 Graduate Program
Admission Requirements The Joint MSW Program is committed to diversity in the student body. An applicant for admission as a degree candidate in social work (either full-time, part-time, or advanced standing) must fulfill the general admission requirements of both the Graduate School of the University and the MSW Program prior to admission. The applicant must therefore complete application forms for both the Graduate School and the MSW Program. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that all required application materials have been received. Applications for Advanced Standing, full-time and part-time programs will close on February 15. All application materials must be received by this date. Full-time and part-time admissions are available only for the fall semester.
The applicant must submit the following to the Graduate School:
· Graduate application form accompanied by an application fee for first-time applications
· An official transcript from each college or university attended
The following must be submitted to the School of Social Work:
· An essay of three to five typed pages explaining: 1) Why s/he wants to be a social worker; 2) why a graduate degree in social work is felt to be necessary to fulfill her/his professional or personal objectives; 3) her/his views of diversity in society; and, 4) a situation in which s/he was the recipient/provider of help emotionally, socially or economically, and if/how this situation impacted the desire to pursue an advanced degree in social work.
· A recent resume which highlights social work or human service experience.
· Three letters of reference/recommendation forms (including one from immediate supervisor, if employed).
· A completed Application Checklist.
In addition, applicants to the Joint MSW Program must also have: 1) an undergraduate degree in social work or a related field; 2) a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.0 scale) in social and behavioral science courses taken prior to application for admission; and 3) a well-balanced liberal arts curriculum which must include content from the biological sciences (human biology or equivalent required), plus communications, math and humanities, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, philosophy, art, English and anthropology. Admission to the master's degree program is on a selective basis and is determined by the academic preparation and personal qualifications of the applicant. Intellectual maturity, emotional stability, and motivation and capacity to work with people are essential qualifications. An interview with a member of the faculty may also be required.
Openings for admission are limited, and competition is considerable. Individuals are selected for admission from the pool of applicants. Persons will be selected who have the strongest qualifications in terms of the MSW Program’s admission criteria.
Students admitted to the MSW Program must register for courses the same calendar year they are accepted. Admission cannot be deferred until the next year. Students must indicate their intention to enroll by the deadline indicated in the letter of acceptance.
Applicants should be aware that having a prior felony conviction or prior sanctions for unprofessional conduct may impact future potential for obtaining licensure, as well as field placements, and social work employment.
Students are expected to adhere to the program format under which they were admitted. Any changes in this initial admission status will be based on the program’s ability to accommodate the change. Changes must be requested in writing at the beginning of the previous academic year. The Admissions Committee may require an in-person interview at its discretion.
Please note that the scheduling of courses depends upon the availability of rooms equipped with distance education technology as well as other factors. The days and times courses are offered may vary from year to year. Students enrolled in either full-time, part-time, or advanced standing programs must be prepared to be flexible when the schedule of classes changes. Transfer Students An applicant who wishes to transfer from another MSW program must complete the same admissions process and meet the same admission requirements as other degree candidates. A formal written request for transfer must be made at the time of application for admission. A maximum of 20 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred from other programs accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. The credits must fall within the six-year time limit to complete degree requirements. Acceptance of graduate transfer credit is determined by the Program’s Admissions Committee, which assesses potential transfer courses in this graduate program and the adequacy of the applicant's performance in these courses. A grade of less than "B" in any course will disqualify that course from consideration for transfer. Transfer students must submit field work evaluations at the time of application for admission. Credit will not be given for work or life experience. Degree Requirements Requirements for the Master of Social Work degree include the completion of 60 hours of course work with an average grade of "B" or better on all classroom courses and satisfactory grades in all field courses. Students must register only for 600 level courses. Graduate courses taken at the 500 level are not applicable for the graduate degree program in social work. Other general requirements for the Master of Social Work degree are the same as those established by the Graduate School of the University and are in accordance with accreditation standards established by the Council on Social Work Education. |
