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Applications are due by December 1 to be considered for the following cohort start dates:
  • Advanced Standing: Summer
  • Social Work Foundation: Fall
  • If you are an international student, please review all requirements prior to applying:  https://www.coloradomesa.edu/admissions/requirements/international/index.html
  • To start this program, you must have a completed bachelors degree prior to the start of the MSW program (summer/fall).  This means, you may apply to the MSW program while you are completing your final semester(s) of your bachelors degree.

MSW Foundation Admission Requirements

  • Earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Bachelor degree's may be from any discipline or background (psychology, sociology, criminal justice, art, business, etc.).
  • Minimum overall GPA 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in major degree area.
  • Students may be required to pass a background check for program participation due to practice education training requirements.
  • Complete Social Work Application forms (transcripts, resume, recommendations, and personal statement).
  • Nonrefundable $50 application fee.

 MSW Advanced Standing Admission Requirements

  • Advanced Standing Applicants must have earned a bachelor social work degree from a CSWE Accredited program within five years of admission to the MSW program.
  • Advanced Standing Applicants must have successfully completed, at least, 400 hours of practicum experience during their BSW program.
  • Advanced Standing applicants must provide a copy of their practice education evaluation and proof of completed hours from CSWE accredited social work program.
  • If you are in process of completing your BSW program and practice hours, please provide a letter of completed practice hours to date, statement related to your practice abilities, and your overall academic standing in the program from your BSW faculty.  If accepted into the MSW program, all BSW hours and evaluations must be completed and submitted PRIOR to the start date of the program.
  • Minimum overall GPA 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in major degree area.
  • Students may be required to pass a background check for program participation due to practice education training requirements.
  • Complete Social Work Application forms (transcripts, resume, recommendations, and personal statement).
  • Nonrefundable $50 application fee.

Letters of Recommendation (Two required)

Letters of recommendation should be current and come from individuals who are familiar with your academic and/or professional experiences and abilities. If you are a recent graduate or are currently enrolled in school, we recommend that you seek letters from faculty members. If this is not possible, consider asking individuals who are able to address your current work, abilities and your potential to succeed in graduate school and in the field of social work.

The most valuable letters come from those individuals who you have worked for or volunteered with in some capacity. We are looking for specific information regarding your academic and intellectual abilities, work performance and potential. Letters from friends, family, or professionals that you know on an exclusively social basis should not be submitted.

Official Transcripts

Applicants must submit official transcripts. If you are finishing undergraduate course work during the application process, please submit a current transcript. Once coursework is completed, a final official transcript that includes the final grades and the date the degree was conferred is required.  

Personal Statement

The personal statement is a critical part of your admission application because it gives us the opportunity to review your writing skills and provides us with information about you, your experiences and your goals. The personal statement must be typed and no more than 6 pages double-spaced. 

  1. What are your reasons for applying to Colorado Mesa University Master of Social Work Program? Discuss how your personal, professional, and/or community experiences and values affected your decision.
  2. Briefly, yet critically, discuss a social issue or problem that is important to you and motivates your decision to pursue an MSW degree. Describe how professional social workers can help alleviate this issue.
  3. What personal skills and knowledge, and/or professional and academic experiences have prepared you for a graduate level social work degree program?
  4. After carefully reviewing the program requirements--including field education hours and course load expectations--please describe how you will manage to fulfill the program requirements, while balancing field education weekday hours and academic work with other life commitments.

Resume

A current resume, including completed degrees and all professional positions held must be included.  Please include any positions of leadership that you have held and ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date.

After a comprehensive review of applications, selected individuals will be invited to a faculty panel interview.  Applicants will be notified via email about their acceptance/denial into the MSW program in February.