WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Area residents interested in enrolling in the 2015 fall semester cohort of Missouri State University’s Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree at Missouri State University-West Plains are encouraged to apply by Jan. 31, 2015.

That is the deadline for area residents to apply to be considered for the 2015 fall cohort, said Deanna Smith, coordinator of Missouri State’s Outreach Program on the West Plains campus.

The first cohort of MSW students began studies in fall 2013, and university officials couldn’t be more pleased with the interest shown in the new program, Smith said.  “The School of Social Work is pleased with the growth of the MSW program in West Plains,” said Lisa Street, clinical assistant professor and coordinator of the MSW program.  “We take seriously our professional mandate to fight social injustices and empower oppressed and marginalized populations.  We are honored to educate the next generation of professional social workers in southern Missouri.”

The MSW program is delivered at Missouri State-West Plains through seated, blended and online courses offered in a part-time rotation – six hours each fall and spring semester, and three hours during the summer session.  It is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work, such as psychology, sociology and criminology, university officials said, explaining the program includes foundational social work courses, as well as advanced course work.

Enrollment is through a competitive and selective process, with 15 to 18 students admitted to each cohort.  Potential students must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale with their bachelor’s degrees to be considered.

Area residents will need to complete an application to the university’s graduate school online at www.graduate.missouristate.edu, plus complete other admission materials for the department.  Departmental application forms can be found at http://www.missouristate.edu/swk/Graduate/Apply.htm or may be picked up in Gohn Hall Room 101 on the Missouri State-West Plains campus.

For more information about the MSW program, visit http://www.missouristate.edu/swk/Graduate/ or call Smith at 417-255-7931.