Admission Criteria

Requirements for Admission to the Regular MSW Program

  1. Degree Requirement: A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized institution.
    Note: Bachelor of Applied Science degrees are not accepted.
  2. GPA Requirement: A grade-point average of at least 3.00 (on a 4.0-point scale) during undergraduate study or in 14 or more credits of graduate study. The grade point average in the last 60 credits or their equivalents of undergraduate courses is primarily considered.
    If your undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.00, you will be asked on the application to explain the circumstances and why you feel you are now ready to be successful in graduate school.
  3. Personal and Professional Qualities: Evidence of personal and professional qualities considered important for the practice of social work, as demonstrated through the Applicant Statement and letters of reference.
  4. Academic Background: Preferred academic work must reflect a liberal arts perspective (at least nineteen semester credits in humanities and social and natural sciences, such as courses in sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, philosophy, literature, and languages).
  • Statewide Blended Program (Out-of-State Applicants): To be eligible for the Statewide Blended program, the applicant must live within 50 miles of the Michigan border. Submission of verification is required prior to final admissions decision processing.
  • GRE Requirement: The GRE is not required for admission to our MSW program.

Requirements for Admission to the Advanced Standing MSW Program

  1. Degree Requirement: A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work granted from a program accredited by the CSWE.
  2. GPA Requirement: A grade-point average of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0-point scale) during undergraduate studies. The grade point average in the last 60 credits or their equivalents of undergraduate courses is primarily considered.
    Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.25 are not eligible for the Advanced Standing program and should consider applying for the Regular Program.
  3. Personal and Professional Qualities: Evidence of personal and professional qualities considered important for the practice of social work, as documented in the Applicant Statement and letters of reference.
  4. Academic Background: Prior academic work must have resulted in the Bachelor of Social Work degree. Your degree must be conferred before the program begins in the summer semester and no more than six years prior.
    If the program is not listed in CSWE’s current list of accredited undergraduate programs, it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide documentation of the program’s accreditation status. No exceptions can be made to this requirement.
  • Statewide Blended Program (Out-of-State Applicants): To be eligible for the Statewide Blended program, the applicant must live within 50 miles of the Michigan border. Submission of verification is required prior to final admissions decision processing.
  • GRE Requirement: The GRE is not required for admission to our MSW program.

 

Prospective Students