Professional Statement & Critical Response

Applicants will be assessed on their ability to write at the graduate level, to apply critical and creative thinking, and to apply an understanding of the profession to social problems. In addition, applicants’ personal statements will be assessed on the basis of suitability for the MSW program mission and focus on Advanced Generalist practice. Writing samples will be scored on the following criteria: clarity, content, critical and creative thinking, organization and structure, and graduate-level grammar and writing mechanics. See Professional Reflection (20KB)

Resume

Please upload a copy of your current resume. 

NASW Code of Conduct

The SVSU Master of Social Work program graduates candidates must adhere to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.  As part of your application to the program, you will need to confirm you have fully read and agree to adhere to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. Please review the Code of Ethics before completing your application.

Transcripts

In the application, you will need to identify your previous institutions attended. You will also need to contact those institutions and request official copies of your transcripts to be sent to Saginaw Valley State University. 

All transcripts must be sent from university to university. For expedited processing, please select e-delivery and when possible send them to our Grad Admissions office: gradadm@svsu.edu

SVSU alumni do not need to request official transcripts as they will already be part of your student record. 

Recommendations

Before you submit your application, you will be prompted to add recommendation providers. You will be asked to provide the contact information for each of your three (3) recommenders.  Upon receiving this information, Graduate Admissions will email your recommendation providers with an online recommendation form that can be completed and submitted electronically.  

Advanced Standing applicants must have one of the three recommendation providers familiar with his/her undergraduate field experience.

On or after October 11, 2021, please click here to access the online application. 

• Make the appropriate selections for the application: 
  • Graduate
  • Domestic or International
  • MSW
  • Spring 2022 or Summer 2022 depending on the program you plan on selecting

Application System

If you are new to SVSU or haven't applied since July 2021, please complete the option to create your account as a First-time User. 

• Our application system allows you to log in and out of your application saving your progress along the way so you can thoughtfully submit your application when you're ready.  After your application's submission, you will also use the system to upload any required documents and check on the status of your recommendations.  After decisions are available, you'll also use this portal to access your admission letter. 

If you have recently applied to SVSU (after July 2021), please log in as a returning user.  If you don't remember your login credentials, click Log In and you'll have the option to recover your password through Forgot your Password.  Please note that your application credentials are not tied to the SVSU system and are unique to the application system

Application Submission

• As part of your application, you'll be prompted to add your recommendation providers' contact information.  Your application cannot be submitted until these are successfully added.
• Submit
• Log in as a returning user to upload all additional requirements. SVSU students do not need to request official SVSU transcripts; this will be automatically processed if SVSU is listed as an institution attended in the application.

Applications must be submitted by the December 3, 2021 deadline. 

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIRMENTS WILL NOW BE ACCEPTED THROUGH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Graduate Admissions at (989) 964.6096 or email gradadm@svsu.edu.

The online application for the 2022 Class will open on October 11, 2021. 

Application forms must be submitted by December 3, 2021.  

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIRMENTS WILL NOW BE ACCEPTED THROUGH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021.

Admission notifications will be provided to applicants on or before February 28, 2022.  SVSU will send these notifications to the applicant's email address used to submit the application.

Need help right now?

• Contact Graduate Admissions at (989) 964.6096 or email gradadm@svsu.edu.