Online Program - An earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accreditation body with an overall or major (last 60 hours) GPA of 3.00 

Main Campus Hybrid Program - An earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accreditation body with an overall or major (last 60 hours) GPA of 2.75

Advanced Standing Program (Hybrid or Online) - Advanced standing status is only awarded to graduates of baccalaureate social work (BSW) programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or earned degrees that may be covered by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors. Degrees must be awarded within 5 years of application with an overall GPA of 3.2 

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be requested and sent to The Graduate School.

Applicants without a BSW Degree from a CSWE Accredited University (or earned degrees that may be covered by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.) 

1. Basic English Communication Skills - 6 credit hours
2. Fine Arts and Humanities - 9 credit hours
3. Social Sciences - 9 credit hours
4. Human Biology/ Anatomy and Physiology/ Human Development and Growth/ Abnormal or Developmental Psychology - 3 credit hours**
5. Statistics - 3 credit hours

---

Applicants with a BSW Degree from a CSWE Accredited University (or earned degrees that may be covered by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.) 

1. Human Biology/ Anatomy and Physiology/ Human Development and Growth/ Abnormal or Developmental Psychology - 3 credit hours
2. Statistics - 3 credit hours

 

**CLEP exams are credit-granting exams that can fulfill prerequisite requirements for the human bio/development prereq. You can learn more at www.clep.collegeboard.org. There are study materials, such as Modern States, Petersons, Quizlet, and other online resources such as Study.com Modern States also provides vouchers for some CLEP exams. 

Three professional and academic recommendations from professional supervisors or university faculty who are not members of the UNCP Department of Social Work. The Graduate School will email the recommendation form directly to the references you list on your application.

The essay should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to thoroughly construct an argument, indicates the applicant’s professional and academic goals, and reflects congruence with the values and ethics of professional social work practice as specified through the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. The required essay should display a critical thought process, address both topics described below, and demonstrate the ability to write at a level appropriate for graduate work. The essay must be double-spaced, typewritten, and meet the specified page length. Any form of plagiarized work will not be accepted. The essay should coherently incorporate both of the elements below:

Autobiographical Statement (2-3 pages)

Write an autobiographical statement explaining why you would like to be a master’s level social worker. Social work practice is concerned with behavior in the context of the social environment. Your response could integrate important family and community influences, as well as a description of characteristics that distinguish you as a potential candidate for the Master of Social Work degree. Those reviewing your essay are evaluating evidence of your:

1. Commitment to social justice
2. Leadership abilities
3. Notable achievements and accomplishments (academic work or volunteer)
4. Perseverance in the face of adversity, oppression, socioeconomic disadvantage, and /or discrimination
5. Significant experience in diverse communities
6. Bilingual skills (including American Sign Language)
7. Disadvantaged background

It is important to communicate how you have developed as a result of these experiences, what knowledge you have gained, and how these experiences will affect your approach to your social work education and professional practice. Include comments on the factors that contributed to your choice of graduate level social work education and why are you making this choice at this time. Discuss your career goals and what you expect to be doing within five years and ten years.

Social Problem (2-3 pages)

Describe a social problem that you perceive as significant. Discuss it in relation to the following four areas:

1. Describe the societal contributions to the origin and maintenance of this problem.
2. Clearly discuss reasons this problem deserves public attention and resources.
3. If relevant, integrate any personal experiences that have contributed to your identification with and understanding of the problem.
4. Identify and explain possible methods of addressing the social problem, including social work leadership roles you might undertake.

All accredited MSW programs require an extensive field practicum experience to better prepare students for practice. Students are required to complete 930 hours of fieldwork for the traditional program and 500 hours for the advanced standing program. 

At this time, field practicum sites are available only in North Carolina. Students in the fully online MSW program must be able to travel to a field practicum site that is physically located in North Carolina. 

Students work with field faculty to locate a field practicum site that will allow for demonstration of social work competencies and that meets the student's interests and needs. 

Students who do not meet the minimum undergraduate degree GPA admission criteria of 2.75 for the main campus hybrid program but have at least 2.50 GPA may be considered for the main campus hybrid program if they meet one or more of the following criteria: 

1. Minimum of 3.00 cumulative GPA (on a 4.00 = "A" grade scale) in the last 60 hours of his/her bachelor's degree program.
2. Minimum of 3.00 cumulative GPA (on a 4.00 = "A" grade scale) in a master's degree program.
3. Minimum of 3.00 cumulative GPA (on a 4.00 = “A” grade scale) in a graduate-level work attempted (applicant must complete at least 9 hours of the attempted graduate-level work with a letter/specified grade).
4. A GRE score of at least 148 in Verbal Reasoning, 145 in Quantitative Reasoning, and 3.5 in Analytical Writing.
5. A high overall admission assessment score on submitted admission materials such as narrative essay, resume, recommendation, etc. (Applicant’s level of assessment score is determined by the Admission Committee/Program Director for each admission cycle).