Frequently Asked Questions
The curriculum for the MSW program is currently under revision. Any changes will apply to the class that is admitted for summer 2010. Details are forthcoming.
Click here to view proposed curriculum.
Is the MSW program accredited?
The NC State Department of Social Work 's Graduate Program was granted initial accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education in February of 2009. Initial accreditation for all social work programs is for four years. We will come up for reaffirmation in 2013. Reaffirmation will then takes place every seven years. The Council's Commission on Accreditation is the sole body authorized to accredit social work education programs in the United States.
What courses of study do you offer?
Beginning with Summer 2010, we expect to admit students into one of the following three options:
How do I apply for the MSW program?
There are two steps that need to be completed in order to apply to the MSW program. The first step is to apply online to the Graduate School. The second step is to complete the Departmental Application. Instructions for completing the departmental application can be found by clicking on the Departmental Application link.
GRE or MAT scores are required only for applicants with a GPA below 3.0.
The Departmental Application contains a checklist for completion. Be sure to take advantage of this helpful tool.
Does the program offer an Advanced Standing option?
We are pleased to announce that we hope to introduce an Advanced Standing MSW Program to begin with Summer 2010. Students with BSW degrees and total GPA's of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for social work courses are advised to apply for Advanced Standing status.
Competitive applicants will have grades of "B" or better on all social work practice courses, and have BSW degrees no older than 5 years. Applicants who graduated more than 5 years ago may request consideration for the advanced standing program if they have five or more years of social work practice experience within the last 10 years. Admissions decisions will be made on a case by case basis for applicants whose degrees are more than 5 years old.
In addition to the standard departmental admissions packet for the MSW Program at NCSU, provide a copy of your field evaluation and a reference from your Field Instructor or Field Supervisor.
Does the Weekend Program have an Advanced Standing option?
We hope to add a weekend program for advanced standing students in the next few years.
Will you offer an MSW Admissions Open House?
Yes! The Social Work Department will host Open Houses for MSW Admissions from
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on the following Fridays:
December 4, 2009; January 22, 2010
Open House will be in the Social Work Department Office, 1911 Building, Room 205. Walk-ins are welcome!
Do you admit students for the spring semester?
No, we admit students for the summer semester only.
Incoming full-time students may choose to begin courses during the summer or fall sessions. Taking summer courses will lighten your course load for the fall and spring semesters.
Am I required to take my courses in a specific sequence?
Yes, students must register for each semester exactly as listed in the curriculum. Failure to follow the course curriculum sequence may result in the inability to graduate on time. Students must consult with their advisors prior to registering.
What are the items required for a complete application?
The following items are required for Full-Time and Weekend Program applicants:
- Graduate School Application - submitted online and fee paid directly to NC State Graduate School
- Department Application in either MS Word or Adobe Acrobat format - Must be word processed (12 pt font) and sent in ONE package directly to the Department of Social Work.
Your package must include an orginal AND one copy of the following:
- Personal Statement, signed and dated (guide provided; be sure to respond only to the questions asked). Note: You do NOT have to complete an additional personal statement for the online Graduate School application.
- TWO OFFICIAL sealed copies of transcripts from each undergraduate and/or graduate school you have attended. Note: You do NOT need to submit additional transcripts to the Graduate School, our Department will forward one of your provided copies to the Graduate School for you.
- Résumé (résumé guide provided)
- Professional Integrity Statement (must be signed)
- Transfer Credit Information for applicants requesting to transfer MSW credits from another university.
- Completed Worksheet for Computing your GPA (worksheet provided) Note: Must be completed by all applicants. Be sure to calculate ONLY the last 60 credit hours of your undergraduate work.
- Petition for Exceptional Consideration (to be completed only by applicants whose GPA is below 3.0) Note: Letter must be submitted to accompany form; see form for directions.
- Recommendations, forms and letters -- a minimum of three (3). Recommendation envelopes should remain unopened and signed across the seal by the reviewer. Note: You MUST use ONLY the reference form provided in the Departmental Application. Do not open your recommendation envelopes to make copies.
Is the GRE or MAT required for admissions?
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies (MAT) is required if your GPA for the last 60 credits/hours of your undergraduate coursework or previous graduate coursework is below 3.0 but higher than 2.5. A worksheet for calculating this GPA is included in the Departmental Application. We do not require that you attain a minimum GRE or MAT score. Your GRE or MAT must have been taken within five years of applying to our program.
Where should my GRE or MAT scores be sent?
Have official scores sent to the NC State University Graduate School. Scores can NOT be sent to the Social Work Department
My GPA is lower than your requirement. Is there anything I can do about this?
Yes, an applicant who believes that her or his individual circumstances warrant exceptional consideration for a waiver of the minimum admissions requirement can petition the Director of the MSW Program. You may complete the "Petition for Exceptional Consideration" found on the Department Application.
I didn't take statistics/biology. Can I still apply?
Yes, we require that students take prerequisite courses--human biology and statistics--before beginning their MSW coursework due to the heavy course load of the MSW program. Applicants may be admitted provisionally without meeting this requirement; however, students must meet this requirement prior to initial enrollment in MSW coursework.
The statistics course must be comparable to NC State University's ST 311; must be completed with a grade of C or higher and have been taken within five years of initial enrollment in the MSW program. The surrounding area community colleges carry the appropriate course equivalents: MAT 151 or MAT 155.
The biology course must be comparable to NC State University's BIO 105; must be completed with a grade of C or higher. The surrounding are community colleges are limiting their enrollments in biology courses to students already enrolled in their program.
Can an NSCU Social Work faculty member serve as a reference?
Yes, but only one letter of reference from an NC State Social Work faculty member will be accepted.
Is human services work experience required of all applicants?
Yes, we require a variety of life and work experience in human services, either paid or volunteer (working for a nonprofit agency, raising a special needs child, volunteerism in a nonprofit agency or board, Peace Corps or Americorps volunteer, etc.).
Can I use my current social services agency as a field placement site?
This would require approval by the field director and it is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Can I transfer MSW credits from another university?
Transfer of MSW credits are evaluated on an individual basis. Only credits that come from a fully CSWE accredited MSW program will be taken into consideration. Those applicants looking to request that MSW credits taken at another university be transferred into our program, must complete the Transfer Credit Information form 
and send along the supporting documents at the time of applying.
Is financial aid available?
The department will have limited teaching assistant opportunities. These opportunities vary on a yearly basis depending on funding available. Details on these positions will be provided to accepted students upon admittance.
For more information about student aid contact the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid, (919)515-7303. Also, visit the Graduate School Website.
If I don't get accepted this year can I apply again?
Yes, you may apply again.
How do I know if I qualify for the resident tuition rate?
To qualify for the resident tuition rate, you must maintain legal residency in North Carolina for one year from the start of the term for which you request the resident classification.
For more information, visit the Graduate School residency webpage or the Office of Legal Affairs.
Out-of-state applicants may contact Tara Cowan, the NCSU Graduate School Residency Officer, for guidance.
