Admissions Information

If you wish to apply for admission to our program, please follow the guidelines outlined below. You will note that some materials are to be sent to the USF Graduate School, and some materials should be sent to the School of Social Work. Early submission of all application materials is strongly recommended.

Gaining admission to the MSW program is a competitive process. Applicants who meet the minimum criteria will not necessarily be accepted into the program due to space limitations. The minimum criteria are discussed in the USF Graduate catalogue under Admission Requirements. See USF Graduate School Website link for University Admissions criteria.

All applicants must meet the pre-requisites of an undergraduate Liberal Arts background as defined in the Procedures and Criteria for Admission portion of the MSW application.

It is preferred, but not required that all applicants to the Master’s Degree program in Social Work have completed one year of post undergraduate work in a social service agency (in a service capacity) or its equivalent as determined by the MSW Graduate Admissions Committee. Experiences that might be considered as equivalent to one year’s work include supervised field practicum hours, extensive volunteer experience, or other professional work experiences.

Applicants must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.

All MSW applicants will have their undergraduate transcripts evaluated in relation to a set of liberal arts course pre-requisites. Please review your undergraduate courses in advance to determine you have met the criteria. All applicants must attain a liberal arts background, which we define as the current State of Florida University System general education requirements:

1. 6 hours English Composition
2. 6 hours Humanities
3. 6 hours quantitative math (courses such as Computer Operations, Statistics, or Logic of Numbers may be acceptable substitutes)
4. 6 hours Natural Sciences (one of which must be Human Biology or an equivalent such as: Food and Drugs; Human Sexuality; or Sex, Reproduction and Population)
5. 6 hours Social Sciences or their equivalents

 

With the exception of the human biology content, applicants graduating from an A.A. degree program in a Florida state community college or holding a baccalaureate degree from a Florida state university/college usually will meet these general education requirements. However, any applicant may be advised as to an appropriate course of action if found deficient in any general education requirement as a pre-condition for admission. For example, applicants accepted in the MSW program but lacking content in human biology may be required to take a course on human biology or its equivalent, i.e., Foods and Drugs; Human Sexuality; or Sex, Reproduction and Population prior to admission. Applicants who have demonstrated competency in the math and English components through competency exams such as CLAST or CLEP may be deemed in accordance with that specific general education requirement. Additionally, faculty members may decide that the equivalency of the general education requirement has been met through a related course (for example, a course in the logic of numbers substituting for a quantitative math course).

All Admission materials must be received by the Graduate Admissions Office and by the School of Social Work by the specified deadlines of the year for which admission is being sought.

Application Procedures

Applicants are required to apply to the USF Graduate School and the USF School of Social Work . The procedures and required materials are outlined below.

USF Graduate Admissions Application

1. The USF Graduate School Admissions application (see Grad School application link above)
2. One official transcript of all undergraduate & graduate coursework attempted and/or completed
3. Current GRE scores (test taken within [5] years preceeding application) to be forwarded by Educational Testing Service to the Graduate Admissions Office. Information about the GRE test, test dates, and applications may be secured from the Office of Evaluation and Testing, SVC 2054, or directly from the Educational Testing Service, CN 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
1. Send to: USF Office of Graduate Admissions
   4202 E. Fowler Ave. FAO 174
   Tampa, FL 33620-2910

School of Social Work Application

1. School of Social Work Application Form (see MSW Application link above)
2. Three references: These references should be completed by the applicant’s current and previous supervisors in social service positions; his/her major professor or advisor in undergraduate (and graduate, when appropriate) study; or by someone who has known the applicant in a professional capacity. Note: A Request for Recommendation Form must be provided to each person from whom the applicant is soliciting a reference. (see Graduate Application for copies of form)
3. Personal Statement: The written statement should be approximately 750 words, typed, double-spaced, and must be submitted with the School of Social Work’s application. Please include: how your life experiences, including those relating to human diversity, have led you to an interest in the social work field; your reasons and readiness for pursuing a graduate degree; and an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, you should describe any experiences that you have had either voluntary or paid, in working with people.
4. A personal interview with members of the faculty may be part of the admissions process. This interview will cover all matters relevant to the candidate’s qualifications. Arrangements may be made for the interview to be held elsewhere when traveling distance poses a hardship for the applicant.
5. Applicants for Advanced Standing status should submit a copy of their undergraduate field internship evaluation.
1. Send to: USF School of Social Work
   c/o MSW Admissions Chair
   4202 E. Fowler Ave. MGY 132
   Tampa, FL 33620-6600

Early submission is strongly recommended. All credentials must be received by the Graduate Admissions Office prior to the deadline for applications to the Master of Social Work program. Applications may be submitted prior to taking the GRE. However, you must indicate the date you are scheduled to take the examination (see social work application). No final decisions regarding admission status can be made without GRE scores.

Deadlines

• Full-time two-year program: February 15
• Summer full-time Advanced Standing program: February 15
• Spring full-time Advanced Standing program: October 15
• Part-time MSW program (Tampa, Lakeland, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg) please call regarding deadlines (813-974-2063)