Frequently Asked Questions

No, we do not have an online program at this time. We offer day, evening, Saturday and online classes.

Full time = 60 credit hours (15 hours x 4 semesters, plus 225 hours of field education each semester)

Part-time = 60 credit hours (6 or 9 hours x 8 semesters, plus 225 hours of field education each semester during the second and third year in the program)

Advanced standing = 39 credit hours (15 hours x 2 semesters and 6 hours one summer, plus 225 hours of field education during fall and spring semester)  Applicants must have a BSW degree, an overall GPA of 3.0 or better and a grade of “B” or better in all social work courses.

The following are required for graduation:

1. Passing score on competency exam
2. Complete and present capstone/research project

Yes, field education is half of the educational component of the Master of Social Work program.  All MSW students are required to complete (with a grade of “B” or better) a total of 900 field education hours at a pre-approved agency. The School of Social Work Field Education Department has an approved listing of field education sites. Approval is based on the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) competencies.

On occasion, students are allowed to complete their field education hours at their place of employment.  However, the agency must meet special criteria to qualify.  Most field placement agencies are open traditional business hours, between 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, however, there are a few agencies with non-traditional hours.

If you are applying for full time or part-time, you may apply with a bachelors’ degree in any discipline. If you are applying for advanced standing, you must have a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

No, GRE and GMAT test scores are not required for admission.  Yes, TOEFL test scores are required for international students.

Applicants applying for the full time or part-time program are required to have a 2.5 GPA, preferably 3.0. We admit very few students on probation. Applicants applying for Advanced Standing are required to have a minimum of 3.0 GPA.

Statistics is not required for admission. However, we strongly suggest that our incoming students retake the course if he/she either took the course more than five (5) years ago or took the course and received a failing grade.

The university accepts applications from November 1^st through March 31^st.

1. Go to suno.edu and select graduate studies at the bottom of the home page
2. Select the graduate school application and the school of social work application.
3. Print and submit a hard copy of all required documentation in one envelope to the Office of Graduate Studies.
   (Applicants can also use eScrip-Safe to submit transcripts)

1. After approving SUNO's Graduate Admissions Application, the Office of Graduate Studies forwards both applications to the School of Social Work MSW admissions office.
2. The MSW Coordinator of Admissions schedules an appointment (via email) with the applicant to take the on-site writing assignment.
3. The admissions applications are then reviewed by the admissions committee.
4. On occasion, some applications require an in-person interview. If necessary, the MSW Admissions Coordinator will contact the applicant to schedule the interview.

Usually, applicants are notified within 30 days after completing the on-site writing assignment.

Yes, due to extenuating circumstances, applications may be deferred up to 1 year.  After one year applicants are required to resubmit the entire admissions packet.

Yes, applicants may reapply to the program.

Advanced Standing students begin taking courses during the summer session and classes begin no later than the first week in June.  Full-time and part-time students begin classes no later than the third week of August.

Field education (field practicum and seminar) is a directed educational experience in social work practice with instruction offered by agencies and campus-based faculty members. Field education is conducted in two parts – the first year is for generalist practice and the second year is for advanced practice specialty.  During the second year of field education MSW students will move to a new agency and in some instances a new department within their current agency to begin their advanced practice specialty geared toward CYF-Children, Youth and Families or H/MH-Health, Mental Health.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires 900 hours of field education for graduation. According to our curriculum, students must complete a maximum of 225 hours per semester (16 hours per week for 14 weeks). Full-time students enroll in the field practicum and seminar course each semester for the two years they are enrolled in the MSW program. Advanced Standing students begin classes in the summer but are enrolled in field practicum and seminar courses during the fall and spring semester only.

At this time, you are required to receive a field placement and complete 225 hours.  Part-time students enroll in the field practicum and seminar course during their second and third year in the program, at which time he/she must have a field placement and complete the required 225 hours per semester.

As applicants are admitted into the MSW program (full-time/advanced standing) each will be assigned field placement contacts by the Field Education Department. Applicants admitted as part-time students will attend a mandatory field fair at the completion of their first year in the program.  The field fair allows students to meet and set up interviews with agency representatives for potential field placements.  The field fair is held every spring semester.

**All MSW students are required to attend the mandatory field fair at the completion of their first year in the program** 

Full-time students transition from generalist practice to advanced specialty practice and must meet with the field director to select a new agency that can provide the proper field training.

Part-time students transition from generalist practice to advanced specialty practice in their third year of the program and must meet with the field director to select a new agency that can provide the proper field training as well.

Advanced standing students are already in advanced specialty practice during their one year of the MSW program.

The field education department has specific/strict criteria approval. CSWE states that the agency must be licensed. The intern supervisor must have had an MSW degree for at least 2 years from an accredited university and also have a current license. All agencies must also meet the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) competency guidelines. Depending on the company, you might receive approval from the Field Education Director to use your employer.

There is no preset schedule for field placement hours.  The schedule is decided between the student and the field agency supervisor. Field hours can only be completed during the academic semester.  Any hours obtained outside of this period will not count.

Most agencies service their clients during the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. At this time we have very few agencies who are open during evening and weekend hours. The School of Social Work can not guarantee field placement for non-traditional hours. Students can complete field hours during non-traditional times as long as he/she has written approval from the agency director and the supervisor (with an MSW degree) is working during the same hours.  Written approval must be submitted to the field director prior to starting field education.