Master of Social Work
Admission Requirements
For admission into the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, you must meet certain requirements. The specific requirements that apply to you depend on the program to which you apply.
Full-Time Two-Year or Three-Year Part-Time Programs
To be admitted to either the two-year full-time or the three-year part-time Master of Social Work (MSW) programs of study, you must:
- Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or to be considered on a provisional basis you must have a 2.7 in the last 60 semesters of the upper-level undergraduate work.
- Have 15 quarter credits of social sciences, a human biology or physical science course, and a statistics course.*
- The GRE is not required.
* Of the 15 credit hours of social sciences, you must have at least one course in psychology, one course in sociology or anthropology, and one course in American history or economics or political science.
As a matter of policy the MSW Program does not accept life or work expierence as a subsitute for field practium or any other required social work courses.
One-Year Advanced Standing Program
To be admitted to the one-year advanced standing program, you must:
- Have a bachelor's degree from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;
- Have a 3.25 overall undergraduate grade point average;
- Have a grade of B or higher in all required social work courses;
- Have 15 quarter credits of social sciences, a human biology or physical science course, and a statistics course. *
- Provide references supporting your ability to do advanced level practice,
- The GRE is not required.
* Of the 15 credit hours of social sciences, you must have at least one course in psychology, one course in sociology or anthropology, and one course in American history or economics or political science.
Financial Aid
There are several types of financial aid that graduate students in social work can apply for. Find out more about these tuition awards:
- University Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships
- Minority Fellows and Scholars Program (Yates Scholars Program)
- Student Loans
- Foundation Awards and Other Scholarships
To apply for any financial aid, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the School of Social Work Graduate Financial Assistance Application (PDF) available from the School of Social Work.
You must submit the FAFSA and the GFAA by April 15 to be considered for aid for the following Fall Semester. After you submit your application, it is sent to a central processor to determine the level of your need. All awards are based on need and are given on a first-come, first-serve basis.
International Students
If your native language is not English, you must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum University requirement for the internet-based TOEFL is 68. Your score on the speaking section of the internet-based TOEFL must be 26 or higher.
This requirement applies no matter what program you choose. The Graduate School has additional information about the English proficiency requirement at www.grad.uc.edu/international-services.aspx. UC International Services has general information for prospective international students at www.isso.uc.edu.
Before applying for admission into the social work program, we want you to know that most social service agencies which serve as field placement sites for our program now require background checks and fingerprinting as well as preliminary alcohol and drug testing, sometimes at the student's expense.
Some agencies may require students to comply with random drug screens during their field placement, and supervisors also may have the ability to request a drug screen during the placement if they suspect the student is impaired during placement hours. These are the policies of social service agencies, not the University of Cincinnati or the School of Social Work.
A criminal history may limit a student's ability to obtain a field placement as well as limit or prohibit students from obtaining a license in social work or employment in the social work field. Students are encouraged to contact the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board directly with questions about licensing.