BSW Admission Requirements @ School of Social Work | University of Missouri

Admission to the Professional BSW Program is determined by application on a competitive basis. (View application eligibility requirements.). Students interested in the Professional BSW Program may declare the social work major when entering MU or may transfer into the School under certain conditions (see transfer conditions below). An advisor will be assigned from the School of Social Work. However, declaring or transferring into the social work major does not guarantee admission to the Professional BSW Program.

All students must submit an application for admission to the Professional BSW Program in accordance with the guidelines below. Prior to consideration for admission, students must complete a minimum number of credit hours and a range of liberal arts courses to be used as a foundation for the Professional BSW Core Courses and electives. Students who are at least second-semester sophomores (42+ hours completed), and who will complete a minimum of 55 hours prior to beginning the first semester of the Professional BSW Core Courses are eligible to apply beginning February 15* for fall admission based on the following guidelines:

1. A 2.5 GPA is required.
2. The following Liberal Arts Pre-requisites Courses (or their equivalents) must be completed prior to beginning the first semester of the Professional BSW Core Courses. All courses, excluding Anthropology and American History or Government, require a grade in the “C” range or higher.
   • Anthropology (student's choice)
   • Biology 1010
   • College Algebra
   • Communications 1200
   • Economics (macro or micro)
   • English 1000
   • History (1100, 1200, 1400, 2440, 2210) OR Political Science (1100, 1700, 2100)
   • Philosophy (1000, 1100, or 1200 recommended)
   • Psychology 1000
   • Sociology 1000

To apply for admission to the Professional BSW Program, review the BSW application instructions. Students are encouraged to obtain applications no later than January of the calendar year in which they wish to be considered for fall semester admission. The regular deadline for submission of the application is February 15 by 4:00 p.m., and the *late deadline is May 15 by 4:00 p.m. If the deadline falls on a weekend or MU holiday, the deadline is the first business day thereafter.

Transfer of Division (Change of Major) for MU Students

MU students who wish to declare the social work major may transfer into the School of Social Work if one of the following conditions has been met:

1. Students with fewer than 55 credit hours must be in good academic standing; and, beginning Fall 2012,
   1. Freshman-level students (0-29 credit hours) must have at least a 2.3 GPA.
   2. Sophomore-level students (30-59 hours) must have at least a 2.4 GPA.
   3. Junior-level students (60+ hours) must have at least a 2.5 GPA.
2. Students with more than 55 credit hours must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on all college work attempted.

A Transfer of Division Application must be submitted to the Undergraduate Program Staff person. Transfer students should schedule a meeting with the Student Services Coordinator for orientation to the School, a plan of study and advisor information. Continuing MU transfer students are not guaranteed admission to the Professional BSW Program (see Admission Requirements.)

Students accepted to MU from other institutions who wish to declare the social work major should complete the MU Undergraduate Admissions Application and indicate “Social Work” as the intended academic major. Students may transfer into the School of Social Work if the following conditions have been met:

1. Students must be accepted as social work majors by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students with more than 55 credit hours must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on all college work attempted.
2. Acceptance as a social work major is not and does not guarantee acceptance into the BSW Professional Program. Students must submit an application for admission to the Professional BSW Program in accordance with the Admission Requirements above.
3. Students with Associate of Arts degrees from Missouri community colleges are exempt from MU’s general education requirements. However, Liberal Arts Pre-requisites Courses (or their equivalents) must be completed prior to beginning the BSW Core Courses and most must be completed with a grade in the “C” range or higher.

Students who transfer to MU with junior standing are advised that four semesters may be required in order to complete all BSW Program requirements for graduation.

A maximum of 64 hours from a two-year institution can be used toward the BSW degree.

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national program of credit-by-examination that offers students the opportunity to earn college credit for achievement acquired through previous study, personal experience, adult learning, and other sources. CLEP provides general examinations and subject examinations, however, credit may be awarded for CLEP subject exams only. CLEP general exams are not considered. Credit must be applicable in a student’s program of study.

It is important that students check with their academic advisors on the types of courses and number of credits that can be applied towards their program of study PRIOR to making an appointment and completing the CLEP exam. Only students who have fewer than 90 semester hours of college credit are eligible to take CLEP exams. (View the University of Missouri's policies regarding CLEP). Students can retake the same CLEP test after 6 months.