5 p.m., January 13, 2022. All required application documents must be received by this time. Applicants who apply by January 13 will receive class-registration, financial aid, and field-placement priority over applicants applying after this deadline.
Final deadline: June 1, 2022Applications received after our priority deadline (January 13) and before June 1, 2022, will be reviewed on a space available basis only.
In contrast with the formal academic writing sample, we use the personal statement to get to know you a little better. The personal statement should be a maximum of 1700 words and should address the following four questions:
Students in the MSW Program will have a significant amount of writing in their graduate program, and we expect students to enter with strong writing and analytical skills. We ask all applicants to submit a formal writing sample that will allow faculty reviewers to assess your readiness for graduate-level writing.
Prepare an essay that addresses the following prompt, using no more than 1250 words. In this writing sample you should draw from outside sources, you should cite your sources, and you should include a reference page. We encourage applicants to use APA style; however, you can use other citation styles as long as you are consistent throughout the writing sample. The essay should be typed double-spaced. In your writing sample:
We look for an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. We invite you to submit a statement of extenuating circumstances that may have affected your overall undergraduate performance, particularly if your GPA is less than 3.0.
Submit a professional résumé or CV that includes details for each professional human service position you have held. Include position title, name of agency, address, contact information for supervisor, as well as the number of hours worked weekly.
We ask that at least two of the letters be from professionals who are able to comment on your human service experience, including your skills and preparedness to enter advanced social work training in an internship.
Recommendation requests will come directly to the recommender from the Graduate School application site, once you’ve identified who will provide your letters.
Please ask your recommenders to address the following:
Students applying for Advanced standing to the MSW program who do not have at least one year of post-BSW full time practice must submit the following as part of their application:
You are not required to take the GRE exam unless your undergraduate degree is from an institution where you did not receive grades or if more than 1/3 of your undergraduate credits were pass/fail. Scores may be no more than five years old.
The TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB is required of an applicant whose first language is not English, regardless of citizenship status. For more information about these requirements, see the Graduate School webpage
Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended (including the University of Minnesota).
In accordance with accreditation standards from the Council on Social Work Education, the School of Social Work does not give academic credit for life experiences, including field. (Accreditation Standard 3.1.5 – Student Development: Admissions; Advisement, Retention, and Termination, and Student Participation.)
Nate Gorr
MSW Admissions Director
gorrna@umn.edu
612-625-8712