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Important Information about Applying to the MSW Program

Applicants apply to both the Graduate School and the MSW Program in a single application. There are two sets of admission criteria, one for the Graduate School and another for the ETSU MSW Program. Both sets of criteria are below.

The full consideration/full funding date is February 1st. (Applications submitted by this date, will be considered for admission and potentially funding.) The last day that applications may be submitted for summer and fall is March 1st. Admission decisions are usually made within a month of all materials and the fee being submitted. Classes begin in June for advanced-standing and August for traditional students.

In your application, applicants must specify:

  • Advanced Standing (applicants with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program) OR Traditional (for applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than Social Work)
  • 100% Online OR Main Campus
     

Graduate School Admissions Criteria

  • A completed application form.
  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Degrees from non-accredited institutions will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  • One official transcript from every college or university where the applicant has taken courses, except for previous course work at ETSU. Applications will not be considered without all transcripts.
  • A non-refundable application fee of $55 for domestic students or $65 for international students. (Your application cannot be processed until the non-refundable fee is paid.)
  • An undergraduate minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. International students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

MSW Program Admission Requirements

  • A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credit-hours or 90 quarter credit-hours, with an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75;
  • A liberal arts base consisting of course content in:
    • English composition and literature
    • Math and Natural Sciences
    • Humanities
    • Social and/or Behavioral Sciences courses taken from a combination of Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, and Government;
  • Three (3) letters of reference that address the applicant’s abilities and potential for graduate education and professional social work practice; 
  • A résumé that includes personal data, educational experience, work/volunteer experience, special skills, attributes, and professional affiliations and recognition; and
  • The Graduate School requests a 150-300 word essay detailing “your interests in a graduate program at ETSU.” Please specifically address your interest in the ETSU MSW program in the essay.

Please note:

  • No academic credit will be granted for work experience.
  • Students graduating from a Council on Social Work Education accredited Bachelor of Social Work program subsequent to the year 1984 may apply for Advanced Standing status.

Additional Considerations

Additionally, all applicants will be screened for evidence of the following intellectual and personal qualities compatible with social work roles and functions:

  • Sound interpersonal skills that would support respectful relationships and affirmation of people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Strong motivation for a career in social work and suitability for the profession.
  • Personal integrity that would demonstrate potential for meeting the objectives of the program and for adhering to the Code of
  • Ethics established by the National Association of Social Workers.
  • Critical thinking skills and skills in oral and written communication consistent with graduate-level students. 

More information - Admissions

It’s easy to get started and APPLY TODAY...

1. If you haven’t already done so, create an ETSU Application Account
2. Sign In to the ETSU Application Portal and select “Start a New Application”
3. Next, choose “Graduate,” select your student type (domestic or international) and complete the additional application fields that follow.

 

Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act (EVEA) The Tennessee State Legislature enacted legislation entitled the Tennessee Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act (EVEA), which became effective on October 1, 2012 (Tennessee Public Chapter No. 1061-SB No. 1325).As a result of this legislation, all state public institutions of higher education in Tennessee must verify that students who receive state public benefits such as in-state tuition or graduate assistantships, may have to provide documentation such as a scanned copy of a driver's license, birth certificate, visa, or permanent resident identification.