Admissions

Advanced Standing MSW Admissions

If you wish to apply for admission to our program, please follow the guidelines outlined below. All admission materials are to be sent to USF Graduate Admissions. Early submission of all application materials is strongly recommended.

Gaining admission to the MSW program is a competitive process. Applicants who meet the minimum criteria will not necessarily be accepted into the program due to space limitations. Each applicant to a graduate program at the University of South Florida is required to meet the following minimum requirements.

The advanced standing program is offered on campus and online. Students qualify by receiving "B-" or better grades in all the undergraduate social work courses. (Students do not qualify with any grade below "B-" in these courses). Both the full- and part-time options are heavily sequenced and students must stay in sequence"

An applicant must have a Bachelor's degree in social work from a regionally accredited institution* and satisfying both of the following criteria: 

• Minimum "B-" grade or better in all undergraduate social work courses. Grades below "B-" do not
  qualify. Both the full- and part-time options are heavily sequenced and students must stay in sequence.
• Minimum "B" (3.00) overall GPA. 

* The Advanced Standing MSW program requires that all applicants have a BSW degree from a Council on
Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within five years from the term of entry. 

NOTE: "B" average is equivalent to a 3.00 GPA

All Admission materials must be received by the USF Graduate Admissions by the specified deadlines of the year for which admission is being sought.

Application Procedures

Applicants are required to apply to the USF Graduate Admissions and the USF School of Social Work. The procedures and required materials are outlined below.    

USF GRADUATE ADMISSIONS APPLICATION

1. The USF Graduate Admissions Application

2. Transcripts: Send official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended electronically or by mail. (USF Graduates that have access to their unofficial transcripts via FloridaShines.org can upload unofficial transcripts in lieu of official transcripts.)

Mail an official transcript of all undergraduate & graduate coursework attempted and/or completed to:

USF Office of Graduate Admissions
4202 E. Fowler Ave. SVC 1036
Tampa, FL 33620-2910

3. Resume  or Curriculum Vitae

4. Essay 1 (Statement of Purpose - Life Experiences) - 500 words maximum

5. Essay 2 (Writing Sample - Social Problem) - 500 words maximum

6. Three Recommendation Letters

References should include at least one academic source and one professional source (preferably from a human services experience), and an additional source of either type. However, applicants who are unable to obtain an academic reference may substitute a work (volunteer or paid) or a personal reference. Personal references DO NOT include relatives.

7. Department Application

Please note: A personal interview with members of the faculty may be part of the admissions process. This interview will cover all matters relevant to the candidate's qualifications. Arrangements may be made for the interview to be held elsewhere when traveling distance poses a hardship for the applicant.

Early submission is strongly recommended. All credentials must be received prior to the deadline. 

Deadlines

Full-Time Advanced Standing MSW Program

May 2024 Enrollment (Summer 2024) - February 15, 2024

All inquiries regarding our on campus programs are to be directed to Valentina "V" Arcila.

All inquiries regarding our Online MSW Program are to be directed to Tiffany Young.