Information for Non-Degree-Seeking Students
The School welcomes students who are not enrolled in the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program, but who wish to take graduate-level social work courses (non-degree-seeking students).
Taking Classes with the Intention of Applying to SSW
Students may take 5000-level classes for graduate or undergraduate credit without being enrolled as a degree-seeking student in the M.S.W. Program. Students who intend to apply to the graduate program in the future may transfer such credits into their M.S.W. degree program if:
- The student earned at least a B (3.0) in the class, and
- The credits were earned within seven years of later enrollment as a degree-seeking student, and
- The student registered using the 99PRD Student Status Form and paid graduate-level tuition (if the student registers for undergraduate credit the class cannot later be used for the graduate degree program).
A maximum of eight (8) hours of graduate credit, taken as a non-degree-seeking student, can be transferred into the Full Program and six (6) hours into the Advanced Standing Program. Taking classes as a non-degree-seeking student does not guarantee acceptance to the M.S.W. Program.
What to take as a non-degree-seeking student:
Full Program: Students who qualify for the Full Program should begin with classes that are part of the M.S.W. foundation curriculum. We recommend beginning with the following classes:
- SW 5051: Human Behavior and the Social Environment (2 credits)
- SW 5101: Historical Origins and Contemporary Policies and Programs in Social Welfare (3 credits)
Other courses at the 5000-level can transfer to the M.S.W. Program as electives.
Advanced Standing Program: Students who qualify for the Advanced Standing Program should consider 5000-level courses (excluding the 5051 and 5101 foundation courses above) and 8000-level courses. At the 8000-level, students must meet the course prerequisites and obtain permission from the instructor.
Cost of Classes
While graduate tuition is considerably more expensive than undergraduate tuition per credit hour, taking a course at the graduate level (registering using form 99PRD) allows students to transfer credits to the M.S.W. program in the future (assuming the previously mentioned criteria are met). Graduate School tuition rates and fee information is available on-line at: http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Tuition_Billing/Tuition_Rates.html.
To Register for Classes as A Non-Degree-Seeking Student
If you wish to take classes as a non-degree-seeking student in the School of Social Work, please contact Jan Goodno for assistance in registering and choosing appropriate classes.
Jan Goodno at the School of Social Work
612-624-4258 or 1-800-779-8636
or by e-mail at: jgoodno@umn.edu