Transcript:
Please note that a final official transcript must be submitted to the University’s Office of Admissions by the first day of class to verify receipt of an academic degree and/or any prerequisites in progress at the time of application. These must also be sent to the MSW Program office at least 14 days prior to the first day of classes.
Curriculum Vitae:
Resume or Curriculum Vitae:Applicants exhibit their understanding of, preparation for, and commitment to social work through their application materials, including a resume. The MSW Admission Committee is particularly interested in the applicant’s paid work and volunteer experience in human services.
Personal Statement:
Autobiographical Essay:The MSW Admission Committee wants to know (a) why the applicant wants to be a social worker, (b) if the applicant has a sound understanding of the social work profession, and how it differs from other mental health disciplines, and (c) how the applicant’s life experiences have prepared him/her for graduate studies in social work. Formatting: length should be between three and four double-spaced pages.Please do not exceed four pages. Use Times New Roman 12 point font with one inch margins. If the work of others is used or referenced, APA format must be followed. (Please reference the American Psychological Association Publication Manual, 6th edition for information on how to format work appropriately.) Please do not use headers. The autobiographical essay should consider the following elements:What led the applicant to choose social work as a profession and what his/her career goals are;Life experiences, family background, and educational experiences as they relate to the applicant’s choice to become a social worker;Work and volunteer activities (provide details on social work or human services-related experiences);Leadership abilities and notable achievements;Social welfare areas of interest, including how obtaining an MSW would enable the applicant to professionally address these.
Recommendation Letter:
Four Professional Recommendations:Formal letters of recommendation are not needed. Recommendations must be requested through the ApplyYourself application system. Recommendations must be professional in nature and be from an individual who has supervised applicant in some capacity. Supervisors and anyone who has been directly responsible for assessing the applicant’s human service-related work/volunteer experience are suggested, particularly licensed mental health professionals. Personal references from friends, family members, personal therapists, and acquaintances will not be scored.
Clinical & Ethical Case Study Analysis:
Choose one of the four case study options and write an essay identifying factors that should be considered if the applicant were the social worker in the case, including how the NASW Code of Ethics would bear on the case.Consider the following in writing the essay:Which factors of the client’s case should be considered and why.How would the applicant prioritize competing demands or resolve ethical dilemmas?If there is missing information, how would the applicant go about gathering this information?Focus on the Preamble and Purpose of the Code of Ethics, and then under “Ethical Standards,” reference and cite specific codes from “Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients” section. Reapplicants must choose a different case study in their new applications.Formatting: the essay should be between four to five double-spaced pages, created in Microsoft Word using Times New Roman 12 point font, with one-inch margins. If the work of others is used or referenced, APA format must be followed.
Timed Social Issues Essay:
As part of your application materials, you will be required to complete a timed 60-minute essay on a current social topic. You will be randomized given a list of three topics to choose from and will be asked to argue both for and against the topic. The timed social issues essay is a mandatory part of the MSW application, but has a different completion deadline than the ApplyYourself application. This essay must be completed after submission and independent of the ApplyYourself application.