Admissions Procedures
To apply for graduate study in the Department of Social Work Education, you need to apply to the university and to the department by completing the steps described below. Our deadline for application may differ from the University deadline; visit our MSW website http://www.fresnostate.edu/chhs/social-work/masters/index.html or contact the department office at 559.278.3992 for the current application deadline.
Step 1: Apply to the University
- Submit your application online via Cal State Apply at https://www2.calstate.edu/apply
- Follow all steps on Cal State Apply.
Step 2: Application to the Department
The MSW application is included in the Cal State Apply application. Again, follow the directions on the Cal State Apply website and it is strongly encouraged to begin the application early. The completed online application is due January 31,2020 and includes the following:
- Department application (included in the Cal State Apply application).
- Two recommendation references. References are submitted via the Cal State Apply application.
- Personal Statement submitted as part of the Cal State Apply application.
(For more details, visit the department website at http://www.fresnostate.edu/chhs/social-work/masters/requirements.html.) and Cal State Apply https://www2.calstate.edu/apply.
If you have any questions regarding submitting your application, please contact the Graduate Admissions office at Fresno State: http://fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/are/contact-us/contact-admissions.html
Graduate-Level Writing Requirement
The graduate writing requirement for the Master of Social Work is satisfied by passing a writing exam administered during the first semester of graduate coursework. The student must pass the writing exam as a prerequisite to advancement to candidacy. For more information about the writing requirement and the appeal process, refer to the Graduate Handbook. The Graduate Handbook is available at the Department of Social Work Education website. (http://www.fresnostate.edu/chhs/social-work/)
Master of Social Work
This program is designed to prepare students for advanced social work practice as social work practitioners who are capable of intervening at the individual, family, group, organization, and community levels. Students achieve competence in problem identification, assessment, development of intervention plans, and evaluation of practice. Students build cross-cultural awareness and learn to use empowerment and social justice perspectives when making interventions with client systems of various sizes.
Students complete a total of 60 units of graduate work that includes two years of supervised internship with participating agencies in the community, and completion of a master’s project or thesis. The project or thesis can focus on examination of social problems or the development of intervention strategies for the purpose of building upon the profession’s knowledgebase.
The program prepares students for practice and advancement in the social work profession. Students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide direct services, consultation, training, program development, practice evaluation, and social service research on behalf of clients and community and contribute to the advancement of the profession.
Advancement to Candidacy
Students accepted to the program must maintain an average GPA of 3.0 in all coursework, must file for Advancement to Candidacy after completion of 9 units, and pass the Graduate Writing Requirement. Graduation requires maintaining a 3.0GPA and submission of the Advancement to Candidacy document. A minimum of a C grade is expected in all courses.
Credential Programs
As part of the MSW, the Department of Social Work Education offers a program that satisfies the requirements for the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential with Specializations in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance. This credential authorizes the holder to provide school social work and child welfare and attendance services as an employee of a K-12 public school in the state of California. The PPS program in Social Work at Fresno State is not available as an “add on” program to another degree and is also not available as a post-graduate option for those with an MSW or another master’s degree. Students interested in the PPS program will first need to apply and be admitted to the MSW program at Fresno State. Coursework and internship specific to the PPS credential are completed in the second year of the full-time MSW program. The Department of Social Work Education, in conjunction with the Kremen School of Education and Human Development, recommends candidates for a PPS credential who have met all of the requirements of the M.S.W. and PPS credential programs. Advising and admissions information are available through the P.P.S. coordinator in the Department of Social Work Education.