Admissions

Please meet our new Student Development and Accreditation Support Specialist, Shelly Paule, MSW, LCSW

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MSW Admission Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts foundation from an accredited college or university. Advanced Standing Applicants need to possess an undergraduate degree in Social Work earned within five years of admission.

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 units (90 quarter), but not less than a minimum of a 2.85 GPA.

• The GRE will no longer be required to apply for MSW applicants. If applicable, TOEFL Examination must be submitted prior to the application deadline in order for your application to be considered.

• Complete SDSU School of Social Work Application (Interfolio) which includes: Supplemental information, Liberal Arts Perspective Form; Personal/Professional Statement; Letters of Recommendation (Advanced Standing Program applicants need a letter from their field instructor and a social work faculty member) Application Information Certification, Resume, and Employment/Volunteer/Experience form.

• Have a minimum of 500 hours of any paid or unpaid (volunteering or internship) work with a diverse, vulnerable population. (Example: hospitals, mental health centers, advocacy programs, universities, training departments, treatment centers, churches, care facilities, social service agencies, non-profit organizations, etc.)

• Complete an undergraduate statistics course.
  • Note: Completion of a statistics course is required with a grade of a C or better. Examples would include Stats 119, Stats 250, Soc 201, Psy 280. The course may be taken in the summer but must be completed prior to beginning the MSW program.

• All MSW students will be required to pass a background check for program participation.

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Fall 2025 MSW Application Deadlines

* MSW/JD and MSW/MPH dual degree admissions is not offered for Fall 2025

*MSW Imperial Valley program is a 3-year cohort with admissions next opening Oct 1, 2025.

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1. Submit the Cal State Apply Online Application (available after October 1st, 2024)

•  See the Cal State Apply Application Instructions (docx)
• An application fee applies.
• An SDSU “RED ID” number will be assigned which allows tracking of application status online. (This is different from your Cal State Apply ID, which will be sent via email in 3-7 business days).

2. Submit Supplemental Materials to Interfolio (all applicants) using one of the below links. (available after October 1st 2024).

• San Diego Campus Social Work (MSW): Direct Practice & Administration and Community Development Application 
• San Diego Campus Social Work (MSW): Transfer Students Application
• Post-MSW Pupil Personnel Services Credential Application Required supplemental materials for MSW Application

• In your personal statement, please respond to all of the reflective questions listed below. Personal statements should be double-spaced in 12 pt. font and not exceed 1000 words in length. Your personal statement should be uploaded to your Interfolio Application.
  • Please describe the role that power and privilege have played in your life. How does your experience with power and privilege impact your understanding of social justice?
  • Reflect on how your past experiences working with and on behalf of diverse and vulnerable populations (individuals, families, groups, and communities) have impacted your understanding of the term social justice.
  • As a master’s level social worker, what role do you anticipate playing in promoting social justice, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable populations?
• 3 professional/academic letters of recommendation. Personal letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (Advanced Standing Program applicants need a letter from their field instructor and a social work faculty member)
• Application Information Certification (Form available in Interfolio application)
• Employment/Volunteer/Experience form with a minimum of 500 human services hours. (Form available in Interfolio application)
• Resume
• Liberal Arts Perspective Form (Optional)

3. Submit Official Test Scores and Official Transcripts to SDSU Graduate Admission (all applicants)

• The GRE will not be required for MSW applicants. If applicable, TOEFL Examination scores or proof of English proficiency should be sent by ETS directly to SDSU (institution code 4682).
• Mail or electronically send official transcripts from all colleges attended to SDSU Graduate Admissions (Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance):

SDSU Graduate Admissions
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

Electronic transcripts may be emailed to [email protected]

• If you have international coursework, you must have your school send SDSU Graduate Admissions one official original-language copy of all records of academic coursework and proof of degree. For each document you must also send a certified literal English translation, which can come directly from the school itself or from a professional, certified translator. The translation must contain all information shown on the original-language documents. (For details on which documents are required, check https://admissions.sdsu.edu/international/graduate/steps-apply).

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MSW Application Workshop

Watch this recorded Application Workshop for details on how to apply to the MSW program and get answers to common questions about the application process and portals.

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Questions?

• Download MSW Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)

or MSW admissions questions not answered in the Prospective MSW Student handbook, please email [email protected]. 

MSW Application Assistance Virtual Help Desk
Monday, Wednesday & Fridays 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm