MSW Application
The UW School of Social Work attracts well-qualified students with diverse backgrounds who are committed to racial justice and anti-oppressive practice, and have significant experience in diverse and marginalized communities. Admission to the Master of Social Work Program is selective and based on a holistic review of an applicant’s academic preparation, graduate study readiness, relevant experience in the field, alignment with our program’s mission, and the potential to contribute to the profession. Carefully review our Essential Skills, Values and Standards of Professional Conduct before applying.
Before You Start
- Compare MSW programs
- Review the 2026 MSW Cohort Profiles
- Attend an info session or watch a recording
- Explore funding opportunities
Admissions Timeline
- September 2026: All applications open
- January 14, 2027: Full-Time & Advanced Standing application deadline
- February 16, 2027: Part-Time application deadline
- Early March: Admission decisions released
Please select your program below to review the eligibility criteria.
Full-Time and Part-Time
Applicants must meet the minimum admissions requirements set by the UW Graduate School.
Degree: No specific major or baccalaureate degree is required. The degree must be posted before the MSW program begins. The School of Social Work may consider an exceptional applicant without a four-year bachelor’s degree. Please contact uwsocialwork@uw.edu for more information.
GPA: Applicants must meet a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale OR a minimum 3.0 for the last 90 quarter credits or 60 semester credits. The School of Social Work may consider an exceptional applicant with a GPA below a 3.0. Please review our handout and provide additional information in the optional writing section.
English Proficiency: Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency. Visit the Graduate School’s webpage to learn about ways to satisfy the requirement. Applicants must meet the recommended test score.
- Social Work Experience: It is recommended to have at least 2,000 hours of relevant social work/human service experience at the time of application. However, this is not required to apply.
- Criminal Background Check: Admitted students must complete a criminal background check.
Questions or concerns? Review our criminal history policy.
Advanced Standing
Applicants must meet the minimum requirements outlined by the UW Graduate School.
Degree: Must have a bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare accredited by CSWE or CASWE. The degree must be awarded before the start of the Summer Bridge.
Earned your degree internationally? Your degree must be evaluated by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service by the time of application.
Graduated over 5 years ago? It is recommended to demonstrate continued professional growth through social work experience.
Social Work Experience: It is recommended to have at least 2,000 hours of relevant social service experience by the time of application.
- GPA: Applicants must meet a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale OR a minimum 3.0 for the last 90 quarter credits or 60 semester credits. The School of Social Work may consider an exceptional applicant with a GPA below a 3.0. These applicants are encouraged to provide additional information in the optional writing section. Please review our handout that contains guidance to help strengthen your candidacy for admission.
- English Proficiency: Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency. More information about English proficiency requirements is available on the Graduate School’s website. Applicants must meet the recommended test score.
- Criminal Background Check: Admitted students must complete a criminal background check.
Questions or concerns? Review our criminal history policy.
Please review the special applicant groups below for additional guidance.
Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) and Non-Matriculated (NM) Applicants
Prospective GNM students must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
- Have earned at least a 3.0 grade-point-average (on a 4 point scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits.
Please visit our Canvas page for information about the registration process.
Before filling out the application and paying the fee, please contact the School of Social Work Student Services at mswadvising@uw.edu to inquire about classes available to GNM and NM students. Initial contact must be made more than two weeks prior to the quarter and an adviser will provide next steps.
International Applicants
The School of Social Work accepts applications from all students regardless of citizenship status. Our hope is that you find safe and welcoming spaces at the School of Social Work and the UW.
F-1 international students are eligible for the Full-Time or Advanced Standing MSW programs. Please note that admitted F-1 international students must provide proof of financial documentation to obtain the I-20. Please visit the Graduate School’s webpage for information.
Please note that international students are not eligible for the Child Welfare Training & Advancement Program (CWTAP) traineeship.
Re-Applicants
Previous applicants are welcome to reapply. Reapplying does not impact the holistic review or admission decision. Please visit our MSW Reapplicants page for more guidance.
Transfer Applicants
- The UW Graduate School allows up to 6 quarter credits of graduate-level coursework taken at another accredited academic institution to be transferred and apply to the MSW degree requirements. For more information, refer to Policy 1.1.2.1.
- Students who have taken graduate-level research courses may be waived out of the required MSW research courses.
- No more than 12 credits taken as a Graduate Non-Matriculated student can be applied towards the MSW degree requirements.
The UW does not award general credit for work or life experience.
Students intending to transfer credits should apply as a typical applicant. Credits will be evaluated by the MSW Program Office after receiving an offer of admission.
Per UW policy, students must complete all degree requirements within six years. If previously completed coursework was done more than four years ago, they will be reviewed by the Academic Services Manager.
Undocumented Applicants
The School of Social Work accepts applications from all students regardless of citizenship status. Our hope is that you find safe and welcoming spaces at the School of Social Work and the UW.
Applicants who identify as undocumented, DACA eligible, or HB 1079 eligible are encouraged to review the application instructions on the Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) website and the information on Leadership Without Borders (LWB) website.
Applying for DACA? Review the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project DACA Advisory
Need additional support in applying? Contact us, GSEE, or LWB.
Required for All Applicants
Unofficial transcripts
Upload unofficial transcripts from every college or university where you earned academic credit.
- All transcripts must clearly show first and last names, degree conferral date, and institution name
- Incomplete, blurry, or illegible documents will not be accepted
- E-mailed, faxed, mailed transcripts and transcripts sent through electronic transmission services will not be accepted
Currently enrolled at a college or university? Upload a transcript showing your most recently completed quarter or semester. If admitted, you will submit a final transcript before the program starts showing degree conferral.
Transferred credits from a previous institution? If the transferred credits are listed on your degree-granting transcript, including full course names and GPA, you do not need to upload separate transcripts. If they are not, list and upload the additional schools and transcripts.
Current or former University of Washington student? All UW students, including those from UW Tacoma and UW Bothell, must upload unofficial transcripts.
Earned your bachelor’s degree internationally? Credential evaluations, such as WES certifications, are not required. If provided, the evaluation must be accompanied by the original transcript(s).
Applying with a GPA below 3.0? We highly encourage these applicants to provide additional information in the optional writing section.
Social work experience
List all relevant social work and human service experience.
- Include paid, unpaid, internship, advocacy, and volunteer experience
- Report the total estimated number of hours
Review the handout for additional guidance:
Short-answer critical reflection questions
We are seeking students who want to join us as we wrestle with complex social problems, and who understand that we must work together to end white supremacy and oppression in all its forms. As such, you are required to critically reflect and respond to two short answer questions.
- How does oppression impact the communities you intend to serve? Please highlight examples of structural, institutional, or systemic-level oppression that are of particular concern to you. (300 words or less)
- How have you developed self-awareness around racism or other areas of oppression? Identify areas where you’d like to grow in your anti-oppressive approach. (300 words or less)
Personal statement
The MSW Program at the University of Washington School of Social Work is grounded in our commitment to racial, economic, gender, and social justice informed by and for those at the social margins of our local, national, and global communities.
Reflecting on the UW School of Social Work’s MSW Program Statement of Purpose, write a 2-3 page personal statement about why you have decided to pursue an MSW at UW. Include the following:
- How has your unique background shaped your perspective and prepared you to work towards social justice? Highlight any skills, professional work, and/or lived experiences you see contributing to the diversity of the school’s learning community and the field of social work.
- How do your professional goals align with the Program’s Statement of Purpose?
- Personal Statements should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins, using 12-point font (either Times New Roman or Calibri)
- Citations are not required or expected unless you have cited specific evidence in your writing
- Feel free to tell your “story” in a reflective, creative, and expressive style
Applying for Advanced Standing? In addition to your personal statement, you must provide a Specialization Rationale.
Please restate your first-choice specialization and provide reasoning for your selection. How might specializing in this area help you to achieve your social work career goals? If you identified a second choice option, please briefly describe why you might also consider specializing in this area.
- Rationales should be less than 1 page in length
- Title the header “Advanced Standing Specialization Rationale”
- Please submit all parts as one document
Resume
Upload a resume no longer than 2 pages. Include the following:
- Educational background
- Paid work experience including dates of employment, employer name and location, job title, brief overview of job responsibilities
- Unpaid, relevant social work experience including practicums/internships
- Other paid/unpaid experience involving community work, leadership/capacity building, and/or advocacy/activism
- Awards, honors, and special achievements you have earned (academic, work, volunteer)
- Languages spoken and written and level of fluency, if bilingual (including ASL)
- Research experience including any research you have conducted or been a part of
- International experience including length of time, work/volunteer experience
- Do not include a photo of yourself, your home address, or phone number
Have gaps in your work history? Please address these and/or explain these in your Personal Statement.
Letters of recommendation
Three unique letters of recommendation are required. We recommend at least one academic reference and at least one professional reference.
Please enter your references in the application portal. An email will be automatically sent to each reference containing the online recommendation form. It is your responsibility to ensure that all three recommendations are submitted by the application deadline.
- E-mailed, faxed, or mailed recommendations will not be accepted
- You do not need to wait for your recommendations to be submitted in order to submit your application
- Applications will not be processed until all materials are received, including references
How do I choose my references?
- References should support your social work/human service background and/or academic preparedness, and potential for contributing to the learning community and field of social work
- Family members, partners, clients and personal friends are not appropriate references
What should my recommender provide? You may share the MSW Recommender Guide with your references in advance.
Applying for Advanced Standing? You must include one social work faculty member from your BASW/BSW program among your required references.
Policy acknowledgement
Prior to submitting your application, you must review and agree to the following School of Social Work Admissions Policies in the online application:
- I acknowledge that failure to submit complete and accurate information by the deadline, including all required documents, may result in denial of admission.
- Applicants are expected to create and submit original application materials without the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) content generators, such as ChatGPT. Except for minor editorial assistance, I confirm I wrote all my own application materials and understand the importance of academic and professional honesty and integrity. Issues of dishonesty may result in denial of admission, rescinding an offer of admission, and/or revoking funding/scholarship.
- I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and, if admitted, will be held accountable to the UW Student Conduct Code, the School of Social Work’s Essential Skills, Values, and Standards for Professional Conduct and the NASW Code of Ethics.
- I understand the School of Social Work reserves the right, on the basis of an educational judgment, to recommend to the Graduate School that an applicant be denied admission or to recommend dismissal to the Graduate School of an admitted student whose academic record or performance in field instruction does not meet minimal expectations, or whose performance is not consistent with the accepted standards for professional behavior.
- I assert that I am prepared to fulfill the expectations of the Master of Social Work program. I will work with advisers and/or Disability Resources for Students to arrange reasonable accommodations as needed.
Application fee
A $90 application fee is required and must be paid by credit card through the online application system.
The Graduate School Fee Waiver is available for those who qualify. Fee waiver requests must be submitted at least 7 days before the application deadline.
Not eligible for the Graduate School Fee Waiver? You may qualify for our Departmental Fee Waiver. To be considered, submit the request at least 7 days before the application deadline.
Applicants requesting a fee waiver must submit a complete application one week prior to the application deadline. While applicants must list their references in the application, references do not need to submit their letters of recommendation prior to submission/requesting a fee waiver.
Program Specific Requirements
There are additional application requirements for each program.
Part-Time
List Alternate Programs
Applicants have the opportunity to list second and third choice program options in the event they are not admitted to their first choice.
- Only list alternate options if you (1) fully understand the distinct program options and cost of attendance, and (2) are willing to pursue an MSW degree in this program. You can compare MSW programs online.
- In most cases, you should only submit one application. However, a separate application is required if you choose the Part-Time Online program as your second or third option.
Part-Time Online Questions
There are additional required questions for the Part-Time Online MSW program.
- In which Washington State county do you plan to complete your practicum?
- The Online MSW Program was created to expand access to graduate social work education for students living in rural, underserved, historically excluded, and/or geographically isolated communities where access to graduate education opportunities may be limited. What draws you specifically to an online MSW program, and how do you anticipate engaging in a virtual learning community? (300 words or less)
- Social work is rooted in commitment to community. Please describe the community and/or geographic area you plan to serve and explain your connection to this region or population and the long-term impact(s) you hope to make. (300 words or less)
Applicants must also review and agree to the Online Learning Expectations.
Full-Time
List Alternate Programs
Applicants have the opportunity to list second and third choice program options in the event they are not admitted to their first choice.
- Only list alternate options if you (1) fully understand the distinct program options and cost of attendance, and (2) are willing to pursue an MSW degree in this program. You can compare MSW programs online.
- In most cases, you should only submit one application. However, a separate application is required if you choose the Part-Time Online program as your second or third option.
Rank Specializations
Please review our specializations. Full-Time students select their specialization during their second quarter. To help with course planning, rank your preferences in the application.
Interested in the Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program (CWTAP)? Interested applicants must pursue the Clinical Social Work specialization.
Advanced Standing
Social Service Optional Question
If you’ve listed fewer than 2,000 relevant practice hours, please respond to the optional question:
Please describe how your experiences (professional, academic, or lived) have prepared you for professional specialized practice (100 words or less).
Rank Specializations
Please review our specializations. Advanced standing students are admitted directly to a specialization. Please rank them in your application. Specializations are space-limited. Once offers are made, changes are not guaranteed.
Advanced Standing Rationale
In addition to your personal statement, you must provide a Specialization Rationale. Refer to the Personal Statement tab above.
Letters of Recommendation
You must include one social work faculty member from your BASW/BSW program among your required references. Refer to the Letters of Recommendation tab above.
Follow the tips below to ensure your application is successfully completed.
Track your progress
Applicants are encouraged to use the application checklist below.
Contact references early
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their references in advance and share the handout below.
Use an active email address
Use a personal email address instead of a school or work email that may expire.
Select the correct program, quarter, and year
Choosing the wrong option may require you to begin a new application, pay the application fee again, and resubmit recommendation requests.
Check your status in the application portal
You can review your application status and manage your references, transcripts, and recommender information in the portal.
Send reminders to references
Applicants can send reminders through the application portal.
Underneath the application checklist, select the hyperlink ‘recommendations page’. Select the recommender and send them reminder emails with an updated link.
The application for 2027 admission is now open!
Submit your application and pay the application fee by 11:59pm PDT on the deadline date. Your application will not be considered complete until the application fee has been paid.
Questions about the application portal? Contact the Graduate School at uwgrad@uw.edu
Need disability accommodations for the admissions or application process? Contact the Disability Services Office at 206.543.6450 (Voice), 206.543.6452 (TTY), 206.685.7264 (FAX), or dso@uw. edu
Check your inbox regularly
Monitor your inbox for updates about your application.
- If your application is incomplete or missing information, you will be contacted by email.
- Financial aid is not awarded until you are admitted to the UW. Financial aid packages and awards are sent electronically during spring and summer. Check your UW email and MyUW regularly for updates.
Update your application
Email uwsocialwork@uw.edu to notify us of changes to your application including name changes, change of address, or request to withdraw your application.
Apply for funding
Visit our MSW Tuition & Funding page for information about applying for financial aid, fellowships, traineeships, assistantships, and more.
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