The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at Mississippi Valley State University prepares students for professional social work practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Through the curriculum, the program instills in students advanced social work knowledge, values, and skills in a manner that enables students to work with diverse populations in a wide range of settings. Concurrently special emphasis is placed on social work practice with impoverished minorities living in rural regions, such as the Mississippi Delta in which the University is located and in the large, diverse communities elsewhere. The MSW Program prepares students for practice within the framework of rural social work with an area of concentration in Child and Family Welfare.
Requirements:
Students must meet all Graduate Studies admission requirements in addition to requirements of the Department of Social Work. The Department of Social Work requirements include:
- The applicant must complete a Master of Social Work Program Application for Admission.
- The applicant must provide evidence, by official transcript, of a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on all undergraduate study, or a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on the last 60 semester of study. GPA is based on a 4.0 scale.
- The applicant must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours of undergraduate courses in the liberal arts including three (3) hours of science with a biological component or Human Behavior in the Social Environment.
- The applicant must submit completed MSW Reference Letter Forms and a reference letter from three persons familiar with the applicant’s fitness for graduate school and/or character.
- The applicant must submit a two-page typed Professional Statement. The professional statement must include; motivation for social service, capacities for professional social work education and a major social concern. The applicant’s response should reflect important family and community influences on his/her development, as well as, a description of characteristics that distinguishes him/her as a potential candidate for the MSW degree. See “K” on MSW Application for instructions and details for Professional Statement.
NOTE: An interview with the Admission Committee may be required.
Regular admitted students will complete the degree requirements in two (2) academic years or five (5) semesters.
Students accepted to the MSW program will not be required to duplicate course content in the Professional Foundation Curriculum if proficiency can be demonstrated. Students with a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program may earn exemption from courses in the foundation curriculum that represent duplication of course content previously taken. To earn exemption from foundation curriculum courses, student must score an 80 or better on a proficiency examination/challenge exam for each course he/she is seeking exemption.
Advanced Standing
Admission to the Advanced Standing MSW Program is determined on a selective basis according to the following criteria:
- Graduation from a Council on Social Work Education accredited baccalaureate program within the past five years.
- A letter grade of “B” or better in all social work courses.
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate courses.
NOTE: An interview with the Admissions Committee may be required.
Advanced standing students complete the degree requirements in One (1) academic year or three (3) semesters