Application FAQs

The BSW application process is fully online. Apply here. 

In order to enroll in upper-division courses, Southern requires a minimum of 40 college credits. If you have only earned 30 credits, then it would be best for you to complete another year of general education courses and then apply to the program when you have earned more than 40 college credits. Please consult with your adviser as you create your academic plan. 

The sooner you can transfer in those credits, the better, especially as it impacts your BSW application. This situation is handled in more of a case-by-case basis since other variables (overall GPA, number of courses missing, etc.) will affect the outcome. Please feel free to contact the BSW Program Director, Prof. Lunelle Bertresse (lunelleb@southern.edu), regarding this circumstance. 

One of your recommendations should be completed by a social work professor. The second may be another professor and the third can be a personal reference. None of your recommendations should be completed by someone who is related to you. Often times, students will have a social work professor, other professor and then a work supervisor, pastor, or residence hall dean complete the personal recommendation form.

No. On our online application, you will provide the full name and email address along with how they are connected to you for each of your references. From there, your references will be contacted and provided the respective recommendation form to complete. It is strongly suggested that you first seek permission from those you are using as references and then alert them that they will receive an emailed recommendation form for your BSW application. This will help them check their email and watch their “spam” folder so that your application is not delayed due to cyber-delays.

On the application you will provide your contact information, academic information, recommendation information and then you will also write and submit a personal statement. There are specific questions you should answer in your personal statement, which are outlined in the online application. Your personal statement should be professionally written and submitted as a PDF or Microsoft Word (or comparable) document.

Your application is not ready for processing until every piece is submitted, which includes your three recommendation forms. If those have not been submitted, we encourage you to follow up with them so that they can be completed. Once those three recommendation forms are submitted, then your application will be processed and reviewed by our faculty who will finalize a decision. You can expect this to take three to four weeks and you will be notified via email on the outcome of your application. To check on the status of your BSW application or for any other application challenges, please contact Ms. Michelle Clinton (mclinton@southern.edu), Social Work Office Manager. 

Our application process is merit based. As long as you satisfy the requirements for the application process and all references are positive, then you are eligible to be accepted into the program. We do not have a maximum enrollment cap for BSW applicants.

Since we only accept one cohort each year for that upcoming Fall, students may not apply and enter the program during the Winter semester. Applicants who are not eligible to apply to the program for the upcoming Fall cohort must wait to apply to the program during the next year’s application cycle.