Social Work Admissions

First Steps

If you're considering social work, we strongly recommend that you meet with our Professional Advisor, Ryan Roberts, to find out more about the program, required support courses and the admissions process.

Contact Ryan Roberts

Admissions Process

Becoming a social work major at the UW-Green Bay begins with a formal application process. Students who want to choose a social work major usually complete the application process during their sophomore year. Students complete the program in a cohort group, and all students begin the program in the fall semester.

Admissions applications are reviewed one time during the year to admit students for the fall semester. Applications are due by 4:00pm on the 1st Monday in February .

All applications received between October and the 1st Monday of February will be reviewed together for admission for the fall. Applicants are welcome to apply after the February deadline, but reviews will not be conducted unless necessary to fill a cohort. In that case, applications will be reviewed at the beginning of each month with the last review occurring in early August. Interested applicants are welcome to contact the social work office for updates on such reviews.

Admission Requirements

In order to be eligible to apply for the social work major, students must:

• Be admitted to UW-Green Bay.

Apply to UW-Green Bay

• Demonstrate they will have completed at least 48 credits or the equivalent (taken at or transferred into UW Green Bay) before beginning social work courses in the fall (note: transcripts must demonstrate this criterion will be met in order to be eligible to apply).
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all post high school academic work taken in the last five years.
• Have completed at least four BSW support courses with a “C” average before beginning social work courses in the fall, it is strongly recommended that one of those courses be WF 105 (formerly known as ENG COMP 105).

Electronic Admissions Application

Your completed application must include:

• BSW Application.
• Unofficial transcripts.

Note: The Electronic Admissions Application requires Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded for free at www.get.adobe.com/reader. It has recently come to our attention that the electronic format of the BSW application is not necessarily compatible with Apple Mac computers. If you are unable to access a PC to submit your application, contact Colleen Ciampoli at socialwork@uwgb.edu or 920-465-2049 no later than 3:00pm on the day of the application deadline. Colleen will provide you with an alternative option for submitting your application. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Considerations of Admissions

The application process is competitive and an admissions cap limits the number of students that can be admitted to the Program. Identifying information is removed prior to committee review of the application. The social work faculty will consider the following criteria when making decisions on admission:

• Cumulative GPA.
• Evidence of prior work and volunteer experiences relevant to social work practice.
• Relevant letters of reference reflecting on your abilities, qualities and/or previous experiences that are related to social work.
• Whether your personal statement reflects an understanding of social work and includes professional goals that fit well with social work values and mission.
• Whether your applications reflects communication and organizational skills that are needed in professional practice.

Admissions Acceptance

Admissions to the BSW program are capped at a maximum of 40 students per cohort. Individuals applying for admission by the March deadline will either be admitted, denied, or placed on a waiting list if there are more qualified applicants than seats available. Persons on the waiting list will be informed no later than August 15th as to whether or not there is a space for them. If there is not space, the applicant will be invited to reapply for the following year. Those individuals who are denied acceptance are invited to meet with the BSW Program Coordinator to discuss how to strengthen applications for a future review.

Outcome of the Admissions Process

Students are notified about their admission status within four weeks of the admissions deadline. Students admitted to the program must meet with an assigned advisor and complete all Orientation activities outlined in their acceptance letters. Students not admitted to the program are invited to meet with a program representative to discuss their application and strategies for enhancement, should they desire to reapply in the future.

Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure

The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Bachelor of Social Work Program has been identified as a professional licensure program.

Practicing social work at the baccalaureate level is not regulated in all states in the U.S. Any that do require certification or licensure require the university be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. UW-Green Bay’s Bachelor of Social Work Program is accredited and meets the criteria for all states and territories that credential at the BSW level. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) provides additional information requiring social work regulations in each state, territory, and Canadian provinces.

In addition to the degree, these states require additional post-degree supervised experience: Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and North Carolina. Montana offers a two-tiered license at the BSW level, social workers can not use the LBSW initials until have post experience hours.

These states to do not offer a credential for social workers at the baccalaureate level: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington,

Some states require the ASWB examination and others do not. Additionally, some states are now adopting the Interstate Compact which allows licensure reciprocity between states who have codified the compact into law. The National Association of Social Workers is providing updates via their Interstate Licensure Compact page.

Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed on the program’s Contact page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.

No Credit for Life Experience

The BSW Program does not give academic credit for life experience or previous work experience, in whole or in part, in lieu of any courses including field practicum.

Criminal Background and Caregiver Background Checks Criminal background and caregiver background checks may be required for your field placement and are a required component of obtaining Social Work certification/licensing in Wisconsin. As a general policy, the agency in which a student will be conducting their placement will complete these checks, often for a fee. In some situations, the agency will require the student to have UW Green Bay conduct the checks. In such instances, a student will request, and pay for, the service at the Office of Public Safety (OPS). When the checks are completed, the student will retrieve the reports from OPS and provide directly to the agency. Students who have resided in states other than Wisconsin since the age of 18 will also be required to complete an out-of-state background check and pay additional fees. Students are encouraged to apply for their checks a minimum of three weeks before they are scheduled to begin a field placement.

A student may be denied access to a placement site based on the nature of past offenses. Certain offenses may also prevent a student from being certified or licensed as a professional social worker and/or the ability to work in certain agency settings. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) is the credentialing organization for the state of Wisconsin and reviews convictions on a case-by-case basis based on Wis. Stats. S.457.26(2). If you have questions about how your criminal background may impact your placement or certification/licensing options, you are encouraged to talk with your Faculty Mentor and/or contact the DSPS directly.