Professional Social Work Education Program Application

Required application for current University of Kentucky Social Work majors starting the Professional Social Work Education Program Courses (SW 300, SW 421, SW 430, SW 444, SW 435, SW 422, SW 350, SW 400, SW 450, SW 460, SW 445, SW 470).

Which campus are you applying for?*
- In-Person, Lexington Campus
- Online
Please choose the semester in which you are applying for the Professional Social Work Program*
Fall 2025
UK Student ID*
Name
First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Phone
Email
Student Status*
Have you previously applied to the Professional Social Work Education Program?*
If yes, in what academic year?
Example: Spring 2017 or just “2017”, if you don’t recall the semester.
What is your current cumulative GPA?:*
E.G.: 3.2
What was your GPA last semester?:*
E.G.: 3.6
In what college are you currently enrolled?:*
E.G.: College of Engineering
Previous or Current Major, if any:
E.G.: Anthropology
Please list your final grade in the following courses:*
SW-124 SW-222 or SW-322 Intro to Sociology Intro to Psychology PS-101 (American Government) BIO-103 or BIO-110
How did you learn about the UK College of Social Work Bachelors Degree program?
I.E.: Through a professor, a faculty member, a friend, et cetera
Application Essay*
You’ve made a decision to become a professional social worker, as such the College of Social Work wants to know more about you and your readiness for your social work education and practice. In a short (no more than 5 paragraphs) essay, answer each of the following prompts. Where appropriate, you may use first person language. Additionally, where appropriate please use citations in APA formatting. As you write, please remember It is important for social workers to be able to engage in self-reflection, an expected component behavior of professional behavior, but in a way that is primarily grounded in academic content and not a means to solely share personal experiences. We recommend that you review the COSW BASW handbook prior to completing your essay.
• Articulate your understanding of social work as a profession.
• Identify and explain the personal qualities, strengths, abilities, and/or skills that equip you to be a successful BASW student & professional social worker.
• Additionally, identify those areas in which you foresee a need for personal growth and development to become successful in both the academic program and the profession.
Accepted file types: docx, doc, odt, rtf, txt, pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.
College of Social Work Criminal Background Statement

(Approved by UK Legal Counsel)

All students accepted and enrolled in the BASW degree program must complete a practicum course sequence, including two practicum placements in community agencies, as a requirement of the degree.
Many agency practicum sites require background checks and drug screening. Students must comply with any agency requirements for screening. A criminal background may pose difficulties in securing a practicum placement and/or may result in the inability to secure a placement. Some agencies may be precluded by law from accepting students who have a criminal background. Additionally, some agencies are unwilling to supervise students having certain criminal charges. Any negative findings on background checks or drug screenings that affect the ability to secure a practicum placement may also prevent successful completion of the requirements for the degree and your ability to graduate. Please note that convictions for certain criminal offenses may also preclude you from being licensed as a professional social worker in some states. Applicants should consider these barriers in their educational planning.
Full Name (Signature)
By signing this form, I am verifying that I have read this information and understand that having a criminal record or being unable to pass drug screening may make me ineligible for practicum placements. This could prevent me from completing the practicum course sequence required for the BASW degree, which would preclude me from completing the BASW degree program.
Date of agreement
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Petition for Consideration of Exception
If you meet all of the criteria except the overall GPA standard required for admission, and your GPA is between 2.25 and 2.49, you may be eligible to request an exception from this requirement. The BASW program requires that students have high intellectual ability and strong motivation. If your past academic performance does not reflect accurately your ability to succeed, you may submit the Petition for Consideration of Exception along with your application. Please read carefully: This Petition for Consideration of Exception is available to students who have experienced academic difficulties of a short duration or due to extenuating circumstances. This petition can be utilized by students who have experienced events that have impacted their academic performance such as: Personal illness, trauma or disability Family illness, trauma or death Financial or college adjustment difficulties In addition, recent semester(s) GPA score(s) need to show substantial academic improvement to clearly demonstrate the ability to meet this standard. If you are eligible to apply, you are encouraged to provide as much specific evidence of your academic abilities, as well as specific steps you plan to take to continue to improve your performance. Instructions If you are eligible to submit this petition, please provide the following information typed on a separate sheet of paper entitled ” Petition for Consideration of Exception.” The following sections must be clearly addressed in this petition: Describe any specific obstacles or circumstances that hindered your past academic achievement. Describe how you overcame, or plan to overcome, these obstacles if you are admitted into the BASW program Convince the Undergraduate Admissions Committee that you have greater potential for success in your academics than is reflected in your current GPA.
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Petition for Consideration of Exception:
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If you meet all of the criteria except the overall GPA standard required for admission, and your GPA is between 2.25 and 2.49, you may be eligible to request an exception from this requirement. The BASW program requires that students have high intellectual ability and strong motivation. If your past academic performance does not reflect accurately your ability to succeed, you may submit the Petition for Consideration of Exception along with your application. Please read carefully: This Petition for Consideration of Exception is available to students who have experienced academic difficulties of a short duration or due to extenuating circumstances. This petition can be utilized by students who have experienced events that have impacted their academic performance such as: Personal illness, trauma or disability Family illness, trauma or death Financial or college adjustment difficulties In addition, recent semester(s) GPA score(s) need to show substantial academic improvement to clearly demonstrate the ability to meet this standard. If you are eligible to apply, you are encouraged to provide as much specific evidence of your academic abilities, as well as specific steps you plan to take to continue to improve your performance. Instructions If you are eligible to submit this petition, please provide the following information typed on a separate sheet of paper entitled ” Petition for Consideration of Exception.” The following sections must be clearly addressed in this petition: Describe any specific obstacles or circumstances that hindered your past academic achievement. Describe how you overcame, or plan to overcome, these obstacles if you are admitted into the BASW program Convince the Undergraduate Admissions Committee that you have greater potential for success in your academics than is reflected in your current GPA.
Describe any specific obstacles or circumstances that hindered your past academic achievement:*
Describe how you have overcome or how you plan to overcome these obstacles if you are admitted to the BASW program:
Convince the Selection Committee that you have greater potential than is reflected in a low GPA or GRE score:*
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SW-124	SW-222 or SW-322	Intro to Sociology	Intro to Psychology	PS-101 (American Government)	BIO-103 or BIO-110

College of Social Work Criminal Background Statement

Petition for Consideration of Exception