Aug. 16, 2023
Next Start Date
19
Courses Required
$658
Cost Per Credit Hour
60
Total Credit Hours
Program Details
The WVU Master of Social Work program educates students to become advanced integrated practice social workers. The specialization in advanced integrated practice builds on generalist practice and prepares students to integrate micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills across service sectors and within interdisciplinary teams to effectively address social and human problems pertinent to a wide range of professional practice areas, with a particular emphasis on effective models of rural service delivery.
The advanced integrated practice curriculum provides an integrative approach to social work where students are prepared for both direct practice and administrative roles. This curriculum prepares WVU MSW graduates to be well-rounded advanced practitioners who can respond to the complex realities of practice in a variety of roles and settings.
Students without a bachelor’s degree in social work are eligible to pursue the regular standing degree plan option if they have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. The Regular Standing degree plan option can be pursued through our online program on a part-time basis only. Students who pursue the Regular Standing degree plan option through the online program begin the program in the fall semester and complete the degree the summer after their third year in classes.
Students with a BSW degree from an accredited program within the last eight years should go to the Social Work MSW – Advanced Standing page.
Admission Requirements
- Domestic applicants: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- International applicants: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. You are considered an international applicant if you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. ( Note: applicants must be living within the US to be eligible for the online program)
- At least a 2.75 overall GPA required, though a 3.0 GPA is preferred
- GPA from a previous master’s degree can be substituted for an undergraduate GPA
- Students with an overall GPA below 2.75 may be considered for provisional admission based on a review of the applicant's transcript(s) and the strengths of the other elements on the application.
Admissions
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- February 1 is the priority deadline. Applications submitted by February 1 will be given preference for scholarships.
- June 1 is the standard deadline. All applications must be submitted by June 1 for consideration.
- Complete the combined WVU Graduate/School of Social Work application
- $60 application fee
- Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions at P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506. ( *NOTE: official transcripts for applicants who attended West Virginia University will be uploaded by WVU Graduate Admissions upon submission of the graduate application).
- Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded by applicants in their application for the purposes of review for admission. However, official transcripts are required before a formal acceptance to the MSW program is offered.
- Submit a current resume including employment, volunteer experience, including start and end dates.
Letters of Recommendation
Three professional letters of recommendation are required. Contact information for these individuals should be provided within the online Graduate Application. Please submit a recommendation from each of the following categories*** (see note below):
- Academic
- Social Work/Human Service Experience (volunteer or paid)
- Employer
***The recommendation suggestions above are preferable, however, for applicants that have been out of school for many years or who have been working in the field, a combination of 3 professional recommendations that address your ability to handle the rigors of graduate studies and your experience and skills in the helping field are acceptable. For students right out of undergraduate studies with little work experience; a combination of 3 professional recommendations that include 2 academic references and a social work/human service experience recommendation are appropriate. Questions? Contact us at socialwork@mail.wvu.edu.
Admission Essay
All applicants must submit an Admission Essay. Please see detailed guidelines for the essay on the WVU School of Social Work Admissions Requirements.
For more information, contact Master of Social Work Admissions & Recruitment at socialwork@mail.wvu.edu or phone (304) 293-3280.