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Master of Social Work (MSW)

• About the Program
• Coursework
• Field Education
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*All stated financial information is subject to change. The At a Glance provides Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) to aid in program comparison only. For a detailed cost estimate or more information, contact APU's Graduate Student Financial Services.

Admission

• Prerequisites
• Application Deadlines
• Admission Requirements – Domestic Applicants
• Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Prerequisites

To be admitted to the MSW Program, students must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college (or an equivalent degree from a college or university in another country) with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. At the discretion of the university, a higher professional or graduate degree may be accepted as a substitute for the bachelor’s degree. A limited number of applicants with a grade point average between 2.5-2.99 and relevant work experience may be admitted provisionally at the program’s discretion.
• Satisfy the prerequisite requirement of a statistics course with a grade of C or higher.
• Advanced Standing applicants must have a good understanding of DSM-IV. This may be obtained through an Abnormal Psychology class or through significant use of DSM-IV in the workplace.

Application Deadlines

• Early Admission Deadline: January 15
• Regular Admission Deadline: March 1
• Advanced Standing Deadline: January 15

Admission Requirements – Domestic Applicants

The specific criteria for seeking MSW admission are:

1. A Graduate Application for Admission (including $45 fee).
   (Apply Online | Download PDF)
Please use the following program code when applying to this program: SOCW01

Note: Use SOCW02 if you’re applying for Advanced Standing.

2. Completion of an MSW Application Form (PDF), including resume.
3. Transcript(s) of all undergraduate coursework.
4. Completion of Statistics course (three units). If Statistics has not been taken at time of MSW application, it must be completed (at an accredited college or university) prior to start of MSW Program in the fall. Proof of completion must be submitted to the MSW director of student services before start of program in fall. Student will be admitted on provisional status until proof of completion of course is submitted, upon which time provisional status will be removed.
5. Willingness to participate in an admission interview.
6. Three reference letters (download PDF form) specifically discussing professional and/or academic interests and aptitude for MSW education. References are to be limited to individuals familiar with academic and/or professional abilities.
7. Submission of a personal statement. Personal statements should be 8–10 pages long (double spaced), and include attention to each of the following:
   1. Motivation for pursuing MSW education, including relevant background experiences and professional goals.
   2. Professional and volunteer experiences related to social work.
   3. Expectations regarding attending a Christian university for MSW Program, and approach to faith integration in scholarship and service. Although no admissions requirements exist regarding faith orientation, Christian and other religious perspectives may be presented and discussed in classes.
   4. Discussion of a social problem of interest to you, including your perceptions of the causes of, and potential solutions to, the problem.
   5. Discussion of an ethical challenge you have encountered in professional, field, or volunteer work and how you resolved it.

Personal statements are assessed based on:

• Writing and organizational skills.
• Evidence of professional commitments to service and social justice.
• Self-awareness and maturity indicating readiness to successfully complete program requirements.
• Engagement in employment, volunteer work, leadership activities, and/or other experiences relevant to professional social work.

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. CIS and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified by the program.

International applicants must:

• Meet all standard admission requirements above
  International applicants must fulfill the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above in addition to meeting the following criteria.
• Demonstrate proficiency in English
  Applicants should refer to APU’s English Proficiency Requirements to learn more.

International applicants must also submit:

• An International Graduate Application
  (Apply Online | Download PDF)
  Note: This application should be used instead of the domestic graduate application.
• A $65 (U.S.) nonrefundable application fee
  Note: This fee is submitted in place of the $45 nonrefundable application fee for domestic applicants.
• Official transcripts
  Request that official transcripts be sent to APU’s International Center for all degrees, certificates, and credentials earned prior to application to APU. Read more about APU’s international applicant transcript policy.

• Proof of English Proficiency
  Request that official TOEFL/IELTS test scores be sent directly to APU. Any other forms of proof indicated in the university’s English Proficiency Requirements must be submitted directly to the International Center. Applicants applying for conditional admission through ALCI must submit an ALCI application (PDF). For more information, read our English Proficiency Requirements for Graduate and Doctoral Programs.
• An affidavit of financial support and a bank statement
  International applicants must provide an affidavit of support and a bank statement proving financial ability to pay for educational costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• A copy of a valid passport.
• A résumé showing work experience
  International applicants must submit a current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) that demonstrates recent work experience.
• Three recommendations
  Two from academic and/or professional sources, and one from a personal source (no family members). All recommendations must use the APU Graduate Recommendation Form (PDF).

Submit all materials to:

International Center
Azusa Pacific University
901 E. Alosta Ave.
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
USA
+1-626-815-3055
Fax: +1-626-815-3801
Email IC

What to Expect

After the International Center receives all admission materials, a committee of department faculty review the applicant’s file. The applicant is then notified of the committee's decision.