College of Professional Studies
School of Social Work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How long has your program been in existence?
The Master of Social Work
program was founded in 1966 at George Williams College, which had a long
history of group work and leadership training for the YMCA. The MSW program
emerged from a program in group work administration to prepare people
for human service in voluntary agencies such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls
Clubs, and settlement houses, which can be traced back to 1890.
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Is the program accredited and what does that mean for me?
The Master
of Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
(CSWE). The Council on Social Work Education sets guidelines and policies,
which all accredited BSW and MSW programs must follow in order to attain
their status as an accredited school.
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I have a BSW – can that help me with my MSW?
Do I need fewer courses?
Students
who have earned a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited institution and who
have demonstrated outstanding scholarship (at least a “B” grade)
in social work courses and excellence in the field may apply for Advanced
Standing for up to 27 semester hours
required for the MSW Program at Aurora University.
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I would like a career change. Can I pursue a MSW degree?
Yes. You need a liberal arts background; a minimum GPA of 3.0
on a 4.0 scale, three letters of recommendations, personal characteristics
indicative of the capacity for professional practice as shown by personal
maturity, high level of personal integrity, and readiness to identify
with the values and ethical principles of the social work profession.
Volunteer or work experience that demonstrates experience in the field
of social work is also valuable.
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How long will this program take me to
complete?
A full-time student can complete the program in two years and a part-time
student can complete the program in three. The full time program consists
of day and evening courses while the part time program is comprised
of evening coursework.
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Why do you ask for a statement of purpose?
This three to five page document
describes your motivation and aspirations for becoming a professional
social worker. You should pay close attention to good writing standards.
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When will I find out if I am accepted into the program?
Once the University
receives all of your application materials, the School of Social Work
reviews your file. You will receive a letter stating their decision within
two to three weeks.
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Do I need to complete an Internship?
Yes. This is also called Field Instruction.
It provides students the opportunity to practice and apply social work
theory in the field under the guidance of experienced social work professionals.
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How can I get my Type 73 Certification?
For a Post-MSW Certificate you
must have earned a MSW degree from an approved program. The certification
can be earned as part of your MSW degree or as a Post-MSW Certificate.
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Return to MSW Homepage
For more information about the MSW
Program, please contact:
Melissa Yovich-Whattam, 630 844-5292, myovich@aurora.edu,
Director of Graduate Enrollment
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