M.S.W. Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is the application deadline ?
Will you review my application if most, but not all, of my
materials are in?
How will I know if my application is complete?
If I'm missing something from my application, can I just
FAX it to your office?
Do I need to take an entrance exam?
What are the minimum requirements to apply?
What are my options for completing the MSW degree at
Radford University?
What is Advanced Standing, and am I eligible?
Are there any prerequisites?
How will I show evidence of biology content?
Do I need to submit transcripts?
Is there an application fee?
Where do I send my application?
Is there any financial aid available?
How does the School arrive at a decision to admit or not
admit an applicant?
Who should write my letters of recommendation?
What if I have more questions?
University Contact Information
School of Social Work Contact Information
What is the application deadline?
Applications are accepted beginning November
1. Applications will be reviewed, beginning November for
Advanced Standing program applicants and Standard Program
applicants. Application materials will be accepted until
the programs are full or Marc 1 for Advanced Standing or
April 1 for Standard Program.
If you plan to deliver your application in person, the
School of Social Work is located in Waldron Hall, room 206
(second floor). The Graduate College is located in Lucas
Hall. Offices close at 5:00 p.m. top
Will you review my application if most, but not
all, of my materials are in?
No. We review only applications that are complete.
There is an Application Checklist on the instruction page.
This checklist tells you what materials to send to the
Graduate College, and what materials to send to the School
of Social Work. Materials need to be complete at both
offices in order for your application to be reviewed.
top
How will I know if my application is
complete?
Each applicant assembles her/his own application file,
including all required forms, transcripts, letters of
reference, personal essay, and resume. The applicant
submits the file to the Graduate College and the School of
Social Work when it is complete. Because you put the
materials together yourself, you will know if all of the
materials are in. Please refer to the Application Checklist
to be sure the correct items have been submitted to the
correct office (Graduate College or School of Social Work).
It is a good idea to give your recommenders adequate time
to write letters-- usually 2 to 3 weeks. Give your
recommenders a deadline in advance of the actual deadline,
so that you will receive the letters and be able to include
them with your application materials. Be sure that your
recommenders know that letters of recommendation are
returned to you, and not to Radford University.
It often takes colleges and universities considerable time
to process transcript requests. Make sure to request
transcripts well in advance of the deadline.
top
If I'm missing something from my application, can I
just FAX it to your office?
No, we do not accept applications or supporting documents,
including recommendations and transcripts, by FAX.
top
Do I need to take an entrance exam?
No.
top
What are the minimum requirements to
apply?
The minimum requirements are:
* An undergraduate degree with a 2.75 overall GPA (A=4.0);
* a liberal arts background, with course content in social
sciences, life sciences, and humanities; and
* experience in the field of human services, as an
employee, student, and/or volunteer is strongly
recommended.
top
What are my options for completing the MSW degree at
Radford University?
There are several ways to complete the MSW degree at
Radford University, including full- or part-time study.
Radford also offers an Advanced Standing option (again,
both full- and part-time) for students who have earned a
BSW from an accredited institution within 7 years of
application (see next question). The number of semesters
required for completion of the degree (according to the
various options) are listed in the table below. Total
credit hours for the degree are also listed.
Full-Time Part-Time
Standard Program
(61 credit hours) 5 semesters 11 semesters
Advanced Standing
(37 credit hours) 3 semesters 6 semesters
top
What is Advanced Standing, and am I
eligible?
Advanced Standing is available only to students whose
undergraduate degree in social work or social welfare was
from an undergraduate program accredited by the Council on
Social Work Education at the time the degree was awarded,
and received in the within 7 years of application. If your
undergraduate degree was in a field other than social work
you are not eligible for Advanced Standing.
Eligible applicants may apply to the Advanced Standing
program and, if not accepted, will automatically be
considered for the Standard Program.
Students who are accepted into the Advanced Standing program will be required to register for the Bridge Course during the summer. Classes will be offered on Saturdays during June and July, with additional work done online. Students who plan on attending through the Advanced Standing program should be aware that these summer courses are mandatory and attendance will be required on Saturdays.
top
Are there any prerequisites?
Yes, for both the Standard Program and
Advanced Standing you must complete course work in social
sciences (15 hours) and humanities (9 hours) before you
enroll. In addition, you must show evidence of acquiring
content in human biology (3 hours) in your undergraduate
education. These courses are typically required for the
liberal arts undergraduate degree or the social work
degree.
top
How will I show evidence of biology content?
Biology content is found in biology courses and can
sometimes be found in human ecology, environmental studies,
developmental psychology, and some human behavior in the
social environment. In order for any course(s) to be
considered for biology content (except biology) a syllabus
must be provided for review.
top
Do I need to submit transcripts?
Yes, you need to submit official, sealed transcripts (two
copies of each) to the Graduate College. Transcripts must
be submitted from all prior and/or current colleges and
universities which you attended. You should request that
transcripts be sent to you, rather than Radford University.
You then include them in your application packet to the
Graduate College. These must be official transcripts,
marked with the seal of the institution.
top
Is there an application fee?
There is a non-refundable $40 application fee collected by
the Graduate College. There is no separate fee collected by
the School of Social Work. Please read the Graduate
College's Application for Graduate Admission instructions
carefully and submit the fee with that portion of the
application.
top
Where do I send my application?
The application process involves two separate packets of
material. The Graduate College receives: Application form
and $40 fee, transcripts, and three letters of
recommendation. The School of Social Work receives:
Curriculum Option/Degree Path form, personal essay,
Experience in Human Services form, Field Practicum
Application, two copies of your resume, and Legal/Military
History form. (Please refer to Application Checklist in the
Forms Section).
Send materials to the Graduate College at:
The Graduate College
P. O. Box 6928
Radford University
Radford, VA 24142
Phone: 540-831-5431
Send materials to The School of Social Work at:
The School of Social Work
ATTN: Admissions/Outreach Coordinator
P. O. Box 6958
Radford University
Radford, VA 24142
Phone: 540-831-7684 Office
540-831-7689 School of Social Work Office
top
Is there any financial aid available?
Financial aid in the forms of research, teaching and
support assistantships, stipends, and student loans are
available. Assistantship and stipends are provided through
the School of Social Work. Application materials can be
found in the Forms section of this web page. Student loans
are administered through the University's Financial Aid
Office. Students are encouraged to contact the Financial
Aid office at (540) 831-5408 while applying for graduate
admission.
top
How does the School arrive at a decision to admit
or not admit an applicant?
Each application is read independently by at least two
different faculty members and assigned a score. Then the
Graduate Admissions Committee reviews the applications and
makes admission recommendations to the Graduate Studies
Committee. This Committee makes recommendations to the
Director of the School of Social Work. The School Director
makes the final admissions recommendations to the Graduate
College. When reviewing applications, faculty readers
consider the following:
* academic potential based on undergraduate GPA;
* the academic preparation of the applicant, as
demonstrated in prior or concurrent courses and areas of
study;
* the effectiveness of the applicant's written work, as
demonstrated in the personal essay;
* the applicant's commitment to the field of social work,
as demonstrated through prior work in human services and
the personal essay;
* the potential for the applicant to contribute to the
profession of social work, as demonstrated in the personal
essay and letters of recommendation.
* the applicant's ability to bring diversity to the school.
This includes many factors the applicant brings which
broadens his or her experience and perspective on the human
condition, as
demonstrated in the personal essay and other materials
submitted.
* suitability for the profession, including, but not
limited to: ability to interact effectively with others,
empathy, demonstration of appropriate boundaries and
judgment, and the ability to interact
appropriately with diverse populations.
top
Who should write my letters of recommendation?
We require three letters of recommendation.
Recommenders should complete the Recommendation Form and
attach a personal letter. We strongly encourage applicants
to solicit one letter from a professional practicing in the
field of human services, one letter from an academic
reference, and one from an additional source of your own
choosing. Additionally, it is recommended that applicants
to the Advanced Standing program ask their senior year
field instructor to serve as one of the three required
references.
Give your recommenders plenty of time to write letters, and
ask them to return the letters to you so that you can
submit them with your materials to the Graduate College.
top
What if I have more questions?
You may contact the Admissions staff (e-mail link
mailto:sowkinfo@radford.edu) at 540-831-7684. You may also
call the Graduate College at 540-831-5431."
top
UNIVERSITY OFFICES
Applicants with questions regarding financial aid, housing,
or other aspects of the graduate experience at Radford
University are encouraged to contact the relevant offices
directly.
Graduate College
Radford University
P.O. Box 6928
Radford, VA 24142
Preston Hall, Room #213
(540) 831-5431
FAX: (540) 831-6061
Residential Services
Radford University
P.O. Box 6897
Radford, VA 24142
Tyler Hall, Ground Floor Suite
(540) 831-5375
FAX: (540) 831-6654
Financial Aid
Radford University
P.O. Box 6905
Radford, VA 24142
Martin Hall, Second Floor
(540) 831-5408
FAX: (540) 831-5138
Disabled Student Services
Radford University
P.O. Box 6902
Radford, VA 24142
Tyler Hall, Ground Floor Suite
(540) 831-5226
FAX: (540) 831-6525
Radford University Central Operator: (540) 831-5000
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Radford University
P.O. Box 6958
Radford, VA 24142
Waldron Hall, room 206
(540) 831-7681 or 831-7689
FAX: (540) 831-7670
Email: sowkinfo@radford.edu