MSW Admission Requirements

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of transcripts; personal statements; letters of recommendation; and scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Knowledge of the social welfare field and professional commitment to social work are also evaluated. Typically, such knowledge and commitment are demonstrated by significant (the equivalent of one full year) paid or volunteer employment related to social welfare or human services. This is particularly true for those applying to the Management and Planning concentration. Fluency in a foreign language and knowledge relevant to serving historically underrepresented minority groups and current immigrant and refugee populations are also desirable.

Applicants must also have acquired a broad liberal education consisting of knowledge drawn from history; philosophy; the behavioral and social sciences; and humanities. In addition, introductory course work in social welfare and social work is given special attention. The minimum scholarship requirement of the University is a B average or a 3.0 G.P.A. for all course work taken after the first two years of baccalaureate study (or all BA years for international students).

The liberal arts prerequisites are:

1) A minimum of 24 units of course work from any of the following areas: history; philosophy and ethics; social, cultural, and political thought; literature and art; reading and composition; language and linguistics; or the natural sciences;

2) Preparation in the social sciences consisting of six to eight courses (equivalent to 24 semester units) in sociology, psychology, economics, political science, anthropology, and selected interdisciplinary fields;