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Academic programs: MSW programs: admissions

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ADMISSION PROCEDURES

There are two admissions processes. All applicants must be admitted to the Graduate College at Boise State University and to the Master of Social Work Program in the School of Social Work. Acceptance by the Graduate College does not constitute admission to the MSW program. Admission to our MSW programs is decided by the MSW Admissions Committee of the School of Social Work.

STEP 1. APPLYING TO THE GRADUATE COLLEGE
The following steps are necessary to complete your application to the Graduate College:

  1. Fill out and submit a Graduate College application.
    Graduate admissions information and applications are available online and may be submitted on line. Send your application together with your $55 nonrefundable application processing fee to the Graduate Admissions office web-site.

  2. Have the registrar of each college or university you have previously attended send an official transcript directly to the Graduate Admissions Office:

Graduate Admissions Office
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725
(208) 426-3903

When these items are received by the Graduate Admissions Office, they will be reviewed and a recommendation will be sent to the School of Social Work.

STEP 2. APPLYING TO THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

Criteria for admission into the MSW program:

  1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a distribution of liberal arts courses

  2. An overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher and a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the junior and senior years of undergraduate study.

Boise State MSW programs are small. We admit approximately 22 students for each cohort of our programs (Full and Advanced-Standing Programs in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, and Twin Falls). The admission process is competitive. Your application materials should reflect your best professional thinking and writing. For Boise we review applications beginning in late January. For full consideration it is to your advantage to submit your complete application to the School before January 1. For our external programs in Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston and Twin Falls we use rolling admissions in which we review applications as soon as they are received. While we continue to review applications until all seats are filled with appropriate candidates, it is to your advantage to apply early. You will be informed of the outcome of your application no later than three weeks after we receive your completed application.

  1. Download a copy of the MSW Application Form ( fillable f PDF File)

  2. Decide the program and program location you want to apply for. You may list a second or third choice if you wish.
  3. Fill out SECTION I: Personal data, SECTION IV: Language and cultural competence, and SECTION V: Criminal record and print a copy for inclusion in your application packet.

  4. Write your Personal Statement following the instructions in SECTION II of the MSW Application Form.

  5. If you are applying for an Advanced Standing Program, answer the questions in SECTION III of the MSW Application Form.

  6. Prepare a professional resume following the guidelines in SECTION VI of the MSW Application Form.

  7. Download, fill in your identifying information, and print out three copies of the MSW Letter of Recommendation Form. Distribute these to the persons who are providing your references.

  8. Make copies of transcripts for all previous college or university study for inclusion in your application packet. These may be unofficial transcripts.

  9. Submit all of your application materials together in a sealed envelope (except for the Letters of Recommendation which will be sent in separately).  Send your materials to the site coordinator of the site which is your first choice.

School of social work
MSW program coordinator
William Rainford, Ph.D., MSW, LMSW
Boise State University
1910 University Drive, MS-1940
Boise, ID  83725-1940
Ph:  208-426-4044
willrainford@boisestate.edu

coeur d'alene MSW coordinator
Larry Cronin, MSW
Lewis-Clark State College
1000 West Hubbard Ave, Suite 144
Coeur d'Alene, ID, 83814
Ph: 208-292-2679
larrycronin@boisestate.edu

lewiston MSW coordinator
Sue Martin, MSW
School of Social Work LCSC Campus
500 8th Avenue
Lewiston, ID 83501
Ph: 208-792-2783
suemartin@boisestate.edu

TWIN FALLS MSW COORDINATOR
Jamie Kelley, LCSW, ACSW
School of Social Work
315 Falls Ave., P.O. Box 1238
Twin Falls, ID  83303-1238
Ph:  208-933-2361 – Toll Free: 1-800-680-0274, Ext. 2361
jamiekelley2@boisestate.edu

When your complete application is received by the School of Social Work, it will be combined with the Graduate College Recommendation form in your file for review by the MSW Admissions Committee.

The MSW Admissions Committee is composed of the Coordinator of the MSW Program, two Social Work faculty members, the Social Work Practicum Director, and two professional social work practitioners.  Following review and evaluation of your application file, you will be notified regarding your status.

For information, please contact:

MSW Program
School of Social Work E-716
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725-1940
(208) 426-4044
willrainford@boisestate.edu

 

GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION
The Graduate Record Exam is not required for admission to Boise State University Work Master of Social Work programs. Applicants whose grade point averages do not fully reflect their academic ability may choose to take the GRE to strengthen their application.