Apply to MSW Program

Admissions Criteria

Admissions decisions are based primarily on an evaluation of previous undergraduate and graduate work, recommendations, experience in the human services (paid, volunteer, research, and internship), and the applicant's written supplementary statement. Applicants for admission to the MSW program are expected to meet the following criteria:

1. Completion of a bachelor's or its equivalent, with competitive grades, from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association; or completion of an international degree that is equivalent and approved by the Ministry of Education or Commission responsible for higher education in the country where the degree is earned.
   Note: Prospective students applying under the Provisions for Non-Baccalaureate Degree Applicants do not have to meet this requirement.
2. An undergraduate record that reflects a liberal arts perspective. Students are required to have a minimum of 20 academic semester credits in psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, history, political science, government, and/or languages prior to enrolling in the School of Social Work. Students need to have coursework from three or more disciplines in order to meet the liberal arts minimum credits. Students who do not meet the requirement may be admitted on the condition that this requirement is met prior to enrollment in the MSW program. Admitted applicants who do not meet the liberal arts criteria will be notified in their letter of admission of the specific conditions that must be met.
3. Intellectual and personal qualities likely to lead to roles and careers that have centrality in the social welfare system. This includes a commitment to engage in ethical, anti-racist social work roles that involve social welfare institutions and systems most likely to have an effect on major social problems and that serve the most economically and socially disadvantaged groups in our society.
4. Personal qualifications considered essential to the successful practice of social work, such as sensitivity and responsiveness in relationships, concern for the needs of others, adaptability, good judgment, critical thinking, creativity, integrity, and skill in oral and written communication.

Note: No admissions tests (e.g., GRE, GMAT) are required for admission to the MSW degree program.

SSW Technical Standards & NASW Code of Ethics

All students in the MSW program are required to adhere to the SSW Technical Standards and NASW Code of Ethics. Please review the following:

• NASW Code of Ethics
• SSW Technical Standards

Supporting Documents

Please submit the MSW application using the online system.

Applicants should upload all application materials to the online application. To submit supporting documents after submitting the MSW application, please send electronically to:

[email protected]

Transcripts may be sent to:

[email protected]

Recommendations may be sent directly from the recommender to:

[email protected]

Electronic documents are strongly preferred; however, if you need to mail documents to us, please send to:

Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management
School of Social Work
University of Michigan
1080 South University Avenue, Room 1748
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106

Fax copies of supporting documents will not be accepted without prior approval. Failure to complete application procedures in their entirety will delay processing of an application.

MSW Admission Interview Information

The School of Social Work Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) conducts many interviews with Master of Social Work (MSW) applicants each year. Applicants to the MSW program are welcome to request an interview after they have submitted their MSW application and all required supporting documents. For some applicants, the Admissions Review Team may request that they schedule an interview, so more information can be gathered prior to making an admissions decision. Interviews are conducted via Zoom or in person.

• MSW Admission Interview Information

Re-Application

Previous Applicants

Previous MSW applicants who were not offered admission, were admitted but did not enroll, or enrolled but withdrew in their first term of enrollment must follow the regular application procedures to apply for a future term.

MSW Applicants who were not offered admission must wait to reapply to the MSW program for a term that would begin no sooner than one year from the term of previous application. For example, if a fall 2023 MSW application was submitted, then an applicant would be eligible to reapply the following fall 2024 or later; or, if a winter 2024 MSW application was submitted, then reapplication eligibility would be winter 2025 or later.

MSW applicants who were offered admission but did not enroll, or enrolled but withdrew in their first term before completing any credits may reapply as early as the next available term for their program.

If your previous application was submitted within the past two years, you will need to submit:

• Official transcripts for any additional academic work completed since your last application

• One additional relevant supporting recommendation (enter the names of two of your previous recommenders for the other two required recommendations)

• A new supplementary statement

• The MSW application form and application fee

If your previous application was submitted more than two years ago, please follow the regular application procedures and submit all new documents, except for any official/final transcripts previously submitted to the School.

Re-apply through the MSW Application

Tips for Non-Admitted Applicants Re-Applying

Previously Enrolled Students

Previously enrolled MSW students at the University of Michigan who have withdrawn from the MSW program after completion of one or more credits of coursework and who cannot complete the MSW program within four years of their original start date must follow the regular application procedures and submit all new documents, except for transcripts already received by the School.

• Re-apply through the MSW Application »
  (for students that would complete the MSW program in over 4 years of their original program start)

Previously enrolled MSW students at the University of Michigan who have withdrawn from the MSW program after completion of one or more credits of coursework and who will be able to complete the MSW program within four years of their original start date must complete and submit a Re-Application Form for Returning MSW Students.

• Students applying to return to the MSW degree program must submit the reapplication form at least three months prior to the term for which readmission is requested.
• Students applying to return to the MSW degree program must submit a written plan with their reapplication form, describing their plans for completion of the remainder of their degree requirements. This plan should be detailed and include an expected graduation date.
• Former students follow the curriculum requirements that were in effect when they first entered the MSW program. If this is not possible due to curriculum changes, consultation with the associate dean for educational programs may be necessary.
• Returning students should plan their return for a term that is consistent with their previous curriculum schedule (16-month, 20-month, MasterTrack, etc.), if possible.
• Students should not plan to return in the spring/summer term without prior consultation with their faculty advisor and the Office of Field Education due to the limited spring/summer course offerings and field instruction policies.
• No re-application fee is required for students previously enrolled in the MSW program.
• Former MSW students who were on academic probation may be required to submit additional materials for review by the associate dean for educational programs.

If a student experiences an un-natural break in field placement for any reason, they may be required to complete a Return to Field Placement Action Plan. The student's Action Plan will be reviewed and approved by the assigned Field Faculty and must also have the approval of the Assistant Dean of Field Education.

• Re-Application Form for Previously Enrolled MSW Students »
  (for students that would complete the MSW program within 4 years of their original program start)
• Return to Field Placement Policy & Procedures »

Learn more about undergraduate options »

Students applying as juniors to the MSW for U-M Sociology & SW or UM-Dearborn Human Services & SW curriculum schedules must upload verification to their MSW application that they are eligible for the curriculum schedule. Submit the verification form to the appropriate office for completion. The completed form must be uploaded to the MSW application.

• U-M Sociology & SW: [email protected]
• UM-Dearborn Human Services & SW: [email protected]

U-M Sociology or UM-Dearborn Human Services Verification Form