Advanced Standing

Students who meet the following criteria may apply and be considered for the Advanced Standing Program described below:

MSW Curriculum Grid - Advanced Standing 

MSW applicants who

  • have a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited program
  • are recognized through International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service,
  • or are covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors

will not repeat what they have mastered in their undergraduate program. 
may be eligible to apply for advanced standing.

  • If offered advanced standing, the applicant will be given credit by credential for the first 23 hours of the program (foundational courses).
  • Students must meet the admission requirements for all applicants in addition to the following requirements:
    • Conferral date of their BSW degree is within the last 5 years
    • A 3.0 overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate work attempted;
      • or a 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 semester hours taken in the undergraduate program.
    • Satisfactory completion of a 400 hour generalist field placement (minimum) in direct practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities under appropriate social work supervision.

Advanced standing applicants will have transcripts and/or program content evaluated by the MSW Admissions Committee to determine if foundation content has been met.

The Admissions Committee reviews and evaluates all advanced standing applications.

  • Applicants may be required to present copies of course descriptions, course syllabi, and/or assignments in order to document that appropriate content has been covered in the previous course of study.

Applicants must submit their BSW final field evaluation or letter from their BSW field practicum agency supervisor and a letter of reference written by a full time (not adjunct) faculty member from their undergraduate social work program.

MSW Advanced Standing Admission Process

Applicants who seek admission to the MSW Advanced Standing Program must

  • first achieve admission through the College of Graduate and Professional Studies at the University level.
  • submit all MSW Program materials and the Advanced Standing materials via the College of Graduate and Professional Studies online admission link.

The MSW Admission Committee will review and rate each candidate with an admission rubric.

  • Criteria utilized for selecting applicants will be based upon
    • graduate admission criteria
    • MSW application criteria
    • MSW Advanced Standing criteria
    • individual ratings by the MSW Admission Committee

A Committee meeting will be commenced to discuss each application and committee members' rubric results.

The top ranked candidates will be invited to come in for an interview. If said candidate refuses, the Committee will make an admission decision based upon the application packet.

The consensus of the MSW Admission Committee will determine which Advanced Standing candidates are selected for admission.

The MSW Program Director will make a final decision for Advanced Standing candidates for whom a consensus is not reached by the MSW Admission Committee.

Note – an Advanced Standing candidate may not be selected for the Advanced Standing Program but may be considered and selected for the full-time MSW Program.