Specialty Graduate Program Applications

Applicants must complete the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) online application. 

The CRE is no longer required for these programs.

For more detailed admission materials and requirements, please refer to Communication Sciences and Disorders section in the current graduate catalog. 

We participate in the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). All applicants must register with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and register for the CAS to apply.

For more detailed admission materials, requirements and how to apply, please refer to Knudson School of Law admissions website. 

Applicants must complete the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) centralized medical school application processing service.

Register with AMCAS 

• We will contact you regarding interviews after we have reviewed your completed application

• Interviews will take place October through February

For more detailed admission materials, requirements and how to apply, please refer to the Sanford School of Medicine admissions website. 

Applicants must complete the NursingCAS online application. 

For more detailed admission requirements, please refer to the Nursing Department section of the current graduate catalog.

Our Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is a three-year, clinical program for students seeking entry-level professional education. Enrollment is limited to 32 students selected through a competitive application process. Applicants are responsible for verification or receipt of all documents to OTCAS and the Graduate School. 

Applicants must complete the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) online application. 

For more detailed admission requirements, please refer to the Occupational Therapy section of the current graduate catalog.

Admission Requirements

Students applying to the program must obtain a bachelor's or master's/graduate degree prior to entrance into the OTD program unless they are applying through the 3+3 accelerated OTD program. Applicants may apply during their senior year of undergraduate study. For more information on applying as a sophomore or junior undergraduate student, refer to the OT Scholar Program. 

In addition to the degree, you must complete certain prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the program. All coursework must be completed and a bachelor's degree obtained by June 1 prior to beginning the OTD program. 

• Transcripts: Official transcript(s) (in English or with translation) from all colleges and universities attended
• Letters of Recommendation: You must submit three (3) letters of recommendation/reference. No references from family members will be accepted. One reference is recommended from an occupational therapist. One should be from an academic source, such as a instructor or professor.
• Personal Statement: Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose or a general goal statement outlining why the applicant wants to attend graduate school. The statement of purpose should be completed and uploaded in the documents section in OTCAS.
• Work or Volunteer Experience: You must submit work or volunteer experience in occupational therapy or related areas. We recommended a minimum of 30 hours in at least three different areas of practice. You should also share any community involvement, leadership and diverse cultural experiences.

Prerequisites and Program Options

Prerequisites for OT Program

Occupational therapy prerequisite courses are intended to prepare you for professional studies within the School of Health Sciences.
You must obtain a bachelor's degree to be eligible for our program unless you are applying as a part of the 3+3 accelerated program. No preference is given to any specific field of undergraduate study. 

The following prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to entrance into the program. All coursework must be completed and a bachelor's or master's/graduate degree obtained by June 1 of the year you intend to begin the USD OT program.

• Applicants are allowed to have no more than two outstanding prerequisites at the completion of the fall 2022 semester for the 2022-2023 application cycle.
• A minimum of six of the nine prerequisite courses must be completed at application submission.
• A minimum of two of the three science prerequisite courses must be completed at application submission.
• When calculating prerequisite and science prerequisite GPAs, if a course has been taken twice, the highest grade will be applied to the GPA. If it is taken more than twice, the average will be calculated and applied to the GPA.
• Advanced Placement (AP) courses will be considered by the admissions committee. A minimum score of 4/5 must be met for any prerequisite coursework. An official score report must be sent to us by the application deadline to verify qualification of AP coursework. Credit must appear on the official college transcript and be equivalent to the appropriate college-level coursework in order to be considered.
• CLEP credits will be considered by the admissions committee on a case-by-case basis.
• Pass/Fail coursework will not be accepted in fulfillment of prerequisite requirements with the exception of medical terminology. A grade of pass or satisfactory will be accepted for any prerequisite coursework completed during the spring 2020 and summer 2020 terms.
• All prerequisites must be taken within 10 years of applying to the program.
• Cumulative, prerequisite and science prerequisite GPAs of 3.0 (as calculated by OTCAS) or better based on a 4.0 scale are required. Grades below a C in prerequisite coursework will not be accepted. Transcripts using a +/- grading system will be graded without acknowledgement of the +/- points. For example, grades of B+, B, and B- will all be calculated as a B for GPA purposes.
• Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may submit their application for review. Merit of the application will be determined by reviewing grades for the most recent 64 semester hours. 

OT Scholar Program

Beginning in your sophomore year, you may apply for acceptance through the Occupational Therapy Scholar Program while completing your undergraduate degree. OT Scholars are guaranteed a seat in the USD Occupational Therapy program the fall semester after they complete their undergraduate degree.

Students who are enrolled in universities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Montana or Wyoming may apply during their sophomore or junior year of undergraduate studies. Students may apply from February 1 of their sophomore year to April 1 of their junior year of college. The application will consist of the same format (application form, observation hours, three letters of reference and transcripts of work completed) as a traditional applicant. Interviews will be scheduled for qualified applicants.

Occupational Scholar Program Criteria

To be considered for the OT Scholar program, applicants must meet the following. GPA scores will be calculated by OTCAS:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 based on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum science prerequisite GPA of 3.2 based on a 4.0 scale
  

Grades below a B- in prerequisite coursework will not be accepted. 

If an applicant is accepted under the OT Scholar program, they must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA, a 3.5 prerequisite GPA, and a 3.2 science prerequisite GPA to guarantee their position.

Accepted OT Scholar Students

Once you are accepted, you will be assigned a faculty advisor from the Department of Occupational Therapy. You will be required to contact your adviser during the spring semester of each year to document satisfactory progress toward completion of the prerequisite requirements, including coursework and volunteer/observation experience. A copy of grades and planned course of study will be maintained for each student in the program. 

Students accepted into the OT Scholar Program agree to do the following:

• Contact their assigned advisor yearly in the fall or  spring to:
  
  • Update coursework completed
  • Update contact information
  • Ensure maintenance of academic performance (GPA) as specified to remain in the program.
• Satisfactorily complete their undergraduate degree, using the above-listed criteria, no later than June 1 prior to entry into the professional program.
• Provide a non-refundable deposit to the occupational therapy program.

3+3 Accelerated Program

Save time and money by earning your Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and your bachelor's degree in six years rather than seven. The 3+3 accelerated program allows qualified students enrolled in an eligible undergraduate program at the University of South Dakota to begin the Occupational Therapy program early as a senior. This will allow you to use the first year of graduate level coursework to complete your bachelor's degree. Eligible undergraduate programs are those which have entered into an approved 3+3 arrangement with the Department of Occupational Therapy.

Admission

Students interested in the 3+3 program should:

• Submit the intent form for the 3+3 program by add/drop deadline of your third semester
• Earn 100 undergraduate credits by the end of your junior year
• Meet all major, distribution and testing requirements by the end of your junior year
• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Complete all standard admission requirements to the Occupational Therapy program including submission of the OTCAS application no later than January 1 of the year in which you plan to enroll in the occupational therapy program.
• Obtain your final degree audit from the Office of the Registrar attesting that you have successfully achieved all minimum requirements (100 credits, including major, distribution and testing requirements) prior to enrolling.

Meeting all requirements does not guarantee admission to the USD Occupational Therapy program. All students must apply and be considered on the merits of their applications. If an applicant moderately deviates from the GPA requirements and demonstrates evidence of extraordinary character, leadership and maturity, we reserve the right to make an exception and grant admission in that case.

Intent FormSample Curriculum PlanProgram Checklist

Accepted Students

Upon contingent acceptance into the physical therapy program, applicants are required to complete three steps to secure your seat.

1. Pay a $400 seat deposit
2. Submit and pay for a criminal background check (approximately $100)
3. Sign off that you are able to perform the tasks outlined in the Essential Functions and Technical Standards document.

Our Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) program is offered in three consecutive years of coursework. You may apply in the senior year of your undergraduate education. Enrollment is limited to 32 students that begin coursework in the fall (July) each year and are selected through a competitive application process. USD PT does not accept transfer credits toward the doctoral degree for previous courses, time in other programs or work experience.

Applicants must complete the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) online application. 

For more detailed admission requirements, please refer to the Physical Therapy section of the current graduate catalog.

Admission Requirements

Students applying to the program must obtain a bachelor's or master's/graduate degree prior to entrance into the DPT program unless they are applying as a part of the 3+3 accelerated DPT program. Applicants may apply during their senior year of undergraduate study. 

In addition to the degree, you must complete certain prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the program. Additional consideration will be given to applicants that have completed a graduate degree prior to matriculation. All coursework must be completed and a bachelor's degree obtained by June 1 prior to beginning the DPT program.

Fall application review

• Nine of 12 prerequisites must be completed by the application deadline with no more than two prerequisites to be completed after the fall 2021 semester

Spring application review

• Ten of 12 prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall 2021 semester

All application reviews

• Cumulative GPA of 3.2 (as calculated by PTCAS based on 4.0 scale)
• Prerequisite GPA of 3.2 (as calculated by PTCAS based on 4.0 scale)

Admission Materials

For more detailed admission materials and requirements, please refer to the Physical Therapy section in the current graduate catalog and review the Full

Admission Policies and Procedures handout.

Transcripts

Official transcript(s) (in English or with translation) from all colleges and universities attended.

Letters of Recommendation

You must submit three (3) letters of recommendation/reference. No references from family members will be accepted. One reference is recommended from a physical therapist. 

Personal Statements/Essay

Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose/essay outlining why the applicant wants to attend graduate school. The statement of purpose should be completed and uploaded in the documents section in PTCAS. 

Work Experience

You must submit a minimum of 50 hours of observing a licensed physical therapist. Hours must be verified through PTCAS and completed prior to the application deadline. Diversified shadowing experience is highly encouraged.

GRE Scores 

You must submit your official GRE score using the USD PT/PTCAS Code - 7814. GRE scores can be no more than 5 years old.

Accepted Students

Upon contingent acceptance into the physical therapy program, applicants are required to complete three steps to secure your seat.

1. Pay a $400 seat deposit
2. Submit and pay for a criminal background check (approximately $100)
3. Sign off that you are able to perform the tasks outlined in the Essential Functions and Technical Standards document.

Prerequisites and Program Options

Prerequisites for Physical Therapy Program

Physical therapy prerequisite courses are intended to prepare you for professional studies within the School of Health Sciences. Applicants must have cumulative and prerequisite GPAs of 3.2 (as calculated by PTCAS) based on a 4.0 scale to be eligible to apply to the physical therapy program.

You must obtain a bachelor's or master's/graduate degree for admission to our program unless you are applying as part of the 3+3 accelerated DPT program. No preference is given to any specific field of undergraduate study. In addition to the degree, the following prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to entrance into the program. All coursework must be completed and a bachelor's or master's/graduate degree obtained by June 1 of the year you intend to begin the USD PT program.

CLEP and pass/fail coursework may not be used in fulfillment of prerequisite courses that require a lab component. Due to challenges that may be faced by applicants during the 2020-2021 application cycle, application updates can be found by visiting the PT COVID Update file.

AP coursework may be used in fulfillment of prerequisite courses. A minimum score of 4/5 must be met. An official score report must be sent directly to USD to verify qualification of AP coursework.

Prerequisite Courses

The list of courses and credits below are the prerequisites that all applicants must complete prior to June 1 of the year they intend to begin the USD PT program. Sample USD courses are listed for each content area. For more information about required prerequisite courses, visit the physical therapy in the academic catalog.

3+3 Accelerated PT Program

Save time and money by earning your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and your bachelor's degree in six years rather than seven. The 3+3 accelerated program allows qualified students enrolled in an eligible undergraduate program at the University of South Dakota to begin the DPT program early as a senior. This will allow you to use the first year of graduate level coursework to complete your bachelor's degree.

Eligible undergraduate programs are:

• Human Dynamics (Biology)

Admission

Students interested in the 3+3 program should:

• Submit the intent form for the 3+3 program by add/drop deadline of your third semester
• Earn 93 undergraduate credits by the end of your junior year
• Meet all major, distribution and testing requirements by the end of your junior year
• Maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA
• Complete all standard admission requirements to the USD Physical Therapy program including submission of the PTCAS application no later than the first working day of December of the year in which you plan to enroll in the physical therapy program.
• Obtain your final degree audit from the Office of the Registrar attesting that you have successfully achieved all minimum requirements (93 credits, including major, distribution and testing requirements) prior to enrolling.

Meeting all requirements does not guarantee admission to the USD physical therapy program. All students must apply and be considered on the merits of their applications. If an applicant moderately deviates from the GRE and GPA requirements and demonstrates evidence of extraordinary character, leadership and maturity, we reserve the right to make an exception and grant admission in that case.

Important Documents 

Applicants must complete the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) online application.

For more detailed admission materials and requirements, please refer to the Physician Assistant Studies section in the current graduate catalog.

Admissions Process

Each applicant must apply to the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). CASPA deadline is Sept. 1 for the following July/August. You can begin applying to CASPA as early as April in the year of application.

CASPA is a service that collates materials, computes grade point averages and transmits standardized information to the applicant and the physician assistant program(s) the applicant designates. CASPA takes no part in the evaluation, selection or rejection of applicants. It is the applicant’s responsibility to complete and submit all supporting documentation to CASPA in a timely manner. The application status check, provided to applicants as part of the CASPA service, should be monitored throughout the application process. CASPA will not mail incomplete applications. Please see CASPA Admissions Code of Cooperation for more information.

Step 1 - Eligibility

The physician assistant program has several requirements for admission including prerequisites. Make sure you meet these requirements before you apply.

Step 2 - Applications and Communication

The following materials must be submitted by September 1 to be considered for admission:

• CASPA Application – Complete, verified applications must be received by the PA program by Oct. 15 to be considered for an interview. We highly recommend submission of all materials to CASPA four to six weeks prior to the September 1 deadline.
• In addition to the CASPA online application, all applicants are required to pay a $35 application fee. 
  
  • You must submit the fee by September 1 at the latest, but we recommend payment at the same time as the CASPA application. This will ensure the application moves forward in the review process.
  • All applicants to the USD PA Program are required to submit a $35 application fee the University of South Dakota’s Graduate School by September 1. All questions about the Graduate School application fee should be direct to Graduate Admissions at 605-658-6200 or gradadmissions@usd.edu. In order to submit the application fee, please go to apps.usd.edu/administrative/deposits/ and select USD Graduate Application Fee ($35.00).
• Failure to return all materials by the stated deadline will result in the withdrawal of the application from consideration for interview or acceptance.

The program communicates with applicants exclusively via email throughout the admissions cycle. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the program has the correct email contact information. If you do not receive communication from our program within one week of the date CASPA verifies your application, it is possible that the email communication is being blocked by your service provider or is being placed in your junk mail.

Applicants who do not receive this communication should contact the program to ensure that future communications can be delivered. Failure to follow up with the program may result in withdraw of the application if requested materials are not returned by stated deadlines.

Step 3 – Program Interview

Interview invitations are extended to those applicants that the selection committee perceives to be competitive for admissions. The interview dates are determined by the program and will be communicated with candidates in the offer to interview.

Step 4 – Complete Enrollment Requirements

Instructions for enrollment requirements will be provided by the PA program after acceptance. Enrollment requirements include:

1. Terms of acceptance
2. Non-refundable tuition deposit ($400)
3. Criminal background check
4. Health screening
5. Immunization requirements
6. Proof of health insurance
7. Proof of completion for any outstanding prerequisites
8. Proof of conferred degree

Admissions Timeline

• April 30: CASPA application opens for this cycle
• May – September: CASPA applications reviewed by faculty and staff
• September 1: CASPA application deadline (11:59 PM Eastern Time; 10:59 PM Central Time; 9:59 PM Mountain Time; 8:59 PM Pacific Time)
• September 1: Graduate School Application fee of $35 must be submitted
• October 15: Applications must be verified by CASPA in order to be considered for this cycle
• September – October final review of CASPA applications to determine which applicants will be invited for an interview.
• Late October:

1. Interview invitations sent via email
2. Interview wait list offer sent via email
3. Application declined for this cycle

• November – December: tentative interviews held on USD's campus dates scheduled
• December: Offers of admission sent via email
• July: Orientation for incoming students; classes begin

If you have any questions about these items or the admissions process, please contact the program.

Selection Criteria

The requirements for admission are minimum requirements. Because admission is competitive, the program has designed a number of selection criteria for applicants. In considering applicants for admissions, the admissions committee will give preference for admission to applicants who possess the following at the time of application:

• An overall grade point average (as calculated by CASPA) of 3.2 or higher (on a 4.00 scale). Grades obtained in repeat courses are averaged into this GPA by CASPA
• A GPA of 3.2 or higher in the last 40 semester hours of coursework (on a 4.0 scale)
• Grades for coursework taken following submission of the CASPA application are not considered in the GPA calculation and therefore not considered in selecting qualified applicants.
• We strongly recommend that you have no more than three prerequisite courses outstanding at the time of application submission.
• Applicants are required to have a minimum of 500 direct patient care experience hours prior to submission of their CASPA applications.
• Significant extracurricular, professional, research, or service organization involvement and activity.
• Motivation to become a physician assistant based on a thorough understanding of the PA profession.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the personal written statement, in the application, and in the interview.
• Personal qualities relating to maturity and professionalism as demonstrated in the interview and letters of recommendation.
• Resident and non-resident students are selected for admission.
• In accordance with the PA program mission and goals, the program will give preference to applicants who indicate a high potential for future practice in primary care or in a medically underserved area as well as individuals from targeted populations.  This includes individuals who are first-generation college students, veterans, economically disadvantaged, underrepresented populations and those from rural backgrounds.

Over half of the matriculants are South Dakota residents or those with strong ties to the state:

• One or both parents South Dakota residents
• Graduated from high school in South Dakota
• Graduated from an accredited South Dakota university or college
• Member of a federally recognized tribe from a bordering state

For any other consideration of ties, applications are reviewed by the program and interviews are offered at their discretion. An example of this would typically be applicants who are non-residents who lived in South Dakota previously but have moved out of state.

The program continues to accept non-resident students and encourages them to apply.

Technical Standards

Technical Standards for Admission, Continuation and Graduation

The University of South Dakota physician assistant program affirms that no applicant to the program will be excluded on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, genetic information, veteran status or disability. Otherwise qualified applicants with a disability will be considered in relation to the guidelines listed below.

In evaluating applicants for admission and preparing PAs, it is essential that the integrity of the curriculum be maintained, that those elements necessary for the education of the PA be preserved and that the health and safety of patients be maintained. While reasonable accommodation can be made for certain disabilities, those candidates and students who have a disability will be held to the same performance standards as their peers who do not have that disability.

Because the PA degree signifies that the holder is a person prepared for entry into the practice of medicine, it follows that graduates must have the knowledge, skills and ability to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. Therefore, candidates for the Master of Science in physician assistant studies (MSPAS) degree from USD must have certain sensory and motor functions that permit them to carry out the activities described in the sections that follow. They must be able to consistently, quickly and accurately integrate all information received by whatever sense(s) employed, and they must have the intellectual ability to learn, integrate, analyze and synthesize data.

A candidate for the MSPAS degree must have abilities and skills of five varieties, including:

1. Observation
2. Communication
3. Motor
4. Intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
5. Behavioral and social attributes

Technological accommodation may be available to assist for some disabilities in certain of these areas, but a candidate and student should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner without reliance on a trained intermediary to replace the candidate’s judgment or power of assessment and observation.

1. Observation

The candidate and student must be able to participate in activities determined to be essential by the faculty. This may include physiologic and pharmacologic demonstrations, anatomic dissection, microscopic studies of microorganisms, observation of tissues of normal and pathologic states, and accurate observation of the numbers and patterns on diagnostic instruments and simulations. They must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand with the ability to observe patient responses to physical exams. Observation necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision, hearing and somatic sensation.

2. Communication

The candidate and student must be able to speak to, hear, and observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communication. They must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with colleagues and patients. Communication includes not only speech but reading and writing. They must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members of the health care team. They must be able to read and record observations in a legible, efficient and accurate manner including the effective use of electronic documentations.

3. Motor

The candidate and student must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. They must be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of such care reasonably required of PA’s are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of intravenous medication, placement of catheters, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, suturing of simple wounds, assisting in surgical procedures, and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers. They must have adequate endurance to carry out clinical activities for extended periods of time. They must possess adequate sensorimotor function and equilibrium to assume reasonable body postures when performing these skills and to perform them in a manner that does not compromise test accuracy, treatment effectiveness, or patient safety.

4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

The candidate and student must have sufficient cognitive abilities which would include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem-solving, the critical skill demanded of PAs, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition they must be able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. They must be able to perform these problem solving skills in a timely manner.

5. Behavioral and Social Attributes

The candidate and student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, recognize multiple points of view, identify personal reactions and responses, and integrate these into clinical decision-making. They must be able to communicate with and care for, in a non-judgmental way, persons whose culture, sexual orientation, or spiritual beliefs are different from their own.

Terms of Acceptance

If you have been selected there is a $400 non-refundable tuition deposit required.

Information regarding required immunizations will be given following acceptance. Compliance and documentation deadlines must be followed or your seat in the class will be forfeited.

Criminal background checks are required as part of provisional admission to all Health Affairs programs:

• Background checks will be performed only after the applicant has received notice of provisional admission.
• Understand that failure to disclose any previous convictions or charges pending at any point during the application process may lead to denial or revocation of admission
• Felony convictions will result in denial of acceptance to the program and/or eligibility for licensure; misdemeanor convictions may result in denial of acceptance to the program
• Additional background checks will be required prior to participation in the clinical phase.
• Drug screening may be required for licensure and/or clinical placement while a student in the program.

All PA students are required to show proof of creditable health care insurance. Health care insurance must meet requirements set forth by Health Affairs. Additional information will be sent to admitted students.

You may choose from two tracks in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. If you possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited program in social work, choose the 36-credit hour advanced standing concentration. Applicants with an undergraduate degree other than social work can apply for the 60-credit hour regular standing concentration.

Applicants are responsible for verification or receipt of all documents to SocialWorkCAS and the Graduate School. 

Applicants must complete the Centralized Application Service for Social Work (SocialWorkCAS) online application. 

Admission Materials

For more detailed admission materials and requirements, please refer to the Social Work section in the current graduate catalog. 

Transcripts

Official transcript(s) of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required to be submitted through the SocialWorkCAS application.

Letters of Recommendation

You must submit three (3) letters of recommendation through the SocialWorkCAS application. One letter from an academic advisor or university faculty member  and one letter from a supervisor (i.e. internship, work, etc.) is recommended. 

Statement of Purpose

Submit a statement of purpose  through the SocialWorkCAS application focusing on the following questions:

1. Tell us about yourself
   • The MSW degree requires a research project, what type of research project would you pursue and what would your research questions be for this project?
   • Time and energy for the MSW program: Do you have the time and energy to devote to graduate school? How do you plan to readjust your life to accommodate graduate school?
   • Why do you want a MSW degree?
   • What areas do you need strengthening?
   • What do you do particularly well?
   • Discuss your attributes and liabilities and how they will impact your social work career?
   • How have your life experiences shaped you for a career in social work?
2. Indicate your career goals
   
   • What do you want to be doing in six years?
   • How will the MSW degree from USD help meet your career goals?
   • What are your career goals?

Essay

A 3-5 page APA style paper with a minimum of 5 scholarly references is required to be submitted through the SocialWorkCAS application focusing on the following:

• A social justice issue that is of interest to you. Examples of social justice issue can include juvenile justice, corrections, medical, homelessness, needs of the elderly, human trafficking, child welfare, welfare programs, community needs, political action, etc.

• An academic paper that includes the following items: thesis statement, identification of problem/issue, contributing factors, evidenced based practices addressing said issue, and how you plan to utilize social work education and experiences to contribute to the resolution of the issue.

Cover Letter and Resume

A current detailed resume including the following: education, paid work experience, volunteer experience and community involvement. Military experience should be included. Please include dates for each of these requirements. 

Criminal Background Check

All accepted applicants into the MSW program are required to pass a criminal background check. Admission is contingent until the background check is completed and reviewed, and the applicant is cleared to start the program. Detailed information will be provided upon contingent acceptance. Felony convictions may result in denial of acceptance and/or eligibility for licensure.

Immunizations

Up-to-date immunizations must be completed prior to the first semester of enrollment in the MSW program. This is a strict requirement of USD Health Affairs and the School of Health Sciences. Immunizations must include:

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) (2X)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (TDAP)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox and Shingles) Titer
• Hepatitis B Vaccine (3 shots), plus Titer
• Tuberculosis (TB) Initial 2 Step - annual screening thereafter 
• Influenza Vaccine - yearly

Prerequisites and Program Options

Prerequisites for Social Work program

Applicants must complete the following prerequisites with a C or better:

• A Biology course (preferably with human biology content)
• A Statistics course
• Three (3) additional courses in the social/behavioral sciences. Acceptable courses would be from the following disciplines:
  
  • History
  • Psychology
  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Human Relations

Deficits in any of these courses will not prohibit admission; however, the course(s) need to be completed with documentation of completion provided prior to the first semester of enrollment in the USD MSW Program.

Transfer Students

Applicants transferring from another graduate social work program must submit through the SocialWorkCAS a letter of reference from the dean, program director or chair indicating that the applicant left the graduate social work program in good standing.