Social Studies Degrees

Admissions Requirements

Professional Studies
The minimum criteria for admission into the Professional Studies program as a freshman student are:
Class rank in the top half of the high school graduating class and/or a cumulative 2.0 grade point average
Minimum combined SAT score of 850 for Critical Reading and Math (combined) or equivalent ACT composite score (18)
Successful transfer applicants will typically hold a minimum collegiate grade point average of 2.0, having completed at least 15 college credits, and have a proven record of success in high school or collegiate science courses.

Please note the above listed requirements are general, and that each application is looked at thoroughly, taking into account individual grades, academic rigor, and other factors.

Admissions Requirements

Interdisciplinary Studies
The minimum criteria for admission into the Interdisciplinary Studies program as a freshman student are:
Class rank in the top half of the high school graduating class and/or a cumulative 2.0 grade point average
Minimum combined SAT score of 850 for Critical Reading and Math (combined) or equivalent ACT composite score (18)
Successful transfer applicants will typically hold a minimum collegiate grade point average of 2.0, having completed at least 15 college credits, and have a proven record of success in high school or collegiate science courses.

Please note the above listed requirements are general, and that each application is looked at thoroughly, taking into account individual grades, academic rigor, and other factors.

Admission Information

In addition to the College of Graduate Studies admission requirements at Cleveland State University and The University of Akron, the joint MSW program requires of all applicants:
1. An undergraduate major in social work or a related field;
2. A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in social work and behavioral science courses taken prior to application for admission;
3. A minimum of eight courses in the social and behavioral sciences;
4. Three letters of reference;
5. An essay of three to five typed pages explaining:
a. Why the student wants to be a social worker;
b. Why a graduate degree is felt to be necessary to fulfill the applicant’s personal or professional objectives;
c. The applicant’s views regarding diversity in society;
d. A situation in which the student was the recipient/provider of help, emotionally, socially, or economically; and
e. A description of the applicant’s previous social work/human service work experience.

Note: No credit is given for work or life experience.
6. Notification, in writing, of:
a. Preference for the day, evening, or advanced standing program;
b. Preference for full-time or part-time program;
c. Intended second-year Area of Concentration—Micro (Direct) Practice or Macro Practice; and
d. Preference for advanced standing. To qualify for advanced standing, the applicant must have an undergraduate degree in Social Work, a 3.5 grade-point average in the social work major, and 3.2 accumulative GPA.

The application deadline is February 28. Submit materials to the Cleveland State University Graduate Admissions Office.

Students are expected to adhere to the program format under which they were admitted (day/evening, micro/macro, full-time/part-time, advanced standing). Any changes in this admission status will be based on the program’s ability to accommodate the change. Changes must be requested before the beginning of the academic year.

Note: Applicants should be aware that having a prior felony conviction or prior sanctions for unprofessional conduct may impact future potential for obtaining field placements, social work employment, and licensure.