MSW Admissions

Intended Term: Summer

“Advanced Standing” means that students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) can receive their MSW with only 40 additional course credits.

This option allows students to earn the MSW degree at the Athens campus in three semesters (Summer, Fall, and Spring).

• Daytime classes, 4-5 classes per week
• Choose between Micro, Macro or Combined Specialization
• Undergrad GPA guideline is 3.2

In addition to your coursework you will have a practicum site placement, beginning during the Fall semester. Individualized Practicum internships are secured through our Practicum Office. Students intern an average of 20 hours per week.

To apply for advanced standing, the following conditions must be met:

• BSW must be from a CSWE-accredited program.
• BSW was earned within five years of beginning the MSW program.*
• GPA guideline is 3.2 or better in undergraduate social work classes.**

*If you earned your BSW within five years but prefer to apply to the regular program, you must specifically request admission to the regular program.

**If your undergraduate social work GPA is less than 3.2, or if your BSW was obtained more than five years ago, or if you have a degree from another discipline, you may still be eligible for the regular MSW program of study, but not to the Advanced Standing program.

If you earned your BSW within ten years, but have worked in a social work setting that includes MSW staff and professional learning experiences, you may still be eligible for advanced standing status.

International applicants with a Bachelor in Social Work must have their degree evaluated by the CSWE

Intended Term: Fall

The Full Time MSW Program in Athens is completed within 2 years (60 course credit hours). It is open to those who hold a baccalaureate degree in any major.

• Daytime classes, 4-5 classes per week
• Undergrad GPA guideline is 3.0
• Choose between Micro, Macro or Combined Specialization

In addition to your coursework you will have a practicum site placement. Individualized Practicum internships are secured through our Practicum Office.

The Generalist year requires 312 combined hours of supervised practicum internship. This includes 72 hours in the fall and 240 hours in the spring. During the Specialization year, students complete 600 practicum internship hours.

For more information see the SSW Practicum Education website.

The Extended-Time MSW program (formerly the MSW Part-Time Program) is located at the UGA Gwinnett Campus in metro Atlanta. It is open to those who hold a baccalaureate degree in any major.

• Complete within 3 years/8 semesters, 60 course credit hours
• In-person classes after 5:00 pm, 2-3 classes per week*
• Undergrad GPA guideline is 3.0
• Micro Specialization only (with the ability to take electives in Macro practice)

*If you are unable to attend classes 3 times per week, there is also a 4-year program of study option where you would attend 2 classes per week.

In addition to your coursework you will have a practicum site placement beginning during the second year. Individualized Practicum internships are secured through our Practicum Office and are primarily held at the field sites during weekday business hours.

The Generalist year begins the program’s second year and requires 312 combined hours of supervised practicum internship and seminar class once per week. This includes 72 hours in the fall and 240 hours in the spring. During the Specialization year (3rd year of the program), students complete 600 practicum internship hours over the fall and spring semesters.

For more information see the SSW Practicum Education website.

Intended Term: Fall

The Master of Social Work Online program prepares you to be a leader in the field of social work and meets all educational requirements leading to licensing as a social worker. The Online MSW program is designed to provide flexibility to persons in Georgia interested in pursuing a career in social work.

• Complete within 3 years/8 semesters (60 course credit hours)
• 3 classes per week (asynchronous)
• Undergrad GPA guideline for admissions is 3.0
• Micro Specialization only (with the ability to take electives in Macro practice)

In addition to your coursework you will have a practicum site placement beginning during the second year. Individualized Practicum internships are secured through our Practicum Office and are primarily held at the field sites during weekday business hours. Please note that practicum internship placements are to take place within Georgia.

The Generalist year begins the program’s second year and requires 312 combined hours of supervised practicum internship and seminar course work. This includes 72 hours in the fall and 240 hours in the spring. During the Specialization year (3rd year of the program), students complete 600 practicum internship hours over the fall and spring semesters.

For more information see the SSW Practicum Education website.

Behind the Scenes at UGA’s School of Social Work: Virtual Tour

To schedule an in person tour of the Athens or Gwinnett Campus, email [email protected]

View this tour to learn about the UGA Gwinnett Campus which houses our extended-time MSW Program with in-person evening classes in a supportive environment for adult learners.

To schedule an in-person tour of the Athens or Gwinnett Campus, email [email protected]

Our MSW Program Director, Dr. Jennifer Elkins, MA NML Director, Dr. Lori Tiller, and Practicum Education Director, Shannen Malutinok, will log in for an “Ask Me Anything” session to answer all your burning questions about courses, electives, practicum options, and more!

Click the link below to register:

November 6, 2025 at 6:00 pm EST via Zoom

During this virtual session previously recorded during Fall 2025, we discuss: MSW programs of study options, areas of specialization, the application process and resources. Click the video below to view:

View this virtual session where the MSW/MPH Program Coordinator (Dr. Rebecca Wells) will discuss the Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree program including: time to completion, available concentrations, internships, career opportunities, and how to apply.

Learn about the Master of Social Work/Juris Doctor Dual Degree program. In this recording the MSW/JD Advisor, School of Law Director of Admissions and MSW Admissions Coordinator discuss: Careers, Program Structure, Internships and Application Processes. *Dual Degree only available to full-time Athens Campus students. You must apply for each program independently.

View this virtual information session where panelists will review financial assistance opportunities to help fund your MSW including: UGA Financial Aid, School of Social Work Graduate Assistantships, the Title IV-E Child Welfare funded training program, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Disabilities (DHBDD) funded training program. Panelists will have time for questions after reviewing the options. For more information see the MSW Tuition & Funding Webpage

No. We have a specially designed program for students who have an undergraduate degree in social work (BSW) called the Advanced Standing Program. For all others, they are welcome to apply to our other programs. However, we do require that applicants have a liberal arts background. We will consider applicants with backgrounds outside of liberal arts if they include liberal arts course work. The undergraduate curriculum should include the following:

• Biological sciences
• Social sciences
• Psychology

If you do have a BSW, please review the requirements for the Advanced Standing Program. You may be eligible.

No, GRE test scores are not required unless applicant deems they are instrumental in demonstrating academic promise.

• An overall undergraduate GPA of no less than 3.0. (3.2 for Advanced Standing).
• Three written letters of recommendation.
• A narrative statement (average length 3-5 pages) explaining your reasons for seeking admission to the MSW program (see instructions on the application form).
• Work experience or volunteer work in the human services is encouraged, as well as diverse cultural experiences.

The MSW Admissions committee takes a holistic approach when reviewing applications. Each of these factors go into the decision process. The Graduate Application explains the documentation of these additional requirements.

Recently the overall average GPA for students admitted into the program is approximately 3.2. We do accept students with lower GPAs and welcome the applications of all qualified persons with a demonstrated interest in social work. The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission into the MSW Program is 3.0

The minimum GPA for Advanced Standing students is 3.2.

We are looking for individuals who exhibit strong potential for developing professional competence, whose personal value system promotes social work core values such as social justice and an appreciation for human diversity and who have demonstrated academic promise to be able to perform successfully at the graduate level. The narrative statement is your opportunity to provide the admissions committee members with a clearer sense of who you are and what has motivated you to pursue a career in social work.

We do not grant social work course credit for these experiences.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in a field different from social work can only begin the MSW program in the Fall semester (beginning in August).

Students with a BSW earned from a CSWE-accredited program (within five years of admission) seeking admission into the Advanced Standing Full-Time program can only enroll in the Summer semester (beginning in June).

Yes, the Extended-Time MSW Program (formerly the Part-Time MSW Program) at the UGA Gwinnett Campus in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and the Online MSW Program are geared especially for non-traditional students who for various reasons cannot attend class on a full-time basis.

No. You must indicate which of the three programs (full, extended-time or online) you are applying for on the MSW application. You may only apply for admission to one program.

In order for the BSW to qualify an applicant for admission into the advanced standing program, the following conditions must be met:

• It must be from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education,
• It must have been earned within five years of beginning the MSW program.
• The required social work GPA for the Advanced Standing program is 3.2.

If your average social work classes do not meet this minimum, or if your BSW was obtained over five years ago you may still be accepted, but only to the Full-Time progam and not to the Advanced Standing program. Earning a BSW degree within the five year limit does not prevent you from admission to the regular program of study. However, you must specifically request this option. Exceptions to the five year rule are BSWs who have worked in a social work setting, which includes MSW staff and professional learning experiences. The limit for those applicants is ten years.

The UGA Gwinnett Campus is located at 2530 Sever Road, Lawrenceville, Ga 30043. Directions to the Gwinnett Campus are at https://gwinnett.uga.edu/prospective-students/visit-the-campus.

Travel time:

From Athens: About 50 minutes by car, via GA 316.
From downtown Atlanta: About 30-45 minutes by car.

Program length varies depending on the program:

• Full-time, Regular Program, 2 years: 4 semesters. Summer attendance is optional, but it does not shorten the program.
• Full-time, Advanced Standing Program is about 1 year: 1 summer and 2 semesters.
• Extended-Time, Regular Program, 3 to 4 years: 8 to 11 semesters including summers, depending on student need.
• Extended-Time, Advanced Standing Program, 2 years: 6 semesters including summers.
• Online Program: 8 semesters: 3 or 4 years, depending on whether the student attends summer semesters.

• Regular Program: 60 semester hours. (Same for full time, extended time and online study)
• Advanced Standing Full-Time Program: 40 semester hours.

You will be asked to list names and contact information for recommenders on the application for admission. An email request with a secure link will immediately be sent from the Graduate School to each recommender. Once the recommender completes the recommendation form and attaches a letter, they will be included in your application for admission. SSW Admissions will be able to view the submitted forms and letters of recommendation in the application portal. You can re-send notification emails to your recommenders via your Status Portal.

UGA is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top values in higher education. Cost can vary depending on a number of factors. For information about Tuition & Fees, a Cost Calculator, Deadlines and more visit UGA Bursar & Treasury Services.

Information about funding opportunities can be found on the MSW Tuition & Funding webpage.

• Full-time Athens: About 15 hours per week, in the classroom/4 or 5 classes per week over 2-3 days. Classes typically begin around 9:15 am and end around 4:30 pm.
• Extended-time Gwinnett: About 6-9 hours per week, in the classroom/2-3 classes per week typically over 3 days. Classes typically begin around 5:30 pm and end around 8:15 pm.
• Online: 100 % asynchronous, but professors may offer optional office hours or other opportunities to enhance the learning experience.

*Practicum internship hours are required for all programs (see below).

Practicum Education is a signature pedagogy within the MSW program and is required for all CSWE-accredited MSW programs. The UGA MSW program of study includes two academic years of practicum placement:

Generalist Practicum Placement – 320 hours of practicum service; 8 hours per week during fall semester, along with the Introduction to the Social Work Profession and Practicum Education course, and an average of 16 hours per week during spring semester. The generalist placement is to give you an overview of basic skills and how human service programs are developed, implemented and evaluated. Both semesters of the generalist internship will be completed at the same agency.

Specialist Practicum Placement– 580 practicum hours (300 fall semester, 280 during spring semester); averaging 20 hours per week during both fall and spring semesters. Specialization practicum is compatible with the student’s concentration/area of interest. Both semesters of the specialization practicum internship will be completed at the same agency.

*Required practicum hours vary for Dual Degree and 4-year Programs.

The Practicum Office will work to place you at an approved agency within the state of Georgia.

Visit the MSW Practicum Education website for additional information

or email: [email protected]

The School of Social Work is not currently accepting University System of Georgia TAP applicants for the Master of Social Work Online program due to limited space-availability. We review USG TAP applicants for the Athens and Gwinnett programs on a space-available basis.

Those who apply to the UGA MSW program prior to the priority deadline should hear an admissions decision by the end of March.

No, transfers between campuses are not allowed. Due to the use of the cohort model, transfers to other programs make completion difficult and costly for the student. In addition, there are limited seats in each cohort. Exceptions to this rule are sometimes made when seats are open in the other program prior to confirming admittance into the program.

While campus cannot be changed after admittance, on the Athens campus specialization can be changed during the first semester between macro, micro or combined. Speak to your advisor regarding changing specializations.

Students who wish to transfer from other CSWE-accredited MSW programs should apply through the regular application process. Applicants who wish to request an evaluation of transfer credits should provide their request in writing, their transcripts, and course syllabi to the SSW Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator. Transcripts and any additional course materials will be individually evaluated by the Director of the MSW Program and/or the Online and Gwinnett Campus Coordinator to assess which course requirements may be satisfied.

The School of Social Work (SSW) may accept the transfer of up to six approved graduate credits. Credits must be from a CSWE-accredited MSW program, cannot already have been used to complete a degree, and must have a final grade of B or higher. Practicum/field education course(s) will not be accepted for transfer credits. Please note that while generalist year curricula are similar across CSWE-accredited programs, there may also be differences which may result in a delay in completing an MSW degree at UGA. Please address letters requesting such transfers to: MSW Admissions, University of Georgia, School of Social Work, 279 Williams Street, Athens, GA 30602 or email [email protected]

No, at this time we enroll based on program location (Athens, Gwinnett or Online). Qualified applicants for the Athens programs are not assessed by specialization (Micro, Macro, or Combined). While campus cannot be changed after admittance, specialization can be.