Admission Requirements

Before you begin the admissions process, please review the Admissions Requirements listed below:

• 2.50 GPA in the last 40 credits of course work (documentation required through non-official transcripts, SVSU and/or another college)
• Completion of SW 215 or equivalent
• Satisfactory completion of 40 hours of volunteer work in a human service organization (normally part of the course requirements for SW 215)
• Completion of 40 credits
• Completion of all Basic Skills requirements

** There are no exceptions for any of the above-listed admissions requirements. 

If you have met the requirements listed above, please prepare for the admission process by gathering the following documentation/information.  You will only have two attempts to complete the online admissions process.  It is important you allow at least one hour when completing the online admissions process.  Once you complete the application, please click the save button.  Review the application to ensure the information is correct and the My Progress is uploaded correctly.  Once you have reviewed the application, click the submit button.  You will be directed to the written portion of the application- you will have one hour to complete the questions. 

• Student Identification Number
• Names and email addresses of three individuals used for reference (Individuals identified for reference cannot be family members, friends, or personal references.  You should choose individuals who are familiar with your academic aptitude as well as your ability to move successfully through the Social Work program).
• Your contact information
• Download and save My Progress from Cardinal Direct (instructions for saving and uploading are listed below)

Upload Academic Progress

Instructions for saving and uploading your Academic Progress from Self Service:

1. Sign into Self Service to access your Academic Progress (Left menu: Academics >> Student Planning >> My Progress)
2. Once "My Progress" is open, click the Print icon at the upper right of the page
3. Choose "Save as PDF" as the Destination
4. Save the file to your device
5. Within the application for Social Work Major (link below) - choose to upload Academic Progress
6. Choose your PDF file
7. Upload

If your Academic Progress does not provide documentation of 40 college credits, or of your GPA for the most recent 40 credits of your college work, please add additional transcripts or other documents as needed.

Writing Sample Rubric for Social Work Admission to Major

NAME:_______________________________

Rank each category on a scale of 1-5.

(5 = very strong; 4 = strong; 3 = average; 2 = poor, 1 = very poor)

 Clarity: Answers the questions chosen completely; utilizes specific examples                                                                                

Q1___                         Q2____

Comments:

Content: Represents understanding of social work values, ethics, and practice

Q1___                         Q2____

Comments:

Critical Thinking: Demonstrates critical, creative thinking about concepts                                                                                               

Q1___                         Q2____

Comments:

Construction: Displays logical and comprehensible organization/structure

Q1___                         Q2____

Comments:

Correctness: Uses grammar and mechanics well

Q1___                         Q2____

Comments:

                                                                                    TOTAL          ____/50

I recommend that the faculty set up an interview with this student for the following reason:_________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Selection Criteria

Student admission to the social work major is a competitive process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the admission process early to ensure adequate review time.

Admission decisions are made by a committee consisting of the full-time social work faculty. Writing samples are reviewed in a blinded process and student names are not provided to the writing committee during their review. This committee reviews the applications, processes all of the information at their disposal, and takes action on the applications. Completion of required courses, overall GPA, and scores on the writing sample are the main criteria used in determining admission to the major.

Notification Process

Following the admissions committee's deliberations, each applicant is sent an admissions letter electronically, which indicates the outcome of the committee's decisions.