Master of Social Work

The mission of the Master of Social Work program is to advance human rights and social, economic, racial, and environmental justice by preparing students for competent, empowering clinical practice with vulnerable children, adults, and families of diverse backgrounds. In its efforts to enhance the dignity and rights of all people, particularly of historically oppressed populations, the MSW Program seeks to partner with diverse individuals, groups, and organizations at university, local, state, national and international levels.

Our fully online MSW program is designed to prepare students for responsible, professional social work practice with children and families across the lifespan. Coursework prepares students to assume practice and leadership roles and responsibilities in clinical social work practice, public child and family welfare programs, the protection of abused and neglected children, home-based services, foster care, adoption, school-based services, group and residential care settings, child guidance, parent education, family courts, family violence programs, military social work, adult protective services, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, child and family advocacy, as well as in major social service systems that include mental health, physical health, and corrections. Upon graduation, the MSW student will be able to demonstrate the following generalist practice behaviors.

The MSW Application Packet contains several forms that must be completed before the file may be evaluated by the MSW Admissions Committee including:

1. An official transcript from each regionally accredited college or university attended. The applicant's undergraduate education must reflect a sound liberal arts foundation, including at least 21 credits in the humanities, the social sciences, the behavioral sciences, and the biological sciences. The transcript must show a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale).
2. Three professional letters of recommendation from persons who can address the applicant's ability and potential for successful graduate education and professional social work practice (e.g., former professors, employer, etc.), using the forms provided in the MSW Admissions Packet.
3. Completion of the Personal Narrative Statement, following the Personal Narrative Statement Outline form included in the MSW Admissions Packet
4. A professional resume. The applicant will submit a current resume that includes their complete work history. The applicant is asked to include a notation to explain any gaps in the work history.
5. Personal Interview. An online personal interview with the MSW Admissions Committee is required to better evaluate the applicant's potential for successful advanced social work practice.

For regular admission, the applicant must meet all the admission requirements of the Graduate Admission Office and the MSW program and have an overall undergraduate Grade Point Average of 3.0 or above.

Applicants who do not fully meet the requirements for Regular Admission (3.00 or above GPA) may be considered for Provisional Admission. The MSW Admissions Committee will evaluate each applicant on an individual basis. In some instances, the applicant may be required to fulfill prerequisites prior to provisional admission. An applicant under Provisional Admission is limited to nine semester hours and must achieve a grade of "B" or better in each course attempted. An applicant who attains less than a 3.0 GPA in each course will be withdrawn from the MSW Program. Provisional Admission status will be converted to Regular Admission status when the applicant achieves a "B" or better in each course taken under Provisional Admission status.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Council on Social Work Education