MSW Admissions
Campus MSW & Part-time Online (iMSW) Admissions Requirements
- Strong Interest in serving individuals from diverse backgrounds seeking to improve their lives
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better for the last sixty (60) semester hours or ninety (90) quarter hours of coursework
- Experience in human services (paid, volunteer, research and/or internship) or an undergraduate degree in the behavioral science field
- Twenty hours of social and behavioral sciences, humanities, and biological sciences
- GRE is not required
International Applicants Must Also Include:
- TOEFL total score of at least 103 and a speaking score of at least 24; or a 7.0 in all areas of IELTS. The Graduate College may exempt international applicants from English proficiency requirements, but as the School of Social Work Program is a professional program, we require proof of English proficiency for all international applicants.
- Declaration of Finances Form
NOTE: Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission.
To learn more about our program and the application process please review the MSW FAQs.
Application Process
You must upload all materials to the Graduate College Application and mail official transcripts to the School of Social Work. The Graduate College Application will be open for 2026-2027 academic year on August 1, 2025.
- Graduate College Application– To be completed online at www.grad.illinois.edu
- All items below will be uploaded to the Graduate College Application.
- Three (3) letters of reference (must be academic and/or professional in nature).
- Graduate College Academic Statement
- Social Work Personal Statement
- Resume – This should include relevant education, volunteer, and work experience.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
- All items below will be uploaded to the Graduate College Application.
- Official Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Mail directly to the School of Social Work, 1010 W. Nevada Street, Urbana, IL 61801 or official electronic transcripts can be emailed to socialwork@illinois.edu
MSW Campus Application Deadlines
- The priority application deadline is December 1, 2025 – Meeting this deadline will guarantee a decision by Jan 5, 2026 and priority for funding opportunities
- The final application deadline is January 15, 2026
- MSW Campus for Summer 2026 (Traditional Students, those without a bachelors degree in social work)
- MSW Campus for Fall 2026 (Advanced Standing Students, those with a bachelors of social work degree from a CSWE accredited program within the past 7 years)
Online MSW Part-time Program Application Deadlines
- Final Deadline is December 1, 2025
- Spring 2026 start for those that have completed a bachelors of social work degree from a Council of Social Work Education accredited program within the past 7 years. Students are only eligible to complete the program in a part-time model.
- Priority Deadline is December 1, 2025 Meeting this deadline will guarantee an admissions decision by Jan 5, 2026.
- Summer 2026 start for students entering without a bachelor of social work degree.
- Fall 2026 start for those that have completed a bachelors of social work degree from a Council of Social Work Education accredited program within the past 7 years. Students can choose to complete the program in a part-time or full-time model.
- Final January 15, 2026
- Summer 2026 start for students entering without a bachelor of social work degree.
- Fall 2026 start for those that have completed a bachelors of social work degree from a Council of Social Work Education accredited program within the past 7 years. Students can choose to complete the program in a part-time or full-time model.
Please note:
- Admission decisions will be sent out once the committee has made the decision.
- Advanced Standing status is granted to individuals that have completed a bachelors of social work degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program within the past 7 years.
- Traditional Standing is available to students that have an undergraduate degree in all other disciplines or a bachelors degree in social work from a program that is not accredited by CSWE or their degree is more than 7 years old.