Admissions
Admission Procedures
There are two admissions processes. An applicants must be admitted to the Graduate College at Boise State University and to the Master of Social Work Program in the School of Social Work. Acceptance by the Graduate College does not constitute admission to the MSW program. Admission to our MSW programs is decided by the MSW Admissions Committee of the School of Social Work.
STEP 1. Applying to the Graduate College
The following steps are necessary to complete your application to the Graduate College:
1. Fill out and submit a Graduate College application
2. Have the registrar of each college or university you have previously attended send an official transcript directly to the Graduate Admissions Office
Graduate admissions information and applications are available online and may be submitted on line. Please visit the Graduate College website for more information. There is a $55 nonrefundable application processing fee.
Graduate Admissions Office Boise State University 1910 University Drive Boise, ID 83725 (208) 426-3903When these items are received by the Graduate Admissions Office, they will be reviewed and a recommendation will be sent to the School of Social Work.
STEP 2. Applying to the School of Social Work
Criteria for admission into the MSW program:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a distribution of liberal arts courses
- An overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher and a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the junior and senior years of undergraduate study.
Boise State MSW programs are small. We admit approximately 22 students for each cohort of our programs (Full and Advanced-Standing Programs in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, and Twin Falls). The admission process is competitive, and the application should reflect your best professional thinking and writing.
To apply:
1. Download a copy of the MSW Application Form
2. Decide the program and program location you want to apply for. You may list a second or third choice if you wish.
3. Fill out SECTION I: Personal data, SECTION IV: Language and cultural competence, and SECTION V: Criminal record and print a copy for inclusion in your application packet.
4. Write your Personal Statement following the instructions in SECTION II of the MSW Application Form.
5. If you are applying for an Advanced Standing Program, answer the questions in SECTION III of the MSW Application Form.
6. Prepare a professional resume following the guidelines in SECTION VI of the MSW Application Form.
7. Download, fill in your identifying information, and print out three copies of the MSW Letter of Recommendation Form. Distribute these to the persons who are providing your references.
8. Make copies of transcripts for all previous college or university study for inclusion in your application packet. These may be unofficial transcripts.
9. Submit all of your application materials together in a sealed envelope (including the Letters of Recommendation). Send your materials to the following address even if you are applying for the program other than Boise.
BSU School of Social Work
Graduate Program
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 83725-1940
Decisions and Deadlines
Boise – Admissions committee will begin reviewing applications on January 6th, 2012. Depending on the number of applications we receive, decisions are usually known by mid-March for the advanced standing program and by mid-April for the two-year program.
Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston – Applications will be reviewed by the admissions committee on a rolling admissions basis. Priority applications are due by December 15th, 2011 (Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston) and January 6th, 2012 (Twin Falls). After the priority application deadline, rolling applications deadlines are February 1st, March 1st, and April 1st for the remaining available seats.
Additional Information
To learn more about our programs or application procedures, you can contact Donna Deason at (208) 426-4044, or contact directly external site Coordinators.
School of Social Work MSW Program Coordinator Boise State University 1910 University Drive, MS-1940 Boise, ID 83725-1940 Ph: 208-426-1568 socialwork@boisestate.edu Coeur d’Alene MSW Coordinator Heath B. Walters, Ph.D. LICSW, ACS Boise State University 1031 N. Academic Way Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 Ph: (208) 292-2679 Fax: (208)-666-6712 HeathWalters@BoiseState.Edu Lewiston MSW Coordinator Sue Martin, LMSW, C-SSWS, ACSW BSU School of Social Work, LCSC Campus 500 8th Avenue Lewiston, ID 83501 Ph: 208-792-2783 Fax: 208-792-2571 SueMartin@BoiseState.Edu Twin Falls MSW Coordinator Jamie Kelley, LCSW, ACSW College of Southern Idaho Campus Aspen Building 315 Falls Avenue, P.O. Box 1238 Twin Falls, ID 83303-1238 Ph: 208-933-2361 Toll Free: 1-800-680-0274 ext. 2361 JamieKelley2@BoiseState.EduThe MSW Admissions Committee is composed of the Coordinator of the MSW Program, two Social Work faculty members, the Social Work Practicum Director, and two professional social work practitioners. Following review and evaluation of your application file, you will be notified regarding your status.
Graduate Record Examination
The Graduate Record Exam is not required for admission to Boise State University Master of Social Work programs. Applicants whose grade point averages do not fully reflect their academic ability may choose to take the GRE to strengthen their application.