Joint Program in Social Work

Universities of NCA&T and UNCG

Joint M.S.W. GPA Replacement Policy

Applicants who would like to be more competitive in our process and do not have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (or a Social Work Major GPA of 3.5 and applying to the Advanced Standing program (PDF)) may replace their undergraduate GPA by taking at least nine (9) hours of graduate-level coursework. The GPA from these courses will then be used in place of the applicant’s undergraduate GPA. This is not required but is an option for applicants to consider.

Applicants may take these 9 credit hours in related fields such as

  • Psychology,
  • Education,
  • Human Development and Family Studies,
  • or Counseling.

The courses taken must be graduate-level.

Applicants may also consider taking the Joint M.S.W. elective courses as part of their GPA replacement efforts. The Joint M.S.W. elective courses, upon admission to the program, would subsequently count towards their Joint M.S.W. degree. Transcripts indicating the completed coursework must accompany the admissions packet. That is, the courses must be completed before the application is submitted. The transcripts must show the GPA for all nine hours.

The GPA Replacement Policy Process

  • The Admissions Committee searches for other evidence of the potential to be successful in M.S.W. coursework such as extensive work experience, exceptional personal statement or case analysis.  
  • The student must complete at least nine (9) hours of graduate-level coursework. The GPA from these courses will then be used in place of the applicant’s undergraduate GPA.
    • These courses must be taken in social work or in a related field, such as psychology, education, human development and family studies, or counseling. 
  • Transcripts indicating the completed coursework must accompany the admissions packet; that is, the courses must be completed before the application is submitted. The transcripts must show the GPA for all nine hours.
  • These 9 hrs of graduate coursework  are not eligible for transfer into the Joint M.S.W. Program. They only serve to make an applicant eligible for admission.
  • The grades acquired in these courses provide the Admissions Committee with important information about an applicant’s ability to handle graduate-level coursework.