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University of Wyoming

Frequently Asked Questions

Application to MSW

Field

Application to MSW


When will I hear back from the Division of Social Work about whether I have been accepted into the graduate program? - Top
Our goal is to notify students in late March about their acceptance into the graduate program. We will continue with notifications until we have completed all applicant files outstanding.



If I do not have a statistical course, do I have to take this course before I begin the MSW program? - Top
Yes, we prefer that students use the summer before they enter our graduate program to take the required prerequisite statistics course. This course can be taken at a community college or a 4-year higher educational college or university. Students need a grade of “C” or better.

 



3. How does the Division of Social Work evaluate the applications? Is the process fair? - Top
The Division asks faculty to use a standard evaluation format to review all applications. Each student’s application folder will be reviewed by at least 2 faculty members. A third faculty may be asked to read an applicant folder if there is a split in the review. Faculty are selected at random to do these reviews and faculty who may know the applicant are required to withdraw from any evaluation of that applicant. The Division Director and the MSW Coordinator review all applicants and make final determinations for acceptance into the program.



Who should I ask to be references for my packet? - Top
     Applicants should select people to serve as references who know their work in social services positions if at all possible, whether the work done was as a paid employee or as a volunteer. Students might also provide a previous college faculty advisor or instructor who can address the readiness for the applicant to enter a graduate social work program. Applicants should not ask family members or close personal friends to serve as references. If a friend is also a co-worker, that person may be an acceptable reference as long as the person addresses the quality of the work done by the applicant.

 



Field


How many hours of practicum are required? - Top
A total of 900 hours of practicum are required for completion of the MSW program. The first practicum is completed during the Foundation Year (Year 1). Over two semesters, student must complete 400 hours. Advanced Standing students (those having a BSW from an accredited social work program) will have completed this practicum during their BSW program. The second year field practicum, Advanced Year, consists of 500 hours to be completed after completion of all required course work. Often this field practice experience is completed as a one-semester, full-time, block placement during Spring semester.  Students admitted as part time students have the option of completing the second year practicum over two consecutive semesters.

 



How do I arrange for a field placement? - Top
The DOSW has a list of agencies with which we have relationships and field practicum contracts. After each student completes a field application, each student will meet with the Field Coordinator, Lea Grubbs,  to explore interests, learning goals and options for placements. Students arrange to meet with an agency representative to further explore the possibility of completing a placement at a selected agency. The selection process is a collaborative decision-making process amongst the student, field coordinator and the agency.

 



Will my field placement be in Laramie? - Top
Placement sites in the Laramie community are limited due to the small population of the area. Students often complete an agency-based practicum throughout Wyoming in communities that are from 45 to 150 miles away from Laramie. Because of our Outreach video delivery for graduate classes, students may arrange to complete a practicum in other more distant towns in Wyoming and coursework is delivery in part by video conferencing and in part with some travel to classes in Laramie.



May I complete my field placement in my place of employment? - Top
Students may consider being placed in their place of employment. Doing so requires that the student write a proposal to the Field Committee which will make a recommendation to the Field Coordinator who will make a determination regarding completion of a practicum at your place of employment. Determinations are based on the ability of your work environment to provide a unique experience distinct from your employee role that fits with your educational goals and needs. The agency must be willing to support you in a student as opposed to employee role. If a placement at your work site is approved, you will not be able to complete more than one of your two practica at your place of employment.

 



May I complete my field placement out of Wyoming? - Top
The Division of Social Work places students in agencies across the state of Wyoming. The expectation is that students will complete their practicum hours within the state. Placements outside of Wyoming are viewed as an exception and require that a student requesting this exception identify circumstances that impede their pursuit of educational goals should they complete their practicum within the state. Upon the recommendation of the Field Committee and approval of the Field Coordinator and Division Director a student may complete an out of state placement.  A fee will be assessed to cover the travel costs for visit(s) to the student at the practicum site.

 



Master of Social Work