Programs
Graduate
Admission Information
Criteria | Decisions | Liberal Arts Requirements | Transferring to WMU
All applicants must complete two applications, one for graduate admissions through the Western Michigan University Admissions Department and the other for admission to the MSW program through the School of Social Work Kalamazoo campus or the Grand Rapids Regional Center.
Please note that applications will not be reviewed until all documents are received by the School of Social Work. If all documents are not received by the given deadline, the application will be considered late. This could result in a delay of admission until the following year.
The School of Social Work uses a “self-managed” application system. Applicants are responsible for gathering all materials, including transcripts and reference letters, and sending all materials at one time to the appropriate address by the given deadline. The checklist will aid the applicant in ensuring that correct and complete materials are sent to the appropriate destinations.
The application for graduate admission can be found online: US citizens; International students. Applicants should be prepared to pay the $40 (or $100 with international student applications) nonrefundable application fee by credit card or electronic check if applying on-line. Applicants will not be able to submit the on-line application form without paying online. Applicants are required to have official transcripts sent directly to: Western Michigan University, Admissions Department at 1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5211.
Applicants can apply to the following MSW programs:
- Kalamazoo Full-time Advanced-standing (12 months),
- Kalamazoo Full-time (20 months),
- Kalamazoo Extended-study (30-32 months),
- Grand Rapids Part-time Advanced-standing (24 months), or
- Grand Rapids Extended-study (30 months).
The Grand Rapids campus does not have a Full-time, 20 month program. Full-time and Extended-study applications will be considered for one program only; applicants who are denied admission to one program may not reapply for another program within that consideration period. Advanced-standing applicants, however, may indicate a “second choice” program on the application should they be denied admission to the Advanced-standing program. Advanced-standing applicants must indicate their choice of IP or PP&A concentrations.
All questions concerning Kalamazoo campus programs can be directed to:
- 269-387-3200 or
- You can e-mail.
All questions concerning Grand Rapids campus programs can be directed to:
- 616-771-9480 or
- You can e-mail
Admission Criteria
Applications are reviewed by faculty members of the Admissions and Student Services Committee.
Criteria considered in each application are:
- Evidence of aptitude for graduate study, particularly satisfactory undergraduate performance,
- Undergraduate preparation in the social, behavioral, and biological sciences,
- Evidence of a strong liberal arts base,
- Work and life experience,
- Personal maturity,
- Leadership ability.
None of the above criteria is considered mutually exclusive; they are perceived as interrelated in the overall assessment of individual applicants. The applicant must submit a four to six page personal statement and current resume as part of the application process. This statement is important, as it takes the place of a personal interview, and allows the applicant to demonstrate communication skills and to describe personal characteristics and life experiences that will support success in the social work field.
Students who have earned a bachelor of social work degree from a CSWE accredited program within six years of application may apply to the 39-credit hour, 12-month Kalamazoo Advanced-standing Program or the 24-month Grand Rapids Part-Time Advanced-standing Program. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- B.S.W. degree from a CSWE accredited program within six years of application,
- Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0,
- No more than one B.S.W. course below a “B” ,
- Any B.S.W. course below a “B” will require retaking an equivalent course in the MSW curriculum,
- One year of full-time post B.S.W. human service work experience is recommended,
- One of the three letters of reference must be from the BSW program field instructor or faculty liaison.
Applicants may seek admission to either the one-year Kalamazoo campus program or the two-year Tri-county program in Grand Rapids. The application deadline for both Advanced-standing programs is January 15. Full-time Kalamazoo students attend classes starting summer I session, and proceed for one calendar year. The part-time Grand Rapids students attend evening classes starting the summer II session and proceed for two calendar years. Due to the rigorous demands of this program, those who plan to be employed full time should apply to the Grand Rapids Part-time Advanced-standing program.
Liberal Arts Requirements for MSW Applicants
Applications are reviewed for liberal arts academic background. These requirements follow the Council on Social Work Education’s accrediting standards for schools of social work.
Applicants must review the MSW program liberal arts requirements and document in the application, which university and course the applicant has completed that meets each liberal arts course requirement. Each course used must have a grade of “C” or above. This information will be reviewed by the admissions committee. The applicant will be notified of any liberal arts deficiency in their acceptance letter.
The liberal arts requirements may be satisfied before entering the program or before completion of the first-year coursework. Given the heavy course load of the first year, students are strongly encouraged to meet the requirements before entering the program. The requirements are:
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 courses) At least one course shall be in either sociology or psychology. At least one course shall be in either political science or economics. Other coursework may be in history, anthropology, or interdisciplinary social sciences.
- Mathematics and Natural Sciences (2 courses) At least one course shall be in human biology. Other coursework may be in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, geology, geography, general science, or statistics.
- Communication (2 courses) At least one course shall be in English composition. Other coursework may be in English, speech, rhetoric, literature, or writing.
- Fine Arts and Humanities (2 courses) Coursework may be in art, music, religion, theatre arts, philosophy, languages, humanities, ethics, or logic.
Transferring from another MSW Program
Students who have started a CSWE accredited Master of Social Work program in another university must complete all application procedures, as they are not granted admission without this process. If accepted to the MSW program, a maximum of one academic year of full-time study (up to 30 credit hours), including first-year field education, may be accepted for transfer from another accredited graduate school of social work. Credits that are more than six years old by completion of the program will not qualify. Only credits with a course grade of “B” or better will be considered, and the student must have an overall GPA of 3.0 from the previous program to be approved. Transfer credit and equivalency will be reviewed by the student’s advisor and the School’s Curriculum Committee upon the student’s request.
For those who have completed graduate course work within the last three to four years, a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours may be transferred into the MSW degree program. In most cases, credits are used as electives. Credits that would be more than six years old by completion of the program will not qualify. Only credits with a course grade of “B” or better will be considered, and the student must have an overall GPA of 3.0 from the previous program to be approved. Evaluation of requests for credit transfer is done only after students are admitted to the MSW program. Students must initiate the evaluation with their assigned advisor.
Transferring from another graduate program (not MSW program)
Students with non-social work graduate course credits from an accredited graduate program may transfer up to twelve course credits if earned within six years of the student's expected graduation from WMU. In most cases, credits are used as electives. Credits that would be more than six years old by completion of the program will not qualify.
Students must have achieved at least a grade of "B" (3.0 on 4.0 scale) in each transfer course in order to be considered and the student must have earned an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 for the transfer to be approved
In conformance with the requirements of the Council on Social Work Education, the School of Social Work can not grant social work course credit or field hours for life experience or previous work experience.
Applicants with Criminal History
The School of Social Work requires all applicants to report any/all criminal history, as defined as a history of civil adjudication and/or criminal conviction(s), on their application to the MSW and BSW programs.
Prior to making a final admission decision on an application which reports a criminal history; the applicant must provide a Department of Human Services Central Registry Report and/or criminal background check, attend an interview, and answer questions relevant to the adjudication/conviction(s), such as his or her personal development since the offense(s) and her/his ability to provide social work services to vulnerable clients. The interviewers will also discuss the potential impact a criminal record may have on completing the program, securing a field placement, and obtaining a social work license, malpractice insurance and future employment as a social worker.
The School of Social Work reserves the right to deny any applicant whose civil adjudication and/or criminal conviction is of a nature that is contrary to the NASW Code of Ethics. In some circumstances, the School of Social Work may request additional information from a higher level background check before an admission decision is reached. Final acceptance is dependent upon the applicant signing a waiver, holding the School and University harmless for possible problems associated with obtaining a placement, licensing, and / or employment. The student is responsible for paying any fee required for the criminal background check(s).
If the School of Social Work discovers that an applicant did not provide truthful information about their criminal history at the time of application, and the applicant is enrolled in the MSW or BSW program, the DASS will request and coordinate a professional review committee (PRC) meeting with the student. The PRC committee will determine if the student may continue in the social work program, and if so, may define potential conditions for continuance.
Admission Decisions
Applicants will be notified by mail of the committee’s admission decision. Decisions are made from early February through August. Applicants may be admitted, denied, or put on a waiting list. Those on a waiting list and those applying after the March 15 priority deadline may be notified about their admission status as late as August. Applicants who are denied admission may contact the School of Social Work Office of Admissions (for Kalamazoo programs) or John Nielsen (for Grand Rapids programs) after October 1 to request reactivation of the application for the next consideration period. Reactivation requests must be in writing and received prior to the next admissions deadline.
Please note that applications will not be reviewed until all documents are received by the School of Social Work. If all documents are not received by the given deadline, the application will be considered late. This could result in a delay of admission until the following year.