MSW - Masters in Social Work

Social workers serve their communities through client assessment, treatment plans, securing necessary resources, and client advocacy. They work in areas of policy and social program development, research, administration, and independent mental health therapy roles.

Obtaining an MSW degree

The admission requirements for a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degree will differ based on the program. The most common applicant criteria include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 to 3.0

• A CV/Resume 

• Personal Statement attesting to professional goals

• Professional Letters of Recommendation

• Social work-related experience (volunteer service, internship experience, and/or paid work)

Some programs will require graduate school entrance exams such as the GRE or MAT.

Traditional MSW programs do not require a BSW for admission. However, advanced standing MSW programs require a BSW and professional experience in social work before applying.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers additional credentials for social workers seeking recognition for their expertise within the social work domain specialties. These specialty credentials include:

• Advanced Certified Hospice & Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW)

• Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW)

• Advanced Social Worker in Gerontology (ASW-G)

• Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager (C-ASWCM)

• Certified Advanced Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW)

• Certified Clinical Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Social Worker (C-CATODSW)

• Certified Hospice & Palliative Social Worker (CHP-SW)

• Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS)

• Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM)

• Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC)

• Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G)

• Social Worker in Gerontology (SW-G)

• Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW)

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) offers the Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker (APSW).