Social Work, MSW

Program Description

The MSW program prepares students for advanced generalist social work practice. It is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences offers the MSW program in two options: Advanced Standing and Regular Standing. The Advanced Standing program option is designed for students who have a baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW) from a CSWE accredited program and who meet the Advanced Standing program admission requirements. Those who have substantial work experience in the social work field and/or have completed course work in social work (even a minor) but have not graduated with a BSW, are not eligible for Advanced Standing. The Advanced Standing program involves 31 credit hours and can be completed in full-time status (three semesters) or part-time status (four semesters).

The Regular Standing MSW program option is designed for students who do not have a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program, or who do not meet the other admission requirements for the Advanced Standing program. The Regular Standing program requires 58 credit hours to earn the MSW degree. The Regular Standing student can complete the program in full-time status.

Master of Social Work Admission Objectives

Admission to the Master of Social Work program is competitive and selective. All applicants applying on time and meeting the minimum standards will be considered for admission. However, merely meeting these standards does not guarantee admission. Only those students showing significant promise for a career in social work will be admitted to the program. The MSW program is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all students regardless of their economic or social status, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, political orientation, disability, age, veterans’ status, or marital or parental status.

Admission Requirements for the Regular Standing MSW Program

Regular Standing MSW program applicants will apply using the centralized application service for social work known as SocialWorkCAS. To begin this process, the applicant will create an account through the SocialWorkCAS website (socialworkcas.liaisoncas.org). SocialWorkCAS will verify the application for accuracy, calculate the GPA, and send materials to all specified Master of Social Work programs.

All documents required for the Missouri State University MSW application will all be submitted through SocialWorkCAS. Items submitted directly to SocialWorkCAS include: an application, all official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, a resume, personal statement essays, and three letters of reference.

The GRE exam is not required for admission.

Students are eligible to apply for admission into the Regular Standing MSW program when the following conditions are met:

1. Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.
2. Applicants must have earned an overall GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for all undergraduate coursework taken.
   • The GPA for upper-division course work (last 60 hours) in undergraduate classes may be used if higher than the overall GPA and if this GPA is calculated by the Graduate College or a referring college office.
   • The GPA from a graduate degree or graduate certificate from a college or university accredited by a regional agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation may be used if higher than the undergraduate GPA.

Admission Requirements for the Advanced Standing Program

Advanced Standing MSW program applicants will apply using the centralized application service for social work known as SocialWorkCAS. To begin this process, the applicant will create an account through the SocialWorkCAS website (socialworkcas.liaisoncas.org). SocialWorkCAS will verify the application for accuracy, calculate the GPA, and send materials to all specified Master of Social Work programs.

All documents required for the Missouri State University MSW application will all be submitted through SocialWorkCAS. Items submitted directly to SocialWorkCAS include: an application, all official undergraduate and graduate transcripts, a resume, verification of CSWE accredited BSW degree, personal statement essays, and three letters of reference.

The GRE exam is not required for admission.

Students are eligible to apply for admission into the Advanced Standing MSW program when the following conditions are met:

1. Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from an undergraduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
   • It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify their Bachelor of Social work meets CSWE’s accreditation standards before applying to the advanced standing program.
   • Verification is to be submitted with the application by a notation of CSWE accreditation on the official transcript, or a copy of accreditation status of BSW degree awarding university listed on CSWE Accreditation page.
2. Applicants must have no more than one grade of “C” and not grades below “C” in all social work prefixed courses.
3. Applicants must have earned an overall GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for all undergraduate coursework taken.
   • The GPA for upper-division course work (last 60 hours) in undergraduate classes may be used if higher than the overall GPA and if this GPA is calculated by the Graduate College or a referring college office.
4. International students can apply for advanced standing program by completing the following procedures:
   • CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES) recognizes academic credentials in social work that are comparable to accredited baccalaureate and master’s degrees in social work in the United States. Recognition is necessary to establish qualifications for employment, graduate school admission, membership in the National Association of Social Workers, state licensing, and/or certification.
   • An International applicant is required to complete the ISWDRES screening form through Council on Social Work Education to determine if a social work degree has been obtained before applying to advanced standing program.
   • Verification is to be submitted with the application through notation of CSWE accredited program on the official transcript or other forms of official CSWE document.
5. Preference is given to students who currently reside in the Heart of the Midwest (i.e., Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma).

Application Deadlines

Application and all additional materials must be submitted by the due date on the application for the year of desired admission for both Advanced and Regular Standing MSW program options. Deadlines will be strictly enforced so applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants must have all application materials submitted by the application deadline for consideration. It is recommended that all transcripts be received by SocialWorkCAS no later than two weeks before the due date in order to meet the admission deadline.

Admission to the MSW program involves the “whole person” concept. As such, the admission process considers a person’s character and personal fitness to the social work profession, academic preparedness for graduate study, and a student’s potential to conduct applied social work. Evidence of this includes: previous employment or significant volunteer experience in human services, the student’s statement of purpose, letters of reference, and other information relevant to the admission decision.

Transfer Students

The MSW program will consider transfer credits for core courses only from accredited graduate social work programs. No credit will be given for life or work experience. A maximum of 12 graduate hours from such programs may be accepted if taken at the generalist level. No transfer course work will be accepted for classes taken at the specialist level. Elective credit may be transferred from other social work programs or from programs related to social work (i.e., psychology, counseling, public health, etc.). Elective courses must have been taken within 5 years of entering the MSW program in order to count toward the degree requirements.

After a prospective student has been accepted for admission, the MSW Coordinator will determine the amount of acceptable transfer credit (up to the maximum credit allowed) following a review of official transcripts, catalog descriptions, and course syllabi. Primary emphasis is on assessing whether the objectives and content of transfer courses matches those of required Missouri State University courses. No transfer credits for core courses or electives will be accepted if the student earned less than a “B” or took the class more than 5 years prior to enrolling in the MSW program.

Academic Standards

Students are expected to meet graduate school requirements for good academic standing of a 3.0 GPA for all graduate course work transferred in or earned at Missouri State University. Students will be dismissed from the program for any of the following academic reasons:

1. Two grades of “C” in any graduate coursework.
2. A grade of “no pass” or “C” in any practicum and seminar.
3. A grade below “C” in any graduate coursework.

Social Work Policies and Procedures for Review of Academic Performance and Grievances

All social work graduate students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics. All policies concerning student academic performance and personal conduct are delineated by University Policies. All related or other departmental policies and procedures can be found in the MSW Student Handbook.

Capstone Requirements for Regular and Advanced Standing MSW Programs

There are two additional requirements that all MSW students must do to graduate. First, is completing a comprehensive examination. Second, is the successful completion of all field education hours. Practicum hours are completed in-person in an agency approved by the School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences. There are 400 hours in the field practicum at the generalist level and 500 hours at the advanced generalist level. Advanced Standing students are in the field only at the advanced generalist level. Both capstone requirements must be finished before an MSW degree will be granted.