Transfer Students
Applying to Illinois State
Fall admission only.
Admission is on a rolling basis.
Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!
Program Requirements
To be accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work program, you must meet the School’s requirements.
Grade and Course Requirements
- Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA
- At least 45 credit hours completed prior to enrollment
- Grade of C or better in Introduction to Social Work (SWK 170), grade of D or better in Introduction to Psychology (PSY 110 or 111) and grade of D or better in Introduction to Sociology (SOC 106)
Exemptions from the grade point requirement may be made for students who demonstrate potential for academic success in Social Work. Exceptions are granted upon the recommendations of the Social Work Admission Committee and the director or designee of the Social Work program.
Personal Essay
Length: 1-3 pages, double-spaced
The application will ask you to submit an essay. The admissions committee will use your essay to understand your interest in pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work.
You can use examples from your life, employment, or volunteer experience to illustrate your views and statements. Your essay will be evaluated by the content as well as the quality of your responses.
Essay Topics and Questions:
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Describe how social work is a good fit for you.
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Discuss how your life experiences have shaped your beliefs about social justice. Share your experience working in service of others. Life experiences may be related to personal, interpersonal, volunteer, work, educational, familial, etc. experiences.
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As a social worker, you will likely have clients whose personal backgrounds and life experiences are different from yours. Describe how you will hold yourself accountable for serving people from different backgrounds and beliefs with sensitivity and compassion?
Additional Requirements
Entry into the social work program and profession is also based on legal requirements. The Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics outline the laws around getting your license and practicing in the field.
Minimum GPA
2.50
Middle 50% GPA
2.82 — 3.63
Advising
Laura Roehm
(309) 438-3924
Rachel Cooper 317
Required Courses for Admission
Earn a grade C or better in:
- Introduction to Social Work (SWK 170)
Earn a grade D or better in:
- Introduction to Psychology (PSY 110 or 111)
- Introduction to Sociology (SOC 106)
Recommended Courses for Admission
To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides .
Earn a grade D or better in the following courses.
- Statistics (ECO 138, PSY 138, or SOC 275)
- Abnormal Psychology (PSY 350 or another approved Abnormal Psychology course)
Completing recommended courses ensures you progress through the program in a timely manner.
If you are admitted but do not have these courses, your degree completion may be extended by a semester or more.
Additional Information
Fall admission only. Completing recommended courses ensures you progress through the program in a timely manner. If you are admitted but do not have these courses, your degree completion may be extended by a semester or more.
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