What Is It?
The BSW Professional Program is for currently enrolled students majoring in social work who are ready to begin taking 400-level professional social work courses.
Who Can Apply?
Social Work majors who have earned 54 hours in core requirements (this does not include electives) with the required overall and social work GPAs. Students must seek admission to the BSW Professional Program through the School of Social Work. View the checklist below to determine eligibility for the Professional Program.
When Should You Apply?
| For Admission to: | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | February 15 |
| Spring Semester | September 15 |
Professional Program FAQs
Do I have to apply for the Professional Program?
YES! All students planning to earn a BSW must apply for the Professional Program to continue taking required 400-level classes. If you register for these courses and have not been admitted to the Professional Program, you will be dropped from them.
What happens to my application after I submit it?
Your application will be reviewed to make sure you have met or are in the process of meeting all the required courses for admission to the program. Your application will be reviewed by two faculty members who will decide on your readiness to continue in BSW study. Reviewers are looking at both content and writing ability, so make sure you think carefully about how to respond to the prompts and make sure you check for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and flow of ideas.
I haven’t met all the requirements for admission to the program. Should I still apply?
YES! Students who are in the process of meeting all requirements or will complete coursework this semester and anticipate beginning Professional Program classes in the next semester should apply for the program now. You may receive Conditional Admission if you have not met all requirements, but your faculty reviewers recommend admission.
But I haven’t met the minimum overall GPA of 2.25 or social work GPA of 2.5. Should I apply?
Talk with your academic advisor. You may qualify for Conditional Admission, particularly if your GPA is close to the minimum requirement.
What is Conditional Admission?
If you are close to meeting all the requirements for admission and the reviewers recommend admission, you may receive Conditional Admission. Once you complete the requirements you currently lack, you will be fully admitted to the Professional Program.
I am worried about my writing ability. What should I do?
Do your very best and remember what you learned in SW 310. If you would like assistance with drafting or revising your responses, please schedule an appointment at the UA Writing Center: https://writingcenter.ua.edu/
What if I don’t think I’m ready to apply for the Professional Program?
Talk with your academic advisor about your concerns. Many students who do not feel ready feel more confident after learning more about the Professional Program. However, some students still have other core curriculum coursework they wish to complete before starting the program and may wish to wait a semester before applying.
Who can I turn to if I have other questions?
Please contact your academic advisor (first) or the BSW Administrative Assistant. You can also reach out to the BSW Program Director for additional questions.
