Once a BSW student has obtained 60 credits with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 (either at WMU in the social work major or have obtained 60 credits from an institution that has a shared articulation agreement with the School of Social Work), students may apply to the accelerated MSW program. This program allows students to take 12 credits of graduate-level foundation social work classes (SWRK 6100, SWRK 6310, SWRK 6330, and SWRK 6400) in place of the traditional undergraduate social work courses. These 12 credits will count both as credits towards their undergraduate degree and as graduate credits.
General information necessary for admission includes:
- Completion of the Accelerated Master of Social Work program application
- Submission of all academic transcripts
- Supplemental (personal) statement
- Resume
- Three professional references. One academic reference recommended
- WMU Graduate College Application
All applications are submitted to Office Admissions and Student Services of the School of Social Work. The deadline for submitting applications to the Accelerated Program is April 1 of each year. Selection of students to be admitted to the Accelerated Program occurs after review by the Admissions Committee composed of social work faculty.
If a student is accepted into this program and maintains all standards, an offer of admissions to the graduate program at WMU School of Social Work will be automatic. If a student achieves a 3.25 GPA and receives no more than one grade below a "B" in a social work required course, then they will be offered admissions to the Advanced Standing MSW program (see graduate catalog). If the student maintains a 3.0 but does not meet the 3.25 requirements, they will continue into the Accelerated MSW program, which will require 48 graduate credit hours (12 fewer credits than a standard MSW). This allows students to secure a path to graduate school early in their undergraduate education and provides an opportunity to complete both degrees in a shorted period of time and at a lower cost.
SCHEDULE AND CAMPUS LOCATION: While undergraduate students both from the Southwest Campus and the Kalamazoo campus are eligible to apply, campus locations of the courses will vary based on the size of the cohort in any given year.