SSW FAQ

Admitted students are assigned an advisor in SW and also in their Social Science. Faculty match is determined based on availability as well as the student preference. Faculty research interests by discipline are listed here:

• Psychology
• Social Work
• Anthropology
• Sociology

Typically we accept 7-8 students and place a few on the waitlist to yield a cohort size of approximately 5-8.

International applicants with a social work or social welfare degree are required to apply as Pre-MSW. Upon offer of admission, the Joint PhD Program will request syllabus information from the degree granting institution for submission to CSWE (Council on Social Work Education). If the MSW degree is equivalent to one earned from an accredited US institution, the admitted student will then be considered Post-MSW.

Unofficial transcripts from degree granting institutions only are necessary for submitting an application. Official transcripts will be required once an offer of admission is made. Admission will be contingent upon receipt of of official transcripts. Failure to submit could result in revocation of admission offer.

Students need to enter the MSW program within 2 years of completion of the Social Work Essentials Certificate or the MasterTrack Certificate.

The School of Social Work interviews many applicants to the MSW program each year who either request an interview themselves or are requested to interview by the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management. Not all applicants will have an interview as part of their admission process.

For more information, visit the MSW Admission Interview Information page.

We host all of our live courses via Zoom. For self-paced courses or certificate programs, we use our web-based learning management system, Canvas.

Yes. However, you will need to prepare separate applications and apply separately to each program. If you apply to both, as part of the application process you will be asked to select your preference if accepted into both. Your selection will be used to inform admissions decisions.

The purpose of this document is to provide the applicant to the University of Michigan’s Social Work and Social Welfare tips for writing a strong application. This document also provides some insight into the priorities of the program: a commitment to training social work scholars who have a deep knowledge of social justice issues and the social work profession, and who are committed to serving vulnerable populations with a passion for improving/changing conditions through intervention research.

You can submit unofficial transcripts from degree granting institutions as part of your application. However, official transcripts will be required if an offer of admission is made. Admission is contingent upon receipt of official transcripts. Failure to submit could result in revocation of admission offer.