Academics: Admission

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS | TRANSFER STUDENTS

Admission to Southern Adventist University does not automatically enroll the student in the social work program.  Declaration as a social work major is not equivalent of acceptance to the program.  The final decision on acceptance and continuation in the program is made by the program Admissions and Progressions Committee.

During the second semester of the freshmen year the student is to complete an autobiography and a written essay on a specific social issue.          

The Admissions and Progressions Committee reviews the application material, conducts the interview, and makes a decision concerning the application.  Applicants are notified of the Committee’s decision by a letter from the program director.  An applicant denied admission to the social work program may appeal the denial decision in person and/or in writing to the Admission and Progressions Committee.  If this process is unsatisfactory to the student, the University appeals process described in the Catalog may be followed.

Admission requirements for Field Practicum can be found here.
 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum requirements for admission to the program and upper division courses are listed below:

1. Acceptance to Southern Adventist University.

2. Completion of application form, autobiographical statement, and a writing sample on specific social policy.

3. Submission of a current unofficial transcript.

4. Have an overall grade point average of 2.50 or higher (exceptions may be made for persons who do not meet the grade point average requirements if they are strong candidates on the basis of other criteria). Have completed SOCW 211: Introduction to Social Work, SOCW 212: Social Welfare  as an Institution, and SOCW 213: Interviewing Skills with a grade of C or higher.

5. Show evidence of physical, mental, and moral fitness.  Further references may be required regarding character, attitude, and coping ability in case of a question in this area.

6. Students whose native language is not English must achieve at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

7. Have taken the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis Test. The student is to make arrangements with the University Counseling and Testing Center to take this test.

8. Completion of a successful interview with the Admissions and Progressions Committee.

TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students intending to major in social work who are attending other colleges or universities, or who are transferring from another major at Southern Adventist University, will be expected to apply for admission to the Social Work Program by April 1 of their sophomore year.  IN ORDER TO STAY ON SCHEDULE WITH THE SEQUENCE OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM COURSES, AN INTRODUCTORY SOCIAL WELFARE/SOCIAL WORK COURSE, INCLUDING 40 HOURS OF DOCUMENTED VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE, MUST BE TAKEN BEFORE ENTERING THE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM.

Those applying to the social work major after their sophomore year will be considered on a case by case basis.  If the introductory course has not been completed,

it is taken the first semester after declaring social work as a major.  This will delay admission consideration until the following semester and may result in graduation taking more than four years.