Social Work (MSW)

Q: When is the MSW Application Package for the upcoming academic year generally available?
A: Generally, application packets are available November 1. DO NOT use an application from a previous year.

Q: What is the deadline for submitting an application for admission to the MSW Program?
A: The submission deadline is April 1.

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Q: Where should I submit my application materials?
A: Application materials must be submitted to the FGCU Office of Graduate Studies.
• The application and instructions for the Graduate Studies Application is located at http://www.fgcu.edu/Graduate/apply.html
• The MSW Supplemental Application Package is located at http://cps.fgcu.edu/SW/MSW/admreq.html

Q: What happens if I submit my complete application before the April 1 deadline?
A: If you submit your complete application before April 1, your application will be reviewed and a determination will be made and communicated to you. Applicants are, in fact, encouraged to submit application materials as soon as possible.

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Q: What are the minimum academic admission requirements?
A: The minimum academic requirements for admission to the MSW program are:
• Earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university
• GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (during the last two years of undergraduate study)
• Submit evidence of broad coursework in the liberal arts:
o 6 hours General Science (must include Human Biology)
o 6 hours English Composition
o 6 hours Humanities
o 6 hours Social Sciences
o 6 hours Quantitative Math (e.g., include computer)
• Successful completion of one course in statistics

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Q: Are there any graduate entrance test required for admission? If so, is there a minimum score required?
A: Submit one official copy of test score for any one of the following tests within the previous five years: (1) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). At this time, no minimum score is required. International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to also submit a score of 550 or higher on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

Q: I already have a master’s degree; do I still have to take (or retake) an entrance test?
A: The Division of Social Work does not currently require an applicant who already has a master’s degree to take or retake an entrance test.

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Q: Does FGCU need transcripts from every university/college previously attended if the credits were posted on the transcript where I earned my bachelor’s degree?
A: YES. FGCU requires transcripts from all institutions previously attended even if the credits were articulated on another transcript. However, if you previously transferred from another institution to FGCU to complete your bachelor’s degree, you will not typically need to request transcripts again from your previous schools, because they may already be on file at FGCU.

Q: Do I need to request my transcripts from FGCU, if I am a previous (or current) FGCU student?
A: NO. You will not need to request transcripts from FGCU.

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Q: Do I need to pay the graduate application fee, if I am a previous (or current) FGCU student?
A: No.

Q: Do I need to submit immunization records again, if I am a previous (or current) FGCU student?

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A: No.

Q: I don’t have a copy of my immunization record, what can I do to satisfy the requirements?
A: You can have the immunizations done again or have a titer test done which will determine if you have been immunized. Also consider contacting your alma mater as that institution may have required immunizations and be willing to fax the record to us. Immunizations and titer tests can be done by your physician, community health departments, or by Student Health Services (http://studentservices.fgcu.edu/HealthServices/index.html) on our campus.

Q: From whom should I request letters of reference?
A: Recommendations should be completed by professors, supervisors, colleagues, or other individuals who know you on a professional basis. Family members or personal friends should not be asked to provide a reference.

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Q: Who can apply for admission to the Advanced Standing Program?
A: If you earned a B.S.W. degree from a program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) within five (5) years prior to your application/admission and earned a 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate social work courses (during the last two years of study) you may apply for admission to the Advanced Standing program. If admitted, you may receive up to 30 hours of course credit toward the 60 hour MSW program.

Q: I earned my B.S.W. degree from a program that was NOT fully accredited by the CSWE at the time (including FGCU). May I apply for admission to the Advanced Standing Program?
A: NO. However, the Graduate Admissions Committee may determine course(s), if any, which may be waived when your complete application is reviewed for admission consideration.

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Q: I earned a B.S. degree in Human Services from FGCU. Can any of my Human Services courses be waived for credit toward the MSW degree?
A: NO. However, the Graduate Admissions Committee may determine course(s), if any, which may be waived when your complete application is reviewed for admission consideration.

Q: I have a master’s degree in a related field; can any of those courses be applied toward credit in the MSW program?
A: Any courses that applied toward another degree cannot be used for credit toward the MSW. However, graduate level courses not credited toward another degree could be petitioned for consideration to fulfill elective credit requirements.

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Q: When will I be notified of a decision about my application?
A: Once the Division of Social Work receives COMPLETE applications from the Graduate Studies Office, every effort will be made to communicate the final decision to the student within 30 days.

Q: If admitted, when will I begin the field placement process?
A: You will be contacted in May by the Field Coordinator to begin the placement process. For more information about the field education component of the MSW Program visit the following webpage: http://cps.fgcu.edu/SW/MSW/fieldeducation.html.

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Q: Can prior social work-related employment experience be applied toward fulfilling field education credit in the MSW program?
A: NO. Previous experience working in the social work or a related field cannot be applied toward fulfillment of field education credit in the MSW program. However, prior experience is considered in the admission process.

Q: May I use my current social work job as a field placement?
A: Employment-Based Field Placements may be possible, but ONLY IF specific criteria are met. These criteria are described in the MSW Program Field Manual. For more information go to the following webpage http://cps.fgcu.edu/SW/MSW/fieldeducation.html and click on the “Field Manual” link and search for “Employment-Based Field Placement.”

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Q: Is there financial aid available?
A: For information about available forms of financial aid visit the following websites:
• http://cps.fgcu.edu/SW/MSW/tuition.html
• http://www.fgcu.edu/Graduate/TuitionWaiver.html
• http://www.fgcu.edu/AS/FinancialAid/

Q: What is a graduate assistantship (GA) and how do I get one?
A: Graduate assistantships are part-time hourly-waged or stipend employment opportunities for graduate students. They are available through academic departments and administrative units within the University. To find out if there are any assistantships available in the Division of Social Work, contact the program directly. To find out about available positions in other departments on campus, contact Career Development Services at 239.590.7946.

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Q: What is a graduate tuition waiver and how do I apply for one?
A: Each of FGCU’s five colleges is allocated tuition waiver funds that can be awarded based on need and available funds. A tuition waiver will cover the matriculation fees. The student is responsible for state and local fees usually totaling about $50 per credit hour. If approved, your waiver will be posted to your account through the Financial Aid and Scholarship office just prior to the start of the semester.
• Students may download an application from the following webpage: http://www.fgcu.edu/Graduate/TuitionWaiver.html and click on the “Graduate Tuition Waiver Application” link. Complete the application and submit it to the Graduate Studies office prior to the posted deadline.
• The Division of Social Work also has supplemental requirements. Go to the following webpage: http://cps.fgcu.edu/SW/MSW/tuition.html and click the “Tuition Waiver Guidelines and Application” link.

Q: Are there scholarships available for graduate students?
A: There are few scholarships, if any. At times, however, outside organizations will communicate scholarship opportunities directly to the University and/or program representatives. Check with the Office of Financial Aid and the Division of Social Work to see if any are available.

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Q: Can courses taken as a non-degree seeking student be applied towards my master’s degree in social work if admitted?
A: YES. You can take up to nine (9) credits as a post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking student in which you earn a grade of B or higher and request that they be applied toward fulfilling course credit requirements for the MSW degree.

Q: Is attendance at the MSW New Student orientation mandatory?
A: Yes.

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College of Professional Studies (CPS)

The Social Work (MSW) Program

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