FALL 2015 START BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM APPLICATION

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FALL 2015 START

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK

PROGRAM APPLICATION

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Admissions Instructions and Information

To apply for Fall 2015, the regular application period is open from February 13^th to April 17^th, 2015.

All students who wish to apply for the BSSW Program beginning in Fall 2015 must complete and submit the following application. All application materials must be submitted at the same time. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all items are complete. Complete packets are necessary for consideration into the program. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Step 1: Please fill out the application using Adobe on a computer Step 2: Print the entire application and sign where needed Step 3: Submit the application

Applications may be submitted three ways:

1. Emailing a completed application to [email protected]. Please scan the completed application to a computer and attach to an email. Attach the essay as a separate document.

2. Mailing a completed application and essay to:

Office of Social Work Student Services Campus Box 70, P.O. Box 173362 Denver, CO 80217-3362

3. Dropping off a completed application and essay to:

Department of Social Work

Central Classroom Building, Suite 201

A completed application packet includes the following five elements:

a. Completed Application for Admission (page 3) b. Signed Criminal History Information statement (page 4)

Applicants do not have to reveal their criminal history but all applicants do have to sign a statement of understanding of the issues with such a history.

c. Admissions Essay (page 5)

The essay should be typed, double-spaced and approximately 2-3 pages in length and should comply with academic writing standards.

d. Agreement of Completion Parts 1, 2 and 3 (pages 6, 7, and 8)

This is an agreement of completion between the student and the Department of Social Work. It ensures that the student will sequence through these courses as indicated, including social work courses that might be redefined by curriculum changes. By completing this form, the student agrees to complete the major as indicated in the university catalog and official departmental written materials.

e. Volunteer Experience Certification of Completion or SWK 1020 Introduction to Agency Experience (page 9) Applicants are required to have completed 30 hours of volunteer experience prior to entering the BSW Program. The form is signed by both the student and an agency representative and then scanned and uploaded onto the application submission page. If SWK 1020 was taken, please select Option A.

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Application for Admission

Please fill out the following information.

Personal Information

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: MSU Denver Student ID#:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MSU Denver email: Phone #:

Program Information

How many credits have you completed? ___________________What is your current cumulative GPA? ________________________

Are you a transfer student? Yes No

If yes, from where? (Please list all schools attended) ________________________________________________________________

Are you interested in the *Child Welfare Stipend? Yes No Intended Enrollment Status:

Full Time Part Time

Course Delivery Preference (Select all that apply):

On Campus Day On Campus Night Online

Hybrid

*Metropolitan State University of Denver is pleased to participate in the Child Welfare Stipend Program. Through federal and state funding provided by the Title IV-E of the Social Security Act and the Colorado Department of Human Services, we are able to offer a

limited number of stipends to students committed to working with families who use public child welfare services. This program is designed to invest in the education of students in order to attract qualified social workers to the field for child welfare. Please visit http://www.msudenver.edu/socialwork/childwelfarestipendprogram/ for more information regarding the Child Welfare Stipend.

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Criminal History & the Social Work Profession Information

The practice of Social Work as a profession may seem far off to you. However, before embarking on this program of study, it is important for you to consider whether you are going into a field that will allow you to do the work you have in mind.

If you have ever been convicted of ANY felony and/or of abuse, exploitation, or other offense of a child or an elder, we want you to be aware of potential barriers to you as a social work student or a professional social worker. These potential barriers are as follows:

a. difficulty or inability to find a field placement (field placement is required to graduate)

b. difficulty or inability to obtain social work licensure (rules and process for determination vary by state) c. difficulty or inability to obtain employment as a social worker (rules vary by agency)

If you have been convicted of the above mentioned offenses, the Department of Social Work at Metropolitan State University Denver does not prevent you from entering the BSSW program. We urge you to speak with the BSSW Program Director prior to admission to discuss your unique situation and help you to navigate these potential barriers, but again the Program Director cannot offer any guarantees regarding the above potential restrictions upon your practice.

Once you are a student in the program, we urge you to speak with the Field Office to discuss your situation. The Field Office will work closely with you in an effort to help secure a placement. Again, the Field Office and the BSSW Program cannot guarantee a placement.

Criminal History & the Social Work Profession Statement I have received and read the Criminal History and the Social Work Profession Information document.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Printed Name

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature Date

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Admissions Essay Instructions

Please include your Full Name and MSU Denver Student ID (900#) on all pages of your essay. The essay should be typed, double- spaced and approximately 2-3 pages in length. Your essay should comply with academic standards in writing. It is recommended that you save this essay as a PDF. *If you are emailing your application, please attach the essay as a separate document.

The Admissions Essay should address the following:

 The reason for selecting the social work major

 Long-term academic and career goals (does not have to be specific)

 Personal experiences and attributes that will contribute to student academic and professional success in social work

 Any work, volunteer, life challenges or life experiences that has shaped the decision to enter the field

 How you will manage the rigorous demands of the BSSW program

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Agreement of Completion Part 1

Required Prerequisites

This is an agreement of completion between the student and The Department of Social Work. It ensures that the student will sequence through these courses as indicated, including social work courses that might be redefined by curriculum changes. By completing this form, the student agrees to complete the major as indicated in the university catalog and official departmental written materials. If it is necessary to make changes to this agreement of completion, the student must complete a Revised Agreement of Completion and have it approved by a department advisor. Any deviation from the exact listing of these courses must be approved in writing by an

Academic Advisor in the Office of Social Work Student Services.

Select from the drop down box to indicate the status of the prerequisites. The options are:

1. Currently enrolled

2. Completed with a C- or better at MSU Denver 3. Planning to take in Summer 2015

4. Took at another institution

*If option 4 is selected, it is understood that transcripts will be sent as soon as possible to the MSU Denver Registrar to have an evaluation completed, this will be done prior to the beginning of the Fall 2015 semester. (If this has already been done, disregard) SWK 1010 Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work

SWK 1020 Introduction to Agency Experience OR

30 hours of Volunteer Experience SWK 2010 Quantitative Thinking ENG 1010 Freshman Composition ENG 1020 Freshman Composition II Math

One of the following:

SPE 1010 Public Speaking

SPE 1710 Interpersonal Communications HON 2950 The Art of Critical Thinking One of the following:

BIO 1000 Human Biology for Non Majors BIO 1030 General Biology for Non Majors BIO 1080 General Biology I

PSY 1001 Introduction to Psychology PSC 1010 American National Government One of the following:

SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology ANT 1310 Cultural Anthropology ANT 2330 Cross-Cultural Communication

Choose one:

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Agreement of Completion Part 2

Required Social Work Courses

Required Social Work courses are sequential and must be completed in the correct order and with a ‘C-‘or better. If a student fails to complete a course, an adjusted schedule may be required. The Office of Social Work Student Services will contact the student via email if an adjusted schedule is needed. Failure to complete the program as planned will delay graduation by a semester or more.

Sample BSSW Full Time Plan

Fall Semester Junior Year Spring Semester Junior Year

(Apply for Field Placement in February)

Course Credits Course Credits

SWK 3050 Human Behavior & the Social Environ. I 3 SWK 3060 Human Behavior & the Social Environ. II 3

SWK 3790 Scientific Inquiry for Social Work Practice 3 SWK 3810 Generalist Practice II 4

SWK 3410 Generalist Practice I 3 *SWK 3780 Social Welfare Policy 3

*SWK 3090 Philosophy of Social Work 3 SWK 3890 Practice of Scientific Inquiry 3

*SWK 3120 Privilege, Oppression & Power 3 SWK 3820 Agency Experience 2

Total Credits 15 Total Credits 15

Fall Semester Senior Year Spring Semester Senior Year

(Apply for Graduation in early February)

SWK 4010 Generalist Practice III 4 SWK 4410 Generalist Practice IV: Cross-Cultural Issues 3

SWK 4780 Applied Practice Evaluation I 2 SWK 4820 Applied Practice Evaluation II 2

SWK 4790 Professional Field Experience I 4 SWK 4810 Professional Field Experience II 4

*SWK Elective (Minimum 6 credits Upper Division in Senior Year) 3 *SWK Elective (See note for Fall Semester) 3

Sample BSSW Part Time Plan

Fall Semester Junior Year (Semester 1) Spring Semester Junior Year (Semester 2)

SWK 3050 Human Behavior & the Social Environ. I 3 SWK 3060 Human Behavior & the Social Environ. II 3

*SWK 3090 Philosophy of Social Work 3 *SWK 3780 Social Welfare Policy 3

Fall Semester Junior Year (Semester 3) Spring Semester (Semester 4)

(Apply for Field Placement in February)

SWK 3410 Generalist Practice I 3 SWK 3810 Generalist Practice II 4

SWK 3790 Scientific Inquiry for Social Work Practice 3 SWK 3890 Practice of Scientific Inquiry 3

*SWK 3120 Privilege, Oppression & Power 3 SWK 3820 Agency Experience 2

Fall Semester Senior Year (Semester 5) Spring Semester Senior Year (Semester 6)

SWK 4010 Generalist Practice III 3 SWK 4410 Generalist Practice IV: Cross-Cultural Issues 3

SWK 4780 Applied Practice Evaluation I 3 SWK 4820 Applied Practice Evaluation II 2

Fall Semester Senior Year (Year 2) Spring Semester Senior Year (Year 2)

(Apply for Graduation in early February)

SWK 4790 Professional Field Experience I 4 SWK 4810 Professional Field Experience II 4

*SWK Elective (Minimum 6 credits Upper Division in Senior Year) 3 *SWK Elective (See note for Fall Semester) 3

Total credits 7 Total Credits 7

*These courses can also be taken over the summer semester. If you are interested in this option, please schedule an appointment with an advisor once you have been accepted into the program.

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Agreement of Completion Part 3

1. I understand that it is my responsibility to follow the sequence of Social Work courses that I agreed to. I will not be able to move forward in the Social Work program if I deviate from these written requirements of the Department of Social Work. I am aware that I may access this information via the university catalog, or Department of Social Work website (http://www.msudenver.edu/socialwork).

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature Date

2. I understand that if the Office of Social Work Student Services finds that I have not followed the correct sequence of classes and/or have not adhered to the course prerequisites, I will be dropped from required Social Work courses and placed on Academic Alert.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. I understand that to graduate from MSU Denver I must complete a total of 120 credits. The Department of Social Work does not require a minor. I understand that it is my responsibility to review my CAPP Report, meet with my Social Work Academic Advisor and make sure that all of my general studies requirements, Social Work requirements, and additional general elective requirements have been met at the time I apply for graduation.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Volunteer Experience

Certification of Completion or SWK 1020 Introduction to Agency Experience

The BSSW Program at Metropolitan State University of Denver requires that students complete 30 hours of volunteer experience prior to entering the major. This can be completed two different ways:

Option A: Enrolling in SWK 1020 Introduction to Agency Experience and receiving a C- or better Option B: Completing 30 hours of volunteer experience and submitting the Certification of Completion

If Option B is selected, the volunteer experience must reflect work in a helping capacity with others. Please only include hours for those activities that involve direct interaction with clients in a social service agency. A supervisor or administrator of the agency must sign this form. Experience prior to high school graduation cannot be counted.

I completed my Volunteer Experience: ____________________________________________________________________________

Student Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Agency or Organization: ________________________________________________________________________________

Dates of Activities: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Description of Activities:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I, [Agency Supervisor’s name and title] _________________________ certify that [Applicant’s name] _________________________

has completed 30 hours of volunteering with this agency completing the direct service activities that are described above.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Agency Supervisor’s Signature Date

Choose one: