General (Foundation) Program Admissions Information
The deadline for applications for Fall 2024 is June 30th, 2024. (Applications for early decision is April 1st, 2024)
All students with a degree other than social work may apply to the Foundation program by following these steps:
1. Apply to the Graduate School by completing the online application.
2. Submit your official transcripts from all institutions you have attended to the Graduate School
- Students must have a 3.0 GPA in their last 60 hours of a liberal arts degree*
- The Admissions Committee will consider applicants with a GPA between 2.7 and 3.0*
3. Write an Essay regarding your desire to pursue your M.S.S.W. at West Texas A&M University:
- Length should be between 3-5 pages (three full pages of writing MINIMUM).
- The essay must contain proper APA citations.
- The essay must address your GPA if under a 3.0, and address the reasons for the GPA, any discrepancies between it and your abilities, and how you have remedied any issues contributing to a low GPA.
- Include your GPA for your last 60 hours (you must compute this).
- The essay must address your commitment to the core social work values as specified by the NASW Code of Ethics.
- The essay should provide insight as to why you want to enter the social work profession - what are your motivations?
- The essay should discuss why, in particular, you wish to attend WTAMU.
- Please double-space your essay.
- It should address relevant experience or other considerations.
- The M.S.S.W. program requires a great deal of writing. Thus, this essay is meant to be a demonstration of your writing skills. A substandard essay, even if you have a high GPA and excellent references, may result in denial of admission to the M.S.S.W. program.
4. Submit two letters of recommendation. Recommender information must be provided on your applicant portal.
- Volunteer supervisor in social work-related area
- Faculty Member (not a faculty member who will serve on the admissions committee)
- Others who know your work ethic, values, etc. - the qualities that would make you an effective social worker
5. Upload your completed essay to the Applicant Portal.
6. Send transcripts to the Graduate School as noted below. Incomplete applications will NOT be processed.
The Graduate School
West Texas A&M University
WTAMU Box 60215
Canyon, TX 79016-0001
7. A personal interview may be required, and casework experience may be taken into consideration.
*Students who do not have a liberal arts degree may be required to take leveling classes.
The Foundation Program can be completed in a little over two years with full-time attendance. If a student is enrolled part-time, it will take longer to complete but cannot take more than four years.