Admissions Requirements

  1. Complete the online Application for Graduate Admission and the MSW Program application and submit them both online to the College of Graduate Studies and Research.  
  2. Applicants are to provide the College of Graduate Studies and Research office with sealed, official transcripts (one copy) of ALL undergraduate and graduate work from institution(s) of prior and/or current enrollment.
    Please note: If the transcripts do not include the student’s entire undergraduate program, including the award of the bachelor’s degree, copies of the final transcript also must be sent to the College of Graduate Studies & Research after the student has been awarded the bachelor’s degree.
  3. Applicants are to submit three (3) letters of recommendation. Applicants are asked to list their references and have each reference use the online recommendation form found at the Graduate College website. Please use the online option and ask your references to upload a personal letter, as well. If you have difficulty obtaining one of the three letters before the application deadline, please write a paragraph explaining why and submit it with your applications. Understand, however, that any acceptance will be conditional on receiving all three letters.

    One (1) recommendation is to be acquired from each of three (3) separate sources:
    1. One from a professional currently practicing in the field of human services whom has witnessed the applicant’s practice abilities and can assess the applicant’s suitability/promise as a professional social worker.
    2. One from a professor, addressing the applicant’s likelihood of success in a graduate level program of study.
    3. One from an additional source of your choosing (examples: another academic or professional reference, a former employer or colleague).
  4. A mandatory seat deposit of $500 is required upon acceptance acknowledging your plan to attend.
  5. No GRE or MAT required! Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are NOT required for admission to the MSW program. 

Graduate Assistantships

Full-time students interested in applying for a graduate assistantship award are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance of the April 15 deadline.

Standard Program

The School of Social Work established the following minimum criteria as required of all applicants seeking admission into the Master of Social Work program. Applicants are also encouraged to refer to the College of Graduate Studies and Research application materials for additional criteria set forth by the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

  • A baccalaureate degree earned at an accredited institution.
  • A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 (undergraduate degree).
  • Evidence of a liberal arts background to include at least 15 credit hours in social sciences, 9 hours of humanities and 3 hours of biology content and 1 hour of lab.
  • Course credit is not given for life experience or previous work experience.
  • Previous experience in the field of human services as an employee, student and/or volunteer is strongly recommended.
  • Evidence of interest, ability, motivation and potential for professional social work practice on an advanced level as demonstrated by three letters of recommendation and a personal essay.
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of upper-division coursework.

Application Deadlines

Standard Program

The MSW Program suggests all Standard program applications be completed by March 1, for fullest consideration; however, applications will be reviewed until programs are filled.

Advanced Program

The deadline for receipt of Advanced Standing applications is Jan. 31, for fullest consideration; however, applications will be reviewed until programs are filled.Advanced Standing applicants interested in a field placement with the Veterans Administration, please contact Dr. Phil Mongan by Jan. 31.

Orientation and Field Placement Meeting

  • There will be a mandatory program orientation for all standard program students in August. Details about the program orientation can be found within your program acceptance letter. 
  • There will be a mandatory field placement meeting for all advanced standing and standard program students in August.

Advanced Program

The Advanced Standing program is an accelerated curriculum option available to highly qualified graduates of baccalaureate social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Consideration is given only to those social work graduates with superior academic standing and exceptional references who show evidence of mastery of the foundation curriculum.

Applicants seeking Advanced Standing admission must meet all the admissions criteria required for standard admissions. In addition, Advanced Standing applicants must:

  • Have earned a baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education within 7 years of application.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 for all undergraduate coursework.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all undergraduate social work coursework.

It is recommended that applicants seeking Advanced Standing admission ask their senior year field instructor to serve as one of the three required references.

If available, Advanced Standing applicants should submit with the application a copy of the evaluation of their senior year field placement.

Additional Advanced Standing Requirements

Students who are accepted into the Advanced Standing Program will be required to register for the Bridge Course during the summer. Classes will be offered on Saturdays, May through July, with additional work online. Students who plan on attending the Advanced Standing Program should be aware that these summer courses are mandatory and attendance will be required on Saturdays.