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The Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Admission to the social work major is based upon application. Admission to Eastern Connecticut State University does not constitute admission to the social work major.
Social work majors should plan to complete their final 40 credits of undergraduate work completing the major requirements. Usually, students will complete the junior and senior year full time, finishing 60 credits within this foursemester period.
Application to the major should be made by January 31 of the year in which students expect to begin their junior year in August. Applications are accepted once per year to join a cohort of social work majors who begin the program during the fall semester and complete the program in May approximately two years later. Thus students expecting to graduate in May 2020 should apply to the social work major in January, 2018.
Social Work Degree Requirements
All applications for the social work major must be sent via email.
Please review this information carefully prior to completing the application.
Your request to become a social work major indicates your willingness to enter a profession that serves the public good.
As such your application indicates your awareness of and agreement with the NASW Code of Ethics and the behavioral standards established by Eastern’s Social Work Program.
Please review the Social Work Handbook, the NASW Code of Ethics, and the Social Work Program course of study to insure that this is the right major for you.
Please review the application using the pdf application document and prepare all required materials, You should prepare the following documents to be submitted with your application.
Credits Earned
Students should have earned approximately 45 credits by the time of the application and have a plan to graduate in in May, two years later, when they have completed 120 credits.
Prior Fieldwork
Students must have completed at least 20 hours of field experience at a human service agency that provides active learning and exposure to social work practice.
Professional Reference
A reference from a professional who has supervised you in human services setting is a requirement for admission. Students, faculty, staff, relatives or friends cannot provide this reference.
Behavioral andCommunity Standards
If you have violated higher education or legal standards including current arrest or conviction of a felony, current oversight by the judicial or correctional systems, or university disciplinary action you will be asked to provide details to assess your readiness for the major.
Foundation Courses
You should have completed Introduction to Social Work (SWK 200) or the equivalent course, and at least three of the five foundation courses. (You must complete all five foundation courses by the time you enter the major.) These are foundation content in Sociology, Psychology, American Government, Human Biology and cultural Anthropology.
Conditional Consideration
If you have not completed Introduction to Social Work, or at least four of the foundation courses but expect to complete these by the end of the spring semester, make your preliminary application by January 31. Indicate that you will complete these requirements by the end of the spring semester. If seats are available at the end of the spring semester, you may update your application by emailing the Program Coordinator, indicate that your pre-requisites are complete and request that you be considered for fall admission.
These criteria are employed in choosing candidates for the social work major:
GPA
Special attention is given to grades earned in liberal arts and professional foundation courses and the progression of students’ academic record. An overall GPA of at least 2.3 ('C+') is expected for program admission. Admission to the SWK major is based on a variety of variables in addition to GPA, thus all students with a strong desire to be social workers are encouraged to apply
Foundation and Liberal Arts Courses and Credits Earned
Completion of SWK 200 and five foundation areas is required for formal major program admission. Students may receive acceptance into the major with four of the five foundation course credits earned if they are completing the fifth course during the spring semester. Students who have not met the pre-requisites may apply prior to their completion and receive conditional acceptance.
Students should have an academic plan that shows readiness to graduate in about two years post application. This generally means that full time students will have earned about 45 credits. Students who have already received a bachelor degree or who have earned more than 75 credits should speak with the Program Coordinator prior to making application to the major.
Evidence of Commitment to Social Work’s Mission and Values
Within the student’s essay, there must be evidence of the applicant’s understanding of and commitment to the ideals and mission of the social work profession.
Diversity
The applicant’s potential for enriching diversity in the Social Work Program through life experience or membership in an underrepresented demographic group will be positively considered in the acceptance process. The Social Work Program actively seeks diversity in its social work majors. We encourage applications from persons of color and other underrepresented groups.
Behavior
Personal behavior in the University and community demonstrating potential for adherence to the ethical expectations and obligations of professional social work practice will be considered as factors in major acceptance.
Applications are due on January 31 prior to fall admission.
Admissions decisions will be conveyed to applicants who have complete applications on January 31, by March 15.
Later applications will be accepted as long as space remains for additional students.
The Eastern Connecticut State University Social Work Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, political or sexual orientation in admission to, access to, treatment in or employment in its programs and activities.
Eastern Connecticut State University is committed to following the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you are a student with a disability (or think you may have a disability), and require adaptations or accommodations please contact the Office of AccessAbility Services (OAS) at 860-465-0189 to discuss your request. Students with special learning or other needs should discuss these with the Program Coordinator at the time of application so that reasonable accommodations can be made as necessary.
This information is provided to students and applicants for their general information and guidance only. It does not constitute a contract, either express or implied, and is subject to revision at the University’s discretion. Information contained here is intended to complement, not replace, the contents of the University catalog and student handbook. Students should be aware that additional requirements may be imposed (even once a plan of study has been prepared) if such requirements are imposed by outside licensing or accrediting agencies. A plan of study may be subject to revision to reflect such additional requirements. The Social Work Program is bound by all Eastern Connecticut State University policies.