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Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work
How to Apply

The Social Work Program is accepting applications for new students. The following courses must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to application:

  • SOCY 1000 Sociology: Global Perspective
  • SOWO 2000 Introduction to Social Work
  • SOWO 3910 Field Practicum

The student must also have a social work GPA of 2.5 or greater to be fully accepted into the program.

Application Process

Students must complete the following application process for admittance into the Social Work Program:

  1. Complete the application form. Include a picture for future assistance in completion of letters of reference. The picture is only used for identification purposes and does not have any bearing on admissions decisions.
  2. Obtain at least one letter of recommendation from someone who knows you well. This may include professors, social workers, supervisors from work, or social service agency personnel. Auburn University social work faculty cannot write recommendation letters for this purpose.
  3. Submit a current transcript.
  4. Write an essay of not more than four typewritten pages, double spaced.

Admissions Essay

Your 3-4 page admissions essay should address the following:

  • Why do I believe social work is an appropriate career choice for me given my personal values, life experience, interest in and ability to contribute to the social work profession?
    • Please include any history of helping others or personal events which have contributed to your growth in awareness, sensitivity and understanding of diversity with regard to race, age, gender, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and gender identity, spirituality, religious, non-religious belief, or physical or intellectual ability.
  • What social problems with American society am I most concerned with and wish to impact as a professional social worker?
  • How are my personal values similar, dissimilar, or a "good fit" with the profession of social work? Please discuss this in detail after thoroughly reviewing the NASW Code of Ethics.
    • If I have some conflict with the values of social work and still want to work in this profession, what can I do to improve my ability to work with clients who challenge me?
  • What strengths do I possess? What are the areas in which I need to grow during the course of my education? Include how you manage stress and/or crisis situations.

Application Form

Application materials can be obtained from the Social Work office in 7030-G Haley Center or by downloading the application. Return the completed application to the Social Work office.

Application to the Social Work Program should be made after completing SOWO 3910: Field Practicum and before enrolling in SOWO 4060: Social Work Practice Methods I.

The use of cumulative GPA for admission into the Social Work Program is subject to review by program faculty, provided that minimum requirements are met. Applicants not accepted for a given semester may re-apply. The maximum number of applicants admitted will be based on the criteria listed above in conjunction with departmental resources.

Download Application

 

Application Review

Students are encouraged to work with their social work faculty advisor in development of their admissions application and to complete the admissions process. An initial review of the application will be conducted to determine if prerequisites have been met and if the application is complete. The admissions committee meets once per semester to review applications and make admission decisions. Students in good academic standing (not on academic probation or suspension) with a grade-point average of 2.5 in social work classes and who have completed the three required courses with a grade of C or better are eligible for full admission into the program. Action may be either acceptance, denial, or conditional acceptance. If denial is suggested by a committee member, the admissions decision will be deferred. A statement giving the reasons for the proposed denial will be given to the student with copies to committee members within one week. Students will be given an opportunity to reply. Denial requires a majority vote of those eligible to make the admissions decision.

Conditional acceptance allows a student admission to the program contingent upon the satisfaction of some requirement in coursework or other matters relating to admission criteria. Conditions for moving from conditional to full admission will be specified in writing to the student. Students whose applications are denied will be given the opportunity to reapply unless they have been previously terminated from the program. In such cases, students must receive prior approval for reapplication. All students may enroll in any social work courses except Methods (SOWO 4060, 4070, 4080) and Field Placement (SOW0 4950). 

Students will be notified in writing via USPS of admission decisions generally within 2 weeks of the admissions committee meeting.

 

Appeals

Students may register appeals or grievances through the Auburn Association of Student Social Workers Grievance Committee, the admissions coordinator, the Social Work Program director, the department chair, and/or Auburn University Student Academic Grievance Committee. Appeals and grievances should be made in writing. Appeals and grievances will be taken up at the admissions committee meeting following notification of the grievance or appeal.