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Apply for MSW

Our Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares students who are passionate about social justice to create lasting change for individuals, families and communities. Our program offers:

Program Pathways

We understand that students have full-time jobs and families, and we make every effort to make your busy life easier. To meet students' needs, our MSW program offers the following options:

Online

On Campus, Full Time

On Campus, Part Time (2-4 years)

Advanced Standing, Full Time or Part Time

Summer Block

Non-degree program

UConn Stamford MSW Cohort

Concentrations

Students in the MSW program choose one of three specialized concentrations to match interests and career goals. These career-focused concentrations include:

Special Programs

For students accepted into the MSW program, we also offer programs that prepare students to serve specific populations and gain specialized skills for future work. In most programs, students who qualify may also receive a scholarship. These programs include:

MSW Admissions

The MSW Program considers each applicant’s background, experience, academic preparation, as well as evidence of potential to excel in the field of social work. Applicants should be intellectually able, emotionally mature, interested in working with people, and potentially capable of assuming the heavy responsibilities which are inherent in social work.

Eligibility

Regular MSW:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, university or equivalent
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the entire undergraduate record (emphasis given to last two years of undergraduate work)
  • Have a Liberal Arts foundation. See more details below.

Advanced Standing:

  • Have a BSW degree within the past six years from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. However, a 3.5 cum GPA is preferred.
  • Have a Liberal Arts foundation. See more details below.

 Learn more about Advanced Standing.

There are no foreign language or entrance examination requirements. Meeting the academic requirements or previous enrollment in the Non-Degree Program does not guarantee admission. If you are admitted to the School before completing a bachelor’s degree, the admission will remain conditional until receipt of the final transcript of any undergraduate work in progress at the time of acceptance.

Application Deadlines

Program Entry Term Application Opens Application Deadline
MSW Regular Admission Spring 2025 Application open November 1, 2024
MSW Advanced Standing Summer 2025 Application open Priority Deadline:

April 1, 2025 
MSW Regular Admission Fall 2025 Application open Priority Deadline:

April 1, 2025
MSW Online program Fall 2025 Application open Priority Deadline:

April 1, 2025

NOTE: Incomplete applications including those missing recommendations will not be considered after the deadline.

Liberal Arts Requirements

Graduate education in social work at the UConn School of Social Work builds on a solid liberal arts foundation attained at the baccalaureate level. Applicants with a strong liberal arts foundation will have creative, analytical and dialectical thinking skills gained from their undergraduate education in literature, the arts, politics, economics, history, philosophy, and the human and natural sciences. Entering students are expected to possess the intellectual and scholarly preparation needed for written and verbal communication, as well as for synthesizing and conceptualizing knowledge about advanced social work practice. They must also have knowledge about people, diverse cultures, social issues and problems. You must submit evidence of your liberal arts background in both your personal statement and official undergraduate transcript.

MSW applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or be close to completing their bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university demonstrating a liberal arts foundation. This coursework may include at least one course from each of the following categories: the Natural Sciences; the Social and Behavioral Sciences; and the Humanities and Arts.

Courses in each category may include the following; these lists are not exhaustive but should provide a guideline for determining whether the liberal arts requirement is met. Please note: You do not need a degree in one of these areas. The UConn School of Social Work encourages applicants from all academic programs as long as the liberal arts requirement is met.

Natural Sciences: Anatomy/Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Science, Geology, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics

Social and Behavioral Sciences: Africana Studies; American Studies; Anthropology, Economics; Geography; History; Human Development; International and Cultural Studies; Psychology; Sociology; Urban and Community Studies; Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Humanities and Arts: Communication, English, Foreign Language, Journalism, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy

Practicum Education Requirements

Practicum education (formerly "field" education) work is an integral and important part of the MSW program. Previous work or life experience cannot be considered for academic credit. However, current employment in social service agencies may be considered for practicum education requirements if approved by the Practicum Education department. Visit the MSW Practicum Education page for more details.

How to Apply

Applications are considered on the basis of breadth of background and experience or evidence of promise in the field of social work, as well as on academic preparation. Applicants should be intellectually able, emotionally mature, interested in working with people, and potentially capable of assuming the heavy responsibilities which are inherent in social work.

Application Process & Fee

UConn School of Social Work uses an online self-managed application process. This process places the responsibility on the applicant for the collection and submission of all documents.

A non-refundable $75 application fee is required at the time your online application is submitted.

Graduate School Fee Waiver Policy

The Graduate School has agreed to waive application fees for prospective students associated with certain organizations and partnerships. Please view their Fee Waiver Policy for more information.

Preparing Your Application

The application consists of:

  • Submission of electronic application which includes:
    • Personal Statement *
    • Advanced Standing Essay (for Advanced Standing only) *
    • Professional Recommendations (submitted by recommenders) *
      • Regular MSW  - Two Professional Recommendations
      • Advanced Standing - Three Professional recommendations
      • All recommendations need to be submitted by the application deadline
    • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
    • Copy of transcript(s) from each college/university that was listed for your bachelor's degree including after the bachelor's degree was earned. Do not include community colleges.
    • TOEFL scores (for international students only)
    • APPLICATION FEE: A non-refundable $75 application fee by credit card is due at the time your online application is submitted.

*View the PDF for specific instructions on the MSW application requirements.

Advanced Standing

Applicants will need their BSW degree conferred prior to the beginning of the advanced standing summer session which begins mid-July. All applicants will be considered for the regular MSW program if they are not accepted as an advanced standing student.

Reapplication Process

If a student delays matriculation or withdraws from the program, the student must reapply and complete a new application, upload all the required documents and pay the application fee of $75. It is suggested that applicants update their personal statement and consider updating recommendations.

For general application questions, contact:

UConn School of Social Work Office and Student and Academic Services at 959-200-3605 or at swadmission@uconn.edu

Begin Your Application

Please review the "Preparing Your Application" section above for specific instruction on application requirements prior to completing your application.

View the "Application Deadlines" section above for specific dates on the opening and closing of the application cycles.

Click here to begin an application to the UConn School of Social Work.

Program Cost

In keeping with our mission as a state institution, we offer an affordable and competitively priced degree.

 

In-Person programs

CT Residents: Full Time (9 credits or more): $9,756 + fees per semester

CT Residents: Part Time: $1,084 per credit + fees

Non-resident*: Full Time (9 credits or more): $20,712+ fees per semester; Part Time: $ 2,302 per credit + fees

*The New England Regional Rate does not apply to the UConn MSW Program per the New England Board of Higher Education.

 Tuition and fees for the In-Person programs are based on a semester tuition for fall & spring semesters (9 credits or more) and is per credit for summer (and any semesters below 9 credits). For more information visit https://bursar.uconn.edu/tuition-fees/graduate/2024-2025/social-work/.

Tuition totals will vary depending on program type, the total number of semesters required, and whether the program requires summer courses. Tuition totals noted below are approximate and based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.

Hartford - Total Cost of MSW Degree

Totals are based on CT Residency

Advanced Standing (11 Month) = $27,000

Advanced Standing (18 Month) = $38,000

Regular Program (2 Years) = $42,000

Regular Program (2.5 Years, Spring Start) = $53,000

Additional costs may include Textbooks, Parking, Practicum compliance subscription, and background check.  Tuition is subject to change as above totals are based on 2024-2025 tuition and fee information.

Stamford - Total Cost of MSW Degree

Full Program (2 Years and a summer between) = $49,500

Additional costs may include Textbooks, Parking, Practicum compliance subscription, and background check. Tuition is subject to change as above totals are based on 2024-2025 tuition and fee information.

 

Online Program

The online program is based on a per credit fee of $880 for CT Residents & Non-residents

Year 1 – 18 Credits = $15,840

Year 2 – 24 Credits = $21,120

Year 3 – 18 Credits = $15,840

Additional costs may include Textbooks and Practicum compliance subscription and background check. Tuition is subject to change as above totals are based on 2024-2025 tuition and fee information.

Funding Resources

Loans
Graduate students who apply for financial aid are considered for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Graduate Students may also apply for a Federal Direct (Graduate) PLUS Loan or Private/Alternative Education Loan. Detailed information is available here

Federal Direct Loans
Graduate or Professional Students Annual Loan Limit: $20,500 (unsubsidized only)
Aggregate Loan Limit: $138,500 for graduate or professional students (No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans). The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study. More information is available here.

Federal GradPlus Loans
Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. More information on GradPlus Loans can be found on the here

Private/Alternative Education Loans
Private/Alternative Education Loans are non-federal loans made by private or alternative lenders. These types of loans require completion of an application and a valid credit check. Information about Private/Alternative Education Loans https://financialaid.uconn.edu/altloan/.

Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) and Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) as well as other private lenders can be found on UConn’s Suggested Lender List

Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study is awarded to students as part of their financial aid package. Work-Study is a program that allows students to earn money through campus-based employment to help pay for educational expenses. Federal Work study is awarded at time of financial aid packaging.
Students who awarded Federal Work Study, can find openings on the Student Employment page.

Packaging of Federal Aid
Students must be matriculated and have completed their FASFA to receive a financial aid package of Federal Aid (as detailed above). Packaging typically takes place in late April/early May.

Graduate Assistantships
Information is available on the Graduate School website. Available Graduate Assistantships are listed at the bottom of the website. Graduate Assistantships are not available to students in the Online Program.

Merit Scholarships
The School of Social Work offers a limited number of merit scholarships during the admissions process. Applicants who are awarded a merit scholarship will be notified after they receive their admission decision.

Additional Links

Decisions and Communication With Applicants

Communication with applicants regarding status of applications, requests for additional or missing information, and application decisions will be sent by email from both the UConn Graduate School and the UConn School of Social Work. It is important that all communication is reviewed and responded to in a timely manner. Please be certain to check your email daily, including your SPAM/trash folders.

Decision Notification

School of Social Work faculty review all completed applications and make admission decisions. You will receive an email notification to check your account once a decision has been made.

Decision Timeline

  • Applications submitted for the spring term:
    • Applicants will hear back no later than mid-December or sooner.
  • Applications submitted for the summer and fall terms:
    • Applicants that submit their application earlier in the admission cycle (before January) will hear back by approximately the end of January or sooner.
    • Applicants that submit their application during peak admission time (January and February) will hear back by approximately mid-April or sooner.

Information for Transfer Applicants

Once accepted students are matriculated into the program, a request for a transfer credit review should be sent to sswstudentservices@uconn.edu. It is preferred that students make the request prior to the orientation and advising sessions. Transfer credit requests are subject to final approval by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

Transfer Credit Guidelines:

A minimum grade of B- is required for transfer credit. There are three classifications of transfer credits:

  1. Students who transfer from a Council on Social Work Education accredited graduate social work program and have completed one full year including practicum education (formerly field education), within the last six years, may be granted up to 15 credits, with the possibility of being equivalent to one year of the MSW program. Due to different curricular patterns in MSW programs, it will be necessary to revise the second year course of study to ensure all requirements for the degree have been met.
  2. Students who transfer from a Council on Social Work Education accredited graduate social work program and have completed less than a full year, within the last four years, may be granted credit for MSW courses to be applied toward the MSW degree. The specific number of credits, no more than 12 credits, is determined by the Director of Student and Academic Services.
  3. Students transferring from a graduate program and have completed some graduate work closely related to social work within the past four years may be granted a maximum of nine (9) credits. These courses are generally applied toward elective credits as long as they were not already counted toward a completed degree.