Masters of Social Work

The M.S.W. degree is offered by the College of Professional Studies to prepare students for clinical practice with vulnerable children, families, and adults throughout their lifespan. Students can take additional courses that will prepare them academically for the state clinical licensure examination for social workers (LCSW).

100% Online, No Attendance Requirements

1. Graduate Application– For individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher

2. $25 Non-refundable application fee (check or money order made payable to Albany State

University)

3. Official college transcripts from ALL institutions attended (including transcripts from

Albany State University)

ALL of the aforementioned materials must be submitted by the deadline (please see the Graduate Studies web page on the How to Apply page for deadline dates) in order to process your application and render an admissions decision.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies, applicants requesting admission into the MSW Program must also send the following materials to the Office of Graduate Studies:

1. Three professional letters of recommendation. These letters are from persons who can address the Applicant’s ability and potential for successful graduate education and professional social work practice (e.g., former professors, employment supervisors, etc.). These letters must carefully address the items as outlined in the “Letters of Reference” section of the MSW application packet.
2. Completion of the Personal Narrative Statement. This section must carefully follow the outline in the MSW application packet.
3. A current professional resume. The Applicant will submit a current resume that includes her/his complete work history. The Applicant is asked to include a notation to explain any gaps in the work history.
4. A completed criminal background check. The Applicant must include the completed Personal Interview. Because the Master of Social Work is a professional program, a personal interview with the MSW Admissions Committee is required of an Applicant in order to better evaluate his/her potential for successful completion of the graduate criminal background check. program in social work.

Advanced Standing

In order to ensure that students entering the Master of Social Work program with a baccalaureate social work degree do not repeat content that has been achieved in the BSW program (CSWE EPAS M31.1), the MSW program allows students to receive credit for successfully completed generalist social work courses. A student is eligible to receive credit for generalist-level social work courses taken from a CSWE-accredited BSW or MSW program of social work if the following criteria are met:

You must have earned a grade of “B” or better in each generalist course you are requesting a waiver for (3.0 on a 4.0 scale)

The course must have been taken in the past five years

Students who hold a BSW from a school other than Albany State University are asked to attach the syllabus for each course that a waiver credit is applied. In this way, the MSW Admissions Committee can determine if the course offered in the generalist year of the MSW program at Albany State University is comparable. Courses most frequently granted advanced waiver credit include such generalist social work courses as Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policies and Programs, Social Work Practice, Social Work Research, generalist-level field courses, and some electives.

In accordance with CSWE EPAS 3.1.5, the MSW program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience. Please visit our website to find more information about applying for Advanced Standing (https://www.asurams.edu/academic-affairs/collegeofprofstudies/social-work/degrees/msw.php).

Social Sciences

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges