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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. WHAT ARE THE SUGGESTED PREREQUSITES FOR THE PROGRAM?
    • There are several prerequisites suggested by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) for those entering MSW programs. They are reflective of a Liberal Arts perspective that includes two courses in Humanities; two courses in English Composition; one introductory course in each of the following social science research: Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, & Economics; one course with Human Biology content and one course in Statistics and Research. These courses give us an idea of what kind of academic preparation you have had but do not have a bearing on admission. Students should have completed an introductory statistics and research course with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
  2. WILL THERE BE A MINIMUM GPA AND GRE SCORE REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION?
    • An undergraduate degree with a 3.0 grade point average overall in all undergraduate course-work, or a 3.25 in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course-work. For advanced standing status the applicant should have a 3.25 grade point average overall.
    • Historically, the majority of our applicants have at least a minimum combined score of 800 or better on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam.
  3. WHAT IS ADVANCED STANDING, AND AM I ELIGIBLE?
    • The Advanced Standing, Master of Social Work program is available only to applicants possessing a Bachelor of Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program awarded in the last five years. Advanced Standing applicants must have earned a grade of “C” or better, or be in the process of completing: Social Welfare Policy, Research Methods, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Work Practice and Field Education. The application should include a copy of the final field evaluation. The Advanced Standing student will enroll for 9 semester hours in the summer session, and will be expected to fulfill the second year curriculum as noted in the full-time program.
  4. WHERE AND WHAT TIME ARE CLASSES HELD?
    • All Master of Social Work classes are held at Georgia State University’s downtown campus.
    • All Master of Social Work classes are held during the day, Monday through Friday. Field Placements are also during the working hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  5. WHAT IS THE POLICY FOR TRANSFER ADMISSIONS?
    • Transfer admissions are handled on a case-by-case basis. All transfer credit must be from a M.S.W. program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The student must have earned a grade of “B” or better in all transferable courses. The M.S.W. Admissions Committee will be responsible for reviewing the applicability of transfer credits. Questions regarding transfer credit should be directed to Renanda W. Dear, Director of Student and Community Services at (404) 413-1057.
  6. WHO SHOULD I GET TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS?
    • The School of Social Work requires the applicant to submit three Reference Forms. We suggest that at least one be an academic recommendation. Other recommendations should be sought from employers and/or supervisors from paid and/or volunteer work. It is suggested that a friend, relative, or peer not be used as a reference. Give recommenders adequate time to fill out the forms and write letters, and ask them to return the forms to you in a signed and sealed envelope, so that you can submit them with your application.
  7. HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY MATERIALS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED?
    • Upon receipt of your application packet in the Office of Academic Assistance in the College of Health and Human Sciences, you will receive notification via e-mail only. To check the status of your application on line you may go to gosolar.gsu.edu and click “admissions status”.
  8. WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED REGARDING MY ADMISSION STATUS?
    • For applications submitted by the February 1st priority deadline, written notification of admission will begin after April 1st. No admission decisions will be given by telephone.
  9. HOW MUCH DOES FULL-TIME TUITION COST AND HOW CAN I CHECK ON MY FINANCIAL AID PROCESS?
    • Please see Tuition and Fees for information on tuition costs.  You can check on your financial aid status by calling the Office of Student Financial Aid at (404) 651-2228 or online at GoSolar.
  10. WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
    • You can call or e-mail Renanda W. Dear, Director of Student & Community Services at (404) 413-1057 or socialwork@gsu.edu.
  11. THE PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR FILING M.S.W. APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 1ST.