ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

The Collaborative MSW Program is seeking applicants who are interested indeveloping and strengthening their social work skills by completing their MSW degree. The Program is particularly interested in applicants who want to develop expertise in the areas of direct practice or in administration/management in human service settings. The Program seeks applicants who have a commitment to serving those who are vulnerable, who face multiple challenges in their lives, and who may be seeking services in public agency settings.Applicants should be comfortable with developing their expertise in working from a family focused perspective, with developing skills to work in both rural and metropolitan areas, and in working with clients from diverse cultures and circumstances.

To be admitted to the Collaborative MSW Program, applicants must meet thefollowing requirements:

1. Had a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75, with 3.0 in the last two years
   of study;
2. Have an academic background in the liberal arts and have completed a minimum
   of 18 credits in the social sciences from among courses in at least three of the following disciplines: psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, and political science (BSW students meet this criterion);
3. Through a written statement, 3 letters of reference (including one academic
   reference), and relevant professional work/volunteer background, provide evidence of interest in and ability to work with social work clientele and in social work settings; documentation of breadth and depth of professional and/or volunteer experience (usually includes post-baccalaureate experience) that has prepared the applicant for advanced level practice. Preference for admissions may be given to students who indicate an interest in working in child welfare;
4. Have completed course work in: human biology, statistics, research methods, and life span development or submit plans for completing this work prior to taking the Advanced Curriculum in the Program;
5. For advanced standing, have graduated from accredited baccalaureate
   social work program within the last 8 years.
6. Applicants who completed their degrees at foreign universities may be required to complete the TOEFL. For applicants who are Registered Aliens of the U.S. who have lived in the U.S. for more than one year or who have completed academic work in English, the TOEFL is not required. Registerd Aliens who do not meet these criteria will enter the program on probation and give evidence of their English proficiency through satisfactory performance in their first-semester course work.

Applicants are also reminded that in keeping with CSWE Accreditation Standard 5.2, the Program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.

Please Note the GRE is no longer required

Revised October 19, 2006