LLU social work - MSW admissions

Department of Social Work and Social Ecology

Master of social work (MSW)

Academic prerequisites
Admissions criteria
Admissions decision making

Academic prerequisites

Each prerequisite area represents the foundation knowledge necessary to assure that students from diverse academic backgrounds begin the MSW program on a more homogeneous footing.
Table 1 lists these prerequisite areas and the specific courses each relates to:

Table 1

Liberal arts prerequisite for case management certificate

Prerequisite content Time/Place

Human Development (3 quarter units) Prior to SOWK 511 and SOWK 512

Cross-cultural Issues (3 quarter units) Prior to SOWK 511 and SOWK 512

Concepts in Human Biology (3 quarter units) Prior to SOWK 511 and SOWK 512

Interviewing & Counseling (3 quarter units) Prior to SOWK 578 and 587A,B,C

Computer Literacy (Department Skills Test; 1.5 quarter units of Window required if competency is below 70%) Prior to SOWK 549

Introductory Statistics (3 quarter units)

Note: Prerequisite content can be met through specific courses or a combination of courses. However, only courses completed with a grade of C or better can be applied in meeting the prerequisite requirements. Faculty reviewing this requirement work closely with applicants to assure that the uniqueness of each applicants undergraduate degree program is understood. Applicants are notified in the acceptance letter from the dean of the Graduate School if any of the prerequisite content requirements have not been met.
Liberal arts requirement:

Humanities (e.g., history, philosophy, literature, art, music, etc.) (20-24)
English and communication skills (e.g., oral and written communication media, etc.) (8-12)
Mathematics and natural sciences (e.g., mathematics, human biology, physiology, etc.) (12-16)
Social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, human development, ethnic studies, economics, political science or government, etc.) (12-16)

Admissions criteria

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college (official transcripts are evidence of courses completed). The Department of Social Work and Social Ecology assesses the liberal arts preparation of each of its applicants in two areas: (a) the balance of course work in four broad liberal arts areas, and (b) specific course work considered preparatory to the program's foundation (first year) courses [See also liberal arts requirements in MSW program handbook].

Applicants must submit a completed application including a personal statement, application fee, all college and/or university transcripts, and submission of three letters of recommendation (including one from an academic source and one from a work supervisor).

Applicants must meet the minimum academic and professional compatibility criteria established by the program, which includes:

Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale) (special consideration can be given to applicants with grade point averages as low as 2.5 if the last part of their college work shows significant improvement). Applicants whose cumulative grade point average does not meet the minimum requirements stated above may receive further consideration for admission to the MSW program by providing a GRE or Miller's Analogies Test, or two years social work related paid work experience. Evidence of work experience must be verified by current or past employers on official agency stationery.

Applicants must show evidence of professional compatibility, personal qualifications and motivation to complete a graduate program by obtaining a passing score on the admissions interview with the department's admissions committee. Evaluation criteria for the interview includes:

Verbal communication skills;

Critical thinking ability;

Values congruent with the social work profession;

Appreciation of human diversity;

Evidence of reflective learning; and

Comportment.

No academic credit is given for life experience and/or previous work experience for any part for the master of social work program (i.e., field practicum or courses in the professional foundation or advanced curricula.)
Final decisions are based upon a composite score of all of the above items.
Individuals for whom the MSW degree may not be an appropriate option may be admitted in the postbaccalaureate certificate program in case management.

Admissions decision making

Social work education programs are accountable to the profession to prepare individuals for competent, compassionate, and ethical practice. This charge carries with it responsibility for what is known as "gatekeeping," or the process of selecting, admitting, continuing and graduating individuals who are suitable for participating in, and advancing professional social work practice. In support of this view, the courts consider graduate professional education as a privilege and not a constitutional or property right. Admission into the master of social work program is based upon an evaluation of an applicant's suitability for professional practice. As such, this screening includes an evaluation of applicant's academic potential as measured through Graduate School and Department of Social Work and Social Ecology criteria for admissions.

MSW

MSW/PhD