September 28, 2007

Dear Prospective MSW Students:

            Congratulations on your desire to continue your education at the University of Mississippi. I am excited that the Department of Social Work has been granted the opportunity to offer the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.  The MSW program will offer a clinical concentration.  Students will gain the advanced knowledge, values, and skills to work in a variety of clinical settings in the health, mental health, aging, child welfare and administrative fields of practice.

            Our outstanding faculty has a wide range of practice experience from which to draw to enhance student learning.  They also contribute regularly to the knowledge base of the profession.  Their achievements have also been recognized both nationally and locally.  The chair of the department was recently awarded the Outstanding Program Director of the Year Award in 2006 by the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors and two faculty members received the School of Applied Sciences, Thomas Crowe Outstanding Teaching Award in 2005. Faculty members have also developed study abroad programs in South Africa, England, and Belize.

            The MSW program is designed for students who want to work and continue their education.  There will be two tracks: a three-year 60-hour track and a two-year 36-hour track.  The three year track is planned for students who do not have a bachelor degree in social work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within the past five years. The three-year program will begin in the fall 2008. The two-year program is designed for those highly qualified students who have completed a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited program within the past five years. The two-year program is scheduled to start in the fall 2009.
           
            The faculty and I are in the process of seeking accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education. The first phase of the accreditation process that we are working to achieve is candidacy status by June 30, 2009.  I am delighted that you are interested in our Program, and look forward to working with you in the future. I welcome further exploration into the MSW Program at the University of Mississippi, and extend an invitation to call or visit for additional information.

Sincerely,

Carol Minor Boyd, Ed.D., ACSW, ACSWCM, LCSW
Chair and Professor of Social Work

General Admission Information

Prospective students should understand that admission to the Master of Social Work Program is competitive, limited in number, and dependent upon the availability of faculty. Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee admission.

The MSW Program will be designed to be a 3-year program where students complete 9 hours per fall and spring semesters and 6 hours during the summer until the courses (60 hours) are completed. A small cohort of students will be admitted during the spring of 2008. The first class will enter in the fall 2008 and remain in the program until classes are completed. Students who meet the requirements for the Advanced Standing Program can complete coursework in 2 years and will begin in the program in the fall 2009.

Admission Requirements (Regular)

In addition to meeting regular Graduate School requirements, students seeking Regular admission to the Master of Social Work Program must meet or submit the following:

• Completion of the following liberal arts courses: Statistics, psychology, sociology, human biology and 12 hours of electives in the social or behavioral sciences.
• Resume, Personal Autobiographical Statement, Essay, Background Check, 3 letters of recommendation

 Application deadline: April 1, 2008

Admission Requirements (Advanced Standing)

In addition to the requirements for Regular admission, students seeking admission to the Advanced Standing Program for the Master of Social Work must meet the following:

• 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
• 3.0 Overall GPA
• Completion of Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited program within the last five years

Application deadline: April 1, 2009