How to Apply-Advanced Standing MSW

1. Research the Master of Social Work program to see if it’s right for you
   • Review the program info on our website
   • Learn more about scholarships and financial aid
   • Attend an Online Info Session
   • Schedule a meeting with an Admission Counselor
   • Schedule a campus tour
   • Review the program Plan of Study and example schedule
   • Explore the course catalog
2. Review the Advanced Standing Prerequisites
   • Completed bachelor's degree in social work (e.g., BSW/BASW) from a baccalaureate social work program accredited by CSWE, recognized through the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluating Service or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work. 
   • Applicants who are finishing their baccalaureate degree may apply. Applicants must complete the baccalaureate degree before the MSW program begins. An admission decision will be considered provisional until degree is posted.
3. Review Admissions Dates & Deadlines
   • Applying by the priority application deadline ensures consideration for the upcoming cohort, Graduate Admissions scholarships and access to a wider range of practicum options.

Once you start an application you will be able to save your progress and will not have to complete it all at once.

The MSW Advanced Standing application includes the following elements:

1. Two Admission Essays
   • Admission essays are reviewed for both content and adherence to standard writing rules, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.
   • Please answer questions A, B and C separately. 1500 words max total:
   • Admissions Essay One: Personal Statement
     • Essay A: Bearing in mind Seattle University's mission and the Social Work program's mission, discuss how your education and/or experience (work, volunteer, personal) prepared you to pursue graduate social work education at this program.
     • Essay B: The SU MSW program offers a single specialization in advanced clinical social work practice. Why is clinical social work a good fit for you? What relevant skills and qualities do you bring to clinical social work?
       • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) defines clinical social work "As a specialty within the practice of social work, clinical social work builds on professional values, ethics, principles, practice methods and the person-in- environment perspective of the profession. It reflects the profession's mission to promote social and economic justice by empowering clients who experience oppression or vulnerability. Clinical social work requires the professional use of self to restore, maintain and enhance the biological, psychological, social and spiritual functioning of individuals, families and groups."
     • Essay C: Discuss your preparation for a rigorous graduate academic program and field. What are your academic strengths? What strategies or skills do you currently have to maintain strong performance in classes and practicum (which occur simultaneously)? What do you recognize as areas for development in order to succeed in this program?
   • Admissions Essay Two: Social Problem Analysis (1500 words max total, excluding references): 
     
     • Identify and analyze a social problem that is significant to the profession of social work. This analysis paper must include appropriate references and use the American Psychological Association (APA) style citation and formatting. Faculty will evaluate the paper for its content and social justice framework, organization and writing quality. 
     • The following elements must be addressed in this essay:
       • Definition and description of the social problem.
       • Societal issues that contributed to the creation and maintenance of the problem .
       • Possible solutions or interventions to address the problem.
       • Limitations of the proposed interventions or obstacles to proposed solutions.
2. Résumé
   • Include a résumé documenting education, work and volunteer experiences (please distinguish between those experiences). Include your role, dates employed, whether part-time or full-time as well as the organization name. Résumé should list the name of every college or university attended and dates.
3. Two Recommendation Forms
   • The recommendation forms should be from people who know your academic capabilities as well as interpersonal strengths.
   • One recommendation must be from a field director, supervisor, advisor, practicum instructor, program director or faculty member.
   • Personal references or references from co-workers are not accepted.
   • Once you've started your application, you will add their email address and they will receive a link to the evaluation form. The form should only take them 15 minutes to fill out.
     • We only need contact information. Please do not include letters of recommendation. 
4. Signed Acknowledgement Form
   • In the application portal you will sign the Seattle University Social Work Department Non-Academic Technical Standards for Social Work Education form. 
5. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW/BASW) or higher
   • Evidence of a BSW/BASW degree from a baccalaureate social work program accredited by CSWE, recognized through the International Social work Degree Recognition and Evaluating Service or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work.
6. Minimum of 3.00 GPA
   • For information on GPA calculations for admission, please visit our Graduate Admissions How to Apply page.
   • Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA might be considered for probationary admission and can submit an additional GPA explanation statement. Applicants with a non-graded bachelor's degree are required to submit a GRE/GMAT test score.
7. Required Transcripts
   • Submit official or unofficial transcripts for your most recent coursework to the Office of Graduate Admissions. 
     • For additional information on transcript requirements for admission, please visit the Graduate Admissions How to Apply page. 
   • Transcripts may be submitted electronically to  grad-application@seattleu.edu or mailed.
   • Once accepted to the program, students will need to submit official transcripts within their first quarter of enrollment.

1. Submit your application
   • Make sure you hit “Submit” on your application.
   • Submitted applications are only considered complete once all application materials have been received including your recommendation forms.

1. Check Your Status 
   • You can login here to check the status of your application anytime.
2. Monitor your email
   • Make sure to regularly check the email you listed on your application for updates, including your admission decision. 
   • If selected, you will receive an email about your admission decision by early March. If you apply after the priority deadline, pending space in the cohort, you will be notified of your admission decision within six weeks. 
   • The MSW program is committed to doing our best to find practicum opportunities and facilitating the placement process for students. However, it is our community partners who ultimately offer the invitation for students to learn and practice at their agency. Therefore, the MSW program cannot guarantee practicum placements and students who cannot secure a practicum site or complete their practicum requirements may not be able to finish their degree, for the practicum placement is a requirement for completion of the MSW degree and social work licensure.

1. Background Check
   • Students will receive instructions to complete a background check before practicum placement. Many human services agencies require an additional criminal history background check on students who apply to their agencies for practicum placements. 
   • A criminal history on a background check will not automatically disqualify an applicant from admission to the Seattle University MSW program. However, it may limit the available field placements, which are required for completing the MSW degree and obtaining social work licensure. The program cannot guarantee placements for students with a positive criminal background report but will make every effort to find suitable options. If you have questions, please email us.  
2. Submit Official Transcripts
   • If you submitted unofficial transcripts with your application, official transcripts need to be sent electronically (grad-application@seattleu.edu) or via mail to Graduate Admissions.
3. Tuition Deposit
   • Upon admission, this program requires a non-refundable deposit to confirm your space in the cohort. The deposit will be applied toward your first quarter tuition bill.