Admission Requirements

Criteria for persons seeking admission to the M.S.W. program include:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college
2. Completion of a liberal arts education and required prerequisites
3. Academic credentials attesting to strong scholarship
4. Adherence to the highest standards of conduct and ethics, and compliance with University regulations
5. Emotional maturity
6. An aptitude for understanding and relating to people
7. A genuine interest in working with people demonstrated through volunteer and/or professional experience
8. Final transcript submitted by August 15 of the year of admission to verify an academic degree and the course prerequisites listed below.
9. The MSW Program does not grant social work credit for life experience or previous work experience.

These skills and qualities are assessed through reference letters, an autobiographical sketch, a liberal arts statement, student transcripts, and (when requested) admission interviews.

The Miller's Analogy Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended when the applicant's GPA is below a 3.0, or when deemed appropriate by the Admissions Committee.

Admission to the M.S.W. program is competitive; approximately 120 students are admitted each year. Newly admitted students begin classes in the Fall semester. Applications for admission must be received no later than November 1 of the year prior to the academic year you are applying for admission. (Ex: Nov 1, 2006 deadline for Fall 2007 application process). Applicants are advised that it takes four to six weeks to gather and process admission materials.

Applicants who are admitted to the M.S.W. program must complete certain prerequisites before beginning classes. Incoming students will have their official transcripts reviewed to determine if they are lacking any of these prerequisites. If so, students will be notified by mail what prerequisites must be completed before they start school in the Fall and will have the option of completing the prerequisites they lack by taking additional course work, completing assigned readings, or through other appropriate options. It is anticipated that admitted applicants with bachelor's degrees in social work and psychology will already have met most or all of the course prerequisites. The School will provide a list of readings that students may review prior to beginning the program to prepare them for generalist courses. The following prerequisites courses must be competed with a 3.0 (B) average overall the five (5) classes prior to enrolling for Fall semester:

• Introduction to Sociology
• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Political Science or U.S. National Government
• Human Biology
• Research or Statistics