Process for Application to the Social Work Major

Thank you for your interest in the USF Social Work Program.  All students who have declared a major in social work must complete the program application process and be admitted to the program prior to enrolling in Social Work Practice Courses (SWK 362, 363, 364) and Field Practicum.  Students who wish to change their major can contact the USF Registrar by email or visiting the Registrar office.  This application initiates the formal process for admittance to the social work program. 

Admission Requirements

1. Students should have completed SWK130, SWK302, and SWK341 before admission.
2. Transfer students, or students applying to the Social Work program, will likely not have completed the above required courses.  These students may apply and will receive conditional acceptance until the time that they pass the required courses.
3. Students must have and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in all coursework.
4. Students must obtain a minimum grade of "C-" in all core Social Work courses.

Application Materials

Students will need to have the following information to complete the application process:

1. Current Grade Point Average (GPA)
2. Final grades for SWK130, SWK302, and SWK341
3. Total number of credits completed
4. Contact information for two professional references.
   1. References may not include family, friends, or full-time social work faculty.

Application Process

The window to apply for the program is December 15-January 15^th.  All applicants will be notified via USF email of the application decision by the Social Work Program Director by April 15^th.  Application decisions may include:

• Accepted (Student is fully accepted into the social work program)
• Provisionally Accepted (Student will meet with admissions committee for provide additional information to support the application OR will be provided with specific information on what is needed for full acceptance, i.e. completion of a specific course)
• Not Accepted (Student did not meet criteria for acceptance into the social work program)

Students who are Provisionally Accepted into the program may be required to complete an interview with the admissions committee to provide additional information or clarification about the application.  If an interview is required, the Social Work Program Director will coordinate a time with you.  If you are not accepted into the social work program, you will be notified of the reason for the decision and appeals process.  Students may reapply for the program if significant progress is made toward any criteria not met in the initial application. 

Identifying Information:

First Name:

Last Name:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

Street Address (Line 1):

Street Address (Line 2):

City:

State:

Zip:

Current Student Classification:

Current Grade Point Average:

Have you passed all the required Social Work courses with a minimum grade of a "C-"?

Intended Graduation Term:

Intended Graduation Year (ex. 2032):

The following questions are all optional and not used in determining acceptance into the Social Work program.

Select one or more of the following races:

Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Is English the primary language spoken within the home?

Gender:

Are you a traditional or nontraditional student?

Are you presently working?

If you are presently working, approximately how many hours per week are you working?

Please respond to the following short-answer questions:

Please describe your understanding of the role of the social work profession. 

Please describe your own personal values and life experiences that shape who you are today. 

Please list/describe the volunteer or paid work experiences you have had in the social service arena.

Please describe your strengths that equip you for the social work program and profession.

Please describe areas you feel need development to better equip you for the social work program and profession.

Describe any difficulties you might anticipate in working under the NASW Code of Ethics.

Describe your experience with issues of diversity and/or social justice.

What areas of social work practice interest you?

Social Work Student Self-Assessment
*This assessment is for awareness only and not used in determining acceptance into the Social Work program.*

Please use the following scale to rate yourself on the following criteria. Put your rating in the box to the right of each criterion, and add any comments below.

I have writing and verbal skills sufficient to support professional work.  I am skilled at using supervision and feedback to improve my practice (CSWE competency 1).

I can apply social work ethical principles to guide my practice (CSWE competency 2).

I have experience in applying persistent and non-judgmental curiosity across boundaries of difference in service work (CSWE competency 2).

I know present societal systems of oppression, and am able to engage in social and economic justice (CSWE competency 3).

I am competent in reading professional research articles and am able to apply them to my practice (CSWE competency 4). 

I can analyze existing policies, and have advocacy skills to improve policies (CSWE competency 5).

I can engage with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (CSWE competency 6).

I can assess diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (CSWE competency 7).

I can intervene with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (CSWE competency 8).

I can evaluate practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (CSWE competency 9).

Comments:

Please provide the names and contact information for at least 2 professional references.  Professional references should be someone who can provide information about your performance, academic ability, leadership potential, responsibility, integrity, communication skills, and decision-making ability.  References should not include family, friends, or full-time social work faculty.

Professional Reference #1:

First Name:

Last Name:

Email Address:

*Please only provide one email address per reference or the reference email will not be sent.

Job Title/Role:

Relationship to Applicant:

Professional Reference #2:

First Name:

Last Name:

Email Address:

*Please only provide one email address per reference or the reference email will not be sent.

Job Title/Role:

Relationship to Applicant:

*Optional.  Reference #3 will only be contacted if no response is received from reference #1 or #2.

Professional Reference #3:

First Name:

Last Name:

Email Address:

*Please only provide one email address per reference or the reference email will not be sent.

Job Title/Role:

Relationship to Applicant:

National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics Statement

I hereby declare that I have read the Code of Ethics and promise to adhere to the Principles and Standards as a social work major and future social worker.

By selecting "yes", you affirm the NASW Code of Ethics Statement.

Honor Statement

I understand that to be a professional social worker, I must be honest and will conform my academic behavior to a standard of honesty. I will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize in my academic work. I understand that if I violate this pledge, I may be terminated from the Social Work Program.

By selecting "yes", you affirm the NASW Code of Ethics Statement.

Criminal Conviction Statement

You are required to acknowledge that a criminal history may impact my ability to participate in and complete the BSW program at USF. The Social Work program makes no presumptive judgements regarding the criminal history of a student. The Social Work program Field Director will make a reasonable effort to identify a suitable Field Agency that will provide a placement for a student with a criminal record. However, certain types and calendar dates of criminal convictions may result in some agencies declining to offer a Field Placement. It may not be possible for the Field Director to find a placement willing to interview or accept a student with a criminal history. In such a case, it is likely that the student will be unable to complete the BSW Program.

By selecting "yes", you affirm the Criminal Conviction Statement.

Affirmations

I affirm that all information supplied on this application is complete and accurate.

I have reviewed the admissions requirements listed online and affirm that I am qualified to apply.

I understand that my application will not be complete until I have submitted all necessary components and my reference forms have been completed.

I further understand that withholding requested information or giving false information may make me ineligible for admission or enrollment.

Need to Knows & Reminders

• This application is due by January 15th.
• Please review your application carefully. After you have reviewed your application, submit it for processing.
• You will receive a confirmation email that your application was submitted.
• The social work admissions committee reviews all social work program applications.
• You can expect to receive your admission notice by April 15th.

If you have any questions or need help, please contact Heather Mileham at 605-331-6579 or heather.mileham@usiouxfalls.edu.