
2021 MSW Admissions Booklet
*Please review the "MSW courses listed by semester" document for an outline of when
each specific course will be offered
Bowling Green
- MSW Admissions Priority Deadline is February 1, 2021
- MSW Final Admissions Deadline is April 1, 2021
- Face-to-face classes meet only on Saturdays
- A two day orientation held in Bowling Green, Kentucky is required
- Orientation will be in August 2021
MSW Online Program
About
- MSW Admissions Priority Deadline is February 1, 2021
- MSW Final Admissions Deadline is April 1, 2021
- Part-time Advanced Standing cohort offered each fall
- Full-time Advanced Standing cohort will be offered each fall
- Part-time Traditional Program will be offered in the fall of 2021
- Virtual web classes will be held via adobe every Tuesday evening from 5:30pm to 7:30pm CST
- A two day orientation held in Bowling Green, KY is required for students in August
2021
MSW Program Information Booklet
Class Times
- Advanced Standing part-time web classes will be on Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
(Central Time)
- Traditional Program part-time web classes will be on Thursdays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
(Central Time)
More Information
All students considering any online social work program should check into their residing
state about specific licensure requirements upon graduation. Two places that can be
helpful to examine are the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and your specific
state requirements to assist with ease of licensure upon confirmation of the degree.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Kentucky Board of Social Work Tennessee Board of Social Workers
With our CSWE accredited MSW degree options, you should be prepared for licensure
in your residing state. However, each state is unique and may have additional expectations
beyond your basic coursework. If you have any questions or concerns, it is recommended
you first contact your residing state as the resident experts help you understand
the expectations for licensure upon graduation. If you still have questions, we are
happy to help!
(All application forms are located at the bottom of this page)
Application to the MSW program requires two separate applications: an application
to the Department of Social Work and an application to the Western Kentucky University
Graduate School. Each applicant must apply both to the Graduate School as well as
the Department of Social Work. A $65 non-refundable application fee is to be submitted
along with the online application to The Graduate School, and applicants must make
arrangements to have official copies of undergraduate transcripts sent from ALL previous
universities attended sent to the Graduate School. Only applications that have fulfilled
all of the application requirements for the MSW Program and the Graduate School will
be considered complete.
The MSW program’s Admissions Committee independently reviews each application to determine
admission. There may be personal or telephone interviews by the admissions committee,
if necessary. Letters of determination will be mailed to each applicant upon decision.
No admissions outcome information will be given over the telephone.
-
Undergraduate degree from an accredited university
-
A GPA of 2.75 (Traditional Program)/3.0 (Advanced Standing) based on the last 60
hours of undergraduate or graduate credit hours.
-
Liberal arts background – at least 30 hours in liberal arts coursework (social sciences,
humanities, natural science, communication, mathematics, etc) including at least one
course in sociology, psychology, OR anthropology AND at least one course in American
government, political science, OR economics. All courses counted towards the liberal
arts requirement must have been completed with a final grade of “C” or higher.
(TOEFL requirements are as follows: A minimum of 550 on the paper based TOEFL, a minimum
of 79 on the iBT TOEFL , or a minimum of 6.5 on the ITELTS)
Statistics Course
Any college statistics course which includes substantial content on descriptive and
inferential statistics and completed within the last 7 years with a minimum grade
of "C". (A research methods course is not sufficient.)
*Students who believe they have mastered the basic knowledge in certain courses may
opt to take a waiver examination. It is recommended that students take waiver exams
early enough to complete the required course if they do not receive a passing grade.
Students who have not completed all prerequisites may not start the MSW program.
The Advanced Standing Program at WKU is available only to students who have graduated
within the last seven years from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited
BSW program. Students must have a 3.0 GPA based on their last 60 hours of undergraduate
and/or graduate credit hours. Students considering the Advanced Standing Program must
complete all other requirements for admissions including pre-requisites and complete
the application process. This program does not allow students to count work or life
experience as a substitute for the accredited BSW. The Advanced Standing Program is
designed for students who have mastered basic social work practice. The Advanced Standing Program is intense and rigorous. Students considering the advanced track should weigh several
factors. First, students will be joining the educational process at the equivalent
of the end of year one of graduate school. Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility
to learn and internalize the expectations of the graduate education process. Students
who enter the Advanced Standing Program and find that they may not have mastered concepts
at the same level as the foundation curriculum are expected to overcome those deficits
by directed experience, reading, and personal perseverance. Secondly, the successful
Advanced Standing student must have graduate level critical thinking and writing skills
including strong analytical ability.
The one year, advanced standing program is offered every year and only in Bowling
Green. There is also a part-time advanced standing program that takes two years to
complete. The part-time advanced standing is offered in Bowling Green (every year)
and online (every other year).Advanced Standing Part-time program.
The two year full-time and four year part-time 60 hour programs are offered (every
year) in Bowling Green. The three year, part-time is offered online (every other year).
Students who are not accepted into the Advanced Standing Program may be considered
for the Traditional (two-year) Program the Part-Time (four year) Program or the Part-Time (three year) online program at the conclusion of the pre-qualifying process.
Transfer Admissions
Students transferring from CSWE Accredited MSW Programs must complete all application
materials and process. Students transferring must have a 3.0 GPA and be in good standing
with the originating school. Transfer students are highly encouraged to meet with
program administration.
The transfer of credits from an accredited institution of higher learning toward the
MSW requirements will be examined on a case-by-case basis. If transfer is granted
by the program, all University requirements for transferring credits must be met.
Only 9 hours of electives may be transferred.
Petition for Alternate Admission
Both the University and the Social Work Department have alternate admissions procedures.
If an individual does not meet the basic requirements for the MSW program, he or she
must petition for alternate admission. The Traditional MSW program requires a GPA
of a 2.75 or better based on last 60 hours of course work on undergraduate and/or
graduate credit hours. If applicant does not meet this requirement, he or she must
submit a petition for alternate admission along with the MSW application and take
the GRE. In the petition, the individual must state why his or her GPA or GRE score does
not represent his/her capacity for success in an arduous MSW program and provide examples
that support likelihood of achievement in graduate school.
Admissions Appeal Process
Any student who is denied admission into the MSW program may appeal the decision.
The student will notify in writing the MSW program director that he or she wishes
a second consideration. All appeals must be received within 10 days after receiving
the notice evidenced by a postmark. A second consideration does not guarantee admissions
into the program. The MSW program will initiate the reconsideration process, which
will involve meeting with MSW faculty to present a case for admission. The faculty
will then make a recommendation to the Program Director as to whether the student
should be admitted. A final decision will be issued to the student within 14 days
of the Department’s decision.
Application Forms
Please read the Admissions Booklet for detailed information!
(All recommendations must be submitted on our forms and applicant must fill out cover
sheet)
The recommendations may be emailed to mswadmissions@wku.edu from the recommenders email address only!
The Admissions Booklet, highlighted in red at the top of the page, will answer many
questions for you! Call (270) 745-2676 with any questions not addressed in the Application
Booklet.