Apply to the MSW Program

To apply, you must meet both University and School of Social Work requirements.

• Standard Program: Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Advanced Standing Program: Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited social work program within seven years of application.

• Standard Program: Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from the undergraduate degree. If below 3.0, upload a letter explaining the causes and preparedness for graduate-level work.
• Advanced Standing Program: Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from the undergraduate social work degree. No exceptions.

What transcripts do I need?

• An undergraduate transcript confirming a 3.0 GPA.
• A master’s transcript if a request for a credit transfer will be made.

How do I request a transcript?

• 1. Go to the transcript website for the prior university where you earned your highest degree (bachelor’s or master’s).
  2. Order an electronic, official transcript (If the prior college only has mail as an option, expect them to take 4-6 weeks for them to arrive.)
  3. Have it sent to Eastern Washington University

Transcript Guidelines

• Submit your reference’s names and email contacts in the application. The online portal will email your references asking for their recommendation.
• Contact your references to ensure timely submission of recommendations.

Update and upload your most current resume.

Upload your essay responses to the following questions based on the program you are applying to.

• All essays are to be included in one document including your name and date.
• Each essay should be numbered and have a heading. The headings are already provided for you (the bolded words before the questions).

Standard Program:

1. 1. Why the MSW (250 words max): Why are you pursuing an MSW, and how have your work, volunteer, and/or educational experiences contributed to your decision?
   2. Core Values (250 words max): The core values for social workers are: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence (NASW Code of Ethics). Choose two of the core values to describe how these values are important to social work practice.
   3. Diversity (250 words max): Briefly describe one experience you had interacting with someone different from yourself, which impacted your perspective on diversity. Please include your reactions and reflections on lessons learned. These differences may include but are not limited to factors such as age, class, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, and tribal sovereign status.
   4. Social Issue (250 words max): Briefly discuss a social issue important to you. What are some underlying causes and the impacts on individuals, families, and/or communities? How might you participate in bringing about change?

Advanced Standing Program

1. Why the MSW (250 words max): Why are you pursuing an MSW, and how have your work, volunteer, and/or educational experiences contributed to your decision?
2. Core Values (250 words max): The core values for social workers are: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence (NASW Code of Ethics). Choose two of the core values to describe how these values are important to social work practice.
3. Diversity (250 words max): Briefly describe one experience you had interacting with someone different from yourself, which impacted your perspective on diversity. Please include your reactions and reflections on lessons learned. These differences may include but are not limited to factors such as age, class, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, and tribal sovereign status.
4. Social Issue. Provide an individual essay for each question; label your responses as Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3

• • Part 1 (250 words max): Discuss a social issue important to you. What are some underlying causes and the impacts on individuals, families, and/or communities? How might you participate in bringing about change?
  • Part 2 (250 words max): Describe a social policy related to the social issue you identified in the previous question and answer the following questions. What are the benefits of this policy? Who benefits from the policy?
  • Part 3 (250 words max): Illustrate the gaps, barriers, and unintended consequences of the policy. What policy changes would you suggest and why?

5. Client System (500 words max): Imagine you are a generalist social worker working with a client or client system. Describe the skills and strategies you would use in each of the following phases of practice: engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
6. Practicum and/or post-bachelor’s degree work experience.

• • Part 1 (250 words max) Undergraduate practicum and/or post bachelor’s degree work experience: Describe how your undergraduate placement and/or work experience post-bachelor’s degree in social work may prepare you for advanced practicum.
  • Part 2 (250 words max) Supervision reflection: How did you utilize supervision during your undergraduate placement and/or work post-bachelor’s degree?
  • Part 3 (250 words max) Lessons learned: What lessons have you learned from your undergraduate placement and/or post-degree work that you can use in your advanced practicum? Please include areas of growth and/or challenges.

• Use the EWU online portal to save your materials and complete the application before the deadline. Go here when ready to begin the online application: APPLY
• The online application portal will upload numerous documents under the “Graduate Documents Upload” tab. Examples: resume, essay questions.

Application Portal: Apply Here

Choose the correct program inside the application portal that accepts applications.

• Standard Program Applications:
  • Social Work Cheney – MSW: Full-time, fully in-person graduate program based in the Cheney and Spokane area. Designed for students residing within 100 miles of Cheney, WA.
  • Social Work Spokane – MSW: Part-time, hybrid graduate program based in Spokane, WA. Designed for students from Central and Eastern Washington and the panhandle of Idaho.
• Advanced Standing Program Applications:
  • Social Work Cheney Advanced Standing – MSW: Full-time, fully in-person graduate program based in Cheney and Spokane area for those eligible for advanced standing. Designed for students residing within 100 miles of Cheney, WA.
  • Social Work Everett Advanced Standing – MSW: Part-time, hybrid graduate program based in Everett, WA. Designed for students from Whatcom, Snohomish, Skagit, and Island counties.

View Application Cycle

• Social work faculty review each application. Only one application per applicant is reviewed.
• Incomplete applications at the deadline will not be reviewed unless extenuating circumstances exist.