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Advanced-Standing Admission

Students who have graduated within the past eight years from a CSWE-accredited baccalaureate social work program are eligible to apply for admission to the MSW Advanced Standing Program. Completion of a BSW is not a guarantee of Advanced-Standing status. Applications are carefully reviewed to determine that applicants are prepared for rigorous study and advanced professional practice.

Additional minimum admission requirements are:

  1. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 overall, and a 3.0 in social work courses.
  2. Copies of the applicant's field practicum evaluations.
  3. Three letters of recommendation, including one from a social work faculty member who can attest to the candidate's ability to do graduate level work, and one from a social work practice supervisor who can attest to the candidate's ability to engage in graduate level practice.
  4. Advanced Standing Applicants please complete questions 1-16 on the General Application. In lieu of Question 17 complete the Guidelines for Practice Example below.

Examining different poster boards at a conference.

*Guidelines for Practice Example (3-5 pages)

The examples may illustrate practice with an individual, family, group, community or organization. Include the following content in the summary of your practice from the beginning to the termination of your activity.

  1. Identifying data about the client system (individual, family, group, community, or organization).
  2. A summary of the presenting issues and relevant descriptive data.
  3. Present your assessment, intervention, and evaluation of this service.
  4. Provide a critique of your performance as a social worker.
  5. Utilizing the Practice example:
    • Clearly put forth your personal and professional goals.
    • Articulate your personal and professional readiness to undertake graduate social work education at this time.
    • Provide a clear rationale for pursuing an MSW.
    • Clearly articulate why the Greater Rochester MSW Program's mission, goals, and objective provide the most appropriate program for you and how the program will help you achieve your professional goals.
    • Discuss your oral communication skills and ability to utilize information technology.

*For Advanced Standing Applicants only.