MSW Admission Requirements

To apply to either the Traditional or the Advanced Standing program, you must complete your application by the January 15 priority deadline. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered if program space is available.

Traditional 2-Year (TR) Program Requirements

The Traditional MSW Program is the only option for students who do not hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited social work program. General criteria for admission to this program include consideration of:

• Undergraduate degree in human services, social sciences, health sciences, or education preferred, but not required.
• Previous academic performance, including a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, lower GPAs are considered (submit a letter of justification explaining lower GPA and how you know you will be successful in our graduate program);
• 3 professional and/or academic letters of recommendation;
• Application essay; and
• Social service or related experience, either paid or unpaid, is preferred.

Advanced Standing (AS) Program Requirements

The Advanced Standing option is available only to students who already hold a bachelor's degree (BA, BS, BSW, or BSSW) from a CSWE-accredited social work program. Criteria for admission to the AS Program include consideration of:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work
• Previous academic performance, including a GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, lower GPAs are considered (submit a letter of justification explaining lower GPA and how you know you will be successful in our graduate program);
• 3 professional and/or academic letters of recommendation;
• Application essay; and
• Social work and related experience, either paid or unpaid.

Required Application Materials

To apply to either program, you must follow the requirements for admission to both the College of Graduate Studies and Research and the MSW Program (listed above), and complete your application by the January 15 priority deadline. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered if program space is available.

College of Graduate Studies and Research

• Application (select MSW Program)
• Unofficial transcripts
• $40 application processing fee
• Immunization records (prior to start of first term)

MSW Program

• Answer application questions in the online application system, including documentation of social work or related experience.
• Unofficial transcripts
• Resume
• 5-page essay
• Three professional recommendations: Provide names and email addresses in the online application.

Application essay

Write and upload a well-written, application essay, of no more than 5 pages that responds to the five application prompts and is grounded in social work knowledge (i.e., NASW Code of Ethics, NASW Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice, and MSW Program website). This essay will be used to assess your written academic ability and critical thinking skills. Use professional/academic format: include a cover page (this does not count as one of the five pages of narrative), double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, page numbered in the upper right-hand corner, use headings, and cite references in APA format.

1. Identify and assess your strengths and challenges as a learner and as a future advanced generalist social work professional.
2. Reflect upon qualities and characteristics you possess that are consistent with the core values and mission of the social work profession (see Preamble of the NASW Code of Ethics).
3. Demonstrate your commitment to acquire the knowledge and skills to move from an understanding of cultural competence to engaging in culturally responsive practice as an advanced generalist social worker within a rural community context.
4. Illustrate evidence of leadership and professional development as reflected through professional activities, ongoing training, education, and social work or closely related experiences.
5. Address your specific professional goals, how your goals are compatible with the mission and goals of this Advanced Generalist MSW Program, and how the program can assist you in achieving your professional goals.

Letters of recommendation

Your letters of recommendation should include concrete examples that address your professional and academic characteristics, preparation to begin graduate education, ability to earn the MSW degree, and promise for practicing professional social work at an advanced level. Recommenders will also rate you on the 16 characteristics associated with academic and professional readiness for Advanced Generalist MSW education listed below.

• Intellectual capacity for graduate study
• Analytical ability and critical thinking skills
• Organizational skills
• Written communication skills
• Oral communication skills
• Creativity: ability to develop novel solutions
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to new situations
• Understanding of self
• Sensitivity; empathy toward others
• Respect for and ability to work with diverse people
• Ability to handle stressful situations
• Ability to work collaboratively in a group
• Ability to work independently
• Ethical behavior, including honesty and integrity
• Professional maturity
• Potential to contribute to the social work profession

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