The Graduate School

Social Work

Programs

• M.S.W. Social Work

Admissions

• Complete graduate online application.
• Personal statement. In 3-5 typewritten, double-spaced pages, please address the following points in separate sections using the section headers identitied below:
  Interest and Background in Social Work. Describe how your interest and commitment to social work developed. Include the influence of personal, professional, and/or volunteer experiences. If you are employed in a social service agency, describe how a graduate social work education would improve your practice. If you have prepared for or been employed in another field, discuss why you want to change to social work.
  Aspirations. Please reflect on the following statement and discuss how it relates to you and your career goals.
  West Chester University's Graduate Social Work Department attracts individuals who embrace diversity and are committed to human rights and social and economic justice. Graduates are prepared to respond to the needs of vulnerable and oppressed populations, and to competently and ethically practice social work with individuals, families, and communities.
  Growth Areas. An important part of the social work profession is self-reflection. Please reflect on necessary areas of growth and discuss steps you are taking/will take in order to develop as a professional social worker.
  Graduate Assistantship. If you interested in being considered for a Graduate Assistantship position within the Graduate Social Work Department, please identify a faculty member whose research interests you and explain how your experience will contribute to their work. Learn about faculty members.
  CASE ASSESSMENT - ADVANCED STANDING APPLICANTS ONLY. In no more than two pages, included at the end of your personal statement, give a specific example describing your work with an individual, family, group, organization, or community. Use the following questions as a guide for your assessment. To ensure client's confidentiality, please refrain from including actual names of clients and agencies.
  1. Briefly describe the agency.
  2. Briefly describe the practice assignment, including your understanding of your role with the client or client group.
  3. Present a brief case assessment. Present relevant data and inferences about the client or client group and the
      environment.
  4. Critically evaluate your helping efforts, analyzing strengths and limitations. In retrospect, how might you have
       intervened differently?

• Two letters of recommendation. At least one Academic reference must be included. NOTE: Applicants with a BSW seeking admission for Advanced Standing must also include a letter of recommendation from the BSW Program Director, for a total of 3 letters of recommendation.
• Resume.
• An overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 (based on 4.0 scale).
• Send official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. PLEASE SEND ALL OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES.
• GRE Examinations and other aptitude tests are not required.
• Proof of satisfactory completion (a grade of at least C) of liberal arts requirements in:
  1. 3 credits humanities (art, literature, philosophy)
  2. 3 credits in United States history or political science
  3. 6 credits in math/science (statistics, computer science, astronomy, biology, physics, chemistry)
  4. 6 credits in social science (anthropology, psychology, sociology, economics, women's studies)
  5. 3 credits in writing

Other Important Information

• Foreign documents: International students are required to satisfy additional admissions requirements which are detailed on the Office for International Students website. Academic transcripts must be evaluated on a course by course basis by World Educational Services (WES) or a NACES member institute. If English is a second language, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required.
• Due Dates (Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with the following priority deadlines):
  
  
  • Advanced Standing:Classes beginning late May 2018
    Application deadline: December 1, 2017*
  • Regular Full-Time:Classes beginning Fall 2018
    Application deadline: January 15, 2018
  • Regular Part-Time:Classes beginning Fall 2018
    Application deadline: March 1, 2018

  We will continue to process applications after these priority deadlines, but early applicants have a greater chance of admission. You are encouraged to apply early and have all required documents, including recommendations and transcripts from all schools attended, submitted as early as possible.

  *Fall grades may be requested before final review of application