MSW - Application and Admission
A list of Admission Application requirements can be found on the Application Checklist form.
Admission Guidelines
Grade Point Average
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution. Exceptions to this can be made by contacting the MSW Director.
To calculate your GPA, please click here.
Advanced Standing Program
Students who apply for the Advanced Standing program need to submit the appropriate advanced standing recommendation form from their BSW program director indicating their readiness for graduate education in social work. Students must also have a social work GPA of 3.25.
Exemption from Foundation (first-year) courses
Students who graduated with a baccalaureate degree from a CSWE - accredited social work program may be eligible to receive credit for those first-year foundation course equivalents for which they earned a B or higher within the past eight years.
Life Experience
This program does not grant academic credit for life or work experience.
Personal and Professional Qualities
Applicants must evidence a combination of personal qualities and values that are considered essential for the professional practice of social work. The following documents are required to serve as evidence of this purpose and must be submitted to your Ship Admissions portal:
- Three professional references with a minimum of one from a faculty member and one from a social service agency employer/supervisor. The third may be from either a faculty member or an employer/supervisor. No personal colleague references will be accepted.
- A written academic and professional statement. Prompt (Word document) through the "Program Statement" link.
- A comprehensive resume of work and related volunteer experience. Resume requirements can be found on the MSW Resume Info sheet.
The program may also request a personal interview or additional information about an applicant when necessary to make a fully informed admission decision.
Criminal Record
Persons who have criminal records are not eligible to work in many human service fields. Applicants with criminal records should contact the MSW program director for additional information.
Admission Procedures
Application Dates
Students will be admitted into the 36-credit Advanced Standing Program and the 60-credit Regular Program during the summer term only. This term begins in mid-May. Applications are accepted beginning in the fall semester. Admission review of completed applications typically begins in January. Applications will be accepted until March 31 or until the program is full.
Transfer Students
Students may transfer a total of nine (9) credit hours. All nine may be from another MSW program, or up to six (6) credits may be from a related field. Graduate credit earned more than five years prior to the date you begin your graduate program does not qualify for transfer. Students may only transfer credits from other accredited schools provided they are in good standing at those institutions. Courses must be listed on an official transcript with a B or higher. Courses transferring must be approved by the program. Condensed one-week graduate courses do not qualify for transfer.
Campus Selection
Candidates may choose to apply through either Millersville or Shippensburg University. If all seats are full at one campus, successful applicants will be given the option to enroll through the other campus, if seats are available. Applicants desiring admission to a specific campus may also be placed on a waiting list if all seats are full. Once enrolled at a campus students take all required courses through that campus. No travel between campuses is required by students.