Steps to become a Social Work student #
First, become a student at your chosen campus #
IUPUI Admissions
IU Bloomington Admissions
IU Fort Wayne Admissions
IU Northwest Admissions
IU South Bend Admissions
- How to apply as a Freshman Applicant
- How to apply as a Transfer Applicant
- How to apply as an Adult Applicant
- How to apply as a Military/Veteran Applicant
- How to apply as a International Applicant
Apply to the IU School of Social Work #
It is important that you provide complete and accurate information when applying to the School. The IUSSW reserves the right to withdraw an application and/or revoke an offer of admission if you do not provide this information in a timely manner. Gather all application materials before starting for faster completion of the application process.
Application Materials #
In addition to answering the questions on the form, provide the following information/documentation within the relevant sections:
Please respond to the following questions in no more than three pages, single spaced, in a 12 point font.
- Describe the ways in which your life experiences (volunteer, employment, educational, and personal experiences) have led you to choose a major in social work. .
- Tell us about your experiences with different forms of diversity (such as gender, social class, race, ethnicity, disability, religion, LGBTQ status, age) and what you have learned from those experiences that may support your work with diverse client groups.
- Select a social problem (such as access to health care, racial disparity in the criminal justice system, special education or school discipline, immigration, marriage equality, income inequality). Describe and analyze the current state of this issue.
Please submit one current academic transcript from each college/university you have attended. This includes transcripts from study abroad, from institutions where you were enrolled for academic credit as a non-degree student, and/or for credits that you transferred to another college/university. Provided transcripts must show all completed and/or in-progress coursework. Scanned student copies or unofficial transcripts are accepted. However, self-reported or advising transcripts are not accepted. Please note that if you attended Indiana University, you do not need to submit your Indiana University transcripts.
Submitted transcripts must include:
- your name
- the institution’s name
- your dates of attendance
- the grades you received for each completed course in all of the terms you attended
Degree information, including the degree received and the date of its receipt (if applicable) must be on the transcript. If degree information is on a separate degree document (i.e., a diploma), please create one PDF that includes both the transcript and the degree document. Please do this, as applicable, for each college/university for which you are submitting a transcript.
Include a copy of the transcript key or interpretation guide. This information appears either on the back of the transcript or in a separate document. If your transcript(s) is not in English, please provide a certified English translation.
Before uploading the documents to the relevant section of the online application form, mark out your social security number and birth date so they cannot be read.
The IUSSW reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if any discrepancies are found on your transcripts and/or if transcripts are not provided to the School in a timely manner.
Identify one professional (direct supervisor) or academic reference who is willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. Make sure you include the correct email address for the referee in your IUSSW application form. Once you submit your application form, an email will be sent to the referee that includes a link to an electronic Web form. The referee can upload a letter of recommendation to the form or enter text directly within the form. The referee will be asked to address questions about characteristics social workers must have and how these relate to your personal and professional characteristics.
Criteria & Decisions #
Enrollment in the BSW program requires formal admission to the IU School of Social Work. The following are the minimum requirements for consideration for admission to the program:
- Regular admission to the university.
- Completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours. Although we encourage early application, advanced students may also apply.
- Satisfactory completion (grade of C or higher) of the required course SWK-S 141 Introduction to Social Work.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Evidence of characteristics or potential required of competent social work practitioners as defined in the mission statement of the School. Such evidence may be derived from application materials, letters of reference, pertinent work or volunteer experience, and performance in SWK-S 141 Introduction to Social Work.
- It is the policy of the School of Social Work that no student or applicant who has been convicted of sex offenses against children shall be eligible for admission or continuation into the BSW, MSW or Ph.D. programs.
Once you submit your application, you will receive a number of emails regarding the application process:
- The first email includes a copy of your application.
- The second email notifies you of your application progress.
- As part of the IUSSW application process, you must provide one professional (direct supervisor) or academic reference. Once your reference provides the necessary information requested by the School, you will receive an email that confirms your application is ready for committee review.
Once the committee review is complete, you will receive an email with a decision of admission. To accept an offer of admission, you must complete an intent form within a given time frame. Failure to meet this deadline may be cause for cancellation of admission. The offer of admission provides specific details about the intent form and enrollment process.
Should you choose not to enroll in the semester for which admission was granted, the IUSSW allows deferrals of up to one year. If you defer admission, you must confirm your intent at the time of the next enrollment/admission period.
Admissions with Conditions
Full admission to the BSW Program is granted when all admission requirements are met. Conditional admission is granted upon meeting specific requirements. Conditional admission is changed to full admission once you have met the specified condition(s). Failure to fulfill these condition(s), as stated in the offer of admission, may result in cancellation of admission.
Admissions Criteria
Admissions decisions are primarily based on a review of the following:
- Past academic performance, as reflected in a cumulative undergraduate GPA
- Critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate effectively in writing, as reflected in the personal statement
- Length and type of work and volunteer experience
- Letter of reference
- Evidence of personal qualities considered important for social work practice
- Diversity considerations
Campus Deadlines #
IUPUI Admission Deadlines
- Fall Admission: Priority Deadline
-
- April 1st
- Fall Admission: Final Deadline
- May 15th
IU Bloomington Admission Deadlines
- Fall Admission
- May 1st
- Fall Admission- (BSW-TSAP applicants)
- June 1st
- Spring Admission
- December 1st
IU Fort Wayne Admission Deadlines
- Fall Admission
- July 1st
IU Northwest Admission Deadlines
- Fall Admission
- November 1st
- Spring Admission
- Monday after Spring Break
IU South Bend Admission Deadlines
Fall Admission
- May 15 is the priority date for applications. Later applications will be considered after this date until the program is full.
- Students admitted in the spring start the BSW Program in the fall.