Social Work, MSW

MSW Student Handbook

Admissions Contact

Graduate Recruitment & Admissions
Central Welcome Center
(860) 832-2350
graduateadmissions@ccsu.edu

Academic Contact

Joanne Leon
Department Chair
Social Work
Henry Barnard Hall
204-01
860.832.3146
leonj@ccsu.edu

Downloadable Version

Admission Requirements

Program Admission Requirements/Admission Process

Admission to the Master’s in Social Work program is made on a competitive basis only once per year.

Criteria for admission

Regular Admission Criteria:

  • A completed online application with supplemental materials ( ccsu.edu/apply ):
    • $50 application fee

    • Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE accredited institution of higher education.

      Grade point average: Minimum 2.70 grade point average (GPA) for all undergraduate courses and a 3.00 for all Social Work courses including graduate courses, based on a 4.00-point scale where an A is 4.00.

      NOTE : Applicants who earned a GPA less than the minimum requirement must address the details surrounding their GPA within their personal essay/statement of purpose (see criterion 5.d.) or their application will not be considered for possible admission to the program. If a student does not meet the minimum GPA, they may be conditionally admitted based on the expectation that they maintain a 3.0 GPA for their first semester in the program.

  • Three recommendations from individuals able to testify to the student’s suitability as a prospective social worker.
  • Two- to three-page typewritten (double-spaced) personal essay/statement of purpose describing the following:
    • Personal and professional reasons and experiences that influenced you to pursue a graduate program that prepares you to enter the social work profession.
    • Personal and professional attributes you believe will contribute to your academic success as a graduate student.
    • Personal and professional characteristics you believe will contribute to your future success as a clinical social worker.
    • If applicable, description of reasons for earning a GPA less than the minimum requirements, steps taken to overcome the issue(s), and results of integrating this experience that allowed you to positively become the person you are today as well as evolve into the person you ideally want to become (see the * NOTE:  within criterion 3 for those applicants to whom this applies).

Advanced Standing Admission Criteria:

  • A completed online application with supplemental materials ( ccsu.edu/apply ):
    • $50 application fee

  • Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE accredited institution of higher education and complete the degree within 5 years for consideration.

    Grade point average: Minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) for all undergraduate courses and a 3.00 for all Social Work courses including graduate courses, based on a 4.00-point scale where an A is 4.00. 

  • Three recommendations from individuals able to testify to the student’s suitability as a prospective social worker.
  • Two- to three-page typewritten (double-spaced) personal essay/statement of purpose describing the following:
    • Personal and professional reasons and experiences that influenced you to pursue a graduate program that prepares you to enter the social work profession.
    • Personal and professional attributes you believe will contribute to your academic success as a graduate student.
    • Personal and professional characteristics you believe will contribute to your future success as a clinical social worker.