Students wishing to earn a baccalaureate degree in social work must use these instructions to apply online for candidacy in the BSW program. Candidacy requirements are specified in the University Catalog. Students are expected to be familiar with candidacy requirements, as well as the expiration date of their catalog. Students wishing to earn a second baccalaureate degree in social work must also use these instructions to apply for candidacy.
Application Dates
- Spring Admission: Students may apply for candidacy by the first Friday of October for spring admission into the BSW program.
- Fall Admission: Students may apply for candidacy by the first Friday in March for fall admission into the BSW program.
- Students may apply for candidacy during the semester in which they are completing the University and BSW program requirements.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the BSU School of Social Work at (208) 426-1568 or email BSW@boisestate.edu.
Required Materials
- Contact information
- Essay One & Essay Two – These can be written and submitted as a Word, Google Doc, or PDF document. They will be attached to the application.
- Academic Plan Checklist— while you will not need to upload this document, filling out the first page allows you to have all your information readily available to enter into the online application.
- Resume
- Criminal and Substantiated Abuse History Disclosure: signed, notarized, and ready to upload
- Applicant’s Verification of Candor and Accuracy; signed, notarized, and ready to upload
- Statement of Ethical Behavior; signed, notarized, and ready to upload
- Unofficial transcript ready to upload
- Criminal Background Check completed (or in the works) – separate from the online application
- Two additional Letters of Reference using the Letter of Reference Form available on the BSW application website.
- Background Narrative (if applicable): If you have misdemeanors, felonies, or anything else that will show up on a background check, a background narrative is required. Please take some time to explain these things, as well as what you learned from the experience.
Essays
Essay One – must be between 750–1000 words
Carefully review the Ethical Principles found in the NASW Code of Ethics. Keeping the mission of the profession in mind, respond to the following.
- Beyond your personal desire to assist people, discuss why you have chosen to pursue a degree in social work.
- The NASW Code of Ethics preamble states that “[t]he primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people” and highlights our six core values. Share how you will contribute to the profession and the mission of social work, keeping these core values in mind.
- Briefly discuss your personal strengths and limitations as they relate to your success as a social work student and a future social worker.
Essay Two – must be between 750–1000 words
Carefully review the Ethical Principles found in the NASW Code of Ethics. After reviewing
the Ethical Principles, respond to the following.
- Social workers serve all types of people whose backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences may be different from their own. What experiences make you prepared to work with and serve all populations?
- What knowledge, skills, and training do you need to be effective in providing service to all individuals you may encounter in practice?
Academic Plan Checklist
In preparation for the online application, fill out both the classes and the grades for all classes on the first page of the checklist.
The arrangement is slightly different, so make sure you match the classes up correctly. This is how they appear online:
| Foundations Requirements Course Name (or equivalent transfer course) Grade |
Pre-Social Work Requirements Course Name (or equivalent transfer course) Grade |
|---|---|
| ENGL 102 | SOCWRK 101 |
| FC (Comm 101 recommended) | SOCWRK 201 |
| FM (Math 153 recommended) | POLS 101 |
| PSYC 101 | |
| SOC 101 | |
You must complete all prerequisite classes with a “C-” grade or better (“B” grade or better for SOCWRK‐101 and SOCWRK‐201) to be accepted into the program.
If you haven’t completed all required classes but will complete the classes before the semester you hope to begin the program, you may still apply. In those cases, instead of marking your grade, place an “IP” in the box to indicate classes you’re currently taking or enter the semester you plan to take the class. If you are core certified or have an associate’s degree you do not need to fill out the Foundation Requirements, only the Pre Social Work Requirements.
Notarized Documents
You must upload the following documents during the online application process so they should be completed, signed, notarized, and scanned before beginning the online process:
- Criminal & Substantiated Abuse History and Disclosure
- Applicant’s Verification of Candor and Accuracy
- Statement of Ethical Behavior
Each of these forms must be accurately completed and signed by you in the presence of a notary. You may find a notary public on your own, or you may bring the forms to the School of Social Work to have them notarized at no cost. Please make an appointment with Sam Davidson at samdavidson@boisestate.edu or Desiree Reyes at desireereyes@boisestate.edu to have your documents notarized. Other notaries around campus can be found on the List of Notaries Public website.
Transcripts / Transcript Evaluation
You must scan and upload your unofficial Boise State University transcripts.
- Boise State University transcripts. A PDF copy of this document can be generated in the Student Center through MyBoiseState. How to view your unofficial transcripts
- Transfer students should include their unofficial Boise State transcript once all credits from the other institutions have been included.
Letters of Reference (Evaluation Form)
You must provide two letters of reference separate from your online application. The BSW Letter of Reference Form is available at the Boise State School of Social Work website under the BSW Application Materials grid.
- General Letters of Reference (2)
The two letters of reference must come from people who know you well enough to provide insight to your potential as a social worker. These can be from past supervisors (paid, volunteer, or service learning), employers, professors, or professional social workers with whom you have worked. References from a member of your own family, personal friends, clients, or former service providers, such as personal therapist, are not appropriate. They should use the Letter of Reference Form (Evaluation Form). You will have them complete the form electronically, or if submitting a paper copy, have them sign the seal of the envelope and turn it into the School of Social Work Department on campus. Be sure your name is written on the envelope before you drop it off at the Social Work Office.
Background Check
Students must have a background check performed by CastleBranch. The cost is approximately $45.00.
Steps:
- Applicants or students will go to CastleBranch and enter Boise State University School of Social Work’s package code (BJ53).
- The applicant or student will set up a CastleBranch account. At minimum, the applicant needs to supply full name, date of birth, social security number, current address, phone number, and email address. Additional information may be requested.
- The applicant or student will pay the required fee. (Limited amount of funds from the School of Social Work are available to current students experiencing financial hardship and are unable to pay the background check processing fee. Current students should contact the Divisional Dean of the School of Social Work to request financial assistance to complete a background check.)
- Results will be made available to the applicant and the School of Social Work. Results are typically available in 3-5 business days.
Applicants to Boise State’s BSW program should initiate the background check prior to the BSW Application Deadline. In the event the background check is not completed before the admissions committee meets and you are selected for admission to the BSW program, you may be admitted conditionally until the background check results have been reviewed by the BSW Program Coordinator. The background check report must be received by the School of Social Work before the first day of class. Results of your background check are treated confidentially. Background checks completed more than twelve (12) months before the program admission deadline associated with the semester for which you are applying cannot be used for admission to the BSW program.
Background Checks cover these areas during the past seven years:
- Residency history
- Social Security Verifications
- County Criminal Records
- Nationwide Database Search
- Nationwide Sexual Offender Index
Factors considered when the School of Social Work reviews your background include:
- Severity or nature of the criminal behaviors.
- Number and pattern of criminal behaviors.
- Circumstances surrounding the criminal behaviors that would help determine risk.
- Relationship of the criminal behaviors to the care of children or vulnerable adults.
- Activities since the criminal behaviors that may be evidence of rehabilitation.
- Individual’s age at the time of the criminal behavior.
- Time elapsed since the criminal behaviors.
- Probation or parole status.
An applicant may be denied admission if criminal history makes that applicant unfit for social work practice. In the event an applicant’s criminal history demonstrates behavior deemed to be unprofessional or puts clients, other students, faculty, agencies, or the profession at risk, the applicant’s admission, pending receipt of a background check, will be rescinded. The option to appeal this decision is available.