Dean: Cora Le-Doux, PhD
Mission Statement
The primary mission of the Worden School of Social Service is the education of social workers for professional practice in human services. This mission derives directly from the Catholic philosophy and purposes of Our Lady of the Lake University and from the humanitarian values of the social work profession. Emphasizing a belief in the dignity and worth of human beings, respect for individual differences, and dedication to the truth, the Worden School educates social workers to work directly with people as well as to participate in the development of human services. This education includes an active concern for social justice and cultural pluralism. The School in its totality will reflect cultural diversity and make special efforts to prepare social workers representative of the principle ethnic minorities of the Southwest. In particular, the Worden School considers that it has a responsibility to sensitize social workers to the special needs of regional ethnic minorities—Mexican-Americans and African-Americans, as well as other population groups who have been victims of institutional oppression, such as the poor, women and the elderly.
The Worden School of Social Service offers programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work.
Master of Social Work
The social work education curriculum at the master's degree level is built upon a liberal arts foundation and includes both the professional foundation and a concentration in direct practice with individuals, families and groups. The content related to the professional foundation, as well as the concentration in the master's degree program prepares students for advanced social work practice. Students who graduate from the program demonstrate analytic and practice skills sufficient for self-critical, accountable and ultimately autonomous practice. Please note that no credit shall be granted or courses waived based on life or previous work experience.
Admission Application Requirements
Regular Admission
1. An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. For advanced-standing eligibility, a bachelor of social work degree from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education is required.
2. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50, or a 3.00 for the last 60 semester hours of
under-graduate work. For advanced-standing eligibility, a grade point average of at least 3.00 in the social work major in both academic and practicum courses.
3. Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary work.
4. A satisfactory score on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years.
5. Three letters of recommendation not more than one year old (at least one from an academician, others from employers or supervisors).
6. A personal statement of at least five typewritten double-spaced pages addressing the following areas: motivation for graduate studies; motivation for social work; social work related employment and/or volunteer experiences; social work career goals; and understanding of and identification with the Worden School of Social Service mission. Additionally, applicants should demonstrate a liberal arts foundation in undergraduate study, including human biology and a commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession.
7. Résumé.
Special Admission
Special admission must be approved by the dean of the Worden School of Social Service and is only granted to transient students wishing to transfer graduate credit to a home institution, or a post-master's degree student wishing to take graduate credit for special interest.
Before registering, an applicant for special admission must submit official transcript(s) showing degree awarded, to include master's degree if applicable. Transient students need only submit a letter of good standing from their home institution verifying graduate status.
Admission Deadline
Deadlines for submitting all credentials for priority consideration into the Master of Social Work program is April 2 for Fall and November 1 for Spring. Applications completed after these dates will be considered on a space available basis.
International Students
An international student seeking admission into the graduate program for a Master of Social Work degree should refer to page 28 of this bulletin for additional information on credentials needed for admission.
Conditional Admission
Conditional acceptance is granted on the merits of each case. In some circumstances, applicants who do not meet all of the requirements for regular admission may be admitted conditionally, providing they fulfill the conditions listed in their letters of conditional acceptance within the specified period time. If conditional acceptance is given because of missing official credentials, the period of time to provide those documents will not extend beyond the first term of attendance.
Academic Requirements
Students will be expected to complete the following requirement in addition to required coursework:Computer Literacy Requirement validated by successful completion of SOWK 6342.
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