Admissions

Applicants who already have a B.S.W. degree can consider the advanced standing program if they have received the B.S.W. degree within the last five years and had a 3.0 grade-point average in the B.S.W. major.

For both the regular and advanced standing programs, applicants should request an admissions packet from the school. The packet contains an information folder, a program application, and a graduate student application from the University.

In addition to standard materials, applicants must submit an essay in response to the questions:

1. "What social need do you hope to address as a professional social worker?"
2. "What groups of people or what organizational settings might best utilize your personal and professional talents?"

While personal interviews are not required, the M.S.W. Admissions Committee may request a meeting with an applicant. Applicants with questions about the program may attend public information sessions, which are scheduled once a month on campus or at a local agency.

The program is inclusive and draws from a diverse applicant pool. Toward this end, program faculty members make regular community presentations to diverse groups, and work with the Office of Student Affairs to link with student organizations representing women; people of color; gays and lesbians; international students; and students with disabilities.
Complete admission requirements include:

1. An application submitted as instructed.
2. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The applicant's undergraduate education must reflect a sound liberal arts foundation, including courses in the humanities, as well as in the social and behavioral sciences.
3. An undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or better for the last 60 hours of coursework.
4. In some cases, students may be admitted on a provisional basis if they have less than 3.0 GPA, meet all other admissions requirements, and have submitted a written statement asking to be considered for admission based on: (1) completion of 6 hours of relevant graduate-level coursework, acceptable to the faculty, with a grade-point average of 3.0, reported on an official transcript or (2) evidence of sustained commitment and significant contribution in the field of human services.
5. The program does not give academic credit for life experience or previous work experience.
6. Student transfers from other accredited M.S.W. programs may apply to the program. Some or all of a student's completed coursework will be considered for transferred credit.
7. All applicants transferring from other M.S.W. programs in which they are currently enrolled must be in good standing with the program.