MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO
BSSW PROGRAM APPLICATION
INSTRUCTION PACKET
IMPORTANT:
This is the Instruction Packet for the BSSW Program Application to the
Undergraduate Social Work Major. These instructions are being ‘piloted’ for
Spring 2015. Applicants and BSSW Program Faculty Advisors, please note areas
that are not explained clearly, suggestions for improvements in organization and
structure, or problems such as typos, grammar, or punctuation and send them to
Dr. Debra Gohagan, BSSW Program Director, at d.gohagan@mnsu.edu
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping the BSSW Program to
improve the application process for all.
Dear BSSW Program Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) Program.
Applying to this major is a serious professional decision; one to which we know you
have given much thought and effort. Acceptance to the social work program represents
a major step in your life. It is also a statement of the BSSW faculty’s belief in your
academic readiness for the advanced curriculum as well as our trust that you are ready
to commit to the highest level of professional and ethical practice standards as a
student and as a graduate of MSU, Mankato’s Department of Social Work’s BSSW
Program.
The application to the major is very detailed. It is designed to assist you to demonstrate
to the social work faculty that you have met an established set of rigorous expectations
and training and that you are well-prepared to continue your development as a
generalist social work practitioner It is in your best interest to begin the process well in
advance of the application deadline.
Successful applicants to the social work program have demonstrated through their
academic and pre-professional accomplishments their commitment to the profession of
social work. Graduates of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Department of Social
Work make significant and lasting contributions to the quality of life for the citizens and
communities they serve. We look forward to your future as a generalist social work
practitioner.
Sincerely,
Department of Social Work Faculty
Minnesota State University Mankato is committed to providing equal education and employment opportunities to all
persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, veteran’s status, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, age, marital status, physical and mental disability, creed, status due to receipt of public assistance, or any
other group against which discrimination is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972, Minnesota Statute Chapter 363, and other applicable state or federal laws, or State
University System policy .
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Dear BSSW Program Student Applicant:
Read this BSSW Program Application Instruction Packet carefully
before you begin to complete the BSSW Program application. It
contains detailed information about each form with tips and
instructions for all items.
THE BSSW PROGRAM APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
The BSSW Program Instruction Packet (which you are reading) has instructions
for the following application components:
1. The BSSW Academic & Professional Behaviors Statement of Responsibilities &
Contract Form which must be signed and dated and accompany the application.
2. Social Work Essays
3. The BSSW Program Application which also contains the

Cover Letter and checklist form re: documents attached Form

Request for Exceptions, Notice of Academic & Behavior Concerns, and
Supporting Letter Form
4. How to Calculate Social Work GPAs Worksheets. (will be inserted when available).
BSSW ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS
STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & CONTRACT FORM
Students who want to be generalist social work practitioners must be fully informed of
the commitment they are making to the legal, professional, and client community and
must be prepared to accept the responsibility and the consequences of this
commitment. Read the BSSW Academic and Professional Behaviors Statement of
Responsibilities document CAREFULLY and THOUGHTFULLY. Follow and read ALL
links to student handbooks and professional codes of ethics that are in this document.
BSSW Program faculty take our academic and professional responsibilities very
seriously and we expect the same from our students.
This document MUST BE signed, dated, and submitted with your application to
the BSSW Program. If this document is not submitted with your application or is
submitted but not signed, your application to the BSSW Program will NOT be
considered.
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BSSW APPLICATION ESSAYS
The BSSW Program application requires that applicants write three (3) essays. These ESSAYS
provide applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their academic readiness, their professional
development, and their understanding of the social work profession and generalist social work
practice. Undergraduate students who become generalist social work practitioners must be able
to communicate clearly, orally and in written form, their professional worldview and
understanding of the knowledge, values, and skills of the profession.
Successful student applicants to the BSSW Program will identify and assess their strengths and
challenges as a learner and, in the future, as a generalist social work practitioner. Students will
define generalist social work practice and possess a beginning knowledge of the theories,
perspectives, and models that are the foundation of generalist social work practice. Students will
discuss personal and pre-professional development in relationship to the social work
professional value base, ethics, practice behaviors and attitudes. Finally, students will
demonstrate that they value the role of diversity in our society, understand the role that privilege
plays in their lives, and commit to advocacy and social justice.
Program Evaluation of the Essays. The BSSW Program faculty reviews these essays to
assess the applicant’s academic and professional writing skills. Each essay is individually
scored on a rubric that measures applicants’ skills at applying required academic and social
work content on a scale of 0 (Low) to 5 (High) AND all essays are collectively scored for writing
mechanics on a scale of 0 (Low) to 10 (High)
Having your essays reviewed before submitting them. Most BSSW Program faculty
advisors are willing to review your essays and discuss broad areas of concern. Most will
not formally edit your writing, as we want your essays to be a reflection of your writing
skills at this point in your academic career. If you ask your faculty advisor to review your
essays, he/she may choose to not do so. If faculty agrees to review and/or edit your
essays, please do not wait until the week your application is due.
Instructions for completing Essays. Read the essay content for Essays A-C and
respond to the prompts under each essay. For each essay,
 Write a 2-page, double-spaced essay using a 12-point font and 1 inch
margins.
 Cite, using APA.
 Label each essay.
 You do not need to insert cover page for each essay.
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ESSAY A: ACADEMIC READINESS
Assess your strengths and challenges in each of the four areas:
1. Academic abilities and achievements
2. Oral and written communication skills
3. Teamwork skills
4. Leadership abilities
Provide examples of your experiences which highlight not only your abilities and but
identifies areas that are challenging for you. Describe the steps that you have taken or
plan to take to improve areas you identified as challenges. You do not need to attach
copies of your cited evidence, just report it. Examples of student learning activities that
can be cited as evidence include, but are not limited to the following:




Scholarships and/or university honors;
Membership in Honor societies
Faculty evaluation and feedback of
class assignments, class
presentations, participation in class
discussions;
Evaluations of class experiences
requiring cooperative learning
Exemplary papers from social work
classes





Volunteer experiences in human
service area
Participation in campus or community
organizations
Service-learning projects
Holding a position of responsibility in
university or community organizations
Voluntary attendance at university,
community or professional
lectures/workshops related to the
social work field
ESSAY B: DEFINITION OF SOCIAL WORK
The term social work has many meanings to many people. Often the public has a very
limited understanding of social work. In this essay, present an explanation of social
work, drawn from the professional literature you read in your social work courses, that is
understandable by the public. Tell us why you selected social work and what your future
goals are. Show that you understand what is expected of you as a generalist social
worker in your chose field of practice.
1. Provide your definition of social work as a profession.
2. Explain the reasons you chose social work as your profession and your future
goals as a generalist social work practitioner.
3. Identify and discuss a social work field of practice in which you are interested in
working.
4. Identify and discuss at least one (1) core social work
theories/perspectives/models (i.e. strengths perspective, systems or person in
environment theories, or empowerment model) as it applies to your selected
field of practice.
5. Identify and discuss at least two (2) roles and tasks of social work professionals
in the field of practice you identified above.
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ESSAY C: PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT TO VALUES, ETHICS AND DIVERSITY.
People choose the social work profession for many reasons. In this essay:
1. Identify two (2) NASW Code of Ethics core social work values that you possess.
Discuss how they guide your development and practice as a generalist social
worker.
2. Identify your experience(s) with diverse communities, social justice and
advocacy. Discuss your strengths and challenges as a social worker in an
increasingly diverse society. Highlight social justice or advocacy related
activities in which you have experience. If you have limited experiences with
diversity, social justice, or advocacy describe steps you will take to increase your
experiences in these areas.
3. Define and identify privilege as it manifests itself (or not) in your life and how you
plan to address the impact of privilege in your future practice.
BSSW PROGRAM APPLICATION—
Use this following information to assist you in completing the BSSW Program
application pages 1-8. The BSSW PROGRAM APPLICATION HAS FIVE (5) SECTIONS:
Section I.
BSSW Application Cover Letter with Applicant and Advisor
Signatures
Section II.
Request for Exception(s), Notice of Academic & Professional
Concern(s), & Supporting Letter
Section III.
Student Applicant Information
Section IV.
Human or Social Service Employment, Volunteer
Experiences & Community Involvement (Resume)
Section V.
Academic and Curriculum Information
Place your documents in the following order when you submit your application:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cover Sheet—SIGNED
Request for Exception form and Supporting Letter
Academic and Professional Behavior Contract--SIGNED
Application, pages 1 – 8.
DARS run as a Social Work major with cover sheet SIGNED by CSBS Advising
U
6. Supplemental Transcripts, forms
7. Essays (stapled separate from the application documents above)
8. Other documents, if indicated.
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I. COVER LETTER CHECKLIST AND STUDENT/ADVISOR SIGNATURE
Page 1
Read and check the boxes that are specific to you!
Student and BSSW Program Advisor Signature: The most important content
on this page is the signature box where you sign to indicate you believe you are
ready to apply to the BSSW Program and that you have a complete application.
Please do not wait until the week that applications are due to request a meeting
with your advisor. If you do, your advisor may not have time to meet with you to
discuss thoroughly your application to the BSSW Program. Should you wait until
the week the application is due or have significant exceptions, your BSSW
Program Advisor may choose not to sign your application. Finally, the advisor’s
signature is not a statement that you meet all conditions, nor is it a guarantee
that even if you have a complete application and meet all requirements that you
will be accepted to the BSSW Program.
II. REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION(S), NOTICE OF ACADEMIC OR PROFESSIONAL
CONCERNS AND SUPPORTING LETTER
Page 2
Read this section. Check the boxes that apply.
If you have 0 exceptions or do not have areas of concern, please check the
appropriate box on the Cover Letter (page 1 of the application packet).
If you have exception(s) or are aware of other concerns that may impact
your status in the BSSW program, attach a letter addressed to the BSSW
Program that addresses each exception and/or area of concern following the
outline provided for this letter at the top of this page.
If this form and a supporting letter if you have exceptions or areas of
concerns, is not attached to the application, the BSSW Program will not
review your application.
III. APPLICANT INFORMATION
Page 3
Contact Information: Self Explanatory. Complete.
Let us know which address you want your acceptance letter mailed to.
Make sure we have your correct Mavmail email address. This is most important
if your name/email address are similar to others on campus and your email
address has a number in it.
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IV. HUMAN OR SOCIAL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT, VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES &
Page 4
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Evidence of involvement in your prior educational environments or your community is an
important indicator of your commitment to development as a future social work
practitioner. The BSSW Program is particularly interested in experiences and
opportunities, in which you worked in rural or global contexts, interacted with diverse
communities of people, functioned as a leader, or advocated for social justice issues.
We also want to know if you have participated in social work program, campus, or
community based activities that increased your awareness of yourself or provided you
with knowledge or skills that will contribute to your development as a future generalist
social work practitioner. To complete this section:
1. Provide the names of organizations, dates, and brief descriptions of any previous
paid or volunteer
experiences.
human/social
service
experiences
and/or
leadership
2. Share information about your involvement in academic, service, or community
organizations.
3. Indicate if you have participated in trainings, workshops or other events that have
contributed to your social work knowledge and/or skill development.
4. In the ‘Describe your Experience’, space: describe briefly your responsibilities.
5. Please add lines to the areas below as needed and if you need another page,
copy the info on this page and attach.
6. If in doubt as to how many years’ worth of experiences to document, please list
experiences for the previous 5 years. (
7. Respond to Questions B and C with lists. You do not need to write extensive
summaries in this area as you can use the responses to these questions as
supporting evidence in Essays A, B, & C.
V. ACADEMIC AND CURRICULUM INFORMATION
Page 5-8
Applicants to the MSU, Mankato BSSW Program are required to demonstrate that they
have met a rigorous set of academic and curriculum requirements. This section asks
students to document their academic readiness for formal admission to the social work
major. This section asks for information related to student’s completion of General
Education categories and graduation requirements, GPAs, and Social Work courses
(past, current and future). To complete this section, students need to know the
catalog/bulletin year under which they are graduating.
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Catalog/Bulletin years refer to the year that you began attending a MnSCU
system college. Your catalog/bulletin year can be found typically on your DARS
in the upper right hand corner of the first page. Each of the curriculum
worksheets in the application have request that you document your
catalogue/bulletin year. Students are able formally to switch catalog/bulletin
years as General Education requirements and the BSSW Program curriculum
requirements sometimes change from year to year. Consult with your BSSW
Program Faculty Advisor and Advising U staff as to best catalog/bulletin year for
you.
A.1. GRADE Point Average (GPA)
Page 5
Students who apply to BSSW Program must have 2.8 total cumulative GPA and 2.8
GPA for all social work courses completed to date including Foundation, Introductory,
Integrative, and Advanced Curriculum.
Cumulative GPAs can be found on your DARS (run as a SOCIAL WORK
MAJOR). Typically DARS when run as SOWK major from the HUB will have
MSU Cumulative, Transfer Cumulative and Total Cumulative GPAs on column
4/page 3. DARS run from you e-service account will present with different
formats and finding your GPAs may not be as simple.
Social Work GPAs care found on DARS run as a Social Work major in the
section after all General Education requirements have been presented and below
the header that indicates you are viewing social work courses. In most cases and
if all your course work is clearly showing on the DARS, the SOWK GPA is
accurate and reflects all courses from Foundation through Advanced. However, it
is wise to ‘eyeball’ to see if your GPA appears to be accurate. Sometimes, you
may have courses that are not yet on the DARS that are not counted in your
GPA.
All grades earned in courses that are required by the BSSW Program. Applicants
to the BSSW Program MUST include all grades earned, including D’s and F’s in the
Social Work required Foundation, Integrative, and Advanced courses that you have
taken EVEN IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY RETAKING A COURSE OR IF YOU PLAN TO
RETAKE THE COURSE. If you have retaken a required course, record and compute
the highest of your recorded grades for that course for your Social Work GPA.
How to Calculate your Social Work Grade Worksheet. If it appears that your DARS
run as a Social Work major is not reflecting all courses (unfortunately, this is too often
true for TRANSFER students), please use the which can be found on the Department
webpage with the BSSW application information and forms. If in doubt, or to check your
SOWK GPA, please see ‘How to Calculate your Social Work GPA’ worksheets.
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If your SOWK GPA does not appear accurate on your DARS run as a Social Work
Major and you need to please do so. Include the “How to Calculate your Social Work
GPA” form with your application. Occasionally, the BSSW faculty who review your
application will be able to tell that your SOWK GPA is not correctly reported and will
request that you complete the correct ‘How to Calculate your Social Work GPA’, in order
to move your application forward for consideration.
A. 2. DARS Run as a Social Work Major
Page 5
Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS). To document that you have met or are in
process of meeting ALL General Education and are on track to meet MnSCU graduation
requirements by the end of the semester in which you are applying to the BSSW
Program (Fall semesters for Spring semesters or Spring/Summer semesters for Fall
semesters) you must submit a Degree Audit Reporting System, referred to as
‘DARS’. It must be run as a Social Work major. You can get this from the HUB in
CSU or from Advising U (Armstrong Hall 114).
Reviewed and Signed by Advising U staff. A cover sheet that has been signed by
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (CSBS) Advising U staff must accompany
your DARS run as a social work major and included with your application. Advising U is
located in Armstrong Hall 114 and is a ‘walk-in, no appointment needed (usually). If the
Advising U staff signed cover sheet is not attached to your DARS, the BSSW Program
faculty reserve the right to not consider your application
A. 3. Additional Academic Information and Resources
Page 5
For students (local and transfer) who’s DARS does not accurately reflect all required
social work courses or substitution/waived, or appealed courses that you are indicating
that you have completed in this application, you must submit supporting documents
including substitution and waiver forms completed by BSSW Program Faculty Advisors
as well as any appeal letters/forms, that you have completed.
Transfer students DARS run as a Social Work Major are sometimes not accurate.
These applicants should submit a current copy of their MSU, Mankato transcript as well
copies of any prior transcripts from previous academic institutions attended that will help
the BSSW faculty reviewers make informed decisions. Please complete the table on
page 5 of this application with information about the academic institutions that you
attended prior to MSU, Mankato. If you are not sure whether you should submit prior
transcripts, please meet with either your BSSW faculty advisor or with the BSSW
Program Director for more clarification.
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B. Social work foundation, introductory, integrative, and advanced courses
Page 6-8
B.1. Social Work 315 (or SOWK 312) Junior Field Experience
Page 6
SOWK 315 (or SOWK 312 or equivalent course), the Junior Field Experience
course is a critical component in the BSSW Program. Successful completion allows
faculty and student to assess the student’s readiness for and ability to apply core
content from previous classes and serves as foundation for future learning. It is also an
opportunity for students and faculty to observe and assess students’ ability to
demonstrate professional behaviors and engage in ethical practice activities.
Applicants to the BSSW Program have completed or should complete the SOWK 315
(formerly SOWK 312 or equivalent course) Junior Field Experience, course in the
semester prior to the fall or spring/summer semester they formally enter the Social Work
program (i.e. begin SOWK 441).
Some students will have completed this course at another academic institution. If this is
the case, then that student will need to have substitution form completed with BSSW
Program Faculty Advisor and submit a copy of the equivalent ‘Final Agency Evaluation
of Student’.
Please indicate where you completed your internship on page 6 of the BSSW Program
Application. Select from the options provided on page 6:
 I have completed SOWK 315 (formerly SOWK 312 or equivalent course);
 I am substituting comparable/equivalent Junior Field Experience;
 I am completing SOWK 315 this semester;
 I will complete SOWK 315 (insert when).
Then select the appropriate responses that best describe your status as a student in
SOWK 315 (formerly SOWK 312 or equivalent course);. Read each option carefully;
select the response(s) that apply to you. Make sure you have checked the appropriate
boxes and attached the required documentation.
B. 2. Catalogue/Bulletin 2012-2013 to Present Worksheet
B. 3. Catalogue/Bulletin 2011-2012 and prior Worksheet
Page 7
This worksheet or table allows the applicant to list the courses completed or in progress
with grades. Select the Worksheet that fits the BSSW Program curriculum option that
you are pursuing. When you submit your application, you only need to include the
Worksheet that applies to you.
B. 2. Catalog/Bulletin 2012-2013 to Present Worksheet. Complete this page if
you began your study at MSU Mankato (or other MnSCU institution) in Fall 2012
or later and are using catalog/bulletins from 2012-2013, 2013-2014; 2014-2015.
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(NOTE: if you began MSU, Mankato (or other MnSCU institution) before Fall
2012 and are using catalog/bulletin 2011-2012 or earlier see page 6).
B. 3. Catalog/Bulletin 2011-2012 and Prior Worksheet. Complete this page if
you began your study at MSU, Mankato at MSU Mankato (or other MnSCU
institution) before Fall 2012 and are using catalog/bulletin 2011-2012 or earlier.
Completing the Worksheet. Once you have selected the worksheet that best applies
to you (B. 2. or B. 3.) follow these instructions.
1. Print the name and letter grade(s) you received in each of the courses that you
have completed from the list below. Students MUST include D’s or F’s.
2. In you have not yet taken or retaken the course, indicate the semester & year
(Sem/Yr) you plan to take or retake.
3. If you are enrolled this semester in a course, use “IP” for in-progress in the space
provided for grade.
4. NOTE: The term ‘SubForm’ used below in the 3rd & 7th columns refers to the
‘Substitution/Waiver Form’ that your Social Work Faculty advisor completes if you
took a course(s) at another academic institution that is equivalent to one of our
‘required’ courses or if waiving course from previous curriculum requirements.
5. Indicate on your COURSE PLAN on page 8, the Semester/Year that you plan to
take the required foundation, introductory and/or integrative courses that you
have not yet taken or must retake.
B.4. Completing the Course Plan
Page 8
This form ensures that the applicant has developed a course plan to complete the
BSSW Program’s advanced curriculum in a timely and appropriately sequenced order.
Most students apply in their first semester of their junior year. Most are able to complete
the BSSW degree requirements in 3 semesters after being accepted into the program
unless they are pursuing a second major or a minor degree. Faculty use this form to
evaluate a student’s credit workload and how realistic this workload plan is in light of
their previous academic history. We also use this form to help us assess the applicant’s
understanding and ability to apply the BSSW Program curriculum expectations in the
appropriate sequencing.
As you prepare to complete this form, consult with your BSSW Program Advisor to
ensure that your COURSE PLAN fulfills ALL Social Work degree requirements.
Credit hours for graduation. Students MUST have at least
 120 credit hours to graduate if they began study at Minnesota State
Mankato in Fall 2011 or later.
 128 credits if you began MSU, M before Fall 2011.
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It may be to your advantage to change to a newer bulletin. Consult with your Advising U
or BSSW Program Faculty Advisor about this. If you need another course plan page,
please insert a copy of this page. As you complete the Course Plan form, consider the
following.
General Education requirements
 If you have General Education requirements yet to complete, list the course(s) in
the semester you plan to take it (them) and indicate the General Education Goal
Area ## it is fulfilling in the “course name” column.
Social Work Foundation, Introductory and Integrative courses
 If you have not completed or must retake one or more of the required foundation
or social work introduction and integrating courses you must include these
courses on the COURSE PLAN.
Advanced Social Work courses
Your Course Plan must show the three practice courses in appropriate
sequence/semesters. The advanced curriculum is completed in the following order:
1) Semester 1 (Semester after application) SOWK 410, SOWK 441, SOWK 4XX
Elective(s)
2) Semester 2: SOWK 435, SOWK 443, SOWK 446, Other Elective(s)
3) Semester 3: SOWK 450, SOWK 455
Summer Sessions. Do not forget to include summer sessions if you plan to take
courses.
Minor/Major. If you are completing a minor or major, indicate the major/minor area the
course meeting in the “course name” column.
To complete the Course Plan (See 2 semester sample below)
 At the top/right side of the page, enter your total credits earned before this
semester = (60)
 Enter the courses (name/number, and whether is for GenEd/Category# or
minor or major) you are taking this semester. Note GenEd, Minor, Major is
bolded in sample for emphasis, but does not need to be bolded on the Course
Plan you submit.
 Total the number of credits for this semester = (14)
 Add and keep a running total for each semester along the right side of // lines
on the bottom line of the table = (74)
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SAMPLE COURSE PLAN (First 2 semesters)
Credit Hours EARNED PRIOR to current semester:
____60_____
CURRENT SEMESTER/YEAR: SPRING/15
Course #
Course Name
SOWK 310 HBSE
SOWK 315 Junior Field
Stats --GenEd #4
SOC 202
CORR 215
Corrections --for Minor
# Credit Hours
4
4
3
3
# Credits Taken Current Semester 14
Total # Cumulative Credits to date
SEMESTER/YEAR: FALL/15
Course #
Course Name
SOWK 441 Practice I
SOWK 410 Social Welfare Issues & Policy
SOWK 415 Child Welfare
GEOG 101 Introduction to Physical Geography – GenEd #3
CORR 452
Victimology Minor, or Second Major
# Credits Taken Current Semester |
Total # Cumulative Credits to date
//
74
# Credit Hours
4
4
3
3
3
17
91
//
GO TO PAGE 8 IN THE BSSW APPLICATION TO COMPLETE YOUR
FORMAL COURSE PLAN!
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