FAQs for Admission to the M.S.W. Program
Quickly link to questions about:
- The Program
- What to Do before Applying
- The Application
- Transferring
- Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
- Licensure
- Information Sessions and Contact Information
The Program
What are my options for completing the M.S.W. degree?
See Program Options for information on options for completing the M.S.W. program.
I don’t have a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, but I have years
of experience in the field. Can I apply for the advanced standing
program?
No, our accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education
stipulates that only those applicants from an accredited B.S.W. program
can be eligible for advanced standing.
May I apply for advanced standing if I’ve already done graduate
coursework in a social work related field?
Advanced standing is available only to applicants whose undergraduate
degree was in social work and was earned in a program that was
accredited by CSWE at the time the degree was awarded. Applicants who
have credits or a Masters in a related field should consult our policies
on transferring credits into the M.S.W. program.
Does the School of Social Work offer any dual degree Master’s
programs?
The School of Social Work offers dual degree programs with two other
departments of the U of M: the School of Public Health and the Hubert H.
Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Students receive an M.S.W. and one
of the three degrees offered: Mater of Public Health, Master of Public
Policy or Master of Urban and Regional Planning. These are the only dual
degree programs we offer at this time.
For more
information on the dual degree programs visit the dual degrees page.
How long does the M.S.W. program take to complete?
Students can complete the full program in two years of full-time
study or three to four years of part-time. Students with advanced
standing can complete the program in twelve months of full-time study or
two to three years of part-time study. The dual degree option takes
longer to complete.
Is your M.S.W. program accredited?
Yes, the M.S.W. program is accredited through the
Council on Social Work Education.
How can I get more information about your curriculum?
The School of Social Work website offers a great deal of information
about the M.S.W. curriculum including an outline of the foundation
curriculum and two concentrations (one in direct practice and one in
community practice). There are also links to course syllabi.
Foundation Curriculum
Direct Practice Concentration
Community Practice Concentration
Where are social work classes held?
Social work classes are held on the University of Minnesota St. Paul
campus.
What to do Before Applying
Do I have to have an undergraduate degree in social work to apply
for the Master's of Social Work Program?
What undergraduate majors do you recommend for students who want to get
their M.S.W. in the future?
You do need to have an undergraduate degree that is completed by the
start of the M.S.W. program, but it does not need to be in social work.
We accept applicants with a variety of undergraduate degrees.
What are the minimum requirements to apply?
- An undergraduate degree that is completed or can be completed by the start of the graduate program.
- English language proficiency for international students whose
first language is not English demonstrated by the following minimum
scores on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS):
- TOEFL -
- 550 on paper test
- 79 on Internet-based test (iBT) with section scores of at least 21 on the writing section and 19 on the reading section.
- IELTS - 6.5
- TOEFL -
For more information on English language proficiency tests visit http://www.toefl.org or http://www.ielts.org.
The following items are not required for application, but the School gives strong preference to applicants with the following qualifications:
- Potential for academic success as demonstrated by an
undergraduate record with at least a 3.0 GPA.
Note: You may apply if your GPA is under 3.0. Include an explanation of factors that influenced your undergraduate GPA and your potential for academic success in the graduate program as described in the extenuating circumstances section of the application. - A liberal arts background that includes coursework in history and social sciences, the humanities and the arts, physical and biological sciences and mathematics.
- One year of work experience in human services is preferred. Work experience may include paid, volunteer and intern positions. Greater weight is given to length of time served, level of autonomy, and supervised direct client services or management.
My GPA is less than a 3.0. Will this bar me from getting into the
M.S.W. program?
You may still apply if your GPA is less than a 3.0, but keep in mind
this will make your application less competitive. You should include an
“Explanation of GPA” as described in
the M.S.W. application.
Will I need to take any entrance exams?
Most applicants are not required to take entrance exams. There are some
exceptions. Read the following regarding the GRE and the TOEFL or IELTS
to see if they apply to you.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
You are required to submit scores from the GRE if your undergraduate degree is from an institution where you did not receive grades, for example, you received competency-based grades or a narrative transcript. You also are required to take the GRE if more than 1/3 of your undergraduate credits are pass/fail grades. Scores may be no more than five years old. For further information regarding the GRE contact:
- Educational Testing Service at 609-771-7670 or www.gre.org
- Thomson Prometric GRE Registration Center at 1-800-473-2255 or www.2test.com
- U of MN UCCS Testing Center at 612-624-5520 or www.ucs.umn.edu/testing
TOEFL and IELTS
English language proficiency for international students whose first language is not English demonstrated by the following minimum scores on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS):
- TOEFL -
- 550 on paper test
- 79 on Internet-based test (iBT) with section scores of at least 21 on the writing section and 19 on the reading section.
IELTS - 6.5 For more information on English language proficiency tests visit http://www.toefl.org or http://www.ielts.org.
Are there any prerequisites?
See the Master of Social
Work admission requirements page for details on prerequisites for
enrollment.
Can I take master’s level social work courses before I apply or am
admitted to the M.S.W. program?
Yes, you may take graduate Social Work classes prior to being
admitted to the program by registering as a non-matriculated student.
There are limits on how many credits may be transferred into the program
depending on your situation. Taking classes as a non-matriculated
student does not guarantee acceptance to the School of Social Work
should you later decide to apply. See
non-matriculated students
for more information.
The Application
What is the timeline for admissions?
The application generally becomes available in late August or early
September for matriculation the following fall. The completed
application is due in early January for most applicants. Students
transferring
from other M.S.W. programs sometimes have additional due dates in the
spring. They can apply as late as these dates with the understanding
that they are admitted on a space available basis. We do not accept late
applications.
Letters of admission are sent out in March for most applicants, and in April for late applicants. The University of Minnesota fall semester always starts the day after Labor Day. See the Timetable for Application and Admission.
Where can I find the application?
The
entire M.S.W. application is completed through the University of Minnesota
Graduate School online application. When completing the
Graduate School application, there will be materials specific to the
School of Social Work that applicants will need to upload. Please note
that the M.S.W. program requires specific content for all of the
supplemental information uploaded. Be sure to read all directions very
carefully.
Is there an application fee?
There is a non-refundable application fee collected by the Graduate
School. The application is not considered complete and ready for review
until the fee is submitted.
Whom should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
We require three letters and recommend that at least two be from
professionals who have supervised or observed your work and have
knowledge of professional social work and of your capacity and potential
for beginning social work practice. Further instructions are on the
M.S.W. application.
What is the DOVE Fellowship, and am I eligible?
The DOVE Fellowship program assists graduate programs in enhancing
diversity by recruiting and supporting students who are traditionally
underrepresented in graduate programs and who otherwise might not have
an opportunity for graduate education. Students awarded the DOVE
fellowship receive tuition support and a living stipend. A complete
description of the Fellowship can be found at
http://www.grad.umn.edu/outreach/finances/dove_faq.html
Applicants for the DOVE fellowship must submit all materials by an earlier deadline listed with the application materials.
How will I know if my application is complete?
A complete application means that you have submitted your application
to the Graduate School online system, and they have
received all required transcripts, applicable test scores and fees. When
indicating that the application is complete, the Graduate School will
not assess whether or not any supplementary statements have been
submitted. There is a checklist in the application materials to help
you. It is the applicant’s responsibility to be sure all required items
are submitted. Because you put the materials together yourself, you will
know your application is complete.
Do you admit students for spring or summer?
No, we start a new cohort of students in the fall semester only.
How does the school arrive at a decision to admit or not admit an
applicant?
All complete applications are reviewed independently by two faculty
reviewers. For more information on selection criteria, see
Requirements for Admission.
Transferring
What are your policies for enrolling transfer students?
A “transfer student” is an applicant who applies for transfer to the
School of Social Work while actively enrolled in or on a temporary leave
from status as a graduate degree-seeking student in a CSWE-accredited
school of social work.
- Transfer students follow the same application procedure as all other applicants to the M.S.W. Program.
- Transfer students may choose full- or part-time study, Thurs/Fri/Sat, or weekend-exclusive classes.
- A transfer student must complete at least 51% of all credits toward the M.S.W. at the University of Minnesota.
- A transfer applicant with advanced standing is subject to the same restrictions on advanced standing eligibility as other applicants.
- A transfer applicant to the full program must include the field evaluation from the first placement with the application. Admission may be contingent on review of the final field evaluation.
- A transfer applicant must include a letter from the Director of Graduate Studies of the program from which she/he is transferring that indicates the applicant is a student in good standing at the time of transfer to the U of M.
- Transfer applicants have an initial and extended deadline, however, admission after the first deadline is on a space available basis only.
What are your policies for transferring credits into the M.S.W.
Program?
A full program (50 credit) student may transfer a total of 8 semester
credits into her/his M.S.W. degree program. A student with advanced
standing may transfer a total of 6 semester credits into her/his degree
program. All transferred courses must have a grade of B (3.0) or higher.
Transferred credits may be from the following sources (all credits expressed as semester credits):
- Up to 6 or 8 credits (depending on status as full program or advanced standing) of graduate level course work from non-degree seeking student status at the University of Minnesota or from a graduate program to which the student was admitted at another accredited college or university. These credits are generally completed before a student enrolls in the M.S.W. program.
- Up to 3 graduate credits from another college or university's graduate social work or related program, without admission to that program, with permission from the M.S.W. Program Director. Courses transferred from another school of social work must offer material in a perspective not available through the curriculum offered by the University of Minnesota’s School of Social Work. These credits can be completed after a student has matriculated in the M.S.W. program.
- The total of 6 or 8 semester credits can be from a single source or from different sources, as identified above, but may not exceed the limit of 6 or 8 credits, depending on the student’s status.
Courses from the following sources cannot be transferred to the M.S.W. program:
- No more than 3 credits of graduate courses from other schools or universities unless the student was admitted to a graduate program at that school or university and the course was part of that program.
- Credit from undergraduate courses (if the student takes social work courses as an undergraduate and therefore credit is not transferable, waiver of core course and substitution of an elective to meet the M.S.W. credit requirement may be possible after approval of and discussion with adviser and M.S.W. Program Director)
- 5000 – level courses that have not been approved for graduate credit.
- Courses with grades below B (3.0).
In accordance with accreditation guidelines from the Council on Social Work Education, the School of Social Work does not give academic credit for life experiences, including field.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
What kind of financial aid is available?
The School of Social Work administers some fellowships, stipends, and
other grant-in-aid funds for graduate student support. Research and
teaching assistantships may be available in the School of Social Work
and elsewhere in the University and are considered and handled as
job/employment opportunities.
For more information on financial aid awarded by the School of Social Work see our Financial Aid webpage.
Student loans are available through the University’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. We encourage you to contact that office directly at (612)624-1665 or visit OneStop
Graduate School fellowship information can be found online.
How do I apply for the Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholarship?
If you are admitted into the program, you will receive a letter with
instructions on how to apply for scholarships offered by the School of
Social Work, including the Child Welfare Scholarship.
Is financial aid available to non-degree seeking students?
No, you must be enrolled in a degree granting program to receive
financial aid.
Is financial aid available to students who are not US citizens?
While all students are encouraged to apply for financial aid at the U of
M, there are no continuous funds to assist international applicants. All
such applicants must provide assurances, in writing, to the U of M
Graduate School of their ability to provide full financial support for
their entire program of study. More
information for international students can be found here.
Licensure
Once I complete the M.S.W. program, am I automatically licensed to
practice social work in the state of Minnesota?
No, completing the M.S.W. program does not automatically make you a
licensed social worker. In order to become licensed, you must pass the
Association of Social Work Boards national licensure exam offered
through the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Licensure requirements vary
from state to state. More information about licensure in Minnesota can
be found on the Minnesota
Board of Social Work website.
Information Sessions and Contact Information
What if I have more questions?
We offer several information sessions where M.S.W. applicants can
learn about the School of Social Work, the M.S.W. program, and the
application process. A calendar of these sessions can be found at
Information Sessions.
You can also contact the Admissions staff at
swadmis@umn.edu or (612)624-4704 or toll free 1-800-779-8636 with
questions.