Admissions Requirements

A complete application consists of:

A complete application consists of all components listed below.  Note: transcripts and electronic recommendations must be received by the application deadline and not simply ordered by the deadline.

1. A completed application on Cal State Apply.
2. One set of official transcripts from every college or university ever attended reflecting a regionally accredited college or university baccalaureate degree, or show baccalaureate degree in progress.  Transcripts should show a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.  *Applicants cannot be admitted with a GPA under 2.50 in accordance with CSU graduate admission requirements.
   • Note: Transcripts must be received before the application deadline and not simply ordered by the deadline
3. Completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of 'C' or better.
4. A résumé that includes a minimum of 300 hours of experience as a volunteer or employee in a social service setting. These 300 experience hours must be clearly indicated in the résumé and the name and email address(es) of the supervisor(s) of these hours must be provided. A “social service” setting is an agency or organization that provides services designed to enhance or support the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in need.
5. Three electronic recommendations; including either two academic and one professional, or two professional and one academic reference. (Please note: personal references will not be accepted.)
   • Note: Electronic recommendations must be completed by the reference person by/before the application deadline.
6. A personal statement (maximum of 2 pages). Both the written portion and video portion are required.  Refer to the personal statement prompt for instructions.”

In accordance with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards, the MSW program does not grant academic credit for previous life or work experience.

Social Work Application Guide

300 Hours of Paid or Volunteer Service in a Social Service Setting

• Social Service experience is any experience working under supervision or oversight where you are working with individuals, groups, or families, providing support, resources, mentoring, other types of support and/or helping people get connected with community services. This can include work you are doing with individuals, groups, or families in person, via electronic communications, in community settings, and or home, office and/or school settings. 

• Examples of settings where it is possible to get social services experience include: after-school programs, community-based organizations, schools, hospitals, senior centers, community centers, local non-profit agencies (e.g., YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, to name a few).