Advanced Standing and Standard MSW Program Application Details 

All required admission materials are submitted directly to Graduate College. Applications will be reviewed once all required materials have been received. Once the posted deadline has passed, incomplete applications may be denied and applicants will be required to reapply and pay the application fee for the following admitting term to be considered. We encourage applicants to track application details through their MyASU portal. Please note that transcripts from ASU do not need to be submitted with application materials. ASU students will have their transcripts automatically added to their application.  

For more information about the application process and requirements visit our FAQ page. 

Application Procedures for the MSW Advanced Standing Program

The rolling admission process is utilized for admission to the Advanced Standing Program and starts on September 1st. The Advanced Standing MSW Program application deadline is February 1st for all of the different campuses. All supplemental application materials (transcripts and letters of recommendation) must be received by the ASU School of Social Work by February 15th.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the advanced standing MSW if they have a 3.20 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of a CSWE accredited Social Work, BSW program. Applicants must have received their BSW degree no more than 6 years prior to the date of admission to the MSW program. 

All applicants must submit:

• Graduate admission application and application fee
• Official transcripts from each institution the applicant has attended.
• Three letters of recommendation
  • You will be prompted on the Graduate College application to provide the name and e-mail addresses of at least 3 individuals that you would like use as a reference.
  • A combination of both academic and professional references are required. References from friends, family members or personal therapists will cause the application to be automatically denied. It is recommended that at least one of the academic or professional references be from your BSW field instructor, or from your supervisor if employed in a social work related job.
• Program-specific admission essay. Format your four to six-page typewritten essay using twelve-inch font, one-inch margins, double-spaced addressing the questions below. If you do not answer the required questions, your application will be denied.  You can also download the essay template which will have more information regarding formatting on our FAQ page. 

Essay Questions (4-6 Pages Required)

1. Describe your experience, background and/or relationships that have influenced your selection of social work as your professional career (family, education, employment, diversity experience, volunteer involvements, and personal characteristics, etc.).  Describe challenge(s) or barriers that you have faced in your pursuit of higher education, what motivated you to persist, and how you overcame them.
2. Describe your understanding of the responsibilities of the social work profession and specifically the role and responsibilities that you wish to be able to assume as a professional social worker. How have you incorporated social work values in your human service experiences and interactions with others?
3. Describe your reason for selecting ASU, your thoughts on the School of Social Work’s Mission Statement and how it will contribute to your short- and long-term career goals. The Mission Statement can be found on our website here: https://socialwork.asu.edu/content/mission-statement
4. The ASU School of Social Work is committed to social justice and the dignity and worth of all individuals. Social workers must maintain a commitment to equity by fighting to eradicate racism and all forms of injustice. What is your understanding of social justice and its role in social work, and how will you work to address the inadequacies of our social systems in combating racism?
5. The School of Social Work MSW programs require the completion of professional Field Practicum. Students must complete 960 hours (two internships) in the Standard MSW program or 480 hours (one internship) in the Advanced Standing MSW program. Internship equates to approximately 16 hours per week in each semester. Because the internship is such a significant component of the program, please detail your plan for managing the rigorous demands of coursework and internship along with your other obligations. 

• 240 hours of volunteer and/or paid work experience in social services within the past five years.
  • A professional resume should include volunteer and/or relevant paid experience. Be sure to provide a very specific description of duties/activities and include the hours and dates of the experience
  • Applicants should use the volunteer/work experience form on our FAQ page to supplement their application.

• Proof of English proficiency: An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency. Click here for more details. 

Application Procedures for the Standard MSW Program

The Fall campus-based Standard MSW program and MSW Sync program application deadline is June 1st.  All supplemental application materials (transcripts and letters of recommendation) must be received by the ASU School of Social Work by June 15th.

The Fall MSW Online program application deadline is June 1st. All supplemental application materials (transcripts and letters of recommendation) must be received by the ASU School of Social Work by June 15th. 

The Spring MSW Online program application deadline is November 1st. All supplemental application materials (transcripts and letters of recommendation) must be received by the ASU School of Social Work by November 15th.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

All applicants must submit:

• Graduate admission application and application fee
• Official transcripts from each institution the applicant has attended. Competitive applicants typically have a “B” (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) grade point average in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate coursework. If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, admission will still be considered using each component of your application, including professional and academic background.
• Three letters of recommendation
  • You will be prompted on the Graduate College application to provide the name and e-mail addresses of at least 3 individuals that you would like use as a reference.
  • A combination of both academic and professional references are required. References from friends, family members or personal therapists will cause the application to be automatically denied. It is recommended that at least one of the academic or professional references be from your BSW field instructor, or from your supervisor if employed in a social work related job.
• Program-specific admission essay: Format your four to six-page typewritten essay using twelve-inch font, one-inch margins, double-spaced addressing the questions below. If you do not answer the required questions, your application will be denied. You can also download the essay template which will have more information regarding formatting on our FAQ page. 

Essay Questions (4-6 Pages Required)

1. Describe your experience, background and/or relationships that have influenced your selection of social work as your professional career (family, education, employment, diversity experience, volunteer involvements, and personal characteristics, etc.).  Describe challenge(s) or barriers that you have faced in your pursuit of higher education, what motivated you to persist, and how you overcame them.
2. Describe your understanding of the responsibilities of the social work profession and specifically the role and responsibilities that you wish to be able to assume as a professional social worker. How have you incorporated social work values in your human service experiences and interactions with others?
3. Describe your reason for selecting ASU, your thoughts on the School of Social Work’s Mission Statement and how it will contribute to your short- and long-term career goals. The Mission Statement can be found on our website here: https://socialwork.asu.edu/content/mission-statement
4. The ASU School of Social Work is committed to social justice and the dignity and worth of all individuals. Social workers must maintain a commitment to equity by fighting to eradicate racism and all forms of injustice. What is your understanding of social justice and its role in social work, and how will you work to address the inadequacies of our social systems in combating racism?
5. The School of Social Work MSW programs require the completion of professional Field Practicum. Students must complete 960 hours (two internships) in the Standard MSW program or 480 hours (one internship) in the Advanced Standing MSW program. Internship equates to approximately 16 hours per week in each semester. Because the internship is such a significant component of the program, please detail your plan for managing the rigorous demands of coursework and internship along with your other obligations. 

• 240 hours of volunteer and/or paid work experience in social services within the past five years.
  • A professional resume should include volunteer and/or relevant paid experience. Be sure to provide a very specific description of duties/activities and include the hours and dates of the experience
  • Applicants should use the volunteer/work experience form on our FAQ page to supplement their application.

• Proof of English proficiency: An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency. Click here for more details.