Master of Social Work (MSW) Admissions Process:
Information and Instructions
We are delighted that you are considering Humboldt State University's Master's of Social Work Program. Our faculty, staff and the community have closely collaborated to develop an advanced generalist program with a focus on social work within rural and Native American communities. We are dedicated to offering a quality graduate program that will prepare you for a career in social work. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Applications for the Full-Time ON CAMPUS MSW program beginning in Fall 2012 are no longer being accepted..
Applications for the Advanced Standing ON CAMPUS MSW program beginning in Summer, 2012 are no longer being accepted.
Applications for the 3.5 year ONLINE MSW program will be accepted for January, 2013 admissions in Summer, 2012. The 2 year Advanced Standing ONLINE MSW program will accept applications in January, 2013.
Learn more about the online MSW degree
The online MSW program will cost $487.00/unit in 2011-12 and will be run through the Humboldt State University Office of Extended Education.
The cost per unit may increase in subsequent academic years by a percentage commensurate with potential increases in costs to offer the program.
Please see the MSW Curriculum page for more information.
If you are interested in learning more about Humboldt State's involvement with online learning, please check out the Distributed Learning website at: http://humboldt.edu/dl.
Applicants are required to take a course related to Native American communities prior to admission. This will ideally be a course equivalent to an Introduction to Native American Studies. Other course work may be considered provided that it demonstrates a general introduction to the history of Native peoples of America and the unique and sovereign relationship between tribal nations and local, state and federal governments. The following is a link to universities with Native American Studies Programs and should help you locate a course if you need assistance. A very helpful resource for locating online courses is the California Virtual Campus. This should help you find courses you may need to meet the pre-requisite requirements.
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BREAKING NEWS: The Department of Social Work will be offering an online course in Summer 2012 that meets this pre-requisite. SW 580: Decolonizing Social Work with Indigenous Peoples will be a 1.5 unit online course offered through the Office of Extended Education from May 21 - June 8, 2012. Please contact the Office of Extended Education for enrollment information.
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Applicants are also required to have a course in basic statistics. This can be in any discipline but must be a course centrally organized around statistics (not research).
Requirements for applying to the MSW Program:
• HSU requires a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited higher education institution.
• HSU requires a GPA of 2.5, the Program is looking for a GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of academic course work.
• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited higher education institution.
• GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of academic course work.
• Completion with a grade of "C" or better in Elementary Statistics (Math, Psychology or Sociology).
• Completion with a grade of "C" or better a course related to Native American studies. The course must include a general introduction to the history of Native peoples of America and the unique and sovereign relationship between tribal nations and local, state and federal governments.
• Complete California State University (Humboldt Campus) Graduate Admissions application and submit to Office of Graduate Studies. NOTE: The November 30 deadline for applications is for undergraduate students, not graduate students.
• Complete MSW Program Application and submit to HSU Social Work Department, Master Program Admissions Committee.
Applicants may be admitted in one of two categories: Classified (meets all professional, personal, scholastic, or other standards) and Conditional (with unmet academic requirements that can be remedied).
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional and will be used in considering admissions for students whose GPA does not meet minimum requirements. International student applicants need to meet the criteria for "Classified" status for graduate students (See University Catalog for International Students).
Applicants who have an accredited, Bachelor of Social Work degree may request to enter the "Advanced Year" of the Program (See Curriculum Plans for MSW Program). In order to qualify for admission in the Advanced Standing Program, an applicant needs to meet the above criteria and have completed their undergraduate social work degree in a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program with a GPA of 3.5 or better.
Criteria for Admission
The MSW Program Admissions Committee will admit those applicants whose files reflect the greatest potential for completing the master's level course of study and becoming effective social work practitioners. In the review of applications, we will seek evidence of an applicant's capacity to do graduate level work and to reason logically and think creatively. A successful applicant is expected to reflect attitudes that are congruent with basic social work values, respect for the dignity of all human beings, and a sense of social responsibility. We are interested in how an applicant will maintain the stamina, perseverance and emotional well-being to meet the demands of the program and the profession. It is important to show how you have grown from your experiences, and how what you have learned might impact your social work graduate studies. It is also important to demonstrate that the profession of social work is the right profession for you and that this program, with its unique focus and intent, is the best program for you.
Applications from international students are accepted provided they meet all admission requirements plus those established by the university for foreign students, including a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. The requirements include proof of financial support for the duration of the program.
In a competitive admission situation, applicants will be chosen not only on basic criteria, but also in comparison to other applicants. Meeting the basic criteria will not guarantee admission.
The following criteria will be used to rank and evaluate applicants for admission:
- Academic potential (based on GPA, academic history, reference letters, and personal statement)
- Ability to conceptualize and think critically (demonstrated in personal statement)
- Commitment to social work values and ideals (demonstrated in personal statement & reference letters)
- Ability to engage in positive helping relationships (demonstrated in reference letters)
- Life experience, especially with diverse groups (demonstrated in personal statement & reference letters, and other relevant experience)
- Relevant work and volunteer experience (demonstrated in work history)
- Quality of writing (demonstrated in personal statement)
- Personal qualities and readiness for graduate work (demonstrated by letters of reference and personal statement)
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional and will only be used if it is advantageous to your application.
Only COMPLETE applications will be reviewed. Those applications received after the deadline may be considered if space becomes available in the program.
Notification of Admission Decisions
Applications are reviewed by faculty who are a part of the admissions committee. Decisions are made by this committee and recommendations for admission are made to graduate admissions. Students will be notified of offers of admission from the department and university. Formal enrollment materials will come from the University and information about orientation and classes will come from the department. If you have questions about notification please feel free to contact us.
The program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.
