MSW Admissions Information

The MSW Program at WSC is now accepting applications.

For the fall of 2010 class, the MSW program will only accept applications to the full program (full-time and part-time). The Advanced Standing option will not be available until the fall of 2011 class.

Application forms are now available.

If you would like to have an admissions packet sent to you, or have questions about admissions, please call us at (413) 572-8020 or email dgceadmissions@wsc.ma.edu.

Admission forms and application information are also available on-line at:
http://www.wsc.ma.edu/dgce/graduate/graduateadmissions.html#application

All applicants should follow the following process and meet the described requirements (Specific additional requirements for Advanced Standing applicants are identified)

1. Applicants should obtain an application packet from the MSW Program or the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.
   
2. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. To apply for Advanced Standing the candidate must have a BSW from a CSWE accredited program.
   
3. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree that included a clear liberal arts base and a firm foundation in the social sciences, government, and human biology. (Applicants should identify their social science, government and human biology courses on the application. Students who do not meet this requirement may be accepted into the program but will be required to take courses to meet these requirements prior to starting the program.)
   
4. Applicants need a 2.8 overall undergraduate G.P.A. For Advanced Standing candidates, the applicant should also have a 3.0 social work GPA. In extraordinary circumstances both requirements can be waived by the Admission Committee.
   
5. Applicants need to submit scores for the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examination.
6. Applicants need to complete the Graduate Admission form, specifying MSW program or Advanced Standing MSW Program and whether they would like to be full-time or part-time.
   
7. Applicants need to have three letters of reference completed, including one academic reference. Advanced Standing applicants need to have one of their letters of reference from their BSW Program Director (or his/her designee). A letter from their Field Placement Supervisor is highly recommended.
8. Applicants need to complete a personal statement that describes:
   

• reason for interest in entering the field of social work; 
  
• assessment of personal strengths and limitations; 
  
• examination of life experiences and relationship of these experiences to career choice. Discuss here evidence of your commitment to aiding people who are oppressed and/or members of vulnerable populations (good examples are prior work, civic or volunteer experiences); and 
• assessment of personal values and congruence of these beliefs with the profession's value system. 

Though human services experience is not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to describe any prior volunteer or work experience in their personal statement. Professional experience is viewed positively and considered when making decisions regarding waiving GPA and standardized test requirements.

Application Deadlines:
The closing date for receipt of all admission materials is February 1. Applicants whose admission files are not completed by February 1 may not be considered for the academic year which begins the following September. Normally, four to six weeks arerequired for the School of Social Work to receive transcripts; applicants should therefore make every effort to ensure that all relevant documents are requested well before the deadline date. The Department of Social Work reserves the right to change the closing date for the receipt of application materials. Notice of any deadline extension will be posted on this page.

Notification of Acceptance
Notice of acceptance will occur on or about April 15 for study beginning the following September (there are no midyear admissions). Within ten days of receiving notification, accepted applicants must confirm in writing their intention to enroll in the program. Confirmation of acceptance should be mailed or emailed to the Admissions Coordinator, Shelly Janke, at mjanke@wsc.ma.edu.

updated 9/25/09