Social Work Program Application

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the national professional organization that regulates BSW and MSW programs in the United States. One of the requirements under the CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) is that social work programs have a formal admissions process.

In addition, the EPAS establish competencies and standards that guide the learning process of students into the values, ethics, knowledge and skills of the social work profession. Admitted students must continue to successfully meet the Academic, Behavioral, and Ethical Expectations of the program in order to advance through and complete the Siena BSW Program. A link to the expectations is provided. Material from this application is kept confidential within the Social Work Department.

Links:

The Career and Internship Center's Career Guide (p. 21-28)
Social Work Department's Academic, Behavioral and Ethical Expectations
Social Work Reference form- provide this link to the person who will submit a letter of reference for you.

* = required field

A. Background Information

Name *

First

Last

Student ID Number: *

Siena Email Address *

Cell Phone Number *

###

####

B. ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Current Overall G.P.A.: *

Current Advisor: *

First

Last

Transfer Students- Please list the College & degree program you are transferring from:

If applicable (note all that apply):

2 nd Major:

Minor(s):

Certificate:

Honors Program:

Bonner Program: *

Yes

C. RESUME:

Please describe your experience (current/past; volunteer/ paid/ internship) related to the field of Social Work.

Please refer to p. 21-28 of the Career Guide (link above) for assistance in creating your resume.

Resume Upload *

Allowed File Types: pdf

D. ESSAY:

Please develop a well-written essay that addresses the following five (5) points:
● Discuss your interest in the study of Social Work and how your experiences have influenced this.

● Values: The Social Work profession rests on a foundation of six core values: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. Read more about these values in the National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) Code of Ethics.
From this list: (a) discuss one that “speaks to you”, that fits well with your own value system; then (b) discuss one that may challenge you or raise conflicts within you as you envision serving others.

● As a professional it is necessary to be able to identify various types of discrimination and their impact on people. Please describe an experience you have had in being treated differently from others, or where you observed another person experiencing discrimination. What insight did you gain from this experience?

● Racism is a pervasive problem in the United States and impacts the ability for all people to live in a socially, economically and environmentally just society. Describe your understanding of racism and what actions social workers can take to advocate for and create systemic change.

● Review the Academic/Behavioral/Ethical Criteria attached. These criteria set the expectations for student performance and are used to monitor student progress throughout the program. In thinking about your next two years of study, identify and briefly discuss two of your strengths as well as two areas that you anticipate to be challenging.

● Discuss your future academic and career goals as they relate to Social Work or another field and explain what you hope to gain from your involvement in the Social Work Program.

Personal Statement (essay) *

Allowed File Types: pdf

E. REFERENCES:

Please request one letter of recommendation from an individual who has personal knowledge of you and who can attest to your capacity for the study and practice of Social Work at the baccalaureate level. Your reference can be from an employer, a supervisor from your volunteer or service work, or a faculty member who is not a member of the SW Department. The recommendation cannot be written by a family member, friend or a full time member of the Social Work Department.

Please provide the link listed above to your reference so that they can provide us with your letter of recommendation.

Reference Name *

First

Last

Relationship to you: *

F. WRITING SAMPLE:

Upload a writing assignment (graded, if possible) from a non-social work course, written within the last semester, in order to provide a representation of your current writing skills.

Writing Sample Upload *

Allowed File Types: pdf

G. Academic, Behavioral, and Ethical Expectations

Review the Social Work Department's Academic, Behavioral and Ethical Expectations. ( https://www.siena.edu/sw-standards/ )
You will draw from these expectations for your essay and sign below to indicate you have read and understand these expectations.

My signature below indicates that I have read and understand these expectations: *