Apply

Admissions

Program Admission Overview

Students may declare social work as their major upon admission to Lincoln University. However, declaring social work as a major does not guarantee admission to the Social Work Program. All students intending to graduate with a BSSW degree are required to complete the formal application process.

 

Life Experience & Work Experience Policy

The Social Work Program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience. This policy follows the accreditation standards set forth by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

 

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Social Work Program requires students to meet the following criteria:

  • Submission of a formal application via Microsoft Forms
  • Completion of forty-two credit hours by the end of the application period
  • Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 or higher at the time of application
  • A grade of "C" or above in the following courses by the end of the application period:

Social Work Courses

  • SW 150 Introduction to Social Work
  • SW 250 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
  • SW 251 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II

General Education Courses Required in the Major

  • PSY 101 General Psychology
  • S/A 201 Introduction to Sociology
  • PSC 203 American National Government
  • MAT 117 Elementary Statistics

For additional information about the admission process, contact the BSW Program Director in 11 Frank Hall.

 

Application Process

The following outlines the application process and timeline for admission to the Social Work Program:

  1. The Social Work Program hosts an application orientation session during weeks three through five of the Spring semester. Attendance is strongly encouraged. Students who meet the criteria during the Fall semester will meet individually with the BSW Program Director during the same period.
  2. Microsoft Forms applications are distributed by Friday of the sixth week of the semester to students who are declared social work majors, have earned at least thirty credit hours, are enrolled in at least twelve credit hours, and have completed or are enrolled in at least one prerequisite course.
  3. Applications are due on Sunday of the ninth week of the semester.
  4. Students receive one reminder to complete the application. Submissions may be updated until the application closes.
  5. The student is responsible for collecting and submitting all application materials.

The application includes the following materials:

  • Application data form, including bulletin year
  • Path to Graduation — a student-designed academic course plan in semester format showing completed and future courses required for the BSSW degree
  • Degree Audit from LU Self-Service
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Resume
  • Admission essay questions

 

Application Review

All applications are reviewed by Social Work Program faculty after the application period closes. Incomplete applications are not reviewed.

Each component of the application has its own rubric. Two or more social work faculty members each review and score all components of an application independently, producing a total score for each application. Faculty share their individual scores and students receive the average of those total scores. This process ensures that each component of the application is given equal consideration, promoting a fair and equitable review for all students. Applications are evaluated across the following components:

  • Application data form
  • Path to Graduation
  • Degree Audit
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Resume
  • Admission essay questions

Students receive an email notification of their admission decision during the eleventh week of the semester.

 

Admission Decisions

Admission decisions are based on whether students met all admission requirements and their application score. Students are notified of their admission decision by email during the eleventh week of the semester.

Students may receive one of the following admission decisions:

Full Admission

The student met all admission requirements and scored 70% or above on the application.

Provisional Acceptance

The student did not meet one or more admission requirements but scored 70% or above on the application. The student will be provided with a date by which their admission status will be reviewed.

Interview and Resubmit

The student did not meet one or more admission requirements and scored between 60% and 69% on the application. The student will be provided with an interview date and a deadline to resubmit supplemental materials. Students are encouraged to visit the Writing Center and Career Center prior to revising and resubmitting.

Denied Admission

The student submitted an incomplete application, or did not meet one or more admission requirements and scored 59% or below on the application.

Students admitted to the Social Work Program will complete a separate application process for field practicum placement. See the Degree Map for an overview of when this occurs in the program sequence, and visit the Field Education page for more information.