Advanced Standing Program Admissions
Applications must be submitted to the Graduate School no later than June 30th, 2024. Applications will be considered until the cohorts are full.
To qualify for the Fall 2024 Advanced Standing Program you must have a:
- a degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within the last 6 years, and
- a 3.0 GPA in social work classes, demonstrated by the SOCW prefix or applicable social work prefix from another CSWE-accredited institution (Please note: YOU must figure your GPA and include that in your essay as described below.)*
- The Admissions Committee will consider applicants with a GPA between 2.7 and 3.0.
If you have the above, you may apply to the Advanced Standing 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
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.
- Social Work related (supervisor at paid social work, field instructor, or volunteer in social-service related agency/field)
- Faculty Member (not a faculty member from WT’s Graduate Social Work Program who will serve on the admissions committee)
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 of any applicant, and social work experience may be taken into consideration.