Credit for Experience

The Council on Social Work Education does not allow accredited MSW programs to provide credit for work experience. However, experience does make for a stronger applicant in the admissions process and a more successful student

Minimum and Maximum Course Load

Students may not register for fewer than 6 credits per semester. The maximum credit load for Fall and Spring semesters is 16 credits. Registering for more than 16 credits requires approval from the Office of Records and Registration by submitting the Request for an Academic Overload Form. A student’s cumulative GPA must be 3.80 or above as one consideration for approval of an academic overload.

Residency Requirement

Students must register for a minimum of 9 credits per semester for at least two consecutive semesters to satisfy the academic residency requirement

Special Student Status

Under certain circumstances and with approval of the Office of Records and Registration, non-matriculated individuals who have completed an MSW may register for a course as a “special”student. Once approved, the person must communicate with the Office of Admissions to complete an abbreviated application and include both an official transcript and a statement as to the reason for enrollment. The matriculated application fee and per credit hour tuition and fees apply to “special” students. Students who have been dismissed from the MSW program may not come back as “special” students. “Special” students may register on a space available basis.

Audit Courses

A course may be audited on a space-available basis with priority given to students taking the course for credit. The course will appear on the student’s transcript as Audit (AU) but will not count toward the credit requirement for degree completion. A student taking a credit course may not change their status to audit once the semester has started. Charges for audit courses are the same as credit courses. Students interested in auditing a course should complete the Request for an Academic Audit Course form and submit it to the SSW Office of Records and Registration prior to the start of the semester.

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