Florida A&M University offers a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in the Department of Social Work. The Master of Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and prepares students for professional social work practice in the area of administration and community development. The professional curriculum consists of sixty (60) credit hours including twelve (12) hours of field placement.

MSW Admissions Requirements

1. Applicants requesting admission into the MSW program must meet the following requirements and complete the following forms:
2. Graduate application for admission submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies at Florida A&M University. Applications and information regarding this process can be obtained on-line at FAMU’s School of Graduate Studies’ website. Do not submit this form to the Department of Social Work. A copy of the form will be sent to the MSW program by the Office of Graduate Studies to indicate that the student has applied at the University level and has been entered into the FAMU computer system. A $20 application fee (check or money order), payable to Florida A&M University must accompany the application to the Graduate Admissions Office. Do not send this application fee to the Department of Social Work.
3. Official transcript submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies.
4. Grade point average of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale) for the last 60 credits of academic coursework as evidenced on the official transcript. NOTE: Applicants holding law degrees and those with grades in law courses must have a grade point average of 3.0 or above, exclusive of law school grades, for the last 60 hours of academic course work, and a grade point average in law courses of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or 75 (on a 0-100 scale). Students whose grade point average is below 3.0 may be admitted under “Special Student Status” for the first semester of graduate course work, permitting them to take up to 12 credits in the graduate program.
5. Graduate Records Examination (GRE) required; please submit to Office of Graduate Studies.
6. Three professional letters of recommendation from persons who can address the applicant’s ability and potential for successful graduate education and professional social work practice (e.g., former professors, employment supervisors, etc.).
7. Personal narrative statement reflecting the applicant’s academic and employment history, as well as a discussion regarding her/ his interest in the social work profession.
8. Professional resume that includes his/her education and work history.
9. Proficiency in English. Any student prior to admission or during their course of study, may be required to demonstrate English proficiency through submission of a satisfactory score on a test designated by the Department of Social Work. Students whose written or spoken English proficiency is marginal in relation to the communication skills needed for effective social work practice may be required to seek instruction outside of the Department of Social Work to bring communication skills up to an acceptable level.
10. Florida State Immunization Record. The Health Services Student Clinic ensures that all students entering Florida A & M University are current on all required immunizations. A copy of that record must be included in the application package submitted. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a “hold” being placed on the student’s registration, preventing the student from completing the registration process.
11. Completion of the “Certification of Eligibility Form”. This form allows the MSW program to process and award any financial aid given to you by the university or the Department of Social Work. The form is available through the Office of Graduate Studies. Failure to complete this form will result in your financial aid monies being forfeited and applied to another student.

Transfer Students

Students who transfer to the MSW program at Florida A & M University from another CSWE-accredited graduate program must meet all admissions requirements and have at least a 3.0 (B) average in all graduate social work courses in order to receive transfer credit. A maximum of 33 hours credit, earned within five years of the student’s enrollment at Florida A & M University’s Department of Social Work, with grades of “B” or above, may be transferred for credit toward the MSW degree. In addition to the usual application materials, transfer students must also submit an evaluation of first year field performance, course syllabi, a “Statement of Good Standing” from the Dean or Chairperson of their previous program, and a catalog from the institution in which s/he has been enrolled. Transfer student applications and materials are reviewed by the MSW Program Director in consultation with MSW faculty on a course-by-course basis.

Non-Social Work Transfer Credit

The Department of Social Work recognizes two categories of transfer credits for courses that are taken in disciplines or fields other than social work.

1. A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit, earned within five years of the student’s enrollment at Florida A & M University’s Department of Social Work, with grades of “B” (3.0) or better, may be transferred as credit toward the MSW degree’s elective credits, providing they meet the program’s curriculum. That is, if a student has taken a series of graduate courses, but did not earn a master’s degree, a maximum of six graduate credit hours may be applied toward the MSW.
2. A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit, earned within five years of the student’s enrollment at Florida A & M University’s MSW program, with grades of “B” or better (where 4.0 = A), may be transferred from an earned master’s degree toward the MSW now in progress. That is, a student may have earned a master’s degree in a different discipline, and may now wish to apply that credit toward the MSW degree, providing the credits meet the mission and objectives of the MSW program.

In both cases, the student must request consideration of transfer credit with the MSW program director after admission to the MSW program. Graduate credit is not granted for correspondence courses, extension courses, continuing education courses, advanced standing examinations (except as pertaining to advanced graduate standing in the Department of Social Work), life or employment experience, or if an equivalent course offered by Florida A & M University does not warrant graduate credit.

Program Administration

Chairperson: Jenny Jones, Ph.D.
Program Director: Wachelle McKendrick, Ph.D.
Field Director: Katisa Donaldson, MSW

Curriculum

The MSW curriculum is guided by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) of the Council on Social Work Education, which is aligned with CSWE’s accreditation process. The professional curriculum consists of sixty-seven (67) credit hours including twelve (12) hours of field placement. Students must successfully complete 67 semester credit hours in order to receive the MSW degree. The curriculum consists of 35 credit hours of foundation courses followed by 32 credits of advanced coursework in administration and community development. The MSW curriculum prepares students to problem solve at the administrative and organizational, and community levels.