Admissions

Graduate Information: Masters

• To receive detailed admissions information, interested applicants are urged to contact the Office of Admissions at 202-319-5496 or by email.

• Applications may be downloaded from the NCSSS home page or applicants may apply online at http://admissions.cua.edu

• We encourage you to attend one of our monthly information seminars.
  

Learn about our recently enriched MSW curriculum where, after a broad foundation year of study, you can concentrate in one of three areas: clinical, macro, or a combined micro/macro focus. Learn about our web based search engine available to advanced year students to further clarify field placement opportunities.

Full-time and part-time applications are accepted for fall semester.  Part-time only applications are accepted for spring semester.

Non-degree seeking applications are accepted for fall and spring semester for those who are interested in taking one course to determine if graduate social work education meets your professional goals.

NCSSS reviews applications on a rolling admissions basis as they become complete; the review process takes an average of 4 - 6 weeks.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

May 15: Completed Application package for Advanced Standing and M.S.W. Transfer applicants.

June 15: Completed Application package for full-time M.S.W. program applicants.

August 1: Completed Application package for part-time M.S.W. program and Non-degree applicants. 

Applications completed after the above dates will be considered if space is available in the program.

Note:  Those who submit a complete application portfolio by the published deadline are guaranteed consideration.  Those completing application portfolios after pubished deadlines will be considered on a space available basis.

 

NOTE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION DEADLINES

FALL EARLIER THAN PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINES

All financial aid applicants must complete the NCSSS Scholarship application form found on the last page of the NCSSS Information Bulletin

All US citizens and permanent residents must complete the FAFSA form to be eligible for NCSSS Scholarships.

February 1 Completed Application Package for CUA University Scholarships. Applicants for these competitive scholarships must submit GRE scores. Only full-time applicants entering in the fall semester may be awarded these scholarships.

March 1 Completed Application Package for NCSSS scholarships. Applicants for these competitive scholarships may submit either MAT or GRE scores. GPA should be 3.0 or  above.  Scholarhsip essay should address merit and need.

April 1 Completed Application Package for Federal Work Study. Applicants for these competitive funds must submit the FAFSA and completed field application.  Only students in field internship are eligible for NCSSS federal work study.

 

The M.S.W. admissions portfolio consists of the following:

• Completed and signed university application form accompanied by a $55 non-refundable application fee. 
• An official transcript(s) from each undergraduate and graduate college attended. 
• Three current letters of reference from persons, other than family or friends, who are able to address personal, professional, and academic capabilities. It is preferred that the three references not come from a single source.
• ATTENTION (New): Standardized test scores GRE or MAT scores are optional for any MSW applicant with an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above at the Baccalaureate level, or with an overall GPA of 3.0 in a Master’s degree program, effective Friday, March 14, 2008. Please note that applicants competing for University Scholarships must submit GRE scores (maximum of five years old), and must submit all materials by February 1. Only full time applicants are eligible to compete for University Scholarships. 
• A resume discussing education, work and volunteer experiences. 
• A personal statement developed according to the guidelines provided below (four to six typewritten double-spaced pages): 

1. Profession of social work as a career goal: Why does professional social work appeal to you? What aspects of social work are of greatest interest to you? Discuss proposed career goals. Why did you choose to apply to NCSSS?
2. Life and relationships: Discuss how your background (e.g. family, cultural, religious, economic, ethnic, racial) has affected your desire and ability to work in social work.
3. Work experience: Describe current and/or past work experience, including volunteer work, as related to the profession of social work. How have these experiences helped prepare you for social work practice at and beyond the graduate level?
4. Experience in the helping role: Social work is concerned with helping individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Using an example from your professional, volunteer or personal life, discuss and analyze a situation in which you have participated in or observed the helping role.
5. Experience as a student: Evaluate yourself as a student. What differences in performance between your previous educational experiences and your forthcoming graduate experience might you anticipate? Discuss any special circumstances affecting your undergraduate performance.
6. Planning: Describe your ability and commitment to undertake graduate education at this time. How do you plan to finance your education? What family, work or other responsibilities do you anticipate during the course of your studies at NCSSS? Discuss how you will blend personal and educational obligations?

• In addition, applicants for whom English is a second language are  required to submit TOEFL scores of written language.

• International applicants need to complete the Request for Visa Documentation. 

 

ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAM

 

NCSSS Transition Course for Advanced Standing Students

 

All students accepted for Advanced Standing Status will be required to take an on-line course this summer that will:              

 

• To assist the students in preparing for the transition from undergraduate to graduate social work education. 
• To strengthen the student’s knowledge of theory for generalist social work practice competency that will enhance their advanced year concentration.
• To create a community for advanced standing students to support one another and connect with current NCSSS students.
• To provide the students with a faculty member who helps with the transition, serves as their advisor, and assists the students with the necessary preparation for their advanced year.

The cost and timetable for this course will be finalized May 1^st.

 

Graduates of social work baccalaureate programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may apply for consideration for the “Advanced Standing 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 is:

 

1.  A bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program (received within five   years of enrollment in the MSW program); course descriptions submitted as part of the packet.

 

2.  A cumulative average of at least 3.2 in all social work courses of the undergraduate program.

 

3.  A cumulative average of at least 3.0 in all courses applied toward the bachelor’s degree.

 

4.  A minimum of B- (minus) in each social work course to be considered for waiving of credit.

 

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

 

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

 

 

ALL APPLICANTS ARE URGED TO READ THE WRITTEN MATERIALS FOR FULLER DETAIL.