Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work

Return to: College of Arts and Sciences

Hye-Kyung Kang, MSW, PhD, Director

Web: http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/msw/

Programs and Courses for the Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work Department    

Objectives

Seattle University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares students to develop values, skills, and knowledge for social justice-focused and community-based advanced clinical social work practice.

The MSW program is consistent with the definition of clinical social work adopted by Council on Social Work Education (CSWE):  

As a specialty within the practice of social work, clinical social work builds on the professional values, ethics, principles, practice methods, and person-in-the-environment perspective of the profession. It reflects the profession’s mission to promote social and economic justice by empowering clients who experience oppression or vulnerability. Clinical social work requires the professional use of self to restore, maintain, and enhance the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual functioning of individuals, families and groups.

Seattle University offers a 2-year MSW, and a 1-year Advanced Standing program which is designed for students with a completed bachelor’s degree in social work.

Admission Requirements

• Completed Application for Graduate Admission form and a non-refundable $55 application fee (waived for Seattle University alumni)
• Evidence of a four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with 3 courses (5 quarter credits or 3 semester credits each) in liberal arts content. Specifically one course in each of the following areas: Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science.
• Minimum 3.00 GPA calculated from official transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of your bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credits earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work. Applicants with a GPA below the required minimum must submit an explanatory statement with the application to be considered for an exception. Applicants earning a bachelor’s degree from a non-graded institution must submit official GRE scores in lieu of GPA.
• Evidence of completion of a college-level statistics with a passing grade is required. Students may apply if they have not completed a statistics course. However, the course must be completed prior to enrollment into the MSW program. 
• Current résumé including name of every college or university attended and dates, and work and volunteer experience. Distinguish between the two, dates employed, part time or full time, name of nonprofit or business, and role.
• Three professional recommendations: The references must use the form sent to them. The references should be from people who know your academic capabilities as well as interpersonal strengths. Personal references are not accepted. (Advanced Standing Applicants Only: One letter must be from the BSW program you attended.)
• Personal Statement: Part 1 - Discuss how your life and work experience (paid or volunteer), personal values and goals fit with Seattle University’s MSW program. Consider Seattle University’s social justice-focused, community-based clinical MSW preparation. (750 words). Part 2 - Identify and discuss a social problem that you believe is significant to the profession of social work. Include: a problem definition; identification of societal issues that contributed to the creation and maintenance of this problem; propose potential solutions to address this problem; and obstacles to proposed solutions. Use citations as appropriate in APA format. (1500 words)
• Supplemental Form: complete the form appropriate to your status: Academic Preparation Form for 2-year applicants; Advanced Standing Required Courses Form for Advanced Standing applicants
• If English is not applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the university’s entrance requirements must be submitted. See policy 2008-01  in Admissions Policies for details.
• Applicants for Advanced Standing Only: 
  • Completed baccalaureate social work degree (BSW / BASW) from a CSWE or CSWE International accredited program and be admitted within 5 years of receiving degree. For those applicants who obtained a BSW/BASW more than 5 years before the desired admission to our program, contact the Program Coordinator to discuss a possible waiver of this requirement.
  • “B” (3.0) or higher in each course required for your Baccalaureate Social Work  degree. Exceptions for courses graded below the minimum may be considered on a case by case basis when your application is reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
  • Advanced Standing attachment:  Applicants applying for Advanced Standing must submit a copy of their senior final field evaluation. This document may be from your own records or directly from your undergraduate school. If the school no longer has a copy of the final field evaluation, the Field Director, Liaison, or BSW advisor may submit a letter that specifies: (1) Name of Agency and type of services provided, (2) Number of field hours completed, (3) Description of learning activities, clients, number of cases, frequency of contact, etc., and (4) Overall performance.
  • One of the three required professional recommendations must be from the BSW program you attended.

Background Check

Return to: College of Arts and Sciences