MSW | Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)

Eligible applicants will have the following:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (those applying for advanced standing status need to have a bachelor’s of social work degree from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education)
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale*
• Submission of all required application materials
• Readiness to take the next step in achieving your goals

            *Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis

Yes! We encourage prospective students to visit Washburn University and the Department of Social Work.

Please contact the Social Work Office at 785-670-1616 to schedule an individual appointment.

More than half of the courses have online options. However, some clinical courses and electives are only offered on campus.

No. You do not need an undergraduate degree in social work to be considered for admission to the MSW Program.

To be admitted to the MSW Program, applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, or a comparable accrediting body. Consistent with the importance ascribed to the liberal arts perspective by Washburn University and CSWE, the applicant must present evidence of adequate preparation to engage in graduate study, including the satisfactory completion of undergraduate coursework in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, English composition, mathematics, biology, and cultural diversity.

The Regular Standing Program is for the student who has an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than social work.

The Advanced Standing Program is designed for students whose baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and was conferred within the past 10 years.

Regular standing students attending full time can complete the program in 2 years. Students have up to 4 years to complete the program.

Advanced standing students attending full-time can complete the program in 11 months. Part time advanced standing students typically finish the program in 2 years.

Foundational courses for regular-standing students are typically offered on Mondays and/or online.

Clinical courses (second year for regular-standing students) are typically offered on Wednesdays.

Sometimes electives and extra sections of required courses will be available on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

The online application has a section to indicate if you prefer part-time or full-time.

No, the GRE is not required.

Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Transcripts – official undergraduate degree transcript (unofficial transcripts will be allowed if the undergraduate degree is not yet completed). If you have not graduated yet, you must submit an unofficial transcript with all grades posted through the semester prior to the application deadline. An official transcript will be required by the university following completion of the undergraduate degree.

Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) – this document should reflect the applicant’s current and previous relevant employment, current and previous internship/practicum placements, academic history, and volunteer/service history as well as special skills and accomplishments.

References – Applicants will provide the name and contact information (email) of three (3) professional references. Please do not include personal references such as friends, family members, counselors, life coaches, or pastoral/spiritual confidants.

Personal Statement – Address the following prompts (5 page maximum):

• What has motivated you to complete the MSW degree and how do you know now is the right time?
• Describe your assets and challenges, how will these assist or hinder your course of study, and how will they assist or hinder your long-term social work career goal?
• After reading the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, discuss its relevance and your ability and willingness to comply to the ethical standards.

You will be asked to upload your transcript(s) in the application process. This initial upload can be an unofficial copy, however, official transcripts will be required by the university for admission.

For transcripts to be considered official, they must be received one of the following ways:

• Hard copy in a sealed envelope from the school, mailed to: WashburnUniversity, Registrar Office 1700 SW College Ave Topeka, KS 66621

• Official electronic copy sent from your school to the Washburn University Office of the Registrar, registrar@washburn.edu 

In the online application, include the name and email for each of your professional or academic references. Then an automatic email will be sent to your references with a link and instructions to submit the reference form emailed to them. Your references may attach a letter of recommendation; however, it is not required.

No, there is no fee to apply to the MSW program.

• Fall and summer semester entry terms - Deadline is January 15
  • Note: only advanced standing students are eligible to start in a summer term
• Spring semester entry term – Deadline is October 15

Application deadlines extend to the next Washburn University business day if January 15 or October 15 falls on a weekend or holiday. Only complete applications will be considered. Applicants with partially completed applications at the time of the respective deadline will be invited to change their entry term to the next available semester. 

Applications are reviewed during the spring and fall semesters only.

Applications received outside of the fall and/or spring semesters will be reviewed upon the start of the next fall or spring semester with determinations sent to the applicant’s email 7-10 days after that semester start.

The Administrative Specialist for the Social Work Department can be reached at 785-670-1616 or social-work@washburn.edu

You can find more information about what social workers do on the website of the National Association of Social Workers https://www.socialworkers.org/

You can find more information about licensure in the State of Kansas on the website for the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) https://ksbsrb.ks.gov