 70% in the courses comprising the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study attempted by the end of the winter semester for the year in which admission is being sought and for which a numeric grade has been assigned
• completed a minimum of 45 credit hours from the following disciplines:
  anthropology, archaeology, English, criminology, gender studies, geography, history, humanities, law and society, linguistics, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, social/cultural studies or sociology.
  (These courses and credits must have been taken at Memorial University or accepted for transfer credit from a recognized post-secondary institution.)

You must also complete the following 9 credit hours of required prerequisite courses with a minimum of 70% in each course:

• Social Work 1710
• three credit hours from complementary studies learning objective three
• three credit hours in developmental psychology, human development, and/or human behaviour beyond the introductory level (for more information please contact bswinquiries@mun.ca)

All prerequisite courses must be attempted and completed by the end of the winter semester. These courses and credits must have been taken at Memorial University or accepted for transfer credit from a recognized university or university college.

You must submit a minimum of 300 hours of work experience/volunteer experience and/or community involvement experiences in human services that relates to social work while meeting the academic performance criteria.

The program is competitive for a limited number of seats. You must apply by March 1 in the year in which admission is being sought.

Additional documents required for admission

Your application to the BSW as a second degree will require you to submit the following:

• hours of work experience/volunteer experience and/or community involvement experience in human service that relates to social work (included as part of the online application)
• provide a response to a statement on the online application
• Transfer students applying to the BSW as a second degree are required to complete the BSW Prerequisite Transfer Form (2nd Degree)

The School of Social Work provides full details on supporting documents required for admission.

Career opportunities

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