SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK COLLEGE OF ARTS, SOCIAL & HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA Web site: www.unbc.ca/socialwork NOTE: The Final Date for Application to the MSW Program is February 15th of each year! MSW SUPPLEMENTARY APPLICATION FORM ENTRY ROUTE: Applicants with a BSW degree Applicants without a BSW degree PERSONAL INFORMATION PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE UNBC Student Number NAME: First Name Last Name CONTACT ADDRESS: Street and Number, or Box, Rural Route and Site Numbers City Province Postal/Zip Code Country TELEPHONE: Residence Business/Work Email Address CRIMINAL RECORD SEARCH Note: Students must provide proof of application for a Criminal Record Search in order to be considered admissible to the Program. Results which identify a relevant criminal conviction may disqualify a student from admission into the MSW Program. Criminal Record Search forms are available in the Registrar s Office or at www.unbc.ca/graduateprograms. If applying from overseas, please contact the Registrar s Office for guidance. A grade point average of at least 3.00 (B) in the work of the last 60 credit hours (approximately the last two years) leading to the Baccalaureate degree is required for entry. Please ensure that an official copy of all post-secondary transcripts has been sent directly to the Graduate Studies Officer, Office of the Registrar. 1. PROGRAM INFORMATION a) Are you planning to study: Full-Time Part-Time b) If admitted, which option would you plan to take? Thesis Practicum
c) If funding is available, are you interested in a Teaching Assistantship? Yes No (Minimum GPA 3.33 required and applies to full-time students only.) d) If you wish, please indicate whether you are of aboriginal ancestry Yes No or a member of a visible or sexual minority Yes No or have a disability Yes No 2. DEGREES AND QUALIFICATIONS Indicate all Universities, Colleges, and Technical Institutes attended. Name of Institution Degree/Qualification Obtained Date Standing/GPA 3. PAID AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE A minimum of two years (24 months full-time equivalent) human service experience is required before candidates without a BSW can be considered for entry into the Foundation Year of the MSW Program at UNBC. A minimum of one year (12 months full-time equivalent) post-bsw human service experience is required before candidates with a BSW can be considered for the MSW Program at UNBC. A. MSW Foundation Year applicants (those who do not have a BSW) may wish to add half to one full page (typed, single spaced) maximum to explain how your work experience is relevant to the following list of skills you are expected to have begun developing during this work. Knowledge of and experience using the following communication and other social work skills in a practice setting: o Understanding of stages of practice: Recognition of and experience moving through the stages of practice with individuals, communities, or groups. Stages broadly include: screening or intake; assessment; action or intervention planning; following through on the action plan; evaluation of the process; termination. 2
o Interviewing and questioning skills: using open versus closed ended questions; how and when to use probing questions; creating a comfortable environment; encouraging groups, communities or individuals to open up; using and conveying empathy; understanding and addressing barriers to communication; etc o Listening and summarizing skills: active and passive listening, questions of clarification, summarizing and paraphrasing, etc o Problem-solving skills: appropriate questioning; negotiating; assisting communities, groups or individuals in developing their own solutions (not imposing your ideas); determining goals; setting up contracts; monitoring progress; etc o Working with resistant communities, groups or individuals: developing rapport; negotiating; bargaining; challenging communities, groups and individuals without being intimidating; etc o Working with strengths: identifying community, group or individual strengths; empowering communities, groups or individuals; etc o Ending contact appropriately: building up to termination; talking about it ahead of time; ensuring communities, groups or individuals have support networks in place o Understanding of oppression: understanding oppression and the role of power in oppression; identifying and challenging oppression with groups, communities or individuals at a novice level Direct practice experience does not occur only in one-on-one clinical sessions, but may also take place in community meetings, community development settings, policy meetings, group settings or in work with individuals in informal situations (such as youth work in casual settings including social and recreational activities). It is the responsibility of the applicant to clearly demonstrate (in the application package or an application cover letter) how their work experience has allowed them to develop and practice some or all of these skills and any other skills the applicant believes to be relevant. B. Please give a chronological record of all pre- and post-degree, paid and volunteer professional experience in the human services. We reserve the right to contact previous employers for references. NOTE: IT IS THE APPLICANT S RESPONSIBILITY TO CLEARLY SHOW HOW THE LISTED EXPERIENCE IS IN FACT HUMAN SERVICE EXPERIENCE. ANY LACK OF CLARITY COULD LEAD TO THE LISTED EXPERIENCE BEING DISCOUNTED. FAILURE TO PROVIDE TOTAL HOURS FOR EACH HUMAN SERVICE EXPERI- ENCE COULD ALSO LEAD TO THE SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE BEING DISCOUNTED. 3
PAID HUMAN SERVICE EXPERIENCE Name, Address, Telephone Number and Email Address of Agency, Firm or Employer Name of Immediate Supervisor Position Held Description of Duties Dates From & To (Mo/Yr) Average Weekly Hours Total Approx # of Hours Worked 1820 hrs = 12 months full-time 3640 hrs = 24 months full-time Total Number of Hours Worked at All Locations: 4
VOLUNTEER HUMAN SERVICE EXPERIENCE Name, Address, Telephone Number and Email Address of Agency, Firm or Employer Name of Immediate Supervisor Position Held Description of Duties Dates From & To (Mo/Yr) Average Weekly Hours Total Approx # of Hours Worked 1820 hrs = 12 months full-time 3640 hrs = 24 months full-time Total Number of Hours Worked at All Locations: 5
B. Please list on a separate sheet of paper (one page maximum, typed and singlespaced) under the heading PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: any organizations, activities, interests, special training, conferences, workshops, professional associations, trade unions, or societies in which you have participated or in which you have a special interest. 4. STUDY PLAN The purpose of this section is to give you the opportunity to express your ideas and plans for your studies in the MSW Program. Given that the University of Northern British Columbia MSW Program emphasizes specific areas of study, it is particularly important that you consider at this time your interests in social work as they relate to the aims and objectives of the MSW. Please complete ONE of the following (maximum of one page, typed and singlespaced, under the heading STUDY PLAN THESIS OPTION or STUDY PLAN PRACTICUM OPTION). A maximum of one page of references should also be attached. A. If you intend to complete the thesis route: Indicate the topic of interest that you are considering for your thesis. Be concise and specific. (Some examples are Quality in Community Based Human Services or Burnout: A Conceptual Model.) Your study plan should include: your topic of interest, rationale/factors leading to interest, suggested methodology, usefulness/relevance of research, and relevant bibliography. OR B. If you intend to complete the practicum route: Indicate the area of interest that attracts you for your practicum experience. This should include topic of interest, reason(s) for interest, relevance to present human service concerns, and relevant bibliography. 5. BENEFITS Please list on a separate sheet of paper (half a page maximum, typed and singlespaced) under the heading BENEFITS: the benefits which your studies at graduate school might have for you, your employer or prospective employer, the profession of social work, your community, and those who are users of social services. 6. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Please list on a separate sheet of paper (half a page maximum, typed and singlespaced) under the heading PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: the particular attributes you possess which you think will enable you to participate successfully in the MSW Program. 6
7. WRITING SAMPLE You are invited to enclose a recent sample of your academic or practice writing in the form of an article, paper, or report (maximum of ten pages, typed and singlespaced). Please attach to this application under the heading WRITING SAMPLE. Please ensure that three completed letters of reference (two academic and one professional), Criminal Record Search, official transcript(s), and this Supplementary Application, along with an Application for Admission to Graduate Studies, Statement of Academic Interests, and fees, have been forwarded directly to: Graduate Studies Officer, Office of the Registrar UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9 Email: graduate-info@unbc.ca Additional information: www.unbc.ca/graduateprograms PLEASE NOTE: INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. If you have any questions relating to this application, please contact: MSW Administrative Assistant, School of Social Work UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9 Telephone: 250-960-5802 Fax: 250-960-6764 Email: MSW-info@unbc.ca 7