UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA UNISA S NEW APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION PHASES APPLICATION PHASE First-time students at UNISA must apply for admission on the prescribed form which is to be submitted together with the correct application fees, as well as the documents required for registration. Apply online: http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp? Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=16832 or contact the UNISA Contact Centre at 0861670411 / +27116709000. Once the data has been recorded the system will allocate a student number which will be confirmed via email, SMS or mail depending on the contact details indicated on your application form. A registration package containing the relevant information brochure(s) and registration form will be mailed to you. Students who already have a UNISA student number should proceed directly to the registration phase. REGISTRATION PHASE Once a student number has been allocated to an individual, this student number will remain his/her student number at UNISA for all formal qualifications Master s and doctoral students cannot apply online for registration and are advised to submit their applications for registration directly to UNISA, Muckleneuk Campus, P O Box 392, UNISA, 0003. Regional offices can only forward master s and doctoral applications to the Muckleneuk Campus. The registration form together with the minimum instalment required for registration must be submitted before the relevant closing date. Any documents required for registration must be
included here, if not previously submitted. Kindly note that only certified copies of academic records issued by the Registrar of the university/institution concerned are accepted for registration purposes. Degree certificates should not be submitted. All applications for master s and doctoral degrees will be referred to the Section: Postgraduate Qualifications where they will be assessed before being referred to the relevant academic department where the Executive Committee will rule on admission. If approved, students who have submitted their complete application (i.e. all required documents and minimum fees) will automatically be registered for the Research Proposal Module for the prospective postgraduate qualification applied for after admission has been approved. Other students will be informed of any remaining conditions to be complied with in order to finalise their registration. All other students will be informed of the outcome of their applications and, where applicable, the minimum study fees paid will be refunded. The process outlined above may be time consuming in some cases, especially when we approach the various closing dates when most applications are invariably submitted. It is, therefore, essential that prospective students apply well in advance, especially where deadlines set by employers and sponsors have to be met. ii
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK MASTER S AND DOCTORAL DEGREES 2011 I N D E X Page 1 CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE UNIVERSITY... 1 2 STUDIES FOR A MASTER S DEGREE... 2 2.1 Admission requirements... 3 2.2. Curriculum... 3 3. STUDIES FOR A DOCTORAL DEGREE... 5 3.1 Admission requirements... 5 3.2 Thesis... 6 iii
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK This brochure contains information on Master s and Doctoral degrees in Social Work which prospective students should read carefully before applying for registration. Consult myrules@unisa regarding the general rules for admission to postgraduate studies, documents which must accompany an application for admission, re-registration, duration of study, applications for cancellation, etcetera. 1 CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE UNIVERSITY All correspondence in connection with registration, tutorial matters, fees, examinations, change of address and related matters should be addressed to The University Registrar (Directorate: Student Admission and Registrations). Correspondence on purely academic matters such as problems encountered in your studies, assignments, and appointments with lecturers, the syllabus and related matters should be addressed to The Chairperson, Department of Social Work. Correspondence in connection with library matters should be addressed to The Director, Department of Library Services.
In all cases the address is: The Registrar Student Admissions and Registrations University of South Africa P O Box 392 UNISA 0003 Telephone: 0861 670 411 International: +27 11 670 9000 Fax: +27 12 4294150 Email: mandd@unisa.ac.za ALL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD INDICATE YOUR STUDENT NUMBER, YOUR INITIALS AND SURNAME IN CAPITAL LETTERS. 2 STUDIES FOR A MASTER S DEGREE - MASTER S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK (MA(SS) in Social Work) (Degree code: 98404) Since the Department can only accommodate a certain number of students, prospective master s degree students must meet the following admission requirements: 2.1. Admission requirements In order to register for the degree of MA(SS) in Social Work, the applicant must meet the following requirements: The applicant must be in possession of a four year degree/qualification in Social Work The applicant must have obtained an average of 60% for the basic social work qualification. The applicant must provide proof of having successfully completed a research methodology course and treatise of 2
limited scope in the undergraduate social work qualification at fourth level. In the case of failing to meet this requirement, the applicant may be granted the opportunity to successfully complete the Module SCK410B (Social Work Research: A step-by-step guide on how to conduct your 4th year research project and write the research report) for nondegree purposes before he/she can apply for a MA(SS)SW. The applicant must be registered as a social worker with the SASSCP (if resident in South Africa) and proof of such registration must be provided. Applicants residing outside South Africa should provide proof of any social work professional registration or membership in the country of residence. The applicant must have a minimum of two years practice experience as a social worker. Proof of such experience must be provided on request. The applicant must submit an essay of a scholarly nature of not more than 1 000 words supported by in-text references and a bibliography on his/her proposed research topic or field of interest. The acceptance of all proposed research topics for the MA(SS) in Social Work is subject to the availability of the necessary capacity and expertise within the Department. 2.1.2 Curriculum The curriculum comprises research proposal module (MPCHS91) and a dissertation on an approved topic, based on the student's own research. In terms of the new postgraduate model students are to register for and comply with the requirements for the research proposal module (MPCHS91) before a student may register for the dissertation. The outcome of the research proposal module is an acceptable research proposal with an approved topic for your proposed dissertation/thesis approved by the Departmental Research and Ethics Committee which must be completed within the first 3
year of registration. Should the student not meet this requirement re-registration will not be approved. In order to assist the student in the research proposal module in working towards drafting a final research proposal, a contact person from the Department of Social Work will be appointed at registration to guide the student towards compiling a final research proposal. This final research proposal must be submitted to the Departmental Research and Ethics Committee for review and evaluation. The Chairperson of this Committee will inform the student and the Postgraduate Qualification Sections at UNISA of the recommendation. If the final research proposal has been accepted, the student will be allowed to register for the dissertation. A supervisor and/or co-supervisor will also be appointed by the Departmental Research and Ethics Committee to supervise the student s dissertation. Requirements for registration and guidelines for compiling a research proposal are provided in a guideline obtainable directly from the Department of Social Work from Prof AH Alpaslan, +27 12 4296739, or alpasah@unisa.ac.za. To pass, candidates must obtain at least 50% for the dissertation. To be awarded the degree with distinction, candidates must obtain at least 75%. A scientific article must be submitted with the dissertation. 3 STUDIES FOR A DOCTORAL DEGREE DPHIL IN SOCIAL WORK (DEGREE CODE: 98429) 3.1 Admission requirements In order to register for the degree of DPhil in Social Work, the applicant must meet the following requirements: The applicant must be in possession of a Master s degree in Social Work. 4
The applicant must have obtained an average of 60% for the Master s degree qualification. The applicant must submit an essay of a scholarly nature of not more than 1 500 words, supported by in-text references and a bibliography on his/her proposed research topic or field of interest. The acceptance of all proposed research topics for the degree of DPhil in Social Work is subject to the availability of the necessary capacity and expertise within the Department. Persons in foreign countries must motivate why they want to study at UNISA and must bear in mind that, depending on the nature of the research, a co-supervisor must be appointed in the country where the study will be undertaken. 3.2 Thesis The curriculum comprises of a research proposal module (DPCHS01) and a thesis on an approved topic, based on the student's own research. In terms of the new postgraduate model students are to register for and comply with the requirements for the research proposal module (DPCHS01) before a student may register for the dissertation/thesis. The outcome of the research proposal module is an acceptable research proposal with an approved topic for a proposed thesis approved by the Departmental Research and Ethics Committee which must be completed within the first year of registration. Should the student not meet this requirement re-registration will not be approved. In order to assist the student in the research proposal module in working towards drafting a final research proposal, a contact person from the Department of Social Work will be appointed at registration to guide the student towards compiling a final research proposal. This final research proposal must be submitted to the Departmental Research and Ethics Committee 5
for review and evaluation. The Chairperson of this Committee will inform the student and the Postgraduate Qualification Sections at UNISA of the recommendation. If the final research proposal has been accepted, the student will be allowed to register for the dissertation. A supervisor and/or co-supervisor will also be appointed by the Departmental Research and Ethics Committee to supervise the student s thesis. Requirements for registration and guidelines for compiling a research proposal are provided in a guideline obtainable directly from the Department of Social Work from Prof AH Alpaslan, at telephone nr +27 12 4296739, or alpasah@unisa.ac.za. After successful completion of the thesis, a doctorate in Social Work is conferred. A scientific article must be submitted with the thesis. UNISA 6