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Admissions Policy

Admission to the Social Work Program

Students are considered pre-majors until formally accepted into the program. Prior to formal acceptance into the program, students should begin advising within the Department of Social Work and can begin taking entry-level social work courses (SOCW 250, 251, 310, 311) and the general studies courses that apply to social work, as outlined in the university catalog. Students must submit a formal application to the Department of Social Work upon completion, or while enrolled in Introduction to Social Work (SOCW 250), as components of this course will help build the portfolio for admission into the program. Students must be accepted to the major prior to taking courses in the social work practice sequence (SOCW 332, 333, 360). If a student wishes to transfer into the major as a junior and has not completed the Introduction to Social Work course, he/she can petition to begin in the practice sequence. Upon the approval of their advisor, students may begin Social Work Practice I while concurrently enrolled in Introduction to Social Work, but must sign a waiver acknowledging understanding of the need to complete the application, and that they are on provisional status until accepted through the formal application process. Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of social work faculty and be considered based on academic and personal readiness for course work.

Students may submit an application during or after the semester they anticipate completing the requirements. Students may submit the application at any time, but in order to register for Social Work Practice I in the fall, applications must be submitted by March 7. Students may be admitted fully, without provisions; on provisional status; or denied admission. If a student is admitted on provisional status, a plan for attaining full admission will be provided by the committee. If this plan is not met in full, the student will not be allowed to continue in the program. If denied admission, the student may initiate an appeal procedure, as outlined below.

Students must meet the following components in order to be considered for the social work major.

  1. Completion of the Introduction to Social Work course with a C or better
  2. Possess a 2.0 overall GPA
  3. Completion of an application (obtained from the Department of Social Work)
  4. Personal and professional aptitude
  5. Submission of a personal statement.


    6. Personal statements should be three to five pages and include:
    1. When and how you became interested in the field of social work
    2. What influenced you in the choice of social work as a profession
    3. Your career goals or beginning thoughts on your areas of interest
    4. Discussion of what you see to be personal strengths that will help you in your development of professional skills and knowledge (If you have taken the Strengths Finder Inventory as part of your Beginnings course, please note your strengths and how these strengths may contribute to the practice of social work.)
    5. Personal attributes you would like to further develop as part of your participation in the social work program
    6. Any life experiences you believe will contribute to or impede your progress in this program

    Criteria for evaluation of autobiographical statements:
    1. Writing skills
    2. Indication of genuine interest in enhancing human well-being and advancing social justice
    3. Thoughtful reflection of personal characteristics that indicate the student is ready to successfully complete program requirements
    4. Provide evidence of participation in volunteer, leadership, or work experience relevant to the practice of social work [Participation in service learning, ministry experiences, personal therapy, Club Social Work, or National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers good opportunities for experience.
Procedure
  1. Complete or be enrolled in the Introduction to Social Work course, completing with a C or better.
  2. Complete all sections of the application.
  3. Complete an autobiographical statement.
  4. Submit an unofficial APU transcript and current Degree Works checklist.
  5. Submit completed packet to faculty advisor for review. The advisor may request revisions prior to submission to admissions committee.
  6. Upon review, the advisor will submit the completed packet to the social work admissions committee for review.
  7. Students will be notified in writing within two weeks of the SOCW advising and admissions committee's decision.
Student Appeals Process

Any student who is dissatisfied with a decision for admission may request an in-person review with the admissions committee, in which they can supply further verbal and written evidence in regards to the actions taken by the committee. The committee will provide a written response to the student within one week of the hearing. If the student is still in disagreement, he/she may appeal to the associate dean of the School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences.

Note: This information is current for the 2008-09 academic year. For additional information, please contact the appropriate office.
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