Skip to content

Admissions

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 Begin






  • Applications open: September 2026
  • Full-Time and Advanced Standing application deadline: January 14, 2027
  • Part-Time application deadline: February 16, 2027
  • Admission decisions released: Early March 2027

Submit your application and pay the application fee by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the deadline date. Your application will not be considered complete until the fee has been paid.

Please review the eligibility requirements for your applicant type below.

Admission is competitive, and applicants are evaluated holistically. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for the MSW program.

Admission is competitive and applications are evaluated holistically. Applicants to the Full-Time and Part-Time Programs must meet the minimum requirements outlined by the UW Graduate School.

  • Social Work Experience: It is recommended to have at least 2,000 hours of relevant social service experience at the time of application. However, this is not required to apply.

  • Degree: No specific major or baccalaureate degree is required to apply. However, applicants must have at least a four-year baccalaureate degree. 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. In these rare cases, an admission petition to the Graduate School must be submitted by the School of Social Work before an offer is made. Review the UW Graduate School’s policies online.

  • GPA: Applicants must meet a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for credits earned at a regionally accredited institution awarding the bachelor’s, master’s, graduate doctoral degree, or professional doctoral degree 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. In these cases, an admission petition to the Graduate School must be submitted by the School of Social Work before an offer is made. 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: Applicants offered admission to the School of Social Work will receive instructions to complete the criminal background check and Request for Criminal History Information Form with their admission notice. Prospective applicants with questions or concerns about this requirement should review information on Criminal History Information and Admissions/Continuance.

  • Admission is competitive and applicants are evaluated holistically. Applicants to the Advanced Standing Program must meet the minimum requirements outlined by the UW Graduate School.

  • Social Work Degree: All Advanced Standing applicants must have graduated from a U.S. baccalaureate program in social work or social welfare accredited by the CSWE or a Canadian bachelor’s level social work program accredited by CASSW (CASWE). 

  • Students who have a BSW/BASW degree from a social work program outside of the U.S. may have their degree evaluated by the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, and may apply for Advanced Standing if the degree is determined to be consistent with CSWE requirements. 

  • Advanced Standing applicants who graduated more than five years ago should demonstrate continued professional growth through social work experience. (Professional training, leadership, and advancement in the social work field are also considered).

  • Social Work Experience: It is recommended to have at least 2,000 hours of relevant social service experience by the time of application; however, this is not a requirement. 

  • GPA: Applicants must meet the 3.0 grade point average (on a 4 point scale) for credits earned at a regionally accredited institution awarding the bachelor’s, master’s, graduate doctoral degree, or professional doctoral degree OR at least a 3.0 for the last 90 quarter credits/60 semester credits. However, the School of Social Work may consider an exceptional applicant with a GPA below a 3.0 – applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to provide additional information related to the context of their GPA in the Application Questions section of the application. An admission petition to the Graduate School must be submitted by the School of Social Work before an offer is made for any applicants that do not meet the GPA minimum and is subject to denial. Please see this document for suggested strategies to help strengthen your candidacy for admission.

  • English Proficiency: Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency More information on English proficiency requirements can be found here. We require applicants to meet/surpass the RECOMMENDED test scores.

  • Criminal Background Check: Applicants who are offered admission to the School of Social Work will receive instructions to complete the criminal background check and Request for Criminal History Information Form with the admission notice. Prospective applicants with questions or concerns about this requirement should review our information on Criminal History Information and Admissions/Continuance.

The School of Social Work accepts applications from prospective students regardless of citizenship status.

Applicants who identify as undocumented, DACA eligible, or HB 1079 eligible are encouraged to connect with campus resources that may provide additional information about UW resources, residency, and funding opportunities.

Our hope is that you’ll find safe and welcoming spaces at the School of Social Work and the UW. The Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) has detailed instructions for students on how best to complete the demographics portion of the graduate school application. Please review these materials prior to beginning your application.

We highly encourage students to review the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project DACA Advisory that outlines recommendations for community members who have applied for DACA or who are interested in applying.

Need additional support in applying? Please contact us, GSEE, or Leadership Without Borders.

The School of Social Work accepts applications from prospective students regardless of citizenship status.

Most international applicants are only eligible for the Full-Time or Advanced Standing MSW Program. Students that need an F-1 student visa to attend the University of Washington should not list Part-Time MSW Programs among program choices for consideration.

The UW Graduate School’s International Student Information page contains information about providing proof of financial ability, issuance of immigration documents, and resources.

Please note that international students are not eligible for the Child Welfare Training & Advancement Program (CWTAP) traineeship. International students are eligible for Washington State Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative (WDI) traineeship if they have guaranteed work authorization after their education visa has expired.

Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

  • A bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a U.S. institution, a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from an institution located in a country where English is the official language, official documentation from the degree-granting institution verifying that all instruction is in English, OR, an Official English Language Test Score (sent electronically to the University of Washington via testing center).
  • An English proficiency test score that meets the recommended test score. TOEFLI or TOEFLB scores of 92 or higher (4.5 or higher with new scoring scale), Duolingo scores of 125 or higher, and IELTS scores of 7.0 or higher are accepted. Test scores should be sent at least two weeks before the application deadline to ensure they are processed in time. Due to the rigor and pace of our programs, students with scores below the “recommended” scores will not be admitted and enrolling in an Academic English Proficiency (AEP) class is not permitted. More information on English proficiency requirements can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

Please note there are pending changes to our transfer policy beginning 2027-2028. We will update this information as soon as it is finalized.

Students are encouraged to only begin an MSW program they intend to complete. We strongly discourage starting a program with the intention of transferring later on.

Applicants transferring from another CSWE-accredited MSW program are considered for admission into the Full-Time and Part-Time Programs on a space-available basis only after required pre-application advising. Pre-application advising and submission of all transfer forms must be submitted before January 8th, 2026. Transfer applicants are able to start an application prior to completing pre-application advising and submitting all forms, however, those who do not complete this process by January 8th will have their applications withdrawn.  

Pre-application advising is intended to proactively ensure students do not encounter course sequencing issues. To schedule pre-application advising, please email uwsocialwork@uw.edu. Please note that only the Director and Assistant Director of Admissions are able to provide pre-application advising for transfer students. Be prepared to send an unofficial copy of your MSW transcript at the time of your the appointment.

After the initial pre-application advising, you must submit a signed Transfer Application Acknowledgement. Additionally, an official from your current/former MSW program must complete a Certification of Good Standing form and send it to our office before January 8th, 2026. Once all completed forms have been received, they are reviewed to determine if you meet our requirements to transfer. If approved, you’ll apply like a typical applicant. 

  • Transfer students must meet all general eligibility requirements, be in good standing at their current/previous MSW program, and have completed their full generalist curriculum and practicum at the time of application. 
  • Due to the part-time format, the Part-Time Evening and UW-Tacoma’s MSW Program are suggested as more feasible options for transfer applicants.

Credits will be evaluated by the MSW Program Office after receiving an offer of admission. Transfer students are only eligible to be waived out of a maximum of 39 quarter credit hours. However, this is subject to review by the MSW Program Director to ensure course equivalency. UW’s generalist curriculum often differs from other MSW programs, therefore, transfer students almost always need to take some generalist courses which can extend the typical graduation timeline. We cannot guarantee credits will fully transfer.

Per UW policy, students must complete all degree requirements within six years. If previously completed MSW coursework was done four years ago or more, they will be reviewed by the Director of Student Services. If admitted, transfer students will choose an area of specialization and a practicum site. Some specializations and practicum sites have limited capacity and are therefore only available to transfer students on a space-available basis.

Students wishing to transfer credits from a different type of graduate program from which they did not earn a degree are limited to 6 transfer credits per UW Graduate School policy. Students who have taken graduate-level research courses may be waived out of the required MSW research courses. Under both circumstances, eligibility is assessed only after the student has been admitted, paid the enrollment deposit, and provided relevant syllabi.

The UW does not award general credit for work or life experience.

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.

As of May 2023, reusing materials is no longer possible due to a change in application platforms.

For more information about the current Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) registration process, please visit our Canvas page. Per Graduate School policy, prospective GNM students must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
  2. 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.

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 during the quarter you are hoping to enroll. Initial contact must be made more than two weeks prior to the quarter beginning. The adviser will go over the next steps with you, at this time. We only want you to pay the fee if we are able to allow you into a course in which you’d like to enroll.

For GNM status, you will also have to complete these additional steps.

  1. Visit the Graduate School’s online application to complete the application. There is a $75 non-refundable or transferable fee for GNM applications.
  2. As part of the online application, you will upload unofficial transcripts. 
  3. Additionally, you will also be required to upload a resume.
  4. Alert the Student Services Department that your application has been submitted and is ready for review. Please email mswadvising@uw.edu. The application portal does close for a period of time during the spring and summer – in order to submit your application you will need to communicate with Student Services to coordinate.

What other things should I know in order to take class(es)?

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 a Departmental Fee Waiver. To be considered, submit the request at least 7 days before the application deadline.

Upload unofficial transcripts from every college or university where you earned academic credit.

  • First and last names, degree conferral date, and institution name must be clearly shown on all transcripts
  • 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 need to submit a final transcript showing conferral of  a bachelor’s degree or equivalent before the program begins.

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 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).

Full-Time Students select their specialization during their second quarter. To help with course planning, you will rank your specialization preferences in the application. Please review the specializations online.

Part-Time Only the Clinical Social Work specialization is available.

Advanced Standing Students are admitted directly to a specialization. Please review the specializations online and rank them in your application.

Specializations are space-limited. Once offers are made, changes are not guaranteed.

Interested in the Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program (CWTAP) or Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative (WDI)? Interested applicants must pursue the Clinical Social Work specialization.

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 fully understand the distinct program options and cost of attendance, and are willing to pursue an MSW degree in this program
  • The specializations offered for the Full-Time program differ from the Part-Time program
  • While in most cases you should only submit one application, a separate application is required if you choose the Part-Time Online program as your second or third option

List all relevant social work and human service experience.

  • Report the total estimated number of hours
  • Include paid, unpaid, internship, or volunteer experience

What is relevant social work and human service experience? Please review the handout below that contains examples.

What is relevant social work and human service experience?

Applying with a GPA below 3.0? We highly encourage these applicants to provide additional information in the optional writing section.

Please review the handout below that contains guidance to help strengthen your candidacy for admission.

Information for Applicants with gpa below 3.0

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)

There are additional required questions for those applying to the Part-Time Online MSW program.

The Part-Time Online MSW program is designed for individuals who require a flexible learning model and are committed to serving marginalized populations, promoting equity, and addressing systemic challenges across Washington State. As such, applicants to the Part-Time Online Program must respond to the following questions:

  • In which Washington State county do you plan to complete your practicum?
  • How are you prepared to engage in synchronous online graduate-level coursework (300 words or less)
  • Social work is rooted in commitment to community. Please describe your connection to the community or communities you intend to serve. How do you envision using your social work training to support these communities? (300 words or less)

Applicants must also review and agree to the Online Learning Expectations.

Provide a personal statement (2-3 pages) about why you have decided to pursue an MSW at the UW.

Personal Statement Prompt

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, in 2 – 3 pages write a 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?

Specialization Rationale (Advanced Standing applicants only)

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, double-spaced with 1-inch margins, using 12-point font (either Times New Roman or Calibri).
  • Title the header “Advanced Standing Specialization Rationale”
  • 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
  • Submit all parts as one PDF document and upload your file to the “Personal Statement” section in the online application

Provide a resume (no longer 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

Please address gaps in your work history as appropriate and/or explain these in your Personal Statement. Do not include a photo of yourself, your home address, or phone number.

Three unique letters of recommendation are required. 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. 

Choose your references

  • We recommend at least one academic reference and at least one professional reference
  • You may share the MSW Recommender Guide with your references in advance
  • Family members, partners, clients and personal friends are not appropriate references

Designate your references

  • Enter your references in the application portal. An email will be automatically sent to each reference containing the online recommendation form.
  • You are responsible for ensuring all three recommendations are submitted by the application deadline
  • You do not need to wait for your recommendations to be submitted in order to submit your application
  • E-mailed, faxed, or mailed recommendations will not be accepted
  • Applications will not be processed until all materials are received, including references

Special Applicant Groups

  • Advanced Standing Applicants: You must include one social work faculty member from your BASW/BSW program among your required references
  • Re-Applicants: You may not reuse application materials as of May 2023 due to a change in application platforms

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.

  • Use the application checklist to track your progress
  • Contact your references early. You may share the MSW Recommender Guide with them in advance. References are due by the application deadline.
    • Send reminders to your references through the application portal

go to application portal

  • 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
  • List second and third choice programs. You may list second and third choice options in the application. In most cases, submit only one application. If you choose the Part-Time Online MSW Program as a second or third choice, you must submit a separate application
  • Submit the application and pay the application fee. Submit your application and pay the application fee by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the deadline date. Your application will not be considered complete until the application fee has been paid
  • Check your admission status in the application portal. You can review your application status and manage your references, transcripts, and recommender information in the portal

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. You will receive an admission decision by early March 2027.

  • 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

Notify the School of Social Work of any changes. Email uwsocialwork@uw.edu if you need to update your application (e.g. name change, change of address, or request to withdraw your application)

Apply for financial aid and fellowships. To apply for financial aid, submit the FAFSA or WASFA. Learn more about financial aid and fellowships.

To be considered for departmental scholarships, submit the FAFSA or WASFA and the Funding Consideration Form by the application deadline. This is the only departmental funding opportunity for incoming students 

  • Submit the FAFSA or WASFA by January 15 for priority consideration
  • Submit the Funding Consideration form by the application deadline
    • This will appear in your application checklist as ‘Post-Application Questions’ after you submit your application 

Apply for traineeships and assistantships. Some traineeships and assistantships accept applications during winter and spring. Review traineeship and assistantship opportunities.