What is Advanced Standing?

Advanced standing credits the time and effort you have put into your bachelor's in social work program. You have demonstrated competence in social work's basic practice behaviors and are ready to move into a more specialized learning. In some ways, it's like transferring into the Master of Social Work program with half your degree earned already.

What are the Benefits?

Advanced standing saves you time and money and puts you one giant step closer to advancing your social work career. Even though you earn your MSW in half the time, your degree is still fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The Concentration focus of Seton Hall University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program is on behavioral health. As a student in the program, you'll be a natural fit to help implement new approaches as you prepare for advanced practice in the areas of behavioral health, substance abuse and health care.

Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the MSW program must demonstrate that they:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. Have completed a broad liberal arts background with a minimum of 24 credit hours, including at least one course in sociology, psychology, English, political science or history, statistics, and human biology.
3. Have earned a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average on the last 120 graded credits that appear on their bachelor's degree transcript, as well as a 3.0 on all social work courses.
4. Have graduated from a CSWE-accredited BSW program, receive a recommendation for advanced standing from the Social Work Department chair/director of the school in which they completed their BSW, and submit an evaluation of their field instruction experience.
5. Have submitted transcripts of any completed graduate courses.
6. Submit three letters of recommendation.
7. Submit a 3-5 page Personal Statement that includes the following: your reasons for applying to the Seton Hall University's social work program; your personal values, philosophy, knowledge of social issues, and the professional and community experiences that have influenced your decision to enter the social work profession; your skills, strengths and weaknesses; and your plans for a career in social work.

Can I Receive Financial Aid?

Graduate assistantships, which provide tuition benefits and a stipend, are available on a competitive basis. Other financial aid options include loans, payment plans and part-time jobs on campus. View the Financial Aid for Graduate Students page for more information »