MSW Programs’ Admissions Policies Regarding Applicants with Histories of Criminal Justice Involvement

ABSTRACT

This article examines U.S.-based MSW programs’ admissions practices and policies toward applicants with criminal convictions. Despite national attention to mass incarceration and its impact on college admissions, there is a dearth of empirical investigation in this area. Through a national survey of MSW programs’ admissions personnel (n = 146), this study seeks to fill this research gap. We ask: How do MSW programs evaluate applicants with criminal justice histories; what factors account for programs’ interest/concern with these histories; and what factors influence programs’ admission decision-making in relation to these applicants? Findings indicate that a majority of MSW programs screen applicants in relation to their criminal justice backgrounds and do so primarily to uphold professional gatekeeping responsibilities and address concerns related to securing field placements. Social justice issues did not emerge as a significant factor in program practices and policies. The majority of respondents did not provide training or guidelines to the reviewers regarding evaluation of applicants with criminal convictions nor did programs’ criteria for admission entirely correlate with the criminal justice literature on predictors of recidivism. Recommendations include greater transparency in processes and greater training and consistency for reviewers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laura Curran

Dr. Laura Curran is an associate professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Rutgers University School of Social. Dr. Curran’s area of research focuses on the history of the social work profession and social policy supporting low-income mothers and children. More recently, her work has addressed maternal health and well-being and social work education and pedagogy.

Raymond Sanchez Mayers

Dr. Raymond Sanchez Mayers is an Associate Professor of Social Work and an affiliated faculty member at the Department of Latino and Hispanic Caribbean Studies, Rutgers University. Dr. Sanchez Mayers's research interests include financial management in nonprofits, administrative issues, Hispanic issues and social work education. Dr. Sanchez Mayers is the Director of Latino/a Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment (LISTA) in the Rutgers University MSW program.

Laura DiMarcantonio

Ms. Laura DiMarcantonio has worked in higher education enrollment management for over 18 years, beginning her career at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. In 2010, she was appointed the Director of Admissions and Strategic Recruitment at the State University of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.  In 2015, Laura joined the enrollment team at Rutgers University’s School of Social Work where she currently serves as Assistant Dean of Admissions and Recruitment. Laura holds a bachelor of science in public relations and a master of education in adult education from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Fontaine H. Fulghum

Dr. Fontaine H. Fulghum has served as both a full-time and part-time lecturer at Rutgers School of Social Work.  She has also held administrative positions in both the public and private sectors, including Director of Policy Planning, Mayor’s Office, City of New Orleans, LA and National Director, Policy, Planning, Evaluation, Volunteers of America, among others.  She has extensive research experience in program evaluation.