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MSW ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Advanced Standing (38 Credit Hours) Eligibility Criteria:

In order to be eligible to apply for Advanced Standing, applicants must have a BASW or BSW from an accredited program and present Grade Point Average (GPA) at or above the following minimums:

Undergraduate GPA 3.0
Social Work GPA 3.5
Graduate GPA (if applicable) 3.0

Candidates who are not admitted to Advanced Standing usually can be automatically considered for the Regular 60-credit program. Additionally, at least 1 year of previous full-time paid social work-related experience is recommended.

Regular (60 Credit Hour) Program Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for the Regular Program, applicants must present a Grade Point Average (GPA) at or above the following minimums:

Undergraduate GPA 3.0
Social Work GPA (if applicable) 3.0
Graduate GPA (if applicable) 3.0

If your past academic performance does not meet one or more of the GPA standards for admission, then you must complete the Petition for Exceptional Consideration, in addition to the other application components described below.

MSW APPLICAION INSTRCUTIONS

Please note that the admission procedures are the same for both 60-Hour MSW degree program and the advanced standing.

The admissions process involves the College of Social Work and the Graduate School; you must be accepted by both. The College’s Admissions Committee reviews your application materials and then forwards a recommendation to the Graduate School. The Graduate School makes an independent determination based largely upon your transcripts. The College and the Graduate School will send separate letters after your application has been evaluated.

All application materials need to be received before the deadlines below:

            Admission deadlines for Fall 2009 Semester

                    April 6th for domestic applicants
                    February 1st for international applicants

Please Contact the Graduate Admissions Officer, Desha Scanlon, if you have any MSW application questions: e-mail: mdscan0@uky.edu or Phone: 859-257-6652

To the Graduate School

**Note: The GRE is not currently required for admission to the MSW degree program**

To the College of Social Work

Official transcripts from every college or university that you have attended

Please use the reference forms provided with the application materials. References may also write independent letters as well. These letters need to be on company/organization letterhead. All forms and letters of reference should be placed in a sealed envelope with author’s signature across seal.

The admissions committee will read this information to get insight into your ability, character, and potential for success in the practice of social work. Please exclude relatives, close personal friends, persons you supervise or who may be obligated to write you a favorable letter. Please contact the persons you list as references and have them send their reference letters to you. You may place the sealed and signed envelopes in with the rest of your application materials. These envelopes will be opened only in the College of Social Work Admissions Office.

References must be obtained from persons in 3 of the 4 following categories:

  • Professor
  • Social Work Professor
  • Professional Social Worker
  • Work or Volunteer Supervisor

In 250 words or less, describe an ethical dilemma you encountered in either your professional or personal past. Identify and define the ethical problem, the parties involved, the values you relied upon to make your decisions, and how the dilemma was resolved. Explain how the outcome has affected you and any lesions you learned.

Please list in resumé format your work and volunteer experience.

Autobiography should be approximately four pages in length and the following topics must be addressed within the narrative:

1. Motivation for social service, social work education, and a career in the profession: State your reasons for wanting to pursue an MSW degree. Why are you applying to the University of Kentucky College Of Social Work? What are our social service interests and career goals?

2. Personal life experiences and relevant events: Briefly describe your personal history as it relates to your interest in the profession of social work. What do you consider to be your particular strengths, skills and abilities that will contribute to your success in this field?

3. Capacities for professional social work education: Briefly describe your professional, volunteer and/or educational history as it relates to your capacity for success in graduate study in the field of social work. What characteristics, circumstances, or challenges could serve to enhance or limit your capacity to pursue graduate level education in the field of social work?

Criteria Used by the Admissions Committee:

Undergraduate GPA
Social Work GPA for advanced standing applicants
Graduate GPA (if applicable)
Course work in Statistics, Psychology, and Sociology
Professional Experience/Demonstrated Commitment to Social Work
Social Work Values
Reasoning and Writing Ability
Resume’ Factors/Autobiographical Considerations
Alternative Measures for Academic Promise (if applicable

The College of Social Work MSW program is an academically rigorous program, requiring students to have high intellectual ability and strong motivation. One of the best predictors of success in the program is a record of high accomplishment in previous academic work. For some applicants, circumstances in their lives interfered with their ability to achieve their full potential. In some such instances the Admissions Committee may waive minimum GPA standards, provided there is strong justification. If your past academic performance does not reflect accurately your ability to succeed in an MSW program and falls below one or more of the GPA minimums, provide what evidence you can of your ability to succeed in the MSW program in the Petition for Exceptional Consideration.

Please remember that it is essential to have all application materials on file here by the deadline date:

                    April 6th for domestic applicants
                    February 1st for international applicants

 Admission decisions are made by a faculty Admissions Committee and you will be notified of your status within four to six weeks after the application deadlines.

Please mail all the above MSW application materials to:

Desha Scanlon
613 POT
Lexington, KY 40506-0027

Notes:

In addition to the GPA requirements, applicants must have taken a course in each of the following: statistics, psychology, and sociology or anthropology. If you are missing a required course, you may be admitted provisionally. This means that you will be expected to satisfactorily complete the required course either in the semester before you begin the degree program or in the semester concurrently with your social work courses. You will remain in provisional status until this course is completed.

  1. The MSW curriculum as well as admission standards are subject to change as faculty identify a need for revision
  2. The College of Social Work adheres to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. The Code of Ethics can be found at http://naswdc.org/CODE.HTM. Students and faculty are expected to abide by the provisions of the Code at all times.



College of Social Work main phone number (859) 257-6650
Site Created and maintained by Gary Trumble
Last updated 9-17-08