MSW Application @ School of Social Work | University of Missouri

(Refer to the Master of Social Work Admission Requirements page for a detailed explanation of these requirements.)

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• A grade point average of 3.0 or better - either cumulative or for the last 60 hours of coursework
• Three letters of reference
• A completed School of Social Work Application
• A completed MU Application for Graduate Admission
• TOEFL scores for international applicants (minimum score of 80 for the internet based test and 550 on the paper based test)

Applicants to the MU MSW program are judged on many factors, including grade point average, quality of personal statement, experience in the field, quality of references and academic leadership potential. Here's how to apply:

Applicants must submit two applications:

1. A University of Missouri Graduate School Application and
2. An MSW Department Application.

All application materials must be submitted electronically. Contact us at nullc@missouri.edu or (573) 884-9385 if you have questions. Be sure to check Application Deadlines.

Graduate School Application

• MU Graduate School Application - for
• students new to MU (domestic or international),
• students currently enrolled at MU as an undergraduate,
• MU graduates who are not currently enrolled as a student, or
• students enrolled in an MU professional school (e.g. law or medicine).
• Change of Degree Form (PDF) - for
• students currently enrolled in another graduate program at MU who want to either change or add an MSW,
• students currently enrolled as a non-degree graduate student at MU, or
• Re-enrollment Form (PDF) - for students previously enrolled in the MU MSW program.

Application Fee

This is submitted with the Graduate School application above. The amount is $55 for domestic and $75 for international students. The application fee is non refundable and is not applicable to any future fees.

Official Transcripts of All Previous College or University Work

Please request that each college or university send official transcripts to MU Graduate Admission Office, 210 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Transcripts from the applicant must be in a sealed envelope. All transcripts become the property of MU and will be destroyed after one year if the applicant does not enroll. If you attended MU, we will obtain your transcripts and you need not do so, although you do need to provide transcripts of any course work taken after your earlier MU enrollment.

International Students

An Official TOEFL or IELTS score is required for every applicant whose native language is not English. The minimum TOEFL score requirement for the School of Social Work is 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (internet-based). MU's code 6875. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. Please visit the MU Graduate School website for additional application information.

MSW Department Application

Note: All documents that we require to be uploaded to your MU Graduate School Application MUST be uploaded before you submit your application. Once you have submitted it you will no longer be able to upload any documents. This does not include references. Referrers will still be able to fill out and submit references for you even if you’ve already submitted your application (however, you do need to REQUEST the references before you submit).

• MSW Department Application (RTF): Upload this completed application to your online MU Graduate School Application.
• Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to your online MU Graduate School Application, (this is in addition to the official set mailed to the Graduate School).
• Three professional letters of reference are required. These must be completed through the online MU Graduate School Application. Choose three persons who have recent knowledge of your qualifications. Your references, for example, might include a professor, employer, supervisor, etc., who can address your intellectual ability and interpersonal skills, potential for graduate education and potential for professional social work practice. References may not be submitted by friends or relatives.
• Personal Statement (PDF): Complete your personal statement by responding to each of the six questions provided. Careful written consideration to each content area of the personal statement is recommended. You must upload your statement document to the online MU Graduate School Application.  All questions should be combined into ONE document to be uploaded. If you try to upload these as six separate documents you will not have enough space to upload the rest of the required materials.
• Field Practicum Information – ADVANCED STANDING STUDENTS ONLY: You must upload the most recent copy of your field evaluation to your online MU Graduate School Application. If your program does not have a Field Evaluation, please have the Director of Field or your supervisor/instructor complete one of the three professional references.
• MSW Scholarship application (PDF) & SAR report – if you wish to be considered for departmental scholarships you must have your MSW admissions application completed by the Early Priority Deadline. In addition to that, you must provide the Scholarship application and essay along with your Student Aid Report (SAR- obtained by filling out the FAFSA). Please drop off, mail, fax or email your scholarship application, essay and SAR report to: MSW Graduate Admissions, Attn: Scholarships, 724 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 or nullc@missouri.edu or fax: 573-882-8926. Please DO NOT upload your scholarship application materials to your Graduate school application.