MSW Admission Information

PROGRAM OPTIONS

There are two distinct program options--the Traditional MSW program or the Advanced standing program.

THE TRADITIONAL MSW PROGRAM

The first option is the Traditional MSW  program which is a 60-credit masters program and typically takes 2 years full-time, 2.5 years accelerated part-time, or 4 years extended part-time. The minimum required GPA for admissions to the Traditional MSW program is an overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

THE ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAM

The second program option is the Advanced Standing Program. The advanced standing program is an accelerated master of social work program. The advanced standing program consists of 30 credits which can be completed in one year full-time or one and half years accelerated part-time, or two years extended part-time.

ADVANCED STANDING PREREQUISITES

Applicants must have a bachelor of social work degree from a BSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in the last 7 years in order to be considered for the advanced standing program, and exceptions to this time period are made based on the applicant's experience/leadership in the field.  Applicants need a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.  Advanced standing is awarded only to those with a(n): 1) CSWE-accredited baccalaureate social work degree; 2) CASWE-accredited baccalaureate social work degree (from the Canadian social work accreditor, recognized through an MOU with CSWE and CASWE); and 3) Internationally earned ISWDRES-evaluated degree comparable to a baccalaureate social work.

Provisional Admission

For those whose undergraduate grade point averages are below the 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) minimum requirement for Traditional MSW Program, a Provisional Admission is possible.  You apply and are accepted into the program "provisionally" and are required to successfully pass your first term courses (minimum 6 credit hours), then upon this successful matriculation become a Traditionally admitted student in the MSW Program.

CLINICAL OR ADVANCED GENERALIST SPECIALIZATION

During the specialization year, all students (Traditional and Advanced Standing) will be required to select a specialization-either "Clinical" or "Advanced Generalist." Applicants will be asked to state their desired specialization in their application materials.

CLINICAL SPECIALIZATION

Students in the clinical specialization develop skills to be competent in the practice of psychotherapy, that is, to provide behavioral and mental health assessment and treatment for individuals, couples, families, and groups.  The clinical specialization integrates a trauma informed curriculum.  Students trained with a clinical trauma-informed specialization can be prepared to work with a range of clients in mental health clinics, hospitals, child welfare, social serve agencies, substance abuse settings, domestic violence and rape crisis centers.  Graduates will also be prepared to address neighborhood violence, gun violence, and gang-related violence providing individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and programs for victims. This is the most common path to licensure.

ADVANCED GENERALIST SPECIALIZATION

The advanced generalist specialization prepares students to assess and intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students develop competencies for practice in settings that prepare them to take the Advanced Generalist examination for Ohio's Licensed Independent Social Worker license. Social workers with an advanced generalist, multi-dimensional skill set work in hospitals and nursing homes, rehabilitation, child welfare, aging, developmental disability, settlement houses, social service agencies, and in advocacy, community education, community organizing, and other settings serving clients and communities.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Submit materials to the Cleveland State University Graduate Admissions Office. Students are expected to adhere to the program format under which they were admitted (day/evening, full-time/part-time, advanced standing). Any changes in this admission status will be based on the program's ability to accommodate the change. Changes must be requested before the beginning of the academic year.

All students must gain admission to the Program in order to earn the MSW degree. There is no foreign language requirement for admissions. For international students, the minimum combined score on the internet TOEFL exam is 78 including at least 20 in reading, 21 in listening, 17 in writing, and 20 in speaking. Only official test scores received directly from ETS are accepted. No academic credit is given for work or life experience. Students applying prior to completing their bachelor degree must provide evidence of successful completion of their degree prior to beginning the MSW program. In addition to the College of Graduate Studies admission requirements at Cleveland State, the School of Social Work requires the following:

REQUIRED MATERIALS
 FOR TRADITIONAL MSW PROGRAM ADMISSION

1. Two references will be required, with preference that they come from a student's professor, field supervisor, work supervisor, or academic advisor.  Exceptions may be granted by the MSW Program Director if more than seven years have passed since the applicant attended school or work. One reference may come from a supervisor of a social work-related volunteer activity, including a social work-related volunteer activity performed in a religious or secular setting. Family members may not be used as a reference. In lieu of a traditional letter of reference, references should complete the 
   MSW Reference Form
   available.
2. A writing sample. An essay of three to five typed pages (1.5 spacing) explaining: 

a. Why the student wants to be a social worker;

b. Why a graduate degree is felt to be necessary to fulfill the applicant's personal or professional objectives;

c. The applicant's views regarding diversity in society; 

d. A situation in which the student was the recipient/provider of help, emotionally, socially, or economically; and 

e. A description of the applicant's previous social work/human service work experience.

1. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and undergraduate institutions attended. Students who apply before completing their bachelor degree must submit evidence of degree completion before beginning the MSW  program.

REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR ADVANCED STANDING ADMISSION

1. Two references will be required, with preference that they come from a student's professor, field supervisor, work supervisor, or academic advisor.  Exceptions may be granted by the MSW Program Director if more than seven years have passed since the applicant attended school or work. One reference may come from a supervisor of a social work-related volunteer activity, including a social work-related volunteer activity performed in a religious or secular setting. Family members may not be used as a reference. In lieu of a traditional letter of reference, references should complete the
   MSW Reference Form
   available.
2. A writing sample. An essay of three to five typed pages (1.5 spacing) explaining: 

a. Why the student wants to be a social worker; 

b. Why a graduate degree is felt to be necessary to fulfill the applicant's personal or professional objectives; 

c. The applicant's views regarding diversity in society; 

d. A situation in which the student was the recipient/provider of help, emotionally, socially, or economically; and 

e. A description of the applicant's previous social work/human service work experience.

1. All advanced standing applicants will be required to include their field evaluations from both required undergraduate practicums.  For those admitted students who are continuing directly from a BSW program to the MSW program, admission will be considered pending until they successfully complete field and their final field evaluation is received.
2. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Students who apply before completing their bachelor degree must submit evidence of degree completion before beginning the MSW program.

Application Deadlines

Fall: August 1
Spring: December 2
Summer: April 21