What do msw programs look for

A final rating is calculated and candidates are added to a pool. Once all applications are read and rated, the final incoming class is selected based on the scores, so those with the highest ratings are admitted first until we reach our class capacity; others might be denied admission or placed on a wait list.

The two-reader rating system keeps the application review process unbiased and fair to everyone. We rely solely on the materials you submit to us to make our decision. Because the success of your application relies on its quality, we provide the following to assist you by offering some tips on making your application as strong as it can be. Your undergraduate performance. You must have an undergraduate GPA of 3. If your GPA is lower than this, we may still review your file and you may be admitted if you otherwise have a strong application.

We also require that applicants have a liberal arts foundation in their undergraduate work: at least 18 liberal arts credits, one introductory course in psychology and one in sociology, and a statistics course. If you have some but not all of these courses, you may still be admitted on the condition that you complete the requisite courses before beginning the program. We encourage people from diverse undergraduate programs to apply—we have had people in our program with backgrounds in all kinds of fields, such as music, english, journalism, biology, education, and even accounting!

Past and Current Work Experience. People apply to social work with diverse work backgrounds and we honor this—many people are changing careers entirely or are making a life transition. Certainly, work or volunteer experience of some kind that is related to social work is an asset to your application. For example, professors tend to be busy around finals and midterms. More and more students from around the world choose to complete education programs abroad.

In the U. Programs identify which exams an applicant must pass to gain admission. Categories on these exams include reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Students applying to graduate programs may need to submit to a background check.

Social work is a hands-on field and coursework typically features required service hours to help students gain experience in the field. Additionally, graduate programs often include capstone courses where students spend many hours working under a licensed professional. Universities need to ensure that prospective students have clean backgrounds or they may not be able to complete field work. Figuring out how to apply to graduate school can feel daunting because the process contains many components.

However, breaking down the steps can make the process more manageable. Aspiring graduate students should first identify research programs that meet their professional needs.

Students should also establish an organization system to ensure they meet all application-related deadlines. Individuals should make a list of all the items they need to include in their application packets; some of these items e. Application costs vary by school, and students who demonstrate financial need may be able to obtain fee waivers when applying to schools. Some schools do not use hard deadlines for admission. Instead of evaluating all applications at once, universities continually review submissions until they reach limits for incoming class sizes.

The rolling admissions format features multiple benefits. For example, students may receive notification of their acceptance status within weeks of applying. The level of competition with rolling admissions may also be smaller because the pool of applicants submitted at the same time is smaller. While traditional programs may still operate admissions on an annual basis, many state programs and online universities use rolling admissions.

Rounds admissions represents another method for managing admissions. In this format, programs admit students multiple times per year -- typically in the fall and winter terms.

Few schools use a third round of admissions. The first round requires students to apply early in the year. These students tend to hold excellent academic records, diverse professional and volunteer experiences, and strong letters of recommendation.

The school a student applies to in the first round is typically their number one choice. The second round takes place towards the end of the summer. This gives students extra time to prepare and improve their application packages, but it also is when most students submit their applications.

Additionally, to be eligible Advanced Standing applicants must have:. Please note: Advanced Standing applicants will be admitted to a specialization. Applicants will first note their prioritized selection of "interest areas" in the Graduate School application. Please review specializations choices see Full-time Advanced Standing here and Part-time Advanced Standing here before finalizing these selections and submitting the application. Applicants will also be asked to write a short rationale for their top choice selection in the essay portion of the application.

After the application deadline you will be contacted by email to complete a separate Advanced Standing survey, with additional specialization information, to confirm your selection and preferences; make sure the email you use on your Graduate School application is accurate.

Specializations are space-restricted and once offers are made, changes are not guaranteed and limited. Please contact us if you need additional information to select your specialization area. The School of Social Work accepts applications from prospective students regardless of citizenship status — we encourage applicants who identify as undocumented, DACA eligible, or HB eligible to connect with the various resources on campus that may provide additional information about UW resources, residency, and funding opportunities.

The Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Programs, or GO-MAP , has detailed instructions for students on how best to complete the demographics portion of the graduate school application. Please review these materials prior to beginning your application.

Need additional support in applying? International students requiring a student visa to attend the University of Washington should not list the Extended Degree Program EDP or Part-time Advanced Standing Program among application choices for consideration; most international applicants are only eligible for a visa if enrolled full-time Day or Full-time Advanced Standing program.

International applicants must provide proof of financial ability, demonstrate English proficiency usually by submitting TOEFL scores and will need a student visa to attend. Transfer applicants are considered on a space-available basis. Beyond the standard MSW application, there is no separate application for those applying to transfer from another MSW program.

Applicants are expected to have completed their full generalist formerly known as "foundational" curriculum — both coursework and practicum — in order to be considered for admission. Once admitted, transfer students will be required to submit syllabi for each course taken at a previous program.

Most students transferring from a CSWE-accredited MSW program are eligible to transfer up to 39 quarter credit hours from their previous institution. Many online degrees offer cost savings over traditional campus-based programs, including housing and transportation expenses. While many web-based formats encourage interactive learning with classmates and faculty, these programs generally work best for independent and self-motivated learners.

To receive your licensed master of social work certification, you need to pass a licensing exam by the Association of Social Work Boards. Regulations vary by state , so you should check the specific requirements set forth by your state's social work regulatory board. Individuals looking to enhance their qualifications should consider career paths that help to become licensed clinical social workers LCSWs. This certification requires years of work experience under a licensed social worker after receiving an MSW degree.

The rising demand for healthcare and social services drives the increased need for clinical social workers with an MSW, especially in healthcare, mental health, and substance abuse specialties. Clinical social workers provide direct services for individuals, families, couples, and groups. They assess, diagnose, and treat conditions.

They also help clients locate resources and services to cope with challenges and change their behaviors.

Healthcare social workers work in hospitals and clinics to help patients understand and adjust to their conditions. They often work with doctors and other healthcare providers to educate and counsel patients, families, and caretakers. These social workers use their background in public health to provide information on health concerns affecting specific communities.