Social Work M.S.W.
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College of Education & Human Service Professions (DCEH)314 - Master of Social Work
Preferred undergraduate degree in a related discipline
Bachelor's degree with a solid background in the liberal arts, including courses in cultural studies, and behavioral and social sciences. Social work or degree in related discipline preferred.
Preferred undergraduate GPA
3
Preferred English language test for admission
No Preferred Test
TOEFL - Total - Score
79
TOEFL - Reading - Score
19
TOEFL - Writing - Score
21
IELTS - Total - Score
6.5
IELTS - Reading - Score
6.5
IELTS - Writing - Score
6.5
Is a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score used to determine admission to this program?
No
Is a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score used to determine admission to this program?
No
Description of other application requirements
Applicants must have completed at least:
- 6 semester credits from at least 2 social science disciplines (e.g., sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, or political science).
Applicants can be provisionally admitted before completing the enrollment prerequisites but must show successful completion before beginning MSW courses. Prerequisites cannot be applied to MSW requirements.
Course credits are not awarded for non-academic or professional "life experience."
The following must be submitted through the online application:
- a personal statement
- a writing sample
- 3 letters of recommendation
- a resume
Professional experience in human service settings, particularly when this experience involves working with underrepresented and protected classes, is preferred.
Applicants should be knowledgeable about diverse cultures, social problems and conditions, and the social, psychological, and biological determinants of human behavior. Applicants should show potential to contribute to the social work profession. Students will also be required to submit a Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Statement.
Applicants with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education are eligible for the 34-credit Advanced Generalist program. Advanced Generalist Program students have the option of starting either in the summer or fall semester.
Generalist Program students are admitted in the fall semester only.
International and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. Please visit the English Proficiency Requirements page for more information: z.umn.edu/proficiency-reqs
A new scoring scale has been introduced for the TOEFL exam. Minimum required scores on exams taken on or after January 21, 2026 are as follows:
Overall: 4.5
Reading: 4.5
Writing: 4.5
The exam date should be within two years of the program start date.
- 6 semester credits from at least 2 social science disciplines (e.g., sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, or political science).
Applicants can be provisionally admitted before completing the enrollment prerequisites but must show successful completion before beginning MSW courses. Prerequisites cannot be applied to MSW requirements.
Course credits are not awarded for non-academic or professional "life experience."
The following must be submitted through the online application:
- a personal statement
- a writing sample
- 3 letters of recommendation
- a resume
Professional experience in human service settings, particularly when this experience involves working with underrepresented and protected classes, is preferred.
Applicants should be knowledgeable about diverse cultures, social problems and conditions, and the social, psychological, and biological determinants of human behavior. Applicants should show potential to contribute to the social work profession. Students will also be required to submit a Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Statement.
Applicants with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a program accredited by the Council of Social Work Education are eligible for the 34-credit Advanced Generalist program. Advanced Generalist Program students have the option of starting either in the summer or fall semester.
Generalist Program students are admitted in the fall semester only.
International and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. Please visit the English Proficiency Requirements page for more information: z.umn.edu/proficiency-reqs
A new scoring scale has been introduced for the TOEFL exam. Minimum required scores on exams taken on or after January 21, 2026 are as follows:
Overall: 4.5
Reading: 4.5
Writing: 4.5
The exam date should be within two years of the program start date.