About the Master of Social Welfare (MSW) Program
Located within the world's finest public university and one of the most diverse regions in the nation, the mission of Berkeley Social Welfare’s MSW program is to prepare multi-level practitioners who are trained to integrate multiple disciplinary sources of knowledge, build upon the strongest available empirical and practice-based evidence, and advance the pursuit for social and economic justice through anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices. Multi-level practitioners are adept at the theoretical and practical integration of direct and indirect forms of practice, coupled with critical thinking skills that employ a multi-level conception of social welfare values, ethics, and social justice.
Each year Berkeley Social Welfare endeavors to admit the most promising master's students who combine scholarly ability with demonstrated commitment and aptitude for a professional career in social work.
We seek students with backgrounds which have fostered the development of a world view characterized by humanistic values, an appreciation of the historical context of present-day social realities, a critical and analytical perspective, and a sensitivity to issues of diversity and social justice in a pluralistic society. We aim to enroll a diverse student body that substantially represents groups historically underrepresented at the University of California and Berkeley Social Welfare, and in the profession of social work.
When to Apply
The UC Berkeley Graduate Admissions Application for Fall 2025 admission is now closed.
Application Deadline
All applications for Fall 2025 admission must have been submitted by December 3, 2024 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST).
How to Apply
All applicants to graduate study at Berkeley (regardless of degree program) apply for graduate admission through the online UC Berkeley Graduate Admissions Application. A separate application to the School of Social Welfare is not required. Berkeley Social Welfare does not participate in the Social Work Centralized Application Service (SocialWorkCAS).
Applicants may apply to only one single degree program or one established concurrent degree program per admission term. For the Berkeley MSW and any concurrent program (MSW/MPH, MSW/MPP, MSW/JD), Berkeley Social Welfare only admits for the fall semester each academic year; no spring or summer admissions are offered.
To get started, we strongly recommend all prospective applicants thoroughly review:
- Berkeley Graduate Admissions' Steps to Apply and Admissions FAQ.
- Berkeley Social Welfare MSW Admissions Eligibility Requirements and MSW Admissions FAQ.
- Berkeley Social Welfare MSW Admissions Application Instructions.
Admissions Decisions Notification
Applicants are typically notified of admissions decisions by March 15, and the priority deadline for responding to an offer of admission is April 1.
For applicants wait-listed for admission, the department will begin recommending admission after April 1 to those who accepted their place on the wait list as space becomes available. After May 15th, applicants will no longer be removed from the waitlist regardless of any vacancies that may follow.