HOW TO APPLY TO THE MSW PROGRAM Accredited by CSWE June 2013 Thank you for your interest in applying to the University of Texas at El Paso s Master of Social Work Program. Before completing the application process described below, please review the following 11 characteristics of our program to ensure that the structure and requirements of UTEP s MSW program are consistent with your personal and educational needs and goals: 1. The advanced concentration for the MSW program is Social Work in the Border Region. Please review Master of Social Work Fact Sheet at the first link of our website to obtain an overview of our program and its unique mission to be sure that our mission fits with your learning goals. 2. The last deadline for submitting a completed application is February 28 th. However, we also have an Early Admission review for those students who are committed to attending UTEP s MSW program and who receive a high score on their admission rating. The deadline for Early Admission is January 31 st. If not admitted at Early Admission, your application will be re-considered with the February applications. Please be aware that some of the degree plans only accept a limited number of students; these degree plans could close to those who submit their application by the February 28 th deadline, if the openings are filled by Early Admission candidates. While late application submissions will be reviewed, applicants would most likely be placed on a waiting list until openings occur from those who were admitted by the February 28th deadline. 3. We do not require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). 4. If you have not met the prerequisites, you may still be accepted conditionally, pending the completion of the requirements within one year of admission. 5. We are committed to offering a flexible program that meets students learning goals and needs. Therefore we offer 4 degree plans described in this document, with a more detailed description in Total Curriculum found at the 3 rd link on this website. 6. All MSW classes start in the summer; there is no option to start classes during another semester. Classes run continuously through summer, fall and spring semesters and are offered late afternoon (starting at 3:00 or 3:30) and evenings (starting at 6:00 or 6:30). While no weekend classes are presently scheduled, this may be an option as needed. During the fall and spring semesters, classes typically meet once per week; in the
summer, classes can meet up to two times per week (please review Total Curriculum in the 3 rd link on this website for a detailed schedule for all 4 degree plans). 7. We are a small program, so there is only one section of a course offered in any given semester. Most courses are only offered once per year, though there are a few courses that are repeated in different semesters in order to meet scheduling requirements of the 4 degree plans 8. In addition, you must complete 4 semesters (Full- and Part-time) or 2 semesters (Advanced Standing) of field practicum/internship. Each semester requires 16 hours per week of field work; those enrolled in the 20-month degree plan will be required to complete a block practicum (30 hours per week) during the second summer semester of their degree plan. While there are some field work agencies that offer alternative schedules for practicum (e.g., evenings and weekends) these are limited and/or may not be able to offer all the hours within this arrangement. Therefore, some of your practicum hours may be required during daytime hours Monday Friday. 9. While we recognize that many students must work while attending a graduate program, we strongly encourage you to work no more that half-time. Graduate education is a rigorous and demanding course of study and working full-time while attending the MSW program is difficult and can compromise your learning potential. 10. We understand the late afternoon classes and practicum hours can present challenges to work and family schedules, so you are encouraged to meet with your employers and/or family members prior to applying to the program to ensure that you have their support and agreement to allow flexibility in your schedule in order to attend classes. 11. Once admitted to the program, a student may request a deferment to begin the program in the following year. Deferments will only be approved for medical or family emergencies with appropriate documentation. Deferments will not be granted because of conflicts with one s work schedule. THE APPLICATION PROCESS The admission process at UTEP is a two stage process. The admission process begins with submission of the online application to the UTEP Graduate School Admission Office, along with the application fee. Below you will find detailed steps to completing the application process. The required documents and forms appear in bold print to make it easier to identify what is needed. Please review this document carefully to ensure that you have not missed any of the requirements for admission to UTEP s MSW program. Missing documents will delay the review of your admission application.
Students considered for admission to the Master of Social Work program must meet the following criteria: An earned bachelor s degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional or international accrediting body A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 An undergraduate course in statistics (within the past 5 years from point of admission with a grade of C or better) An undergraduate course in general biology, anatomy or physiology (grade of C or better) International students where English is not their primary language must submit their TOEFL scores with a minimum of 213 (computer-based), 550 (paper-based) or 80 (internet-based) For Advanced Standing, the following additional criteria must be met: A BSW from a college or university that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) obtained within 5 years of admission to the Advanced Standing Program In addition to an overall GPA of 3.0, students must have a 3.5 GPA in social work courses Satisfactory assessment of the core social work competencies as measured by the Competency Assessment Form for Advanced Standing The Graduate Application Form and all supporting documents and forms described below must be submitted to the Graduate School using the address, fax or email numbers provided below: David Vizcaino Admissions Counselor I The Graduate School 500 W. University, ASB 223 El Paso, Texas 79968-0587 fax: (915) 747-5788
email: dvizcaino@utep.edu All of the following application materials must be submitted before your application will be reviewed. You can access several of the forms from our website at socialwork.utep.edu. Select Prospective Student, then Master of Social Work. Additional admission forms can be found at the 5 th link Additional Admission Forms. There are 8 components of the MSW Application described include: The Graduate School Application is completed online and can be found at the link listed below. We encourage you to complete the application and payment of your fee which places you on the list of applicants. The advantage is that the Graduate School will monitor your application process and send you periodic updates of materials that are still required to complete the application process. All supporting documentation can be sent at a later time. When all documents have been received, the application is forwarded to the Department of Social Work Admission Committee for review. The link to the Graduate School application is: To apply on-line visit: apply.embark.com/grad/utep Official copy of the undergraduate transcript(s) and transcripts for all other relevant university work at accredited U.S. institutions or equivalent work and degrees at foreign institution. If you graduated from UTEP, your transcripts will automatically be accessed. However, if you attended any other colleges or universities before or after attending UTEP, you must contact these programs and have them submit an official copy of your transcript to the Graduate School. If you transferred to UTEP, you must also submit your official transcripts from the previous college or university, including EPCC. If a student is admitted in the final semester of their undergraduate year, they will receive a Conditional Admission pending final verification of graduation from an undergraduate program. Students may not start the MSW Program until the student submits his/her final transcript verifying that they have completed their undergraduate degree The Admission Information Form can be accessed at the 5 th link on the website. This form provides important information about the program and informs the Admission Committee as to which of the four degree plans the student is interested in pursuing: Full-Time 20-month, Full-Time 24-month, Part-Time 36-month, and Advanced Standing 11-month). You must rank your order of preference from 1 (first preference) to 4 (last
preference). If you are not willing or do not qualify for one of the degree plans, put a 0 next to this option. A personal essay based on the following four questions (NOTE do not use the guidelines for the personal statement contained within the Graduate School Application Form) Please discuss the significant factors that have influenced your decision to pursue the Master of Social Work degree, including how this decision fits with your career goals. What is it about work in the U.S./Mexico Border Region that attracts you to this program? Please describe what you believe to be an important social issue to the border region and why it is of interest to you. Describe how your personal qualifications and experiences, especially those in working with diverse populations, have prepared you for this educational direction. Please describe the strengths you bring to the social work profession and areas of needed improvement that you have identified, including how you plan to address them The MSW Applicant Reference Form: This form must be completed by three references that have direct knowledge about the student s performance at work or school. This form contains four sections, all of which must be completed. The first section is completed by the student before giving to the form to your reference. In this section, you must indicate whether or not you are waiving your right to review the reference after it has been submitted. The remaining three sections must be completed by your reference The last section asks that the reference attach a Letter of Reference on official letterhead that addresses the following five questions: How long you have known the applicant and in what capacity? How would you describe the applicant s ability to effectively balance academic, work and personal life tasks/responsibilities?
Address the applicant s ability to work effectively with diverse populations, particularly with individuals of Hispanic/Latino/Chicano origins. Evaluate the applicant s ability to work effectively with others and to function as a member of a team. Please provide any additional comments or information that would assist the Admissions Committee in reaching a decision The Competency Assessment Form for Advanced Standing must be completed if the student is applying to the Advanced Standing degree plan. If applying for Advanced Standing, one of your references must be from a social work professional who was either a) your BSW Clinical Supervisor or, b) your Social Work Supervisor if you are working in a social service agency. This individual must complete the Competency Assessment Form for Advanced Standing and attached it to the Reference Evaluation Form instead of attaching a Letter of Reference Resume: Please submit a copy of your resume. Please be as comprehensive as possible, including all education (with dates of degree awarded), work and volunteer activities. Experience Summary Sheet for MSW Application captures all work and volunteer experiences. The form contains the dates of these activities, how long you engaged in this activity, your job/volunteer title, the name of the organization and a description of your duties. The form will also capture any type of leadership role you held, whether elected or volunteered (e.g., elected officer in a student or professional organization, volunteer coordinator of a food drive at your church, supervised employees in your work setting, etc.). For additional information, please contract Dr. Adam McCormick, Coordinator of the MSW Program, preferably by email at agmccormick@utep.edu or by phone at 915-747-5095. Updated 8-6-13