MSSW Admissions

Contact Us

Contact us by phone Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET.

Call MSSW Admissions

Email MSSW Admissions

Admission Requirements

1. A bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency or foreign equivalent.
2. Preparation in the social sciences. At least three-fourths of the undergraduate work should be in the social sciences, humanities, physical sciences, and other liberal arts subjects.
3. A liberal arts perspective with coursework from at least four of these five areas:
   • economics or mathematics
   • government, political science, or history
   • sociology or anthropology
   • psychology
   • philosophy, literature, or the arts
4. U.S. degree holders must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 out of a possible 4.0 on all undergraduate work and a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0 on all previous graduate work. Individuals with degrees from foreign institutions must have a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work and a minimum of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale on all previous graduate work. All applicants applying for admission to the Advanced Standing program must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher.
5. Personal qualifications acceptable for entrance into the professional practice of social work.
6. GRE scores are not required for admission to the MSSW program

Preference is given to applicants with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or above in their undergraduate work and with substantial preparation in the social sciences.

Note: The College of Social Work does not offer spring admission. The Advanced Standing program begins in the summer semester. The Full time and Extended Study programs begin in the fall semester.

Application Process

Submit your application by completing the following at the Graduate School’s website:

1. Graduate School online application
2. $60.00 application fee
   • Paid online at the time of your application.
3. Official transcripts from each institution you have previously attended. In order for your application to be processed, you must provide scanned versions of official transcripts from all undergraduate and/or graduate institutions, even if you didn’t receive a degree. Your transcripts must be uploaded with the online application. If you do not upload your official transcript(s) with your application, you must have your official transcripts mailed or sent electronically from the institution(s) to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Please keep in mind that doing this will delay the processing of your application. If you have attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, your UTK transcripts will already be on file. Find additional guidelines for submitting transcripts.
4. Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if the native language is not English.
5. Personal statement
   • Download the guidelines for the personal statement.
6. Three (3) MSSW Reference Evaluation Forms
   • During the application process, applicants will submit the names and email addresses of three (3) references. These individuals will receive an electronic reference form via email to complete and submit online. References constitute an essential part of the admission process and should be chosen with care. 
   • For more information on choosing references, visit our FAQ page.
7. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Uploaded with the online application.