UW Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program
UW Disability Resources for Students
Academic Programs
Live your passion
for social change
At the UW School of Social Work we focus on delivering leading-edge learning opportunities that engage and transform students inside and outside of the classroom. Here you can select from top-notch academic offerings, work with renowned social work scholars, and participate in community-based projects, making a real impact on people’s lives.
The BASW program trains students for positions in the helping professions and prepares them to take action against injustice and inequalities.
The MSW program provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to innovate, lead, and practice in a world with complex social challenges.
The doctoral program offers a rich learning experience with interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty mentorship, and hands-on research opportunities.
$56.8
million
in funding for research & training
$5.8
million
in student support awarded annually
600+
field sites
for off-campus experiential student learning
14
fellows
american academy of social work & social welfare
Advising Resources
Current Student Advising with the Student Services Office
We offer remote advising sessions for current students throughout the week on Zoom. Current students can also drop in to connect with the Student Services staff in-person in room 023 on the ground floor of the SSW building.
Prospective Students
Those who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree but have not yet been enrolled should consult our admissions specialists for guidance.
BASW & PhD Advising
Current BASW and PhD students can also contact the following advisors for support:
- BASW Assistant Director Nicole Guenther at npg324@uw.edu.
- PhD Assistant Director Shirley Chu at sctorres@uw.edu.
Funding Your Education
The School of Social Work understands the financial challenges you may face in completing your social work education. We encourage prospective and current students to explore a wide range of funding opportunities to help pay for your social work education.
We encourage all applicants and students to complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) (or the WASFA if eligible). Completing the FAFSA is a requirement for many of our funding opportunities. UW’s FAFSA priority deadline is January 15th but you can submit it after this deadline as well.
Continuing Education & Certificate Programs
The School of Social Work encourages lifelong learning for its alumni and all human-services professionals. The School works in close partnership with UW Professional & Continuing Education to provide expertise in the development of educational opportunities and comprehensive certificate programs.
- Our Gerontology Certificate Program helps individuals develop the knowledge needed to better serve older adults in a variety of contexts such as housing, recreation, personal and community care.
- Our Guardianship Certificate Program helps individuals gain the skills necessary to work as a professional guardian of developmentally disabled or elderly adults with diminished capacity to care for themselves.
For information on licensure, certification and professional associations, please see our Career Resources page.
UW Tacoma Program
The UW School of Social Work in Seattle and the UW Social Work Program in Tacoma are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Social Work Program in Tacoma provides an excellent program option for students residing in South Puget Sound.
The Tacoma campus offers two social work degree programs: Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare. Graduates are prepared for a variety of professional social work positions, including those in health care, child and family services, public social-service organizations, public schools and the criminal justice system.
One of the program’s strengths is its commitment to the community. Students complete field education placements in local agencies and organizations. Faculty members conduct collaborative research with community partners. Many alumni choose to live and work in the South Sound area, providing leadership and support to human service agencies.
Helpful Resources
Training Programs & Partnerships
Field education is the cornerstone of a successful social work practice. Our students receive opportunities to work closely with local agencies and organizations, gaining experience in addition to academic theory and research.
Innovation & excellence
Find out the latest news about our outstanding faculty, students and alumni, as well as groundbreaking insights from our research & innovation centers by staying up-to-date with our news & events page.
groundbreaking research & innovation centers
At the UW School of Social Work, we are dedicated to teaching excellence, cutting-edge research, and deepening our commitment to the communities we serve. We champion the role of science in accelerating social good and the importance of trust in sustaining partnerships that create real and lasting change.
Today, we are redefining student engagement, elevating public service, demonstrating socially responsible research, and building authentic relationships with our community partners. Our foundational tenets of economic, social and racial justice drive everything we do and advance our greater goal of equity for all.
