Master of Social Work Admissions

Admission Requirements

Master of Social Work Program

Specific application information for the campus-based Advanced Standing M.S.W. Progam can be found at the bottom of this page.

Application

The University of New England School of Social Work campus-based program (CBP) participates in the Graduate Centralized Application Service (GradCAS). All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

You can access the University of New England School of Social Work online program (OP) application online. All online applicants are required to apply through this portal.

Important Note: Degree requirements for the campus-based and online programs are identical.

Degree Requirement

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please refer to the GradCAS (CBP) or Online application (OP) for additional information and instructions.
• Applicants who have not yet completed a Bachelor’s degree must submit a current official transcript.
• All official transcripts should be sent directly to GradCAS (CBP) or uploaded to the Online application (OP).

GPA Requirement

• Applications are reviewed holistically as a determination of academic readiness. The admissions committee values previous academic performance as indicated on transcripts and considers it as part of the review process.

Letters of Reference

Two references are required* – submitted via GradCAS (CBP) or Online (OP).

• References should come from individuals who can speak to your academic abilities and/or professional experiences.
• All reference requests are sent electronically via the GradCAS (CBP) or Online application (OP) service.

*References from friends or family members are not acceptable.

Personal Statement

• All applicants are required to demonstrate graduate-level writing skills.
• Please refer to the GradCAS (CBP) or Online application (OP) for specific writing prompts and additional information.

Resume

• A current resume or CV is required and should be uploaded directly to the GradCAS (CBP) or Online application (OP).

International Applicants

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by World Education Service (WES), confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to GradCAS (CBP) or your online enrollment specialist (OP). Please refer to the International Admissions section of the UNE website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a UNE-approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the UNE website for specific information and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the GradCAS (CBP) or Online application (OP) for test score submission instructions./li>

Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Program

The advanced standing M.S.W. program can be completed through one year of full-time or two years of part-time enrollment for campus-based program (CBP) students. Completion of the advanced standing M.S.W. online program (OP) typically takes between 16 and 28 months.

Applicants are required to meet all the requirements listed above for the traditional M.S.W. track, as well as the following additional requirements/documents:

• Submission of an official transcript reflecting conferral of a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree from a CSWE accredited B.S.W. program, preferably within the last seven (7) years.
• Completion of coursework equivalent to UNE’s Foundation courses at the undergraduate level with a “B” or better is strongly preferred.
• Evidence of field placement with M.S.W. supervision. Please submit copies of field evaluations and verification of completed field hours as part of your application.
• One reference must come from a faculty member within your previous B.S.W. program who can speak to your academic abilities (this can serve as one of the required recommendations).
• Applicants who submit a complete application prior to the conferral of a bachelor's degree may be conditionally accepted upon satisfying all requirements listed above.
• UNE's B.S.W. 4+1 students have unique requirements and should refer to UNE's GradVantage guidelines.

All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of UNE and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with COVID-19, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

Policy Exceptions

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates

Petitions for transfer credits for graduate social work courses to be submitted at the time of acceptance to the School of Social Work

• Up to nine (9) credits may be transferred for courses completed with a minimum grade of “B” and equivalent to UNE SSW foundation courses
• P/F courses will not be accepted for transfer credit
• No course electives nor courses from programs outside of social work will be considered for transfer credit
• All courses to have been completed within seven (7) years of anticipated enrollment in the school

Applicants petitioning for transfer credits must include the following

• Professional statement to include reasons for requesting transfer to the University of New England School of Social Work
• A syllabus, with detailed readings and assignment descriptions, for each course being submitted for transfer credit

Transfer students are required to adhere to the degree-requirement progression plan in effect at the time of your admission (Note: Individualized provisions may, at times, increase the total credit hours required for graduation from the School of Social Work)

SSW may require transfer students to enroll in SSW 526 Integrating Clinical\Community Frameworks as part of their progression plan.

Consideration of transfer credit beyond nine (9) credits and 7-year matriculation may be considered on a case by case basis at the time of admission.

EXPERIENTIAL CREDIT

• Per CSWE, academic credit is not given for life experiences or previous work experience