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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the minimum academic admission requirements?

A: Applicants are expected to meet these minimum requirements before enrollment:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale, based on the last 60 credit hours in your bachelor's degree)
• Completion of at least 6 social and/or behavioral science courses (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, criminal justice, and social work)
• Completion of a course in research methodology
• Completion of a course in statistics

Q: When may I submit an application?

A: You may request a current application packet anytime after September 1st of each year. Because revisions are sometimes made, it is IMPORTANT to use a current application instead of one from a previous year. Applicants have a priority date of February 2009.  MSW applications received (not postmarked) by the priority date are guaranteed review and written decision notification is generally sent out by the first week in April.  All applications received after the priority date will be considered, as space is available.

Q: Must I submit official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended even if a transcript shows the credits transferred from previous course work?

A: Yes. Grades are commonly not shown for credit transferred and your GPA for admission is figured on all previous course work. Also, it is possible that not all credits transferred. Please also note that official copies, bearing the certification of the college or university, are needed. Student issued transcripts are allowed if they have the raised seal. Applicants from Indiana University must also submit official transcript copies; we will not generate these.

Q: How do I know if I have the appropriate course work to fulfill the prerequisite requirement?

A: If you have taken courses that you believe may fulfill the requirements but they are not specifically listed on your transcript as such, you may send a copy of the course syllabus, description, etc., that clearly states the content of each course in question. We ask that you send this documentation to the Admissions Coordinator with a cover memo at least six (6) weeks prior to the application deadline date to ensure enough time for review. We will contact you to let you know whether you meet the requirement. Please include your phone number with your request for review.

Q: What is Advanced Standing?

A: Applicants who have graduated from an undergraduate social work program, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) within the five (5) years preceding their admission, may be eligible for the Advanced Standing program. In addition to the overall 3.0 minimum GPA, the applicant must have earned a 3.0 in all social work courses taken prior to Admissions Committee action. Such applicants may receive up to 15 hours of the 60 hour MSW program by credential. This program begins in May and takes two years to complete.

Q: Can I complete the degree entirely on a part time basis?

A: The Part Time at IU Northwest begins in the second summer term and allows a student to complete the MSW degree on a part time basis over a three year period.  Newly admitted students may enroll in elective courses during the first summer term.  The MSW student has up to 7 years to complete their degree requirements.

Q: Is the GRE required?

A: The GRE exam is not required. However, for those applicants who may wish to compete for University Scholarships based on merit, the Millers Analogy Test (MAT) is strongly recommended. You may contact the IUPUI Testing Center at (317) 274-2620 for information on the MAT. Also, those applicants with a GPA close to the 3.0 minimum are strongly urged to take the MAT and submit the score as part of their application.

Q: May I begin the graduate program any semester?

A: Currently, admission to the IU Northwest MSW program begins in the Summer semester only.

Q: Can course work completed outside of the Indiana University Division of Social Work be used toward completion of the MSW degree?

A: Three to six of the sixty credit hour MSW program are elective credits. The number varies with concentration selection.  All students, on an individual basis, must contact their academic advisor to obtain the appropriate forms in order to petition the Director to  accept outside course work as elective credits. This can only be done after acceptance into the MSW program. All decisions are made on an individual basis.
Outside electives must earn a "B" or better and cannot fulfill a requirement toward a prior degree.

Q: I have a Masters Degree in a related field and have been working in the field of Social Work. Can any of that apply as credit toward an MSW?

A: Any courses that applied toward another degree cannot be used for credit toward the MSW. Graduate level courses not credited toward another degree might be used as elective credit as noted in the previous question. Previous experience working in the field of social work or a related field cannot be used as course credit toward the MSW.

Q: May I use my present Social Work job as a field placement?

A: Field instruction involves a different relationship with the agency/field instructor than many paid positions allow. In addition, a field agency/field instructor must meet certain academic criteria in order to serve as a field placement. If you can demonstrate that you will be engaged in activities that not only meet the criteria for field instruction, but also are substantially different from your paid employment duties, you may submit your request to the Director of Field Instruction after you have been admitted to the program. 

Q: Who has to pay the application fee?

A: All applicants must pay the $25.00 application fee regardless of prior application or admission to the Indiana University Division of Social Work or any Indiana University program.

Q: Is there any financial aid?

A: The Division of Social Work has limited financial aid that it directly administers. This will vary from year to year. All students, however, are encouraged to apply for financial aid that is administered directly by the University's Financial Aid Office. IU Northwest students should call (219) 980-6777 for additional information and necessary paperwork. University financial aid forms must be submitted by March 1^st.  We strongly suggest that you contact financial aid and complete the necessary paperwork by this deadline so that your eligibility can be determined in time for your summer classes. 

Q: When will I be notified regarding my application?

A: The Admissions Committee will make every effort to notify applicants of their decision by the first week in April to applicants submitting their materials by the priority deadline.  Notification will be sent to those applicants whose materials arrived after the priority deadline as soon as possible.

Q: What does it mean if I get a letter saying I've been put on a Wait List? How long will I have to wait before I will be notified if I get admitted?

A: When students are offered admission, they are typically given two weeks to return their response to indicate if they accept or decline their admission. Based on the number of declines that we get at that time, names are pulled off the wait list according to number. After that point, letters are sent out offering admission to wait list candidates as spaces continue to open. Unfortunately, notification could be as late as May 15 since unforeseen situations arise for students which prohibit them from attending at the last minute.

Q: If my application is missing any materials, will I be notified and given the chance to make it complete?

A: The application is a self-managed processed and must be complete BEFORE you mail it to us. If the application is deemed incomplete, you may not be given the option to make it complete for that particular application process.