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

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university reflecting a sound liberal arts foundation, including courses in the humanities, as well as in the social and behavioral sciences.
2. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better either cumulatively or in the last 60 hours of course work. Calculation of last 60 hours is made by the Academic Evaluator. If you would like your GPA calculated before applying, please contact the Academic Evaluator.
3. Statistics Prerequisite for MSW Students : As of April 17, 2012, all MSW applicants must complete an approved college level statistics course with a grade of C- or higher before they will be accepted to enroll in the MSW program. SW 4310 is the recommended course for University of Missouri students. The following University of Missouri courses are also approved and may be taken in lieu of SW4310 Statistics 1200, Statistics 1300 and ECP4170. Statistics courses completed at other academic institutions may substitute for University of Missouri statistic courses, pending submission of official transcript and approval by the MSW Program Director. Completion of the statistics course prior to application submission is preferred and strongly recommended. If an applicant is enrolled in a statistics course at the time of application and accepted into the MSW Program, the acceptance will be "pending successful completion of the approved statistics class."
4. Three letters of reference from persons who can address the applicant’s intellectual ability and interpersonal skills, potential for graduate education and potential for professional social work practice through observation in an educational, or work (paid or volunteer) setting. Letters of reference should not be submitted from friends or family.
5. A completed MU Application for Graduate Admission, with a $55 domestic or $75 international graduate application fee payable to the University of Missouri.
6. TOEFL scores for international applicants (minimum of 550 for paper-based test or 80 for Internet-based test).
7. A completed School of Social Work Application addressing the applicant’s:

• academic and employment histories
• personal and interpersonal qualities consistent with the values of the Social Work Profession
• motivation to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for professional practice in social work
• ability to write well
• evidence of leadership qualities as reflected through employment history, extracurricular or community leadership activities, non-credit courses and other life experiences.

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In some cases, students may be admitted on a probationary basis. Persons seeking probationary admission must have at least a 2.75 GPA, meet all other admissions requirements, and submit an additional written statement asking to be considered for probationary status based on BOTH of the following criteria:

1. Completion of six hours of relevant graduate level course work, acceptable to the faculty, with a grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.0 per class), with documentation on an official transcript.
2. Evidence of sustained commitment and significant contribution in the field of human services.

Submissions from applicants with a GPA between 2.75 - 2.99, who have not met the criteria for probationary admission (as stipulated above) will not be reviewed for admission.

Students admitted on probationary status are allowed one probationary semester, if a student on probation fails to maintain the cumulative GPA to 3.0 by the end of the probationary semester they are subject to dismissal, or at any time a semester/term or cumulative GPA falls below 2.0

Lincoln University students are eligible, if otherwise qualified for admission, for the special articulation MSW degree program under the following conditions:

1. Lincoln's Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences provides three courses with content, methods, and expected outcomes equivalent to the School’s current standards.
2. Lincoln courses numbered 301, 404, and 405 are equivalent to our courses: 7710 Social Welfare Policy and Programs, 7720 Human Behavior in the Social Environment, and 7952 Research Foundations.
3. Lincoln students must earn a Bachelors degree in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences with a minor in Social Work.
4. Lincoln students must achieve a grade of B or 3.00 (A=4.0) in each equivalent course recognized for waiver.
5. Lincoln students are subject to the same admission requirements as all other MSW applicants.
6. Lincoln students who are admitted to the MSW program will receive a waiver of each of the three courses in which they meet the grade standards and will be eligible for the MU MSW degree of between fifty-one (51) and fifty-seven (57) credit hours.