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Graduate Announcements > National Catholic School of Social Service > NCSSS Graduate Degree Programs > Master of Social Work Program > MSW Admissions

MSW Admissions

The National Catholic School of Social Service is committed to educating students to contribute responsibly to the fulfillment of social welfare objectives and to enhance the effective social functioning of individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Policies:

The graduate admissions policies are outlined on the university website at: https://policies.catholic.edu/students/academicgrad/admissionfull.html

Criteria for Standard Admission

Admission to the MSW Program (both on campus and online) is based on a wide range of information. Students are admitted on a competitive basis by assessing their capability for successful graduate work and their potential for competent social work practice. Admission is determined by the quality of the total application without regard to race, national origin, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, age, religion, or sex.  MSW students are admitted simultaneously to the university and the MSW program.

The criteria for all student admissions are outlined on the school website at https://ncsss.catholic.edu/admission/graduate/msw/index.html .  A centralized review of and decision on the applications is done by the university Dean of Graduate Admission with the following admissions criteria framework:  

• Recalculated GPA of 3.0 and above: Office of Graduate Admission accepts the applicant and processes the application decision
• Applicants with a recalculated GPA between 2.5 -2.99: Office of Graduate Admission consults with the program director for a 2-day review and decision. 
• Students with GPA of less than 2.5: Office of Graduate Admission will deny the applicant

The required documents for M.S.W. Admission include:

• A completed Catholic University online application
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions verifying an earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association.
• English proficiency test scores (Internationals students only)
• For international students, a credential evaluation of their coursework is provided free of charge by the University.

Recommended Documents for M.S.W Admission are used when applicants do not have a GPA of 3.0 and above and include the following:

• Resume or curriculum vitae
• One letter of recommendation
• A professional goal statement explaining the reason for their lower undergraduate GPA and how their graduate GPA would be 3.0 or above.   

The MSW program requires each applicant to submit a copy of post secondary transcripts (as well as an official English Proficiency test score and a credential evaluation for international students). This reduction in the application materials serves to reduce barriers for potential graduate applicants while providing the necessary documents for making an academic judgment on the applicant’s ability to succeed in the program.  Students who do not meet the academic requirements are required to submit a letter of recommendation, a goal statement and a resume/CV. These materials are designed to provide enough academic, professional, and personal information for a judgment to be made regarding the applicant's suitability for graduate studies at NCSSS and professional performance in the field of social work.

Application Process

The required documents for M.S.W. Admission include:

• A completed Catholic University online application
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions verifying an earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association.
• English proficiency test scores (Internationals students only)
• For international students, a credential evaluation of your coursework will be provided free of charge by the University.

For  applicants that do not have a GPA of 3.0 and above, they must also submit the following:

• Resume or curriculum vitae
• One letter of recommendation 
• A professional goal statement explaining the reason for their lower undergraduate GPA and how their graduate GPA would be 3.0 or above. 

The MSW program and admissions director will review these additional documents according to the following criteria:

• Evidence of student ability to do graduate work including readiness to engage in scholarly work, evidence of analytic and conceptual thinking and strong writing skills. 
• Evidence of the above may be found in previous academic work, (usually optional) test scores and the personal statement. Academic work should reflect a liberal arts foundation, including both social and behavioral sciences. 
• Evidence of personal qualifications essential for professional practice, including an interest in people and the processes of human relationships; a sensitivity and openness to others; an alertness to current social issues; strong interpersonal skills; readiness for increased self knowledge; and respect for the values and ethics of the profession.
• Commitment to the social work profession, which may be evidenced by human service employment or volunteer experience, to be listed on the resume and discussed in the personal statement.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester
April 15	Advanced standing and MSW transfer students
July 15	Full and part-time MSW program applicants
Spring Semester
Dec. 1	Part-time MSW Applicants

Advanced Standing Applicants Admission

Graduates of social work baccalaureate programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may apply for consideration for "advanced standing" status to ensure that baccalaureate graduates entering our MSW program do not repeat what has been achieved in their BSW program.  Individualized education contracts are developed between the applicant and the director of admissions, indicating the number of semester hours to be waived (not to exceed 30 semester hours). Additional courses beyond 30 semester hours may be required.

The criteria for advanced standing eligibility include:

1. A bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program (received within five years of enrollment in the MSW Program);

2. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 in all the social work courses in the undergraduate program;

3. A cumulative average of at least 3.2 in all courses applied toward the bachelor's degree;

4. A minimum of B in each social work course;

5. A recommendation from the chair of the undergraduate program explicitly supporting admission directly to the advanced year of the MSW program, as one of the three reference letters; and

6. Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate generalist practicum that is comparable to that expected in the NCSSS generalist practice practicum as evidenced in the final field evaluation submitted as part of the admissions packet.

Applicants may include a letter of recommendation from their field instructor.  Provisional offers of admission are made pending receipt of the final evaluation showing successful completion of the second semester field placement.

Bridge Course Requirement for Advanced Standing Students

All advanced standing students are required to enroll in a bridge course during the summer before admission to the program. This course was developed to help students transition from undergraduate and specialized practice coursework. All students accepted with advanced standing status are required to take the online transition course, SSS 680 Essential Competencies for Generalist Social Work Practice.

Transfer Applicants Admission

The NCSSS MSW program accepts a limited number of transfer students each year. The same admissions criteria applies to transfer applicants. To be eligible for transfer, courses must have been taken within five years of entrance into the program and grades of B or better must have been earned. Transfer of semester hours may not be applied toward satisfaction of the minimum residency requirements. No academic credit is granted for life experience or previous work experience. There are two categories of transfer students:

• Students requesting transfer from another accredited MSW degree program to NCSSS must follow the usual application procedure described above. A letter of recommendation must be from the MSW program chair indicating the applicant has left the program in good standing and is eligible to return. In addition, the applicant must submit course descriptions of MSW courses taken and, when applicable, field work description and evaluation. A maximum of 30 semester hours may be transferred from another MSW program.
• Students may request transfer of up to six semester hours of elective credits from other accredited graduate programs at the time the area of specialized practice  is declared. At that time, the student writes to the MSW program chair, submitting a rationale showing that the course is appropriate to the area of specialized.

Criteria for International Students Admission

International students are considered for admission following our Middle States (regional accreditor) policies and the same admissions criteria outlined above.  An applicant from a foreign country must have obtained a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. An official transcript (with an attached English translation) must be received for evaluation of course content and credit at the earliest possible date. The Graduate Office of Admissions at the university level requires an independent evaluation of foreign educational credentials. Students from other countries should have previous experience in the social welfare field before applying for admission to the social work program. Applicants from  non-English speaking nations whose previous education has not been at institutions of higher education in the United States are required to certify their proficiency in English by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Scores for all three components (listening, writing, vocabulary/comprehension) should be submitted as part of the application process.

Conditional admission may be granted to an applicant with strong academic credentials but who is in need of strengthening a specific body of knowledge through prerequisites which do not apply toward the completion of their degree. Conditional admission may also be granted to an applicant whose record may indicate academic deficiencies or concerns, but may show promise of success in other areas of evaluation. Conditionally admitted students must successfully complete the requirements of their admission normally within one semester before being changed to regular student status. If the conditions of admission are not completed within one semester, then the University reserves the right to withdraw the student from future semesters.

Non-Degree Admission

With the permission of the program chair, non-degree seeking students may take a maximum of nine credits in NCSSS courses, taking no more than one course per semester. Applicants must submit a completed university non-degree application form; an official transcript, and a nonrefundable application fee.

Enrollment in courses as a nondegree student does not guarantee admission to the MSW program. Course offerings for non-degree students are limited and are offered on a space-available basis after registration for enrolled, degree-seeking students is completed.

Financial Aid

Scholarships are available to MSW students: CUA scholarships, NCSSS scholarships, and federal work study (FWS) funding for MSW students in field internships. Applicants to the National Catholic School of Social Service may contact the school's Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (202-319-5496) for information about scholarships and federal work study funding.

Loan information can be requested from the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Father O'Connell Hall, CUA, Washington, DC 20064, 202-319-5307.

CUA Scholarships

CUA scholarships are primarily awarded to incoming students based on merit and offered during the admissions process. Students retain the scholarship during their enrollment at NCSSS provided they remain in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.0). Available to incoming full and part-time students.

National Catholic School of Social Service Scholarships

The National Catholic School of Social Service has a limited number of scholarships awarded based on merit and financial need. Scholarship applications are available on the school's website and require submission of a resume and an essay providing information about the area of professional interest and financial need. NCSSS scholarships are awarded for one academic year only. Students may apply for another NCSSS scholarship in subsequent years by completing and submitting the NCSSS Scholarship Application to the NCSSS Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Applicants for NCSSS scholarships should submit their scholarship applications by April 1, and must have been admitted to the MSW program in order to be considered for scholarship funding. Applicants must also submit a FAFSA to be considered for NCSSS scholarships, since financial need is a primary consideration in making these awards.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students (SDS).

NCSSS has been awarded a five-year grant from HRSA. This scholarship requires financial need, as determined by your FAFSA. It also requires that you meet the definition of either: 1) economically disadvantaged; or 2) environmentally disadvantaged. Available to full-time students enrolled in the clinical concentration. Please contact the NCSSS Office of Admissions for more information: (202-319-5496), cua-ncsss-admissions@cua.edu.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study (FWS) is taxable funding awarded annually to full-time MSW students: (1) enrolled in field placements, and (2) demonstrating financial need (FAFSA). The funding is granted for work completed as part of the regular NCSSS field internship. There is no application deadline, but because funding is very limited, early submission of the FAFSA and the field application is strongly encouraged. To be considered for FWS, (1) complete the FAFSA, and (2) submit the NCSSS field application as early as possible. No separate application is required.