Social Work (MSW)

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the following GPA and degree requirements based on their preferred program format:

Fully Online Program:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university
• Minimum 3.0 GPA (overall or in the major) or a graduate degree with a 3.0 GPA

Hybrid Program (on-campus sessions):

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university
• Minimum 2.75 GPA (overall or in the major) or a graduate degree with a 2.75 GPA

Advanced Standing Program:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program (or international equivalent recognized by CSWE)
• Degree must have been earned within the last 5 years
• Minimum 3.2 overall GPA

GPA Exceptions (Hybrid Program Only):
Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 may still be considered if they meet one of the following:

• 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
• 3.0 GPA in a completed graduate degree
• 3.0 GPA in at least 9 hours of completed graduate-level coursework
• GRE scores: 148 (Verbal), 145 (Quantitative), 3.5 (Analytical Writing)
• A high composite score on admission materials (essay, recommendations, etc.)

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All applicants must demonstrate foundational knowledge in key academic areas.

Applicants without a BSW must have completed:

• 9 credit hours in humanities/fine arts
• 9 credit hours in social sciences
• 3 credit hours in statistics

Applicants with a BSW must have completed:

• 3 credit hours in statistics

CLEP Exams:
Some prerequisite areas may be fulfilled by CLEP exams. Learn more at CLEP.

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You must submit at least three recommendations from academic or professional references who can speak to your:

• Readiness for graduate-level study
• Commitment to social work values
• Professionalism, leadership and/or advocacy experience

Tips: Avoid personal references. Choose individuals who are familiar with your academic work, volunteer service or job performance in human services settings.

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The required admission essay should be 4–6 pages, typewritten and double-spaced. It must be your own work and demonstrate graduate-level writing and critical thinking.

Your essay should include two sections:

1. Autobiographical Statement (2–3 pages):
   Share your background, including life experiences, personal values and what draws you to the field of social work. You may wish to highlight:

• Commitment to social justice
• Leadership experiences
• Academic achievements
• Work or volunteer experience with diverse communities
• Bilingual skills or experience overcoming adversity
• Career goals and how an MSW supports them

2. Social Problem Analysis (2–3 pages):
   Choose a significant social issue and explore:

• Societal causes and impacts
• Why it deserves public attention and resources
• Any personal connection to the issue
• How social workers (and you) could address the problem

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All MSW students are required to complete an in-person field practicum at an approved health or human services organization in North Carolina. This applies even if you're in the fully online program.

Hours Required:

• Traditional MSW: 930 hours
• Advanced Standing: 500 hours

Field education is an essential part of MSW training. You will gain hands-on experience through a required North Carolina-based practicum. Depending on your path, you’ll complete either 500 or 930 hours in a setting that matches your goals and supports licensure readiness.

 

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