FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Social Work Major Program Application
Eastern Connecticut State University
10/23/15
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When do I apply for the BSW major?
When will I hear about acceptance?
What if I won’t have 45 credits completed by the deadline in January? Can I still apply?
What if I don’t have all the pre-requisites completed by January 2016? Can I still apply?
What if I want to take three years to complete my BSW major?
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Can I only apply online?
What forms and information do I need?
What about my transcripts?
Where shall I have my official transcripts mailed?
Can my reference be submitted online?
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How competitive is the social work major?
What qualities do I need to have to become a social work major?
Will a criminal record or University violation eliminate me from consideration?
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To whom should I speak if I have other questions?
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When do I apply for the BSW major?
All applicants who intend to begin the 40-credit social work major in Fall 2016 should apply by
January 31, 2016. We accept one class or cohort each year. We expect that all students will begin in
Fall 2016 and graduate in May 2018.
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When will I hear about acceptance?
Applications received by January 31 will receive an answer by March 15 in order to register for junior
classes in the following fall semester. If applications are received after January 31, your application
will be reviewed in the order received and your response will likely be after March 15 and
approximately six-eight weeks after receipt.
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What if I won’t have 45 credits completed by January 2016? Can I still apply?
We encourage any student who expects to graduate in May 2018 to apply for the program whether
you have completed 45 credits by January 2016. Often students who have earned between 35-45
credits and are willing to take courses in winter and summer sessions in addition to their usual 15
credit load can “catch up” to graduate on time in May 2018. We expect all students in the cohort to
complete their university degree by May and not complete the BSW in summer or fall in order to
assure graduation, prepare for graduate education and work, and maintain the cohesion of the
cohort.
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What if I don’t have all the pre-requisites completed by January 2016? Can I still apply?
We encourage applicants who have not completed all the foundation requirements to apply in
January so that we can adequately plan for the size of the incoming class. Official acceptance into the
major requires completion of SWK 200 (Introduction to Social Work) and four of the five other
foundation courses. Acceptance is contingent on satisfactory completion of all of the five foundation
courses prior to or concurrent with the beginning of the major program.
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If students are still completing SWK 200 or other foundation courses in the spring semester, your
application will be deferred until May 2016 upon satisfactory completion of these prerequisites.
Under some circumstances when two foundation courses remain and the candidate has an
exceptional record, conditional acceptance will be awarded in March.
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What if I want to take three years to complete my BSW major?
Generally students are admitted into the social work major and complete their last 60 university
credits (40 of which are SWK courses) in the last four semesters at Eastern. If students wish to
spread their studies over three years, we suggest that you take all remaining non-SWK courses in year
1, apply for the major during that year, and complete the remaining SWK 40 credits during the
subsequent two years. Develop your academic plan with your social work advisor.
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Can I only apply online?
All social work major applications will be received online. If you have difficulty completing the
application please contact the Program Coordinator for assistance.
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What forms and information do I need?
Review the information about the application and the pdf version of the application. You will need
information about all of your foundation courses and grades, your application essay, professional
reference, transcripts of all higher education work, and an optional résumé and affirmative action
information form.
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What about my transcripts?
If you are currently an Eastern student, download and save your transcript from E-Web, then upload
this to your application. If you have transcripts from any other University, scan and upload the
transcript to your application.
If you are not currently an Eastern student, scan and upload all of your transcripts of higher
education work. You must however mail the official transcript to the Social Work Program
Coordinator. The program does not have access to official transcripts sent to our Admissions Office.
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Where shall I have my official transcripts mailed?
Send your transcripts to:
Eastern Connecticut State University
Social Work Program Coordinator
Webb Hall 430
83 Windham Street
Willimantic, CT 06226
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Can my reference be sent via email?
Yes. You should give the reference form to your reference who must complete it, sign it or
handwritten. If this reference signature is handwritten, scan the document to a pdf document
(Eastern’s library and computer labs have this technology) and send it to your application. If your
reference submitted the document to you as a pdf with an electronic signature, scan and send it as
part of your application.
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How competitive is the social work major?
The social work major welcomes a diverse group of students who are prepared to take on the
responsibilities of professional practice. Students should demonstrate competence and responsibility
through achievement of a good academic record. We generally seek students whose GPAs are at least
2.3. We do prioritize strong academic records but do not exclude students who demonstrate
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increasing motivation and competence in their academic careers. We seek students who demonstrate
commitment to the values of social work and ethical standards of honesty and integrity. Most
applicants are accepted, generally about 80%-85%.
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What qualities do I need to have to become a social work major?
We ask that students reflect on their readiness to seek the BSW degree. On the Social Work Program
website at: http://www1.easternct.edu/socialwork/ please review the Social Work Program
Handbook and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics to be certain that this is
the major for you.
Students must be highly motivated to promote the public welfare and individual well-being;
hardworking; ethical; collegial; open to receiving and using feedback for continual professional
growth; empathetic; and assertive.
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Will a criminal record or University violation eliminate me from consideration?
No. We ask that you provide us information about violation of community norms and laws.
Generally students should have completed obligations to the court before acceptance or before
graduation. The nature of the offense and the applicant’s presentation of their current readiness for
social work practice will be considered in the application decision. Please provide details and speak
with the Program Coordinator about your special circumstances.
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To whom should I speak if I have other questions?
Contact your social work advisor or the Social Work Program Coordinator with other questions or
concerns.
Dr. Eunice Matthews-Armstead
Social Work Program Coordinator
Webb Hall Room 430
matthewse@easternct.edu
860-465-0102