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School of Social Work and Sociology

TBA, Dean; James Boyd (MSW Program Director), Cindee Bailey, Sherrice Croft, Cheris Current, Karen Emerson, Robert Gardner, Kevin Grussling, Deisy Haid, Randi Hankins, Amanda Lewis, Kayleith Pellandini, Pamela Bing Perry, Heather Rodriguez, Susan B. Smith, Ann Szalda-Petree, Heather Vonderfecht, Laurellé Warner

The Wilma Hepker School of Social Work and Sociology offers a Master of Social Work degree with a clinical focus that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program’s clinical focus emphasizes direct practice with individuals, groups, couples and families. A competency-based model of education is used that evaluates student learning outcomes based upon CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Social work competence is defined as the student’s ability to integrate and apply knowledge, values and skills in professional settings for the well-being of clients. Self-awareness, critical thinking and reflection are utilized to aid the learning process.

Students are admitted to the MSW program in either the Regular Standing 2-year cohort or in the 4-quarter Advanced Standing program. The 2-year Regular Standing program is designed to prepare students for generalist practice in the first year and clinical practice in the second year of study. The Advanced Standing program is restricted to students with a BSW degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA that prepared them for generalist practice at a CSWE accredited social work program and meet the admissions criteria (see below) for Advanced Standing which deemed them ready to participate in a clinically focused MSW program.

Admission. Applicants for both Regular Standing and Advanced Standing must first meet the minimum expectations set forth in the Graduate Bulletin under the section titled “Admission Requirements.” Additionally all applicants must provide a current resume and an admissions essay reflecting the following criteria:

Statement of Purpose

Address the areas described below (1 page or less).

  1. Briefly address what motivates you to seek a Master’s of Social Work degree?
  2. Why is Walla Walla University a good fit for you personally and professionally?
  3. Career goals and experiences that will contribute to your success as a graduate student and professional social worker.
  4. Academic and practice interests.
  5. Professional contributions you hope to make to the field of social work

Personal Statement

Address the characteristics and accomplishments that support your application to the MSW program (1-2 pages).

1. Characteristics that demonstrate your potential in the WWU MSW program including:

    1. Collaboration with others.

    2. Leadership ability.

    3. Ability to empathize with others, especially those who are different from you.

    4. Communication and language skills (oral, written, bilingual, etc.).

    5. Awareness of your personal biases and privileges.

    6. Perseverance in overcoming obstacles (economic, discrimination, criminal justice, etc.).

2. Notable accomplishments that demonstrate your potential in the WWU MSW program including:

    1. Paid and/or practicum Social Work practice experience.
    2. Professional paid experiences or military service.
    3. Community involvement and voluntary service.
    4. Educational accomplishments and areas of focused study.

3. What do you see as your strengths and areas needing improvement?

4. If your cumulative GPA does not meet minimum standards for admission (3.0, Advance Standing; 2.75, Regular Standing) indicate special circumstances why we should consider your conditional admission.

Social Problem Analysis
Analyze a social problem of significant concern to you. Assume that you have available resources at your disposal (2-3 pages).

  • Describe the problem, competing perspectives on the issues and groups impacted.
  • What makes this a problem?
  • Contributing factors to the cause of the problem.
  • Prevention efforts to reduce or eliminate the problem.
  • Solution(s) and challenges that may impact the proposed solution(s).
  • Why in your opinion should society be concerned about this issue?
  • What role do you envision yourself playing as a social worker in addressing this issue?

There are no additional criteria for acceptance as a Regular Standing MSW student.

Those considered for Advanced Standing must meet the following minimum criteria:

  1. Hold a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited undergraduate social work program, a program recognized through the CSWE International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.
  2. Have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent if international.

Transfer Students. A student who wishes to transfer from another school and/or MSW program into the MSW program at WWU must provide a letter of good standing from their current school. Classroom courses and/or supervised field practicum completed in other CSWE accredited graduate schools of social work may be accepted for credit toward the MSW degree when such courses and supervised field practicum are considered equivalent to work offered in the WWU Social Work program. Students accepted must complete at least 40 graduate credits while in residence at Walla Walla University for the MSW degree.

Course Waivers/Transfers. Waivers of academic requirements based on coursework completed in another degree program are considered through a petition process on a case by case basis. Only courses on the student’s official transcript taken in a CSWE accredited program will be considered for waiver of required coursework. Coursework taken in any other accredited program will only be considered for transfer in as elective credit provided the coursework has not be used toward another academic degree.