WHAT DO I DO IF MY CUMULATIVE GPA IS BELOW A 3.0?
Students with a GPA below a 3.0 can still be considered for admission. If your GPA is below 3.0, please include a brief explanation by responding to one or both of the posted questions on our Admissions Process page.
WHAT IF MY BACHELOR’S DEGREE IS NOT YET FINISHED WHEN I APPLY?
We are willing to review the application file of an applicant who is lacking 1 semester or 2 trimesters of coursework (including practicum) at the time of application. This means if you have just finished your final fall term, but still have a final spring term to complete, when you apply to our program in January you must ensure that your fall grades have been posted to the official transcript before having it sent to our office for your application. In the event an offer of admission is extended, it will be conditioned on completion of the bachelor’s degree before enrollment in MSW courses.
IS ACADEMIC CREDIT GRANTED FOR LIFE OR WORK EXPERIENCE?
Although experience will make for a strong application file, we are unable to waive any degree requirements for work or life experience. This is the policy in all CSWE-accredited programs.
MAY I SEEK COURSE WAIVERS FOR THE MSW COURSES LISTED ON THE BSW EQUIVALENCY CHECKLIST IF I HAVE TAKEN THESE EQUIVALENT COURSES AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL, BUT DID NOT MAJOR IN SOCIAL WORK?
Unfortunately, no. We offer course waivers for certain MSW courses only when the entire BSW major (CSWE accredited) has been completed by an applicant and we can therefore assume the applicant has been adequately prepared as a generalist social worker. For the particular MSW courses open for waiver to these advanced standing applicants, we expect a grade of B or higher in the BSW equivalent course. But it also is expected that the remaining BSW courses from the social work major were completed satisfactorily and the applicant graduated with an accredited BSW degree. If an equivalent course has been taken from another MSW program, please ask us about our transfer of credit procedure.
WHO MAKES THE ADMISSION DECISION ON MY APPLICATION FILE?
Each application file is reviewed by 1-2 full-time social work faculty who each make a recommendation on the file. These recommendations are taken to the Social Work Admissions Committee which then renders a final admission decision.
HOW LONG SHOULD MY PERSONAL STATEMENT BE?
On average, MSW applicants submit a personal statement between 2 to 4 pages (double spaced). Approximately 1/2 page to 1 page per question is considered adequate. However, the focus of your statement should be on fully addressing all of the questions, not on the length or word count. You should approach the statement as one cohesive essay that addresses all questions.
MAY I VISIT TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE FOR ADVICE ON PUTTING TOGETHER THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE MSW APPLICATION?
Absolutely! Check out our MSW Contact Us page to schedule an appointment (virtual, phone, or on-campus).