Step 4 – Program Application
After submitting the graduate admission application (Step 1), you will complete the Social Work program application. You can access the program application by logging into your application account, clicking “View Application” and selecting the “Social Work Online Program” orange link in the left menu. The program application includes the following elements:
A personal essay
Your personal essay shall address how your experiences, strengths, and distinguishable qualities will make a positive contribution to the Master of Social Work program and the field of social work.
The essay shall be no more than seven (7) double-spaced pages with 1-inch margins on all sides and your name in the header of each page. Your essay should reflect your best professional writing. The information presented will assist the Admissions Committee in evaluating your capacity and readiness for graduate social work education. In essence, this is an opportunity for the Admissions Committee to get to know more about you and your previous experience.
Your essay must include these headings and follow this format:
Heading for section 1: Life Experience, Education, and Volunteer Experience
In 1-2 pages, describe how personal life experiences, formal education and/or volunteer work have contributed to your decision to seek admission to the graduate social work program and the impact you expect them to have on your professional practice.
Heading for section 2: Social Work Philosophy
In 1-2 pages, reflect on the following statement from the preamble to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers, and explain how it relates to your career goals:
“The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.”
Heading for section 3: Diversity
In 1-2 pages, discuss how contact with persons who differ from you in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic class, political perspectives, religion, or cultural background have affected your personal philosophy, values and world view.
Heading for section 4: Personal Strengths
In 1 page, discuss the strengths you bring that will contribute to your success in graduate social work education.
For advanced standing applicants only
In 1-2 additional pages, discuss the contributions of your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) education and post-BSW professional practice experience to your preparedness for graduate social work education. Include practice responsibilities, accomplishments, recognitions, professional development and continuing education activities.
A Current Resume
While you are in the online admissions application, you will be asked to upload your resume or CV. The document must include any paid or unpaid social work experience – including volunteering – shown in chronological order, with the most recent activity listed first. We recommend you compose your resume as if you are applying for a position in social work.
List each paid or unpaid social work experience. Include the following details:
- Agency/Company name
- City and State where Agency/Company is located
- Start and End dates (mm/dd/yyyy)
- Position title
- Major responsibilities of this position
Answering a question about the NASW Code of Ethics
The NASW Code of Ethics is intended to serve as a guide to the professional conduct of social workers.
In the online application, we ask for a confirmation that you have read the NASW Code of Ethics and are aware that violation of the code may result in the termination from the program.
Signed and notarized disclosure form
At the time you are in the online admissions application, you will be asked to upload a signed and notarized form covering criminal and substantiated abuse history, verification of candor and accuracy, and licensing certification and program disclosure. The form is available for download below.
Download Form (pdf)
Licensing Certification and Program Disclosure
If you answer “Yes” to certain questions within the Licensing Certification and Professional Program History Disclosure portion of the form you are also required to upload additional documentation. Detailed instructions for this documentation is available within the form.
A “Yes” answer to question(s) on the Licensing Certification & Professional Program History Disclosure form does not necessarily mean you will be denied admission to the School of Social Work program. Additional documentation and/or information may be requested if the submission with your application is deemed insufficient.
Criminal and Substantiated Abuse History Disclosure
f you answer “Yes” to any of the questions within the Criminal and Substantiated Abuse History Disclosure section of the form, you are also required to upload a separate statement with complete information with respect to all circumstances and the final result, if such has been reached. You must submit a complete narrative of the circumstances that occurred for each and every criminal action, conviction, plea-in-abeyance and/or deferred sentence, including the year of disposition, and also an explanation of your plans to cope with potential post-MSW limitations on your practice of social work. You must also enclose copies of all applicable police report(s), court record(s), and probation/parole officer report(s). If you are unable to obtain any of the required records, you must submit documentation on official letterhead from the police department and/or court indicating that the documentation is no longer available.
A “Yes” answer to question(s) on the Criminal and Substantiated Abuse History Disclosure portion of the form does not necessarily mean you will be denied admission to the School of Social Work program. Additional documentation and/or information may be requested if the submission with your application is deemed insufficient.
Applicant’s Verification of Candor and Accuracy
The Applicant’s Verification of Candor and Accuracy portion of the form verifies that your application is a complete and accurate representation of your application materials.
For additional support accessing the form, locating a notary or uploading the signed and notarized form to your application, contact a Student Success Coach at mswonline@boisestate.edu or (208)426-5921.