ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

Accreditation
The Collaborative MSW Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The application process proceeds in two stages: PLEASE NOTE: We are not accepting applications at this time.

1. Pre-admissions Process - Applicants must first complete the Pre-Admissions Process by submitting materials to the Collaborative MSW Program. To apply to the Collaborative MSW Program:
   
   
   1. Obtain a Pre-Admissions Application Packet (pdf).
      
      
   2. Complete the application packet, which includes:
      
      
      • Two copies of:
        • Application for Graduate Admission - MSW Program (questionnaire, sections I-XIII)
          • Applicants are encouraged to complete this form online.
        • Personal Essay (3-5 pages)
        • Detailed employment/volunteer work Resume' (see section XII)
        • Unofficial Transcripts of all undergraduate work completed
          
          
      • One copy of:
        • Three References
          • Identify three references and submit their names, phone numbers and email addresses to the Social Work Department. The MSW Program will email your references with a link to an online reference survey. You will be notified as we receive each of your reference surveys. It is up to you to make sure that all references have completed and submitted surveys.
          • If you graduated with an undergraduate degree within the past eight years it is required that you submit an academic reference (e.g. professor or advisor). If you graduated with an undergraduate degree more than eight years ago you are not required to submit an academic reference, but you are required to submit at least one employment reference.
        • One self-addressed, stamped, Application Checklist
          • Applicants should fold the Application Checklist in half, address it to the application and put the appropriate postage on the Checklist.
            
            
   3. Submit completed pre-admissions packet to:

   Collaborative MSW Program
   Social Work Department
   UW - Oshkosh
   800 Algoma Blvd, Swart 230
   Oshkosh, WI 54901

   Receipt of complete application packets will be confirmed by mail (Application Checklist). Incomplete application packets will be retained for 30 days. If applications remain incomplete for more than 30 days they will be returned to the applicant. The Application Checklist will serve as notification of what materials are missing; it will be completed by the MSW program and mailed to the applicant.

   Applications that are received late will be considered on a space available basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

   The Collaborative MSW Program Admissions Committee will only review complete application packets for a pre-admissions acceptance decision.

2. University Admissions Process - After candidates have pre-admissions acceptance they are recommended for acceptance by the University and must complete the admissions process with their respective "home campus" University. Half of the students in the Program become students at each University.  Selection of an appropriate University is based on student preference, location of a student’s home, and equity considerations in the Program. To complete their application, recommended candidates submit the following to the Graduate program at the University to which they have been referred:
   
   
   1. Letter of Intention form to enroll in the program
   2. $45 application fee (NOTE: For any application postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 1, 2008, the new application fee is $56.)
   3. Official transcripts
   4. Background check form
      
      
   Additional admissions materials will be reviewed by the University’s Graduate Admissions Office and Graduate Program, and candidates will be notified of their final acceptance.  Students recommended for admission by the Collaborative MSW Program meet all minimal admissions requirements for graduate students at both the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

A NOTE ABOUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Students may begin applying for program specific financial support once they have been recommended for pre-admission.  Applicants are encouraged to complete the Financial Aid Application Form at the time of application to the MSW program. Two opportunities for support are available for students interested in careers in child welfare. The Title IVE Program provides tuition monies for students who agree to work in these settings after graduation and who complete required course work in child welfare.  Funding from the U.S. Children’s Bureau provides tuition and other support for tribal members interested in child welfare careers and for those who have worked in tribal social services and who want to work in tribal child welfare after graduation.  Additionally, students interested in medical social work may be eligible for a stipend from the Veterans Administration. Further information about these opportunities is available from Matthew Mattila (920-465-2867 or mattilam@uwgb.edu) and about the Children’s Bureau grant from Fredi Staerkel (920-424-0278) or staerkee@uwosh.edu.

Additional funding opportunities are also available to students admitted to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  Further information may be obtained by contacting the Graduate School at Oshkosh (920-424-1223) or Graduate Studies at Green Bay (920-465-2123).

Revised July 7, 2008