MSW Program

Admission Overview

Bridgewater State University's Social Work Department invites applications from those who are interested in making a positive difference in the lives of the residents of Southeastern Massachusetts. The Admissions Committee reviews all applications and accepts candidates who demonstrate personal and academic qualifications necessary for success as a graduate student and as an autonomous social work practitioner. Enrollment in the MSW program begins in the fall semester.

A thorough perusal of this website should answer any questions you may have pertaining to specific program requirements.  If you find you still have questions, please contact the MSW program coordinator, Dr. Mark Brenner, at Mark.Brenner@bridgew.edu. 

Admission Criteria for the Full-Time or Part-Time Program

Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. A liberal arts background with some coursework in the social, behavioral and biological sciences is strongly preferred. Applicants with other backgrounds may be asked to take additional coursework prior to matriculation in the program. Please contact Dr. Alcon by email with questions about additional coursework.

Applicants must present evidence of the ability to complete graduate study. Applicants should have attained a GPA of 3.0 in their last 60 credits, although an exception might be made in unusual circumstances. The GRE is not required.

In a limited number of cases, courses completed in another accredited graduate school of social work may be accepted as Foundation year credit, if that course was completed within two years of entrance into Bridgewater's MSW program. Only those courses graded B or above and a maximum of 30 credits may be admitted in transfer.

Individuals applying should demonstrate evidence of personal maturity, including the ability to withstand difficult emotional challenges, a commitment to interpersonal processing within the parameters of cultural expectations, respect for others and for their life decisions, a readiness to learn advanced clinical and macro practice and research skills, a commitment to social justice and to the profession's Code of Ethics, and a capacity for flexibility and creativity.

Preference will be given to applicants having had post-baccalaureate work experience. Academic credit, however, cannot be given for prior life and work experience.

Admission Criteria for the Advanced Standing Program

A record of strong academic performance with a 3.0 GPA in social work courses is required. Only courses in which the applicant earned a grade of B or above will be accepted for advanced standing, except in extenuating circumstances.

Applicants must indicate the Advanced Standing option on the application and must meet the criteria for admission noted above. Please note that you must also supply the year you received your BSW degree.  Candidates must submit their final field placement evaluation forms. One letter of reference must be from an agency supervisor and another should be from the faculty advisor who was responsible for overseeing the 400-hour senior field experience.

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Last Modified: September 7, 2011