The College of Health Professions and Biomedical Science

School of Social Work

Application Process

Applying to The University of Montana's MSW program is a two-step process and involves fulfilling the requirements of UM's Graduate School and the requirements of the School of Social Work. Carefully follow the instructions outlined in areas one and two below before submitting your application.

The application deadline for the 2008 fall semester is February 15, 2008.

1. UM Graduate School Application Requirements

Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the "Admissions" section of the UM graduate catalog and include:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. (Submit transcripts of all college course work taken beyond high school)
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for all undergraduate work, based on a 4.00 scale.
• The GRE taken within the five years preceding the date of application. If the examination scores are older than five years, the applicant must produce the original GRE scores to meet this requirement. (The GRE can be taken anytime at an official testing center before the application deadline. For more information go to their website www.gre.org.)
• Three statements of recommendation (must include reference forms AND letters) completed and submitted by persons outside the applicant's extended family who have direct knowledge of the applicant's character and abilities. One reference must be academic.
• Graduate School Application Packet

2. MSW Program Application Requirements

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, the School of Social Work also requires the following:

• Evidence of a solid foundation in the liberal arts and the sciences, including course work in or knowledge of the social and behavioral sciences.
• A response to the essay questions below in lieu of the Graduate School's Personal Statement. Your response should total three to five typed double spaced pages (12 pt font).
  • Having read the mission of the UM-MSW program, how are your career goals consistent with the mission?
  • Describe a social problem that is of interest to you and describe the contribution you plan to make toward the resolution of the problem.
• A current résumé (include the following sections)
  • Education
  • Paid experience
  • Volunteer experience and community involvement
  • Activities

Please designate whether you are applying as a full time or a part time student.

If you are presenting a record that in your opinion does not reflect your potential, please tell the Admissions Committee why you think you can handle the demands of graduate education.

Please return all application materials at the same time. We cannot review your application unless it is complete. We prefer receiving applications materials all together in one large envelope. Note that all application materials for both The University of Montana's Graduate School and the Master of Social Work must be mailed at the same time to:

School of Social Work
MSW Program
Rankin Hall
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812

IMPORTANT!!

Applications will not be reviewed until all materials are received. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission. We prefer receiving application materials all together in one large envelope. Exceptions are:

1. College or universities who have a policy of sending official transcripts only to other colleges or universities.
2. Letters of recommendation that are sent directly to MSW program by the writer.
3. GRE scores sent directly to MSW program by Educational Testing Services.

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