Master of Social Work (MSW)
MSW Application Requirements
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.85 for the two-year program and 3.25 for the advanced standing. If a student is below these criteria, the GPA for the last 60 hours of their undergraduate work may be considered.
- Undergraduate transcript
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Essay related to advanced social work studies (see below for details)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Please provide two letters of recommendation that speak to your character, integrity, maturity, and readiness for graduate Social Work training.
- At least one letter must be from an academic source such as a current or previous professor
- The other letter can be from an academic or professional contact
- Please provide two letters of recommendation that speak to your character, integrity, maturity, and readiness for graduate Social Work training.
- No GRE or other test required
Personal Narrative Essay Outline
Limit your essay to 2,000 words with Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced, and number your responses to correlate with the questions below. Be sure to abide by the word limit and the above stated guidelines.
- Describe your long-term goals upon completion of the MSW program.
- What are your reasons for pursuing an MSW? Please describe your professional experience, other work-related or volunteer experience that contributed to your choice of social work as a profession.
- The NASW Code of Ethics identifies six core values of the social work profession, describing them as “the foundation of social work's unique purpose and perspective.” How are your personal and professional values compatible with these six core values? (give specific examples)
- It is imperative that social workers become culturally competent and exemplify sensitivity to ethnicities, religions, beliefs, and lifestyles that may differ from their own. Briefly describe your definition of diversity in our society. Describe any experiences you have had that will strengthen your ability to work proficiently with diverse clients.
- Identify one social problem that interests you, and briefly explain how you think social workers might address this issue.
- The admissions committee is seeking a diverse group of students who can enrich the overall classroom learning experience. What special attributes or personal characteristics do you have that you believe will advance the scholarship and professional experience of your peers in the social work program?
- Signature and date
Requirements for a Master of Social Work (MSW)
One Year Option
Students who are admitted into this program who have received a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited University, will be required to complete 30 hours of Social Work (SW) courses at the 600 level as specified below.
Two Year Option
Students who are admitted into this program who have not received a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from an Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited University, but have received a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited University, will be required to complete 60 hours of Social Work (SW) courses at the 500/600 level as specified below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One Year Option for students who have received a BSW degree | ||
| SW 600 | Social Work Licensure for Workforce Readiness | 2 |
| SW 605 | Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis: Development and Evaluation | 2 |
| SW 610 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Psychopathology | 2 |
| SW 630 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 631 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 632 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 633 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 661 | Advanced Generalist Practice with Children, Adolescents and Families | 2 |
| SW 662 | Advanced Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations | 2 |
| SW 665 | Advanced Generalist Practice with Groups | 2 |
| SW 670 | Social Service Program Evaluation: Practice Implications | 2 |
| SW 680 | Non-Profit Management and Agency Administration | 2 |
| Choose one of the following electives: | 2 | |
| Family Violence: Social Work Strategies for Prevention and Intervention | ||
| Grant Writing Skills for the Social Services | ||
| Advanced Social Work Practice in Health Settings | ||
| Global Social Work: Issues and Opportunities | ||
| Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals: Narrative and Solution Focused Therapy | ||
| The Strengths Perspective in Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice | ||
| Self-Care in Social Work | ||
| Mindfulness and Creative Interventions for Complex Trauma | ||
| Social Work Practice and Contemporary Trauma Theory | ||
| Community Organization | ||
| Advanced Social Work Practice with Substance Misuse Clients | ||
| Selected Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Two Year Option for students who have received a Bachelor's Degree | ||
| SW 501 | Orientation to Social Work Values, Skills and Ethics | 2 |
| SW 503 | Foundations of Social Work History, Policy and Philosophy | 2 |
| SW 515 | Human Behavior I | 2 |
| SW 516 | Human Behavior II | 2 |
| SW 524 | Social Justice, Human Rights, Advocacy and Sustainability | 2 |
| SW 530 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 531 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 532 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 533 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 561 | Foundations of Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families | 2 |
| SW 565 | Foundations of Generalist Practice with Groups | 2 |
| SW 570 | Foundation Research Methods | 2 |
| SW 600 | Social Work Licensure for Workforce Readiness | 2 |
| SW 605 | Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis: Development and Evaluation | 2 |
| SW 610 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Psychopathology | 2 |
| SW 630 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 631 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 632 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 633 | Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 661 | Advanced Generalist Practice with Children, Adolescents and Families | 2 |
| SW 662 | Advanced Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations | 2 |
| SW 665 | Advanced Generalist Practice with Groups | 2 |
| SW 670 | Social Service Program Evaluation: Practice Implications | 2 |
| SW 680 | Non-Profit Management and Agency Administration | 2 |
| Choose two of the following electives: | ||
| Family Violence: Social Work Strategies for Prevention and Intervention | ||
| Grant Writing Skills for the Social Services | ||
| Advanced Social Work Practice in Health Settings | ||
| Global Social Work: Issues and Opportunities | ||
| Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals: Narrative and Solution Focused Therapy | ||
| The Strengths Perspective in Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice | ||
| Self-Care in Social Work | ||
| Mindfulness and Creative Interventions for Complex Trauma | ||
| Social Work Practice and Contemporary Trauma Theory | ||
| Community Organization | ||
| Advanced Social Work Practice with Substance Misuse Clients | ||
| Selected Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Hours | 60 | |