Admissions
MSW Admissions
If you wish to apply for admission to our program, please follow the guidelines outlined below. You will note that all materials are to be sent to the 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. Each applicant to a graduate program at the University of South Florida is required to meet the following minimum requirements.
An applicant must have one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with "B" average or better in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student working for a degree.
- A graduate degree with a "B" average or better from a regionally accredited institution.
- The equivalent bachelors and/or graduate degrees from a foreign institution.
NOTE: "B" average is equivalent to a 3.00 GPA
It is preferred, but not required that all applicants to the Master's Degree program in Social Work have completed one year of post-undergraduate work in a social service agency (in a service capacity) or its equivalent as determined by the MSW Graduate Admissions Committee. Experiences that might be considered as equivalent to one year's work include supervised field practicum hours, extensive volunteer experience, or other professional work experiences.
All MSW applicants will have their undergraduate transcripts evaluated in relation to a set of liberal arts course pre-requisites.
All Admission materials must be received by the Graduate Admissions Office by the specified deadlines of the year for which admission is being sought.
Deadlines
Full-Time Traditional MSW Program - Tampa Campus
August 2024 Enrollment (fall 2024 start) - June 1, 2024 deadline
Full-Time Advanced Standing MSW Program - Tampa Campus
May 2024 Enrollment (summer 2024 start) - February 15, 2024 deadline
January 2025 Enrollment (spring 2025 start) - October 15, 2024 deadline
Part-Time Advanced Standing MSW Program - Tampa Campus
January 2025 Enrollment (spring 2025 start) - October, 15 2024 deadline
Part-Time Traditional MSW Program - Sarasota-Manatee Campus
August 2024 Enrollment (fall 2024 start): June 1, 2024 deadline
Full-Time Traditional MSW Program - Sarasota-Manatee Campus
August 2024 Enrollment (fall 2024 start): June 1, 2024 deadline
Part-Time Traditional MSW Program - Online
January 2025 Enrollment (spring 2025 start) - October 15, 2024 deadline
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
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.
If you have any questions regarding the Graduate Admissions application, call (813) 974-3350 (option 5) or send an e-mail to gradadmissions@usf.edu You can also visit the USF Graduate Admissions website here.
Early submission is strongly recommended. All credentials must be received prior to the deadline.
All inquiries regarding our On Campus MSW programs are to be directed to Valentina "V" Arcila.
All inquiries regarding our Online MSW programs are to be directed to Valentina Zambrano. If you have any questions about the admission process to our Online MSW Program you can contact Tiffany Young.
For more information about how to enroll in the Sarasota-Manatee campus please contact Dr. Sarah Guadalupe (phone: 941-359-4464).