MSW requirements and application process (2024 Guide)
When I applied for my Master of Social Work (MSW), I was overwhelmed by the application process. I was in the last year of my undergrad and was trying to manage my classes, internship, volunteer commitments, and work - on top of writing several personal statements, collecting references, and everything else I needed to do to complete my MSW application. I had NO idea if what I was creating was what admissions committees were looking for.
Applying to grad school is a big deal, and I didn’t feel adequately prepared when it came time to sit down and complete my applications. I created this guide so that MSW applicants can learn more about what to expect when they apply to social work programs.
MSW programs often ask for the following as part of the application process:
Transcripts
References
Personal statement
In this article, I will be sharing the tips and strategies I use when I help MSW applicants prepare their applications.
Transcript requirements for MSW applications
GPA requirements for Master of Social Work programs
Schools of Social Work often request applicants to provide their undergraduate transcripts as part of the admission process. The specific GPA requirements can vary from one institution to another, but in general, a minimum GPA of 70% or higher is typically expected.
Schools of Social Work also typically only look at the applicant's last two years of grades for the MSW application. Be sure to check the exact requirements for GPA and how it’s calculated for the specific MSW program you are applying to, as this does vary.
Applying to Master of Social Work with a low GPA
That said, many MSW applicants apply to MSW programs with a low GPA. Though grades are important, MSW applications are holistic, and they consider you as a whole person, rather than making decisions based on your GPA alone.
Think of it this way: On paper, an applicant might have a lower GPA - but – They had to work to put themselves through school. Though their GPA might have been higher if they didn’t have to work, the experience they got while working gave them skills and experience that will contribute to their skills as a social worker.
That’s why your social work personal statement is such an important part of your MSW application: it allows you, as the applicant, to humanize yourself and show admissions committees why you would be an amazing social worker
If you are thinking of applying to your MSW and you are worried about your GPA check out these articles on how to use your social work personal statement to address your low grades
Applying to MSW programs with low grades
What grades do you really need to get accepted to grad school
MSW Resume or Social Work CV
Writing a graduate social work CV or resume is a little different than writing a social work resume.
First, graduate school CV’s can generally be longer than a typical resume (which is usually no more than two pages). The social work CV should include all of your experiences, including education, paid experience, internships, volunteer, research experience, and certificates.
Education
Include all of your post-secondary education, and be sure to include the degree name, school, and graduation date. If it’s relevant, you may also want to include important achievements such as awards and other accomplishments.
Paid experience
The next heading should include your paid work experience. If you are applying to your Master of Social Work and are making a career change from another field, focus on discussing the soft skills you gained in those roles that apply to social work. For example, when I worked at a fast-food joint instead of saying that I prepared food I would talk about my experience working with people, working in teams, leadership, and initiative.
Internships
If you completed any internships or field placements, be sure to include those in your CV. One thing to note is that many Schools of Social Work do not include internships towards the required number of hours needed to apply to MSW programs. That said, internships are an important experience that should be reflected in your social work CV even if doesn’t count towards your hours.
Volunteer experience
Be sure to include any volunteer experiences in your social work CV. Don’t forget to include the name of the organization and the dates you volunteered.
Research experience
If you have research experience, that’s a great thing to add to your social work CV. The vast majority of students applying to Master’s programs do not have any formal research experience. Note that research experience is not typically a requirement for MSW programs (especially since many are course-based) so even though you will stand out if you have it, you aren’t at a disadvantage if you don’t have it.
Certificates and training
Include any training, workshops, and certifications you hold in your social work CV. However, be aware of “credential stuffing” your CV. If you include too many it gets overwhelming for the reader and they are likely to skip over the section entirely. I recommend including only the certificates and training that are the most meaningful for you.
Personal experiences
In general, personal experiences and informal roles should not be included in your MSW resume (for example, being a caregiver to a family member or personal hardships). The social work CV is a space for your professional experience, and personal experiences can be discussed in your personal statement.
Be sure to follow any instructions from the school you are applying to when it comes to your social work CV, even if it contradicts what I am telling you here. Click here for social work CV editing or to get a copy of our social work CV grad school template.
Reference guidelines for the MSW application:
When applying to schools of social work, it is common for institutions to request a combination of professional and academic references.
Professional references
Your professional reference should ideally come from a supervisor with whom you've worked closely in a professional setting. This reference plays a crucial role in shedding light on the real-world application of your skills, and can provide insights into your ability to collaborate with colleagues, adapt to diverse environments, and manage the challenges inherent in social work.
Academic references
Schools of social work often request academic references as part of their application requirements. These academic references typically come from professors or instructors who have taught and interacted with the applicant in an educational setting. Academic references serve to assess an applicant's aptitude for academic success, commitment to learning, and potential for contributing to the academic community within the social work program. Academic references, combined with professional ones, create a well-rounded picture of an applicant's abilities and readiness for advanced social work studies.
Getting academic references as a mature student
If you have been out of school for several years, you may be worried about whether you can still ask past professors for academic references. Many students take a few years off before re-applying to MSW programs, and most professors are happy to provide references. If you are applying to a MSW program as a mature student the best course of action is to send an email to your professor and re-introduce yourself, as they are unlikely to remember you in particular. Tell them a bit about you, the class you took with them, and any notable achievements you had within their class.
Applicants can access the MSW Helper full package which includes email templates to send academic references as someone who has been out of school for a long period.
Social Work Personal Statement Guidelines
MSW programs often require applicants to submit a personal statement or letter of intent. Though the prompts vary from school to school, Schools of Social work often ask applicants about their motivations for becoming a social worker, an issue they are passionate about, social work values and ethics, and their goals as a social worker. Schools assess the personal statement for evidence of critical thinking skills, potential contribution to the field of social work, alignment with the profession and program, and communication skills.
I host live webinars where I teach applicants how to write a personal statement that stands out and answer all of the prompts in a meaningful way. Head here to register for an upcoming MSW personal statement webinar.
Your personal statement is the most important part of your MSW application
The personal statement is the most important tool you have as an applicant applying to social work programs. Think of it this way:
You can’t change your transcripts.
You can’t get more experience (without more time).
You can’t control what your references say about you.
The only part of your application that you have 100% control over is your personal statement. Your social work personal statement gives you a chance to control the narrative and write your own story. It also gives admissions committees a chance to meet YOU as a real human, and potential social worker, in a way that your transcripts or CV never could.
I would go so far as to say that the social work personal statement actually plays a bigger role in your application than your grades and experience. I know this because over the last several years I have worked with hundreds of MSW applicants with their personal statements, and I have seen applicants from all walks of life get accepted to MSW programs, including:
Applying to MSW programs with a low GPA
Many applicants experienced hardships and challenges while they were completing their undergrad, which in turn led to a GPA. However, the personal statement gives applicants a chance to discuss what they went through, their resilience, and how those experiences will make them better social workers down the road.
If you are applying to your MSW and you have a low GPA it’s imperative that you use the social work personal statement as a tool to show your strengths and potential as a social worker.
Applying to social work from another industry
I recently had a client who worked as a reporter in her home country. In her personal statement, she talked about how she was sick of reporting on social justice issues, so she wanted to become a social worker so that she could be an agent of change and work towards solving the social justice issues she saw in the field.
If you are making a career change from another field into social work think about the soft skills you learned in previous roles that will apply to your career as a social worker.
Applying to MSW programs with no experience
I applied to my MSW right out of undergrad, and had no experience in the social work field. I knew that this was a weakness in my application, so I used my personal statement to show the admissions committee that what I lacked in experience, I made up for by having the skills and potential they were looking for.
Over the years I’ve seen countless applicants get accepted to MSW programs by marketing themselves and showcasing their potential as a future social worker.
Get a copy of the Free Social Work Personal Statement Template to assist you with getting your personal statement started. After you get your copy you’ll be enrolled in a free 10-day mini-course where I’ll teach you how to write a top-notch personal statement for your MSW program.
A final note on the MSW application process
The field of social work benefits from the diverse perspectives of applicants from all walks of life, which is why the application process is comprehensive and holistic. Hopefully, by now, I’ve shown you that you can get accepted to MSW programs if you focus on your unique strengths and gifts, even if you have areas of your application that you are worried about.
Visit my website for more free resources to support you with your MSW application or for social work personal statement editing.
Happy writing!
Michelle
