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Apply for the
Master of
Social Work

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The Brown School welcomes students from a wide range of academic backgrounds and considers each applicant holistically. Students entering the MSW program must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.

Admission and scholarship decisions are based primarily on a review of the following criteria:

  • Your commitment to the mission of the Brown School and your ability to introspectively articulate your reasons for pursuing a Master of Social Work degree.
  • Your academic performance, particularly your grade point average (GPA) over the last 60 – 75 semester credit hours, as reflected in transcripts submitted at the time of application. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred. 
    • Note: If applicable, you may use the optional field in the Academic History section of the application to describe any significant or extenuating circumstances related to your academic record.
  • Your human service-related experience, including paid work, volunteer service, research, or internships.
  • Any specialized training relevant to your academic or professional background.
  • Your leadership experience and/or potential.
  • Your capacity for critical analysis of social work concepts and complex social issues.
  • Letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references.
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Application Timeline

The Brown School admits one class each year for the fall semester. Applications are accepted on a modified rolling basis; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. Please see our Admissions Timeline for important dates and deadlines.

  • Early Review Deadline – December 1
  • Priority Review Deadline – March 1

Application Requirements

Please review the following instructions carefully prior to beginning your application. The Brown School promotes a self-managed application process; it is your responsibility to monitor the status of your application and ensure the timely submission of all required materials.

Your application will be considered complete and ready for review once all application requirements have been received. Please plan accordingly to ensure that all components – including your video interview, letters of recommendation, and transcripts – are submitted by your intended deadline.

Transcripts

You must demonstrate successful completion of a bachelor’s degree (or degree in progress*) from a regionally accredited college or university.

Submitting Unofficial Transcripts:
Unofficial electronic or scanned student-issued copies of transcripts must be submitted with the application. Record your academic institution(s) and upload your unofficial transcript(s) in the Academic History section of the application. You must report all institutions where six (6) or more credit hours have been completed towards your primary undergraduate degree.

Unofficial transcripts must include the institution name, applicant name, dates of attendance, grades received for each course taken in all terms attended, degree information, and transcript key or interpretation guide.

*If your prerequisite degree is still in progress at the time of application, upload unofficial transcripts reflecting all coursework completed to date. Any offer of admission will be contingent upon the successful completion of your degree.

Official Transcripts:
Admitted students are required to provide a final official transcript from the institution that conferred their undergraduate degree. The Brown School reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if discrepancies are found between the uploaded unofficial documents and official educational records.

Foreign Transcript Evaluation:
Applicants who have earned (or will earn) their prerequisite degree outside the U.S. or English-speaking Canada must provide a certified foreign credential evaluation.

Evaluations must be completed by a NACES© member organization. Brown School applicants are eligible for a discounted rate and expedited review through our recommended partner, The Evaluation Company.

Additional information about the foreign credential evaluation requirement can be found on the International Applicant page.

Personal Statement

Provide a personal statement that describes your interest in social work and demonstrates your understanding of social work concepts. Your essay should be two (2) pages single-spaced and should include the following:

  • Significant factors influencing your decision to pursue a Master of Social Work degree.
  • Relevant leadership experiences that will contribute to your overall success as a graduate student and in the social work profession.
  • Career goals and commitment to social work and social change.
  • Specific reasons the Brown School is a good fit for your educational and professional goals.

Upload to the Application Materials section of the application.

Resume or CV

Submit a comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae highlighting your experiences, skills, awards, and accomplishments.

Upload to the Application Materials section of the application.

Video Interview

As part of the application process, you are required to complete a brief asynchronous video interview.

After you submit your application, a personalized link to our video interview platform, Kira Talent, will appear in your Application Checklist.

Additional information about the interview format and what to expect is available on the Video Interview Instructions page.

Letters of Recommendation

Two (2) letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references are required.

You will be asked to provide contact information for your recommenders in the Recommenders section of the application. Once entered, each recommender will receive an email with instructions for completing the recommendation form and uploading a letter through our online system.

All recommendations must be submitted through the online system. Please monitor the status of your recommendations to ensure they are received by the application deadline.

$50 Application Fee

Two (2) letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references are required.

You will be asked to provide contact information for your recommenders in the Recommenders section of the application. Once entered, each recommender will receive an email with instructions for completing the recommendation form and uploading a letter through our online system.

All recommendations must be submitted through the online system. Please monitor the status of your recommendations to ensure they are received by the application deadline.

Scholarship Consideration Form

The Brown School offers a range of partial-tuition scholarships to assist students with funding their graduate degree.

To be considered for a Brown School scholarship, you must complete the Scholarship Consideration Form in the Application Materials section of the application.

Standardized Testing

The Brown School does not require a graduate entrance exam, such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), for admission to the MSW program.

International applicants are required to provide official English language proficiency test scores. Additional information about the language proficiency requirement can be found on the  International Applicant page.

In addition to the requirements listed above, please refer to the additional application instructions for the following specific groups:

Part-Time MSW Applicants

The Part-Time MSW option is designed for working professionals and students who need to take courses at times that do not interfere with work and other commitments.  Students complete 60 credit hours over three to three years, including summer semesters.

You must indicate your intention to pursue the Part-Time MSW in the Program Information section of the application.

Click here for detailed information about the Part-Time MSW option, including curriculum and course format

Advanced Standing MSW Applicants

If you have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) within the last six years, you may be eligible to enter the Brown School with Advanced Standing status.

You must indicate your eligibility for Advanced Standing in the Program Information section of the application.

Click here for detailed information about the Advanced Standing MSW option, including eligibility requirements, curriculum, and program timelines.

3-2 MSW Program Applicants

The 3-2 MSW program application is available exclusively to current WashU undergraduate students in their junior year of study in the College of Arts & Sciences. The program allows students to earn their bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree in social work in five years.

Applicants must be on track to complete all their undergraduate distribution and major requirements by the end of their junior year, with elective credits available to be applied toward MSW course credit during their senior year (first year of the MSW program).

Additional information about the 3-2 MSW program and eligibility requirements can be found here.

Special Instructions for 3-2 MSW Applicants

In addition to carefully reviewing the MSW application requirements, 3-2 MSW applicants must take note of the following instructions:

  • 3-2 applicants should apply early in the spring of their junior year so that fall coursework can be considered; the application should be submitted by March 1 of junior year.
  • WashU undergraduate students must apply to the MSW program through the Washington University Graduate Admissions portal.
  • Select Current WashU undergraduate student for Washington University Affiliation in the Additional Applicant Information section of the application.
  • Select Bachelor’s/Master’s Program for Intended Level of Study in the Program Information section of the application.
  • A link to initiate the Brown School 3-2 Program Eligibility Form through DocuSign will be available in the Program Information section of the application.
  • 3-2 applicants are responsible for initiating the DocuSign eligibility form during the application process; the form must be completed and signed electronically by your undergraduate advisor(s) and Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences to confirm your eligibility for the 3-2 program and complete your application.
Dual Degree MSW Applicants

In partnership with other schools and programs at WashU, the Brown School offers structured dual degree programs that allow you to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) alongside another graduate degree.

Dual-degree options are available in a variety of disciplines, including public health, business administration, education, law, architecture, and urban design. Through a partnership with Eden Theological Seminary, students may pursue a dual degree in professional studies or divinity.

Separate applications are required for each program and are reviewed independently according to the admissions criteria of the respective schools. You must indicate your intention to pursue a dual degree in the Program Information section of the MSW application and apply separately to the other program through the appropriate school:

If you are currently enrolled in any of these programs, you may also apply to add the MSW and pursue a dual degree.

Click here for additional information about our dual-degree offerings.

MSW Graduate Credit Transfer Applicants

The Brown School welcomes applications from students who wish to transfer from another graduate institution, subject to the school’s policies for evaluating graduate-level credit earned prior to enrollment.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants who have completed graduate-level coursework may request to have their previous coursework evaluated for transfer credit towards MSW program requirements.

  • Applicants who have completed coursework in a Master of Social Work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)may be eligible to transfer up to 19 credit hours. These courses may be considered toward foundation-level, concentration-level, or elective requirements.
  • Applicants who have completed graduate coursework in a related discipline may be eligible to transfer up to 9 credit hours, which will be considered for elective credit only.

Courses are evaluated independently and must meet the following criteria to be considered for transfer credit:

  • The course must have been completed at the graduate level at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (courses completed at international institutions are not eligible).
  • The course must have been delivered in person (online courses are not eligible).
  • The course must have been completed within six years prior to matriculation at the Brown School.
  • The course must not have been used towards the completion of another graduate degree.
  • The applicant must have received a minimum grade of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), as shown on an official transcript.
  • The applicant must provide a course description and syllabus.
  • Academic credit will not be granted for life or work experience.

Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that transfer credit will be granted.

Evaluation Process:

Applicants interested in receiving graduate transfer credit must contact the Brown School Office of Admissions & Recruitment after submitting their application to initiate the evaluation process. Instructions for completing the MSW Transfer Credit Request Form will be provided upon inquiry.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit the Transfer Credit Request Form and all required supporting documentation as early as possible in the admissions process. Requests will not be accepted after September 1 of the applicant’s first term of enrollment. Incomplete submissions will not be evaluated.

Courses are reviewed in consultation with the MSW Program Office. Applicants will be notified of evaluation results via email within two to three weeks of submission.