Master of Social Work Admission & Application Requirements

1. Online graduate application

Submit the Graduate Online Application - This is only the first step in the application process.

2. $35 Non-Refundable application fee for all graduate applications

After you complete the Graduate Online Application:

• Log in to eServices with your StarID.
• Click on Bills and Payment, and you will be able to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card.

3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

Contact ALL the colleges and universities you have attended and have your transcripts sent to:

Graduate Studies Office, MSU Moorhead
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563

You do not need to order transcripts from MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions. See Transcript Policy for more details.

4. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution

A baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program or a baccalaureate degree recognized through CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors for Advanced Standing Program. This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the Social Work program.

5. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits

This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.
*If you think your undergraduate GPA does not represent your potential for success in graduate school, you can appeal this requirement.

• Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
• Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
• Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
• Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.

6. Three letters of recommendation

The recommendations should be from professional and academic sources who are directly familiar with your skills and experience. One reference should be from an immediate professional supervisor, if possible. One reference should be from a faculty member who can speak directly to your academic preparation for graduate social work education. References from non-professional/academic sources will not be scored.

• Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
• Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
• If you have not submitted contact information yet, select “Continue” to go into your application and complete program app and recommender information.
• After clicking “Submit Application” you will need to contact the Graduate Studies Office for any recommender information changes.
• Your recommenders will receive an e-mail from the Graduate Studies Office asking them to fill out the recommendation form.
• To check the status of your recommendations later, select “Summary” in the Applications tab.

7. Resume

Prepare a resume that includes education, work experience, volunteer activities, etc.

• Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
• Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
• Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
• Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.

8. Admission preference

Preference will be given to applicants with 2000 or more hours of human service/professional experience.

• Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
• Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
• Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
• Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.

9. Professional statement

Your professional statement is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of and fit for the social work profession, as well as your aptitude for graduate-level social work education. The Admissions Committee pays close attention to both content and writing skills. In your statement of purpose, please address each of the items listed below, and should be no more than five (5) pages, double-spaced, in a 12-point font.

1. “How are your professional/career goals consistent with the MSUM MSW program and specialization tracks?”
2. “We each bring a unique worldview to these situations that stem from our own culture and life experiences. Discuss an experience or situation that has fundamentally transformed the way you think about someone else’s cultural behavior or beliefs.”

Upload to Self-service center

• Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
• Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
• Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
• Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.

10. Provisional Admission

Students who do not meet admission requirements may apply for Provisional Admission. Please address any special academic considerations that should be taken into account in the review of your application and anything else you think we should know about you that would help us in making an admissions decision.