MSW Admission Requirements

Regular Program (60 credits)

• Bachelor’s Degree (any major) from a regionally accredited institution
• Official Transcripts
  • All undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
• 3.0 GPA in last 60 credits of Bachelor’s Degree
• Personal Statement (Click here for instructions)
• 3 Recommendations
  • From current or past:
    • Professors or instructors (with whom you have taken a course)
    • Supervisors from employment or volunteer work

Note: Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission

The total application packet will be considered in making admission decisions.

Highly promising applicants who do not precisely meet the GPA admission requirements may petition the MSW Admission Committee for exceptional consideration.

If accepted for admission into the MSW program, all incoming students are required to attend a mandatory MSW orientation conducted during the week prior to the beginning of the fall term. Failure to attend this orientation session will result in admission deferment to the following year.

Students not admitted to the MSW program will not be permitted to take SOW courses. Exceptions may be made for individuals with LCSW from out of state who need to satisfy Florida licensing requirements. Permission must be granted by the MSW program coordinator.

Students who are dismissed from the MSW program may not return to take any MSW classes.

 Advanced Standing Program (30 credits)

• Bachelor of Social Work Degree*
• Official Transcripts
  • All undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
• 3.5 GPA in last 60 credits of BSW Degree
• Personal Statement (Click here for instructions)
• 3 Recommendations
  • 1 must be an outstanding recommendation from your field professor or director
  • 2 from current or past:
    • Professors or instructors (with whom you have taken a course)
    • Supervisors from employment or volunteer work

Note: Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission 

The total application packet will be considered in making admissions decisions.

*The Advanced Standing Program is available to applicants who have completed their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree within the last five years. The BSW must have been earned from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program or an equivalent program recognized through CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, or must be covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.

Highly promising applicants who do not precisely meet the GPA admission requirements may petition the MSW Admission Committee for exceptional consideration.

If accepted for admission into the MSW program, all incoming students are required to attend a mandatory MSW orientation conducted during the week prior to the beginning of the fall term. Failure to attend this orientation session will result in admission deferment to the following year.

Students not admitted to the MSW program will not be permitted to take SOW courses. Exceptions may be made for individuals with LCSW from out of state who need to satisfy Florida licensing requirements. Permission must be granted by the MSW program coordinator.

Students who are dismissed from the MSW program may not return to take any MSW classes. 

Additional Requirements for International Students

Graduates of colleges or universities outside of the United States who have completed an academic program equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution may apply for admission. All international applicants whose transcripts are from non-U.S. institutions must have their credentials evaluated course by course, including the GPA, by a professional evaluation service or through FAU. Acceptable evaluation services may be found at www.NACES.org.

International students from non-English speaking countries must furnish evidence of proficiency in English from: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum requirement for TOEFL is 600 (Paper-Based Test) and 61 (Internet Based Test). The minimum requirement for IELTS is a band score of 6.0.

In addition, international applicants must have had previous experience in the social welfare field in their own countries prior to application to the MSW program.

Lastly, international applicants must also possess and provide a sound financial plan to cover the costs of tuition, living expenses and round-trip transportation, as determined by the Graduate College.

Transfer Credit & Coursework

Students transferring from another CSWE accredited MSW program may transfer a maximum of 30 graduate credits for the 60 credit program. No transfer credits are accepted for the Advanced Standing Program. MSW courses completed at other universities must be evaluated as to their relevance and similarity to FAU courses prior to review of the student’s application. All courses that are applied to the degree must have been successfully completed within five years of entrance into the FAU program, and the student must have earned a grade of “B” or above. A grade of “B-” or below does not meet this requirement and is not accepted. No graduate credit is granted for life experience or work experience.

Admission Semesters & Deadlines

Please note that all application materials including the online graduate application, three online recommendations, personal statement, and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be submitted by the application deadline in order to be considered for admission. The $30 application fee must be paid before the application is officially submitted.

Regular Program (60 credits) – Fall admission only

Student Classification	Application Deadline*
Domestic	May 1
International	February 15

Advanced Standing Program (30 credits) – Summer or Fall admission only

The deadline is the same for both semesters.

Student Classification	Application Deadline*
Domestic	May 1
International	February 15

*These deadlines are subject to change for future admission cycles.