Master of Social Work

Admission requirements

  • A completed bachelor’s degree from an institution that is accredited by a nationally recognized, regional accrediting association;
  • Undergraduate cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or better on a 4.0 scale. If the applicant’s GPA is less than 3.0, an explanatory statement should be included with the application.
  • Prerequisite courses:

    Please indicate on the application the prerequisite courses you have taken or plan to take in statistics or research methods, lifespan developmental psychology (including child, adolescent and adult development) and human biology.

    Students may apply for the MSW program if they are missing one or more of the prerequisite courses, but they must make arrangements for all three courses to be completed prior to the first day of graduate classes. A syllabus or catalog description should be included for each prerequisite course you have taken or plan to take. General/introductory biology and general/introductory psychology courses do not fulfill our prerequisite requirements.

Deadlines

We are no longer accepting 2010–11 applications for any MSW program options. Students interested in applying for 2011-12 may submit their application materials between September 1, 2010 and January 10, 2011.

The application deadline is Jan. 10. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure her or his application is completed by the application deadline.

Application instructions

Application form

Complete all sections of the online application form. You may also request that a paper application be mailed to you.

Application fee

Submit a $35 non-refundable application fee. Make check or money order payable to St. Catherine University. This fee is waived for students who:

  • Previously applied to St. Catherine University (at the undergraduate or graduate level)
  • Attended a graduate information session
  • Had an individual appointment with admission staff or graduate faculty

If one or more of the above statements applies to you:

  • If you are submitting a paper application: do not include payment with your application form.
  • If you are submitting an online application: choose the waiver option when asked for a form of payment.

If you pay the application fee but are eligible to have it waived, please note that your application fee will not be refunded.

Personal statement

Prepare a personal essay (a minimum of three pages) that demonstrates written communication skills and clarifies personal goals, academic background and purpose in pursuing a graduate degree in social work. Please address the following in your essay:

  • What do you see as the major issues with which professional social workers should be concerned now and in the next decade? What do you see as the role and responsibility of social work in relation to these issues?
  • What are your specific professional goals? How would the St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas Master of Social Work program, with its emphasis on clinical social work practice, help you to achieve your professional and personal goals?
  • What particular personal strengths do you bring to the social work profession? What limitations do you perceive you have? How have both been demonstrated?

Personal statements should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admission at the address at the bottom of this page or via e-mail to graduate_study@stkate.edu. Please type your full name at the top of your statement and include “MSW Personal Statement” in the subject line.

Résumé

Please submit a current, typed résumé indicating paid and unpaid experience, including internships and volunteer positions.

You may send your résumé via e-mail to graduate_study@stkate.edu. Please include “MSW Résumé” in the subject line.

Recommendation forms

Three MSW recommendation forms must be completed by references who are familiar with your academic and/or professional experience. Forms must be sent directly from the references to the Office of Graduate Admission at the address listed at the bottom of this page. References must submit both the checklist and an accompanying statement in order for the recommendation to be considered complete.

Download the MSW recommendation form »

Fieldwork instructor evaluation

Advanced-standing applicants must submit a copy of the senior fieldwork evaluation from their undergraduate social work program. Applicants may submit a copy of the evaluation from their own records (if they retained the paperwork after graduation). Otherwise, applicants should contact the social work department at their undergraduate institution and request that a copy be sent to the Office of Graduate Admission at St. Catherine University. If the evaluation is no longer on file, the social work department should submit a brief letter of explanation to our office. Students who have not yet completed their senior field placement may submit a copy of their junior fieldwork evaluation.

Academic transcripts

Official transcripts are required from each post-secondary institution attended, even if courses are recorded on another transcript and regardless of the number of credits earned.

All transcripts should be mailed in a sealed envelope directly from the registrar of each institution to the Office of Graduate Admission at St. Catherine University. Transcripts that do not meet these criteria will be considered unofficial and will not be used to complete the applicant's file.

TOEFL/MELAB scores

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 600 or better on the paper and pencil test, 100 on the iBT or 250 on the computerized test or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a score of 90 or better. This requirement is waived for students who have completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the United States.

Credential evaluation

Applicants with a college or university degree completed outside of the United States must submit an official evaluation from World Education Services as well as original transcripts and official translations of all documents not in English. All costs related to document translation and evaluation are the applicant's responsibility.

International applicants

Please read instructions for international applicants »

Submitting materials

Submit all items listed below to:

St. Catherine University
Graduate Admission, Mail Stop 4027
2004 Randolph Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105

Fulfillment of the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applications with the items listed above and received by St. Catherine University will be considered by the Admission Committee. No credentials will be returned to the applicant.