Program of Study for the Master of Social Work

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Graduate School ; official general GRE exam scores, unless waived; an undergraduate liberal arts background, including knowledge from a variety of disciplines; personal statement.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School . Meeting this condition does not guarantee admission.

Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam (GRE) requirement may be waived for applicants who:

• Are eligible for Advanced Standing and have a GPA of 3.2 or higher in undergraduate Social Work major courses; OR
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher in the last earned degree; OR
• Have completed a graduate degree in another discipline.

Location: On Campus and Off Campus.

Additional Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility Information

Standardized exam (GRE, GMAT, MAT) waiver eligibility for graduate degree programs at Appalachian State varies by program, but requires that applicants hold a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in their last earned bachelor’s degree or 3.3 or higher in an earned graduate degree. No exam waiver is automatic but will require review and approval by the program and by the Graduate School upon submission of a complete application. An approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application.  More complete information about standardized exam waivers can be found in the Admissions Requirements section of this Bulletin .

Course Requirements for the Master of Social Work

Concentration Requirements (24 Hours)

• S_W 5810 - Advanced Community Social Work Practice (3)
• S_W 5825 - Leadership in Health and Human Service Organizations (3)
• S_W 5830 - Community and Organizational Practice Field Practicum and Seminar I (3)
• S_W 5845 - Advanced Advocacy Practice (3)
• S_W 5855 - Program Development and Evaluation for Health and Human Services (3)
• S_W 5860 - Community and Organizational Practice Field Practicum and Seminar II (3)

Elective Courses (6 Hours)

• 6 hours of graduate electives selected in consultation with an advisor

Note on Academic Standards For Retention in the MSW Program

Academic standards for retention in the MSW Program include abiding by the ASU Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics, the MSW Program’s Competencies, and the following standards: 1) Scholastic Performance; 2) Professional Identity and Self Awareness; 3) Ethical Behavior; 4) Interpersonal Relationships; and 5) Commitment to Diversity, Social Justice, and Human Rights. Failure to meet these standards may result in dismissal from the program. The standards are fully described in the MSW Student Handbook. MSW students must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all social work courses, maintain an overall GPA of 3.0, earn no more than two final grades of “C” or below in the program of study, and earn a Satisfactory in all foundation and applicable concentration field courses. Students are dismissed from the MSW Program if they earn more than two final grades of a “C” or lower or if they earn an Unsatisfactory in a field course.

Other Requirements for the MSW

• Thesis: Not required
• Proficiency: Not required
• Candidacy: Not required
• Comprehensive: Not required
• Product of Learning: Not required