Frances Kantner displays her work with the Julian Center, a domestic violence victims agency. Frances is a Social Work major and Civic Engagement & Community Leadership minor.

Social Work students (from left) Katie Jones, Rachelle Shidler, and Sarah Shirrell enjoy time at a social work workshop.

Application Procedure

To apply to the University of Indianapolis, conact the University Office of Admissions.

In order to take some higher-level Social Work courses at the University, you must be admitted to the Social Work Program. The Social Work program maintains a non-discrimination policy. It shall not discriminate based on race, color, gender, age, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, handicap, and political or sexual orientation. This is consistent with the policies upheld by the University of Indianapolis.

Requirements

Students interested in the program should have one of the faculty in the program advise them.

• Apply at least six weeks before the end of the semester preceding the one in which you want to take “closed” courses.
  If you wish to be admitted prior to the fall semester, the application should be submitted no later than week nine of the winter semester.
   
• Complete a minimum of forty-five semester hours of study, including the introductory social work and ancillary courses.
  Near completion of the liberal arts requirement, as specified by the College of Arts and Science in the University Catalog is strongly suggested. This is especially true of the Modern Language requirement, as the frequent class sessions may make the completion of practica difficult.
   
• Satisfactorily complete, or nearly have completed, all preparatory courses required for the major, excluding SOWK 110 and 230.
  The student must have maintained a minimum grade point average of 2.25 in all coursework. No preparatory course grades below a “C” will be acceptable for fulfilling the admission requirement, unless the course has been repeated at grade “C” or higher. Only one repetition per social work requirement is permitted in order to meet the criteria for consideration into the program. Some, however, not all, of the courses also apply to liberal arts core requirements.
   
• Satisfactorily complete SOWK 110 and 230.
  The student must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 or higher. No course grades below a “C” are accepted, unless the course has been repeated at grade “C” or higher. Only one repetition per major requirement is accepted in order to meet the criteria for consideration into the program.
   
• Complete additional application requirements listed below.
  Application forms are available in the program office in Good Hall. Students must supply the following information:
  1. Basic identifying information. This will be used to contact the student and will be placed in the Program’s Student Database.
  2. Employment/Volunteer history in the social/human sciences if applicable, and/or involvement with the student group, the Social Work Association. This information will better help identify the student’s interests in the field, plus field placement options. Previous experience is desirable; however, it is not mandatory for the program’s requirements.
  3. A three to five page autobiography detailing the student’s interests, preparedness, and suitability for the social work profession. This is a writing sample and an assessment of the student’s interests, intentions, and match with the values and ethics of the profession. This should not be a difficult task after completing SOWK 110 and 230.
  4. A paper, written at the university level, that the student feels is well-written. This will evaluate writing competency.
     
• Sign an agreement stating that you have received, read, and will comply with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. A copy of this document is given to you with the program application.
  
• Sign a written statement indicating that you have read and will comply with the rules, regulations, policies, and standards set forth in the in the Program Handbook.
  
• Sign a statement indicating that you have read the Curriculum Policy Statement of the Council of Social Work Education. This document is also given with the application.
  
• Submit a copy of all transcripts from institutions of higher learning attended. It is not necessary to submit transcripts from the University of Indianapolis, as the program can access an unofficial copy.

Upon receipt of the completed application and all appropriate forms, the director will review contents, and unless further information is required, initiate faculty review. Some students may be interviewed. This includes all transfer students. The interview will be approximately one hour and will review the information provided in the application. Admission will then be fully considered at the next meeting of the program faculty. All Social Work faculty meet and deliberate on the application. All information provided is kept confidential. Applicants will be notified in writing of the decision. Faculty suggestions will also be submitted at this time.

Possible Admission Outcomes

1. Unconditional Admission
   The student is granted full admission into the program.
2. Provisional Admission
   The student may be provisionally admitted into the program with specific recommendations or conditions. For example, preparatory coursework may need to be completed satisfactory. All transfer students are generally granted provisional admittance until they have completed one semester of program coursework. If the applicant is granted provisional admittance, the student is party to a written contractual agreement between him/herself and the program. The contract will specify conditions and times for resolution of any concerns, and is binding. Upon successful resolution, the student will then gain unconditional admission status to the program.
3. Deferred Decision
   The program faculty may have concerns or doubts about the student’s commitment or present suitability, and may decide to not accept the applicant at the present time. Specific recommendations and/or conditions may have to be met within a specified time frame before reconsideration. If the recommendations and/or concerns are not addressed within the specified time frame, the applicant will be declined admittance into the program.
4. Denial of Admission
   The program faculty may deny the application. Specific reasons will be provided for denial. An applicant may be denied due to: failure to comply with the mandatory minimum grade point average, serious problems encountered by the student while attending another social work program, and/or problems or conditions that question the student’s ability to engage in professional practice (i.e. allegations of cheating or plagiarism).