School of Social Work

1. School of Social Work Bachelor of Social Work Memorial University of Newfoundland

2. What is Social Work? What do Social Workers do? What is the job market like? When do you apply? What are the prerequisites? How are you ranked? Who does the ranking? What about follow up courses? When are you notified? What is the competition like? What if you are not accepted? Applying to the School of Social Work

3. What is Social Work? • “The social Work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being” (Hick, 2002, p. 15)

4. What is Social Work? • “Utilizing theories of human behavior and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work.” (Hick, 2002, p. 15)

5. What do Social Workers Do? • The assessment, remediation and prevention of social problems, and the enhancement of social functioning of individuals, families, and communities by means of… - The provision of direct counseling services within an established relationship between a social worker and client;

6. Continued… • The development, promotion and delivery of human service programs, including those done in collaboration with other professionals; and • The development and promotion of social policies aimed at improving social condition and equality(Thomson, 2002, p. 13)

7. Do not judge others Avoid quick decisions about people Maintain confidentiality Clients come first Separate personal and professional lives and values Be a loyal employee Maintain a private personal life Establish emotional privacy Identify with the profession (Ginsberg, 2001, p. 17-22) Attitudes & Values of a Social Worker

8. Understanding Social Work Why social work is sometimes poorly understood: • Social Work resembles other disciplines and may cause confusion • Social Work is not a subject usually taught in elementary and secondary school • Not all people come into contact with social workers during the normal course of their lives (Ginsberg, 2001, p. 5)

9. Employment Opportunities • Social Workers work in a variety of settings: • Health and Community Services • Health Care • Communities • Long-term care • Justice • Research • Self-employment (Hick, 2002, p. 61)

10. Salaries • The average earnings of social workers (full-time/part-time) was $46 209 in 2004 • Earnings for community and social service workers were $35 000 (Average)

11. Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Social Workers • The NLASW is the professional association and regulatory body for the approximately 1000 professional social workers in NL • The NLASW ensures registered social workers adheres to established professional standards and the Code of Ethics (NLASW, 2003)

12. Code of Ethics • Students are expected to maintain professional behaviour consistent with the current Code of Ethics of the Canadian Association of Social Workers. • The Code of Ethics is used to help guide social workers in the course of their work • The Code encompasses the values and principles of human worth, dignity, self-determination and justice upon which social work is based (Hick, 2002, p. 59)

13. The Application • Admission is on the basis of competition for a limited number of spaces • Candidates will be considered based on academic standing (40%), relevant work/volunteer experience and references (30%), and personal suitability for a career in social work (30%)

14. What is the competition like? • We receive approximately 100 to 120 applicants each year • 45 students are accepted to the program • Many students applying to the program already have a degree

15. When to Apply • Bachelor of Social Work • Applicants for admissions to the School of Social Work must complete an application to be submitted by March 1st of the year in which admission is sought • March 1st of each year • Before 5pm!

16. Continued… • To be considered for admission, applicants must complete the required 45 prerequisite credit hours (15 courses) • All Prerequisites must be completed by the end of December, prior to the deadline date for application. • Maintain a minimum 65% average in the most recent 30 credit hours (10 courses)

17. Pre-Requisite Courses • 2 English • 3 Psychology, including one of either Psych 2010, 2011, and 2012 or Psych 2025, 2012 and one Psych at the 2000 level • 1 Sociology • 1 in either Anthropology, Geography, or Political Science • Social Work 2510 and/or 2700 • 1 chosen from Philosophy 2800-2810 or Women’s Studies 2000 • 5 or 6 courses from schedule A

18. Additional Courses to be Completed Prior to September Start Date • 5 Additional Courses must be completed prior to September -one Sociology -two remaining Psychology courses -the remaining Social Work course -schedule A elective *If you do have the remaining social work course completed, you have to do an additional elective to make up the 20 courses (60 credit hours)

19. Academic Standards and Promotions • During the winter and spring semesters prior to acceptance and during the remainder of the time in which you are in the program, you are under the academic standards and promotions of the School of Social Work. • You must maintain a 65% average in all social work courses • You must maintain an overall semester average of 65% • REMEMBER: Social work pre-requisite courses are also considered under academic standards and promotions

20. How are you ranked? • Average in last ten credit courses (15%), average in required 15 courses (15%), cumulative average (10%) for a total of 40% • Social Work admissions test: 30% • Volunteer/work experience and References: 30%

21. Who does the ranking? • One faculty member • One community social worker • One social work student • Potential re-reads and training

22. While you are waiting for your application to be processed….. • Applicants are initially screened to see if admissions criteria are met • Waiting for transfer transcripts and results of social work admissions test • Double checking calculation of marks • Calculating the rankings

23. If accepted to the program of study, what then? • Six semesters over three years (no spring semester) • Two field placements worth nine courses (27 credit hours) One rural and one urban • You must meet the academic and suitability standards of the School of Social Work

24. Association of Social WorkStudents (ASWS) • The ASWS is the official organization of the student body of the school of social work. • All 3rd,4th, and 5th year students are members of the ASWS • Each graduating year will form an executive to represent them on the ASWS

25. Common questions and myths • If you are male are you automatically accepted? • Do you give preference to single parents? • If you keep applying will you move up the list? • Who should I use as a reference? • Can you do prerequisites in the Winter term? • What courses should I take if I want to continue applying? • What about the criminology certificate?

26. Continued… • What if I do not get accepted? • How important is the average? • What if I did well in my last ten courses but not so well in some of my prerequisites? • How important is volunteer/employed work? • What about students with special needs? • Do you have to experience a traumatic event to be accepted?

27. THE END!