M.S.W. Program

Course waiver and transfer credit

Course waiver policy for new M.S.W. students

Students may request course waivers if they can demonstrate they have satisfactorily completed an equivalent course(s). Students must present evidence of content equivalency to the M.S.W. program director and have earned “A” or “B” grades in the course that are the basis for the waiver request. These courses must have been completed within the last five years and do not have to be social work courses. A portfolio process is used to assess equivalency.

Graduate students from non-M.S.W. programs, B.S.W. graduates not in the advanced standing program and students holding a B.A., B.S. or other undergraduate degree may be waived from no more than three foundation courses.

Graduate students transferring from another accredited M.S.W. program may be waived from all foundation courses. As part of the application process for admission, transfer students from other accredited M.S.W. programs must submit course syllabi, as well as field practicum evaluations if they have completed a field placement. M.S.W. course credit may be granted if graduate transfer courses are found to be equivalent.

A course waiver does not result in an award of credit. Course credit hours can only be awarded through transfer of graduate courses. Students who are granted waivers must take elective courses to replace the credits from which they have been waived. Students should consult with their adviser and/or the M.S.W. program director regarding appropriate electives.

Procedures

Students must complete an equivalency portfolio form and submit it to the M.S.W. program director, along with available course syllabi and available written assignments and tests the student completed to satisfy requirements in the courses viewed as equivalent. These materials must be submitted by July 15 for students seeking to waive SLWK 601 and Oct. 1 for waiver of SLWK 610 and/or SLWK 609. The director, in consultation with faculty members, as needed, will review transcripts and portfolios. To request the equivalency portfolio form and instructions, the student should contact the M.S.W. program office. There is a separate portfolio form for each of the specified foundation courses.

To request forms contact:
M.S.W. program office
Phone: (804) 828-1041
E-mail: gtaylor@vcu.edu

Transfer of credit

Students may request that graduate credits granted at another college or university or by other departments of VCU be applied to the credits necessary for the M.S.W. degree. The course must have been a graduate-level course that was not applied toward another graduate degree and in which the student received a grade of either “A” or “B.”

Courses presented for transfer for required M.S.W. elective credits must meet the following criteria:

  • Expand the required M.S.W. course content.
  • Not substantially duplicate the content of required program courses or other elective courses offered by the program.
  • Relate to or be required by a grant or external funding source.
  • Be required for a certificate or combined degree program.
  • Are service courses to other graduate programs and/or are required for social work licensure.

All course work applied to the degree, including transfer credit, shall not be more than seven years old at the time the requirements for the M.S.W. degree have been completed.

No more than 30 credits will be accepted in transfer from another accredited M.S.W. program. No more than six credits will be accepted in transfer from other graduate programs.

In order to implement transfer of credits, the student must:

  1. Apply to the M.S.W. Program.
  2. Submit to the M.S.W. Program director course outlines and descriptions and other documents that verify award of credit from another institution or department.
  3. Furnish an official transcript specifying the grade(s) received.

If an M.S.W. field practicum is requested to transfer, the field evaluation must be provided and show completion of the entire foundation M.S.W. field course(s). Students transferring social work courses must provide a letter from the accredited school that they left the program in good standing.

Applicants requesting transfer of 12 or more credits from an accredited M.S.W. program must apply for admission on or before Oct. 15 for spring admission consideration.

The M.S.W. Program director will notify the student of the decision and send copies to the adviser and student folder and the off-campus director for Northern Virginia students.