Matriculated Student: Each MSW applicant must submit the following to the Brescia University Admissions Office:
- Completed MSW application by February 15th (apply online for free);
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended; all undergraduate and graduate course work completed outside of the United States must be evaluated by the World Education Services (www.wes.org);
- Student must have completed Introduction to Social Work with a minimum grade of C, or its equivalent (may be taken the summer before admission or concurrently with conditional acceptance).
- Student must have completed a Statistics course, with minimum grade of C, or its equivalent within the last 3 years (may be taken the summer before admission or concurrently with conditional acceptance).
- Student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for last 60 hours earned, for full program; GPA of 3.2 for last 60 hours earned for Advanced Standing. If GPA requirements are not met, applicants may attach a letter requesting special consideration. The letter must addresses remediation of the reason(s) for the low GPA and the student’s ability to successfully manage the demands of a rigorous graduate program. Examples include successful completion of graduate course work, optional GRE scores, strong writing skills, or strong work history in human services for multiple years as evidenced by professional references.
- Typed personal statement (3-4 pages typed 12 pt., Time New Roman font, double spaced, with 1-inch margins addressing the following:
- Ability to use distance learning technology and preferred learning style;
- Motivations for applying to an MSW program and career goals;
- Examples of how applicant’s personal values are congruent with the values of professional social work;
- An example of a time when supervision or consultation was sought to resolve a difficult situation;
- Time management plan taking into consideration program rigor and field practicum for which a least 2 days per week is expected.
- If applying for the Advanced Standing program, a copy of the final field evaluation or a written recommendation from a Field Director or Field Supervisor is required. If the student’s BSW is from Brescia University, the Program Director will access the information on the student’s behalf.
Note: Admission to the Advanced Standing program requires a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited institution (or from a college/university recognized through CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services) within the last five years.
The Program reserves the right to require an interview of any applicant.
International students residing in the U.S. with a student visa (not work or dependent visas) are not eligible for this online program due to restrictions by U.S. Homeland Security.
Evaluation Criteria
Students applying for admission to the MSW program will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Ability to follow directions;
- Ability to learn at the graduate level;
- Ability to use distance learning technology;
- Professional behavior congruent with social work values and ethics;
- Demonstrated interest in working with people;
- Emotional maturity; stable mental/emotional functioning;
- Ability to interpret and critically analyze empirical research;
- Strong interpersonal and time management skills;
- A foundational understanding of the social work profession;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to seek assistance, support, or supervision when needed; and
- Potential to develop into a competent, ethical social worker.
Appeals
It is possible that an applicant may meet or exceed all of the admission requirements, yet not be admitted into the program due to limited space. An applicant may appeal the decision only if he or she believes to have been discriminated against due to age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, or tribal sovereign status.
- The student should submit a letter of appeal to the MSW Program Director in writing within 10 working days of receiving the denial letter if he or she wishes to appeal the decision.
- The student must explain why he or she is believed to have experienced discrimination and offer evidence of discrimination.
- The student’s appeal will be reviewed by the MSW Program Director, BSW Program Director, and one social work faculty not involved in the original review of the application. The preponderance of the evidence standard will be used.
- The student will be notified by the MSW Program Director of the decision within 10 working days of receiving the appeal.
If an applicant meets the eligibility criteria but is not admitted due to lack of available space, the applicant will be placed on a waiting list and given priority for the next beginning cohort. The application will remain “active” on the waiting list for up to two semesters without the student needing to reapply. A student who meets the eligibility criteria, but is not able to start until three or more semesters later will be asked to submit a written statement discussing any changes that may have occurred in the interim.
Credit Transfer
The MSW program may accept transfer of graduate credits under certain circumstances. Only courses in which the student received a B grade or higher are eligible for transfer. Any courses to be transferred into the program must be completed prior to the student’s acceptance into the Brescia University MSW Program. Once a student is accepted into the program, any courses taken subsequently at another institution cannot be transferred. Transfer credit requests will be considered as follows:
Transfer of credits from non-CSWE accredited programs (for example, graduate courses taken in a related area such as psychology or sociology):
A student may request the transfer of up to six (6) graduate credit hours into the MSW Program. Transfer courses must be reasonably equivalent to, and substitute for, Generalist-level courses; or they may be accepted as elective credits. Only courses in which the student received a B grade or higher are eligible for transfer. Equivalency is evaluated on a course-by-course basis and accepted upon the recommendation of the MSW Program Director and based upon the following criteria:
- Official transcript
- Course syllabi, which include the name of the school, instructor’s name, instructor’s degree, course content, student learning objectives, and methods of assessment.
- Course grade of A or B
OR
Transfer of credits from CSWE-accredited programs:
Students who have completed some graduate courses in a CSWE-accredited MSW program (but did not complete the program) may request to have up to 27 credits transferred, with no more than 6 of those 27 credits substituting for Specialization year courses. Transfer courses must be reasonably equivalent to Brescia MSW courses; or they may be accepted as elective credits. Equivalency is evaluated on a course-by-course basis and accepted by the MSW Program Director and faculty based upon the following criteria:
- Official transcript
- Course syllabi, which include the name of the school, instructor’s name, instructor’s degree, course content, student learning objectives, and methods of assessment.
- Course grade of A or B
OR
Transfer of Generalist year credits en masse
Most MSW programs offer Generalist-level courses in the first year and specialization courses in the second year. However, Generalist programs are seldom, if ever, identical. A student who has completed an entire Generalist-level curriculum in a CSWE-accredited MSW program may request transfer of the entire Generalist year’s credits, en masse, without the courses being identical to Brescia’s generalist level year. However, in this instance, the following conditions must be met:
- A review of the official transcript reveals a CSWE-accredited Generalist curriculum which is comparable to Brescia’s Generalist year and in the opinion of the MSW Program Director and faculty, substantially prepares graduate students to begin the Specialization year by teaching Generalist competencies.
- Students will not repeat courses in the Specialization year that have been accepted for transfer. In some cases, students may need to take additional electives in the Specialization year. The courses accepted for transfer en masse must not interfere with the integrity and rigor of Brescia University’s Specialization year in the opinion of the MSW Program Director and faculty.
- Students may be asked to take MSW 500 as their elective in the Specialization year.
- All Generalist year courses were completed no more than 5 years ago and the student earned a grade of A or B in each course
- A Final Field Evaluation documents at least 400 field hours and demonstration of social work competencies at an acceptable level. The sending program’s Director of Field may be contacted for clarifications and questions.
- All course syllabi, which include the name of the school, instructor’s name, instructor’s degree, course content, student learning objectives, and methods of assessment are reviewed.
- The sending program must be accredited or otherwise approved by CSWE.
- The MSW Program Director of the sending school must verify that the student is in good academic standing at that school, understands and follows the NASW Code of Ethics, and has the writing skills necessary for graduate school. Good academic standing” is defined as a) not being on academic probation, and b) maintaining a 3.0 GPA in graduate courses.