Criteria for Admission

Admissions decisions are based primarily on an evaluation of previous undergraduate and graduate work, recommendations, experience in the human services (paid, volunteer, research, and internship), and the applicant's written supplementary statement. Applicants for admission to the MSW program are expected to meet the following criteria:

  1. Completion of a U.S. bachelor's degree or its equivalent, with competitive grades, from an accredited institution.


    2. NOTE: Prospective students applying under the Provisions for Non-Baccalaureate Degree Applicants do not have to meet this requirement.
  2. An undergraduate record that reflects a liberal arts perspective. Students are required to have a minimum of 20 academic semester credits in psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, history, political science, government, and/or languages prior to enrolling in the School of Social Work. Students need to have coursework from three or more disciplines in order to meet the liberal arts minimum credits. In addition, students are required to have taken a human biology course or a course on the biological determinants of human behavior prior to admission in the program. Students who do not meet the requirements may be admitted on the condition that these requirements are met prior to enrollment in the MSW program. Admitted applicants who do not meet the liberal arts or the human biology/biological determinants of human behavior criteria will be notified in their letter of admission of the specific conditions that must be met.
  3. Intellectual and personal qualities likely to lead to roles and careers that have centrality in the social welfare system. This includes a commitment to engage in social work roles that involve social welfare institutions and systems most likely to have an effect on major social problems and that serve the most economically and socially disadvantaged groups in our society.
  4. Personal qualifications considered essential to the successful practice of social work, such as sensitivity and responsiveness in relationships, concern for the needs of others, adaptability, good judgment, critical thinking, creativity, integrity, and skill in oral and written communication.

NOTE: No admissions tests (e.g., GRE, GMAT) are required for admission to the MSW degree program.