How to apply to the WVU Master of Social Work program with expedited review:
Provisionally licensed social workers admitted as non-degree seeking students as part of the WVU provisional license program are also eligible for expedited application review for admission to the WVU MSW program.
The expedited review process includes:
- The ability to start the MSW program on a rolling basis (fall, spring, or summer semester)
- Submission of an abbreviated version of the MSW Application
- Waiver of the $60 graduate application fee
- Ability to apply to either the on-campus or online MSW programs
To be considered for admission to the MSW program, provisionally licensed non-degree students must:
- Complete at least one of the required courses through WVU with a grade of B or better
- Have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher (though lower GPAs can be considered for provisional admission)
- Complete a graduate application to the online MSW or on campus MSW program
- Submit verification of the provisional license
- Submit a current resume
- Submit an abbreviated admissions essay
- Submit two recommendation letters (one from a human service colleague or supervisor and one from an instructor of a social work course taken at WVU)
- Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
Application Fee Waiver
A graduate application fee waiver will be provided after an applicant has uploaded all the required documents to their MSW application. Please contact the MSW Program Director, Dr. Mary Christensen ( mary.christensen@mail.wvu.edu) for more details.
Requirements and Instructions
Detailed instructions for applicants in the WVU provisional license program
Grade Point Average and Coursework
- At least a 2.75 overall GPA required, though a 3.0 GPA is preferred
- 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.
- An earned passing grade in all WVU MSW social work courses taken as part of the provisional license program.
- Successfully complete at least one of the required courses through WVU with a grade
of B or better
Application and Application Fee
- Complete the combined WVU Graduate/School of Social Work application
- Select "Social Work - On Campus" for the on-campus program and "Social Work - Online" for the online program
- Students can apply to both the on-campus and online programs, but must submit separate applications and indicate their preference in the Admissions Essay or Addendum section of the applications
- The $60 application fee is waived for applicants in the WVU provisional license program. Send an email to socialwork@mail.wvu.edu to request an application fee waiver.
Transcripts
- Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions at P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506 or graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu (*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.
Resume
- Submit a current resume including employment, volunteer experience, including start and end dates.
Letters of Recommendation
- Two professional letters of recommendation that address your ability to handle
the rigors of graduate studies and your experience and skills in the helping
field are required. Contact information for these individuals should be entered
into the online Graduate Application (do not have recommenders send letters to
the School of Social Work directly). Please submit a recommendation from each
of the following categories:
- Instructor from a WVU MSW course taken as part of the provisional license program.
- Human Service Work Supervisor
- Family members, partners, personal therapists/service providers, clients and personal friends are not appropriate references.
**Special note about entering recommendations in the online application: there will be 3 spots for you to enter the names and emails of recommenders in your application. For the 3rd spot, put the following:
Name: Jacki Englehardt
Email:
socialwork@mail.wvu.edu
This will alert us to your use of the abbreviated application AND it will allow you to submit the application (typically 3 recommenders are needed and therefore you cannot leave it blank).
Abbreviated Admission Essay
Applicants to the MSW program who have successfully completed at least one MSW course at WVU for the provisional license program are eligible to complete the Abbreviated Admission Essay.
The admission essay is an essential part of the applicant's admission application as it is an applicant's opportunity to communicate their professional goals and how a master's degree in social work from WVU will help them achieve those goals. Before completing the essay, it is strongly recommended that applicants review the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and the WVU School of Social Work’s Mission Statement, Land Acknowledgment Statement, and Antiracism Statement.
Essays will be evaluated based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate an understanding of social work, discussion of prior human services experience, awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical standards of social work practice, and quality of writing. Please note the very specific structure/format required for the essay; applications that include essays that do not follow this format will not be considered for admission to the MSW Program. Once complete, please upload the Admissions Essay to your online application under the “Statement of Purpose” tab.
Required Sections of Abbreviated Admission Essay:
The abbreviated admission essay has two required sections. Each section should be approximately 2-3 paragraphs long and you should use headings to organize your essay .
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Section 1: Social Work Practice Interests
In this section, we would like you to describe some of the reasons you are interested in pursuing the social work profession as well as some of your specific practice interests. We are also interested in hearing about your past human services experiences and how they have contributed to your pursuit of the social work degree.
For this section, in two to three paragraphs, you should address each of the following:
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Discuss what led you to pursue the social work profession.
This should include a discussion of past human services/social work experience, personal experiences, and/or other academic experiences that contributed to your desire to pursue this degree. - Describe a particular social problem/social work practice area in which you are particularly interested. This could include a problem area at the micro (individual/family), mezzo (groups/communities) or the macro (policy) level. Examples might include (but are not limited to) homelessness, substance use, LGBTQ+ rights, suicide prevention, interpersonal violence, etc. Be sure to discuss the following:
- How/why you became interested in this problem/practice area, and
- How you think social work, as a profession, should address/respond to the issue you described. In your discussion, you can describe interventions at the micro, mezzo, and/or macro levels. Be sure to note why you think these interventions would be effective.
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Discuss what led you to pursue the social work profession.
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Section 2: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Professional Ethics
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and professional ethics are all critical elements of social work practice. In this section, we’d like you to demonstrate your ability to understand and integrate these concepts and principles into your future social work practice.
For this section, in two to three paragraphs, you should address each of the following:
- Identify and describe an example of systemic racism, sexism, ableism, or some other “ism” that you have personally or professionally observed that involved the unequitable treatment and/or oppression of a specific person, group, or population. This could include a personal or professional experience or your observation of a systemic inequality that generally impacts a population.
- Describe how a social worker might intervene to address this situation with an attention to equity, inclusion, and social justice.
- Identify and discuss one or more ethical principles from the NASW Code of Ethics that might help to inform interventions for this situation.
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Section 3: Addendum (Optional)
The addendum is an optional section that applicants can use to explain any gaps or deficiencies in their academic record, including incomplete grades, withdrawals from courses, etc.