Master of Social Work - FAQ

Generally, application packets for the next enrollment cycle are available by November 1st. DO NOT use an application from a previous year.

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The submission deadline is January 15, 2025.

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Application materials must be submitted to the FGCU Office of Graduate Studies. 

• The application and instructions for the Graduate Studies Application is located at https://www.fgcu.edu/graduatestudies/studentresources
• The MSW Supplemental Application Package is located at https://www.fgcu.edu/mariebcollege/socialwork/msw#AdmissionsInformation

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Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee between January 16 and March 31. Notices of acceptance or denial of admission are generally mailed to applicants during the first week in April.

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The minimum academic requirements for admission to the MSW program are:

• Earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university
• GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (during the last two years of undergraduate study)
• Submit evidence of broad coursework in the liberal arts:
  • 6 hours General Science (must include Human Biology) 
  • 6 hours English Composition
  • 6 hours Humanities
  • 6 hours Social Sciences 
  • 6 hours Quantitative Math
  • Successful completion of one course in statistics

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The GRE is not required for admission to the MSW program at FGCU.  If your GPA is below 3.0 you will be required to submit an exception letter stating why you should be considered for the program and what steps you have taken to mitigate the low GPA. Submitting an exception letter in this circumstances does not guarantee admission to the program.

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 YES. FGCU requires transcripts from all institutions previously attended even if the credits were articulated on another transcript. However, if you previously transferred from another institution to FGCU to complete your bachelor’s degree, you will not typically need to request transcripts again from your previous schools, because they may already be on file at FGCU. 

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NO. You will not need to request transcripts from FGCU.

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All applicants must pay the $30 application fee regardless of current student, alumni, or FGCU employment status.

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No.

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You can have the immunizations done again or have a titer test done which will determine if you have been immunized. Also consider contacting your alma mater as that institution may have required immunizations and be willing to fax the record to us. Immunizations and titer tests can be done by your physician, community health departments, or by Student Health Services (/mariebcollege/socialwork/msw_field.aspx ) on our campus.

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Recommendations should be completed by professors, supervisors, colleagues, or other individuals who know you on a professional basis. Family members or personal friends should not be asked to provide a reference.

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If you earned a B.S.W. degree from a program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) within five (5) years prior to your application/admission, earned a 3.5 GPA in your undergraduate social work courses (during the last two years of study), and have worked for one year (40 hours/week) in a social service capacity you may apply for admission to the Advanced Standing program. If admitted, you may receive up to 30 hours of course credit toward the 60 hour MSW program.

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NO. However, the Graduate Admissions Committee may determine course(s), if any, which may be waived when your complete application is reviewed for admission consideration.

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NO. However, the Graduate Admissions Committee may determine course(s), if any, which may be waived when your complete application is reviewed for admission consideration.

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Any courses that applied toward another degree cannot be used for credit toward the MSW. However, graduate level courses not credited toward another degree could be petitioned for consideration to fulfill elective credit requirements.

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Notices of acceptance or denial of admission are generally mailed to applicants during the first week in April.

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Field placements for all full-time students begin in the fall semester in which you enter the program. You will be contacted in May by the Field Coordinator to begin the placement process. For more information about the field education component of the MSW Program visit the following webpage: /mariebcollege/socialwork/msw_field.aspx

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NO. Previous experience working in the social work or a related field cannot be applied toward fulfillment of field education credit in the MSW program. However, prior experience is considered in the admission process.

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Employment-Based Field Placements may be possible, but ONLY IF specific criteria are met. These criteria are described in the MSW Program Field Manual. For more information go to the following webpage /mariebcollege/socialwork/msw_field.aspxand click on the “Field Manual” link and search for “Employment-Based Field Placement.”

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For information about available forms of financial aid visit the following websites:

• https://www.fgcu.edu/student-account-services/tuitionandfees/
• https://www.fgcu.edu/admissionsandaid/financialaid/graduate/

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Graduate assistantships are part-time hourly-waged or stipend employment opportunities for graduate students. They are available through academic departments and administrative units within the University. To find out if there are any assistantships available in the Department of Social Work, contact the program directly. To find out about available positions in other departments on campus, contact Career Development Services at 239.590.7946.

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Each of FGCU’s five colleges is allocated tuition waiver funds that can be awarded based on need and available funds. A tuition waiver will cover the matriculation fees. The student is responsible for state and local fees usually totaling about $50 per credit hour. If approved, your waiver will be posted to your account through the Financial Aid and Scholarship office just prior to the start of the semester.

• Students may download an application from the following webpage: https://www.fgcu.edu/admissionsandaid/financialaid/graduate/and click on the “Graduate Tuition Waiver Application” link. Complete the application and submit it to the Graduate Studies office prior to the posted deadline.
• The Department of Social Work also has supplemental requirements. Go to the following webpage: https://www.fgcu.edu/student-account-services/tuitionandfees/ and click the “Tuition Waiver Guidelines and Application” link.

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There are few scholarships, if any. At times, however, outside organizations will communicate scholarship opportunities directly to the University and/or program representatives. Check with the Office of Financial Aid and the Department of Social Work to see if any are available.

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YES. Non-degree seeking students may take the following two courses prior to being accepted into the master's of social work program: Social Welfare & History  and Social Policy Analysis.  These courses must be taken in order,you must earn a grade of B or higher and request that they be applied toward fulfilling course credit requirements for the MSW degree. Completion of these courses will allow you to bring in up to six (6) credit hours into the program if you are accepted.

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YES. All incoming MSW students for both the regular and Advanced Standing MSW programs must attend the MSW New Student Orientation.

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