Admission Guidelines
Admission Application
The admissions process is designed to result in an educational atmosphere
most conducive to the development of professional social work practitioners.
The intention is to ensure inclusion of students who have potential
for academic achievement, practice ability, appropriate value orientations,
and characteristics which can enrich the program. The program is
committed to the promotion of diversity in its student population
in regard to gender, race age disability and ethnicity and has
special concern with the recruitment and admission of students who
expand
this diversity. Admission into the Social Work Program is necessary
for a student to graduate with a social work major. Application
is encouraged prior to the junior year and required no later than the
end of the junior year. Additionally, full admission must be granted
before social work students can enroll for SOWO 4060, Methods I,
and higher level social work classes.
Application Process
Application forms are available in Haley Center, Room 7030G, or from Emily Myers, Director. Social Work Program, Haley Center, Room 7030F, Auburn University, Alabama 36849. Completed applications should be returned to your Advisor who will schedule your admissions interview with you.
The following courses are required, and must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to application:
SOCY 1000 Introduction to Sociology
SOWO 2000 Introduction to Social Work
SOWO 3910 Field Practicum
The student must also have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 to be fully accepted into the Program.
1. Complete application form. Picture is included for future assistance
in completion of letters of reference. The picture is only used for
identification purposes and does not have any bearing on admissions
decisions.
2. Essay of not more than four typewritten pages double spaced.
3. Letters of recommendation from two persons you feel know you well.
They may include professors, social workers, supervisors from work
or social agency personnel. You should obtain approval from the Social
Work Admissions Coordinator of your choices prior to requesting that
they write letters of reference. Auburn University social work faculty
cannot write recommendation letters for this purpose.
4. A current transcript if you are not currently enrolled in Auburn
University.
5. Schedule an interview with your Program advisor when you turn in
the admissions packet. This is your responsibility.
Essay and interview should address why you value a Social Work education, social problems with which you are most concerned, your values concerning human beings, an assessment of your ability to contribute to the Social Work profession, and when and where you have had experience helping people. The interview may also address these points or may be used to explore particular issues in greater detail.
To help in preparation of the essay and interview, the following are suggested:
1. Students should give consideration to the extent to which their
personal values are consistent with the NASW code of ethics, especially
those regarding respect for individual rights and choice. The Committee
wishes to encourage inclusion of personal events which have contributed
to the student's growth in tolerance, sensitivity, and/or interest
in Social Work. Students are also encouraged to include issues which
the student is working to reconcile with Social Work values, but which
remain problematic.
2. The student's acceptance of diversity with regard to race, age,
gender, disability, life style, sexual behavior, religious/nonreligious
belief, or intellectual ability will be addressed.
3. The student should present her/himself and the essay in a professional
manner. The essay should reflect the purpose for which it is required
and evidence awareness of the audience to whom it is addressed. The
purpose of the essay and interview is to enable the committee to evaluate
the student's aptitude for social work. The essay should be directed
toward this task and should not be used as a forum to express opinions
or values on unrelated issues. Professional presentation also includes
use of correct English, a well-prepared essay, and punctuality in scheduling
and meeting the interview.
4. Evidence of interpersonal and communicative skills will be considered.
This should be indicated in the student's assessment of her/his abilities,
experiences in helping others, interest in social work education and
ability to communicate clearly in written and verbal language.
Review
Students are encouraged to work with their social work faculty advisor in development of their admissions application and in completing including the admissions process. An initial review of the application will be conducted to determine if prerequisites have been met and if application is complete. An interview with a faculty member will follow once you have scheduled the interview appointment. After the interview, the admissions committee, including the social work faculty, will make the admission decision. Students in good academic standing (not on academic probation or suspension) and with a G.P.A. of 2.5, who have completed the three required courses with a grade of C or better are eligible for full admission into the program. A decision will be made at the admissions meeting following completion of their interview and circulation of application file to the committee. Action may be either acceptance, denial, or conditional acceptance, unless a compelling reason exists for denial of admission. If denial is suggested by a committee member, the admissions decision will be deferred. A statement giving the reasons for the proposed denial will be given to the student with copies to committee members within one week. Students will be given an opportunity to reply. Denial requires a majority vote of those eligible to make the admissions decision. The application usually will be processed within two weeks. The student is notified of action taken in writing with reasons within ten days.
Conditional acceptance allows a student admission to the program contingent upon the satisfaction of some requirement in course work or other matters relating to admission criteria. Conditions for moving from conditional to full admission will be specified in writing to the student. Students whose applications are denied will be given the opportunity to reapply unless they have been previously terminated from the program. In such cases, students must receive prior approval for reapplication consideration all students may enroll in all social work courses except Methods (SOWO 4060, 4070, 4080) and Field Placement (SOW0 4950). See Standards of Social Work Education - Process of Review. (coming soon)
Appeals
Students may register appeals or grievances through the Auburn Association of Student Social Workers Grievance Committee, the Admissions Coordinator, the Social Work Program Director, the Department Chair, and/or Auburn University student Academic Grievance Committee. Appeals and grievances should be made in writing. Appeals and grievances will be taken up at the Admissions Committee meeting following notification of the grievance or appeal.
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Last updated on October 20, 2003