Questions most frequently asked about

Frequently Asked Questions

About the application process

• What is the application process?
• Where do I send the reference letters?
• If I attended Texas State as an undergraduate, do I have to submit my Texas State transcript?
• How many transcripts do I need to supply?
• Do I have to have an undergraduate degree to apply?
• How do I obtain applications?
• What are the application deadlines?
• Do I really have to take the GRE?
• When can I take the GRE? How much does it cost?
• Can I send in my application paperwork without taking the GRE?
• Does the School do criminal background checks on applicants?

About the admission process

• How does the School Admissions Committee decide who to admit?
• What are the entrance requirements for the MSW Program?
• What is meant by a “human biology” course?
• If I have not taken a statistics course which applies, where can I take one?
• Can I be admitted if I haven’t taken these courses or if my GPA is too low?
• If my GPA is a lot lower than 3.0, what can I do?
• My GRE score is a lot lower than 900. What can I do?
• Do you have other suggestions about how I can make my application look better?
• How long does it take to receive a decision letter on my application?
• What if the School declines to accept my application?
• If I am accepted but then find that I can’t start the program in the next class, how long is my application valid?
  

• What is the Regular Track program?
• What is the Advanced Standing program?
• Will I have a major or specialization in the program?
• What’s the difference between direct practice and administration?
• What will my diploma say?
• Does the MSW program offer a minor?
• I work. Can I attend part-time?
• I work full-time and I want to go to school full-time. Can I?
• What is considered full-time study?
• When are classes scheduled?
• Are any classes offered off-campus?
• Can I enroll as a special student?
• How much does tuition run at Texas State?
• Can I get financial help?

About application process

• The application process involves two steps: first, the applicant must apply to Texas State Graduate College, and next, the applicant must apply to the School of Social Work.
• The Graduate College requires an official application, a fee, and all official transcripts of previous college study, both graduate and undergraduate. These items should be submitted directly to the Graduate College at Texas State. Contact the Graduate College through the web at www.gradcollege@txstate.edu or at 512-245-2581 for current fees.
• The application to the MSW program requires an official application, essays, and three letters of recommendation (on the School’s forms) from people who are competent to assess the candidate’s ability to succeed in graduate school. These items should be submitted directly to the Texas State School of Social Work.

• All reference letters go directly to the School of Social Work. We prefer that they be submitted with the application packet, so that all your information is together.


• No. Texas State will provide that transcript to the Graduate College.

• One transcript is required on all college course work.

• A college senior may apply. However, admission is contingent on the applicant’s proof that he/she has obtained a baccalaureate degree.

• The Graduate College application is available on the web (http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/) or in the Graduate Catalogue. The email address is gradcollege@txstate.edu.

• The School considers applications on a rolling basis, so early applications are considered early. Consequently, it is to the applicant’s advantage to file his/her application early in order to secure a place in the class.
• The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications of advanced standing students on December 1 for the class that begins the program in the following June.
• The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications of regular track students on February 1 for the class that begins the program the following fall.
• Late applications are considered and placed on a waiting list if all spaces in the class are filled.

• The GRE is no longer required.  You may submit your GRE score to the Graduate College, however, if you wish the admissions committee to consider the score in the review process.

• You can take the Graduate Record Exam anytime. Call 1-800-473-2255 for information or visit their website.

About the admissions process

• The Admissions Committee reviews a number of factors to determine which applicants are most likely to succeed in graduate social work education.

• We examine

1. previous college GPAs,
2. the content and clarity of the applicant’s essay
3. the information contained in the letters of recommendation,
4. the applicant’s work and volunteer history.
   
5. The Committee may also require a personal interview, though this element is not typical.

• Acceptance to the Regular Track requires a baccalaureate degree; acceptance to the Advanced Standing Track requires a BSW from a program accredited by Council on Social Work Education.
• We prefer a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of college work.
• Through the recommendation letters and the essays, we also look for signals that the applicant is committed to working with the public sector and those clients who are traditionally served by public agencies.
• The applicant must also document an undergraduate background in liberal arts education verified successful completion of a Human Biology or Human Physiology & Anatomy course, and a statistics course.
• We consider that you have completed all prerequisite courses if you hold a BSW from an accredited program

• Because social workers constantly work with issues involving human development, with people who have specific physical and mental factors to consider, or with clients who have medications or drug/alcohol involvement, it is critical that social workers understand human biology. So for Regular Track students we require an undergraduate course which teaches the student current information on how human biology works.
• At least 50% of the course content must focus on human biology. The MSW Director will review the course syllabi or description of the course you actually took, and give you a decision on this issue.
• If you do not have an appropriate biology course on your transcript, you may take one on Texas State campus, or through continuing education education by correspondence(www.txstate .edu/continuinged/human_bio_sw.htm  512-245-2507). Louisiana State University provides an appropriate correspondence course in human biology for social workers. Their contact number is 225-578-3171.

• Social workers need to understand basic statistics in order to intelligently assess social research and assess their programs and practices.
• Most community and all four-year colleges offer appropriate basic stat courses through their math, sociology, or psychology departments.
• Texas State also offers such courses, and has one that is available over the Internet (SOC 3307, PSY3301, HP 3302).  Statistics classes on-line at your local college may be found at http://ww.vct.org, click on "Schedule" and find the college close to you.
  

• The Graduate College allows students to be admitted conditionally. That means that the student is allowed to start the program. To continue in the program, however, the student must meet certain conditions, such as completing the biology course, maintaining a 3.0 GPA, or other conditions.

• If an applicant’s GPA is a lot lower than 3.0, he/she may want to consider taking a few additional courses to demonstrate that he/she is capable of performing academic work successfully.

• The Admissions Committee looks at the applicant’s commitment to public sector work, and at the applicant’s work and volunteer history. Consider volunteering in some service effort; there are hundreds of opportunities, but they include volunteering at a nursing home, a community center, the Boy Scouts, the Cancer Society...anyplace where you can get some experience with the helping professions.

• An application must be complete to be considered.
• Once your application is complete, the Admissions Committee can review it, and you should expect a decision letter within 8-10 weeks after the application packet is complete. (Please note that the application packet is more than the formal application which you submit; it includes letters of reference, transcripts, etc.)

• You have a right to appeal the School’s decision. This appeal is lodged with the Graduate College, and the Graduate Catalogue gives you information on this process.
• You may reapply to the School as often as you wish.
• If you reapply, you will need to update your application packet.

• If for some reason you wish to delay your entrance into the program, write a letter to the MSW Director explaining your situation and ask to defer admission.

About the MSW Program

• The Regular Track program is the appropriate choice for people who do not hold the BSW.
• This program begins with the fall semester.
• For full time students, the regular program takes two years (five semesters) to complete; part-time students can expect to spend four years to complete the program.
• It is a total of 62 credit hours.

• The Advanced Standing program is open to people who hold the BSW from a program accredited by Council on Social Work Education.
• This program begins with the Summer I session or Fall session.
• Advanced standing study consists of the second year of the MSW curriculum.
• It is a 36-credit-hour program of study which takes one year (three semesters) for full-time students to complete. Part-time students can expect to spend two years in the advanced standing program.

• The MSW program offers two concentrations: Direct Practice and Administrative Leadership.
• The concentration courses occur in the second half of the program.
• The first half of study for Regular Track students is foundation study. During that half of the program, students choose a concentration of either direct practice or administrative leadership.
• Since Advanced Standing students go directly into the second half of the MSW curriculum, they choose a concentration in direct practice or administrative leadership when they come into the program.

• Your academic advisor and other faculty members can help you distinguish between these concentrations.
• In general terms, the direct practice concentration centers on knowledge and skill appropriate to intervening directly with individuals, families, and groups.
• Generally speaking, the administrative leadership concentration deals with the knowledge and skills necessary to deal with large groups and organizations, administer programs and agencies, supervise staff, and engage in policy-making.
• Both concentrations require the same hours of study.
  
• The field placements in the two concentrations enhance the concentration content.

• You will be awarded the Master of Social Work degree when you successfully complete the program.

• Graduate students in other programs may take social work electives.
  

• We strongly recommend that people who are working full-time attend school part-time. The course of study is demanding and requires a lot of reading; it’s like a second full-time job.

• 12 semester hours in the fall or spring semester is considered full-time.

• Most classes meet once a week for three hours.
• MSW classes are scheduled in the late afternoon and evening to accommodate working people.
• When possible, we attempt to schedule master courses on the same day, so that people driving in to campus do not have to make the trip two days a week. However, it is not always possible to limit classes to one day per week. Further, some working people prefer to come two days a week for shorter periods of time
• Bear in mind that field practicum is time-consuming. During your field placements, you will need to have some flexibility in your schedule.

• Tuition is based on the number of hours for which a student registers.

• The Registrar (512-245-2367) can give you an idea of how much you will owe.
• The quality of education at Texas State is an excellent bargain for the price. In fact, US News and World Report has listed Texas State as a good educational bargain in its famous college edition.

• The majority of students at Texas State get some financial aid or loans.
• The Financial Aid Office at 512-245-2315 can assist you with this need.
• There is a bus that travels to campus from several locations in Austin, Kyle, New Braunfels, and San Antonio.  For more information go to www.aux-srvcs.txstate.edu/tram.htm or call 512-245-2585.

Questions most frequently asked about

Frequently Asked Questions