Faculty Booklet - The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine ...

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P O S T G R A D U A T E R E G U L A T I O N S & S Y L L A B U S E S 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3
THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Programme requirement
Graduates of the programme pursue an area of concentration in
their second semester, which will either
a. equip them further with skills, knowledge and the theoretical
framework for advanced social work practice within a range
of settings including clinical, school and employment-based
settings.
OR
b. further prepare them for management level responsibility
within the social work profession.
Students are also required to undertake Advanced Practicum
(564 hours) and to complete a Research Project in their area of
concentration .
No. of Credits required: 39
Programme regulations:-
Criteria for Admission
In selecting candidates, the Social Work Unit seeks to identify
students of diverse interests and backgrounds joined by a
commitment to academic excellence. Subject to General
Regulations governing Masters’ degrees, persons meeting the
following criteria are eligible to apply for admission to the M.SW.
Programme:
a. Second class honours degree (or above) in Social Work from
The University of the West Indies, OR
b. Second class honours degree (or above) in an accredited
programme in Social Work from a college or university (this
must have included a minimum of 336 hours practicum at
Level Three and the final practice placement report must be
made available)
Additional Criteria
Applicants must be highly motivated and preference will be given
to applicants who have at least one year’s post qualification work
experience within social work or related professions.
groups historically under-represented
Groups under-represented within social work generally are men
and disabled people and this is also reflected within the student
composition of the undergraduate programme. It is expected that
the M.SW. will in itself generate greater interest in the profession of
social work from male students, since the opportunities for career
enhancement will be significantly improved. The participation of
disabled students is a long-term goal of UWI, since discrimination
and lack of opportunity manifests itself early within education
systems resulting in very few potential candidates at the tertiary
level. An important stage in the process is sensitivity to the
support needs of disabled students, accessible teaching spaces
and targeting of information at the undergraduate level to
specialist schools and organisations.
Determining the capacity of the student
The capacity of the student to undertake the programme will be
determined through application forms, references, interview.
Students not meeting the criteria above
Students not meeting the specific requirements above may be
accepted however, they must have a degree within a related discipline
and may be required to successfully complete a qualifying year which
will normally comprise core social work courses plus practicum at
Level 3 of the B.Sc. SW. Persons with pass degrees will not normally
be accepted unless the degree is in Social Work (from UWI or another
accredited programme) in which case they may be accepted on the
recommendations of a selection panel which will take into account
the following:
• the applicants academic record
• the results of an interview with the applicant
• referees’ reports
• any other aspects of the candidate’s history which may assist the
Panel in assessing the candidates’ suitability for the programme.
Such persons may be required to complete a qualifying year or
supplementary courses.
qualifying Courses
The pass mark for qualifying courses is 50%. Students failing any
qualifying course will not usually be permitted to repeat the course
and will not be eligible for entry to the M.SW. Programme.
Award of the degree
Candidates for the award of the Master’s degree in Social Work will
be required to:
• Pass all the taught courses
• Have received a pass mark for their research project report
• Pass Advanced Practicum
Advanced Practicum
The social work degree programme currently makes use of a large
number of agencies (governmental and non-governmental) for
the placement of students. The range and standard of learning
opportunities these provide is diverse. There is a need to ensure that
practice teachers and agencies providing practicum opportunities
at Master’s level have the appropriate skills and structures to meet
the needs of graduate students. To this end a systematic process of
agency/practice teacher assessment has been initiated and training
for practice teachers is provided.
The criteria for Practice Teachers supervising students at graduate
level are:
• relevant academic and professional qualifications
• a minimum of five years relevant experience
(two at a supervisory level)
• the Certificate of Participation in Practice Teaching Course (for
persons not holding a social work degree) or The Award for
Practicum Instructors
Students must provide written evidence from their employers
of their availability to complete Advanced Practicum as required.
Extended Block Practicum (16 weeks) is not an automatic option
for students completing Practicum locally. It has been specially
designed for students desirous of completing Advanced Practicum
at recognised institutions abroad.
Duration of Study
Part-time: two (2) years (over five semesters).
Full-time: 18 months (over three semesters).