MSW Admissions

 We're now accepting applications for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026 - Apply Today and claim your seat!

UTA Graduate

Apply in 2 Easy Steps

  1. Submit your application at ApplyUTA and pay the application fee.
  2. Submit official or unofficial transcripts of all higher education institutions attended to the UTA Office of Admissions, Records and Registration for GPA evaluation. Learn How to Submit Your Transcript

Yes – it is that simple! ** 

** NOTE:

If your undergraduate GPA, as calculated by the UTA Graduate Admissions Office, is 3.0 or higher in roughly the last 60 credit hours completed, you will be admitted. If your GPA is below 3.0, please review the Probationary Admissions section below. Do not begin the probationary process until a School of Social Work recruiter or admission counselor notifies you.

The UTA Graduate Admissions Office will not calculate your GPA until you have submitted your application, paid the application fee, and provided the necessary transcripts. Make sure to mention in your application if you have earned an associate’s degree, a minor, a second bachelor’s degree, a master’s, or any medical, law, or doctoral degree. After being admitted, some of your MSW courses may be waived if you meet the requirements. 

  • We DO NOT have application deadlines. However, applying early (by the UTA priority date) gives you the best opportunity to be admitted early enough to be eligible for scholarships, grants, fellowships, and assistantships.
  • International Applicants will need to contact the Office of International Education (OIE) or visit this website https://www.uta.edu/oie as the fee structure, deadlines and orientation dates vary from those of domestic applicants. For additional admissions information click the dropdown link below.

Probationary Admissions

Applicants with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college, university, or equivalent institution with less than 3.0 in the approximate last 60 hours of undergraduate university-level work, may have to complete the items below. However, please complete the two-step quick admissions process first. After you finish, you will get an admissions status update from the Office of Graduate Admissions within 1-2 weeks. A recruiter from the School of Social Work will reach out to you and help you complete the recommendation forms and narrative process. Please wait to begin this process until you hear from the UTA School of Social Work. 

  • a. GRE: The GRE is no longer required for admission to the MSW program. However, strong GRE scores may have a positive impact on your application for admissions. If you decide to take the GRE send an official copy of your score from ETS (Educational Testing Service) to UTA Graduate Admissions Office. UTA's institution code is 6013. If you have already taken the GRE, you can request ETS to send a report by calling ETS at 1-888-GRE-SCORE or go to www.ets.org/gre, for more information.  
  • b. Recommendations: Follow the instructions in the ApplyUTA portal where you applied initially by adding the email address and contact information for three recommendations. The automated online forms will be sent to your recommender to complete and return electronically. We are still accepting recommendations using our previous method, which involves submitting the recommendation forms to your recommender and having them email them back to us. However, the old method will be discontinued effective December 1, 2025. We strongly recommend you use the new process within the ApplyUTA portal. 

    • Request Recommendation Form


  • c. Narrative: The narrative should be 2-3 pages answering the following topics:

    1. Please describe your motivation for pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and your decision to enter the profession of social work. In your response, reflect on how the core values and principles outlined in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics resonate with you—both professionally and personally.

    2. How do these ethical commitments align with your career goals and your professional social work identity?

International Students

UTA applicants whose native language is not English may be required to submit official -satisfactory English proficiency test scores or an alternate Test of Spoken English (TSE) as a condition of admission to the MSW program.  As required by the UTA Graduate Admission Office these scores will be part of the graduate admissions process for applicants whose native language is not English and who have not graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a college or university in the United States. 

The following tests and test scores are acceptable if the applicant has met the minimum required based on the information below.

Applicants must submit a score of at least 550 on the paper -based TOEFL, a score of at least 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 6.5 on the on the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ) exam, or a minimum TEOFL iBT-Internet Based Test total score of 79 with sectional scores that meet or exceed the following:

  • 22 for the writing section 
  • 21 for the speaking section 
  • 20 for the reading section 
  • 16 for the listening section 

In addition to the approved tests and sectional scores above Duolingo has been approved and is accepted by UTA. A minimum score of 100 is required for international applicants seeking admission to the School of Social Work. Students can test online, no appointment needed. Also, the Duolingo only costs a fraction of other English proficiency exams. Official test results are submitted electronically and are generally received in two days by UTA or designated institutions worldwide.

For additional information about International Admissions and UTA approved English Proficiency exam scores, please visit the following website as well as the University Catalog.

https://www.uta.edu/admissions/apply/international-graduate

Admissions Criteria for BSW students and BSW Graduates

An applicant who earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited institution in or after 2010, prior to starting their MSW coursework. The student must also meet the 3.0 GPA quick admission standard and have received a grade of B or higher in all required undergraduate social work courses. Only qualified BSW graduates can be designated as having Advanced Standing, which waives their foundation year coursework, enabling them to complete the MSW in one year. However, students who have a degree in a field other than social work but possess a minor or associate’s degree in social work or social welfare may have some courses waived if they meet the programs admissions criteria and earned a grade of B or higher in the courses to be waived. The specific courses to be waived will be determined by the MSW Program Director after the student is admitted.

Admissions Criteria for Non-BSW students & graduates

An applicant who earned a bachelor’s degree in a different field or a BSW graduate who does not qualify for Advanced Standing for any reason. These students must complete both the Foundation Year and Specialty Year coursework, totaling 61 credit hours, which includes two practicum internship placements. Over 65% of our MSW students are traditional non-BSW graduates. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in another field, such as psychology, nursing, business, sociology, etc., from a regionally accredited university or a BSW degree from a non-CSWE-accredited program will be admitted as Traditional Standing students if they meet the admissions criteria.

Learn More About Traditional & Advanced Standing

Other Helpful Information


Applicants with a master’s degree in another discipline already conferred, will receive a holistic review for probationary admissions consideration by the selection committee, but may need to still complete items a, b, and c above of the General Admissions Criteria. If you have questions, consult with our SSW Admissions Counselors. 

Regardless of admission category (i.e., Advanced Standing, Non-BSW Traditional or General), all applications will be reviewed by the selection committee for personal qualifications essential to the successful practice of social work, including leadership ability, personal maturity, motivation for a human service profession and the applicant's experience in social work and social work-related fields. 

For more general information about applying to UTA, go to How to Apply. 

For additional information, review our MSW FAQs and if needed contact a School of Social Work Admissions Counselor. 

You can also complete a Future Student Interest Form and Register for our next MSW Admissions Information Session or request a virtual meeting with one of our SSW Admissions Counselors. If you would like to visit the School of Social Work, please contact the admissions office prior to your visit.

School of Social Work's Admissions Office 
General E-mail Box:  sswadmissions@uta.edu 
Main Office Number: 817-272-1044

More info

Get in Touch with SSW Admissions

Melissa Cruz, MAEd. Psych, MSW
Academic Recruiter
Email: melissa.cruz@uta.edu
Phone:817-272-9123
Office:  SWSH 203G

Brianna Gibbs, MS
Academic Recruiter
Email: brianna.gibbs@uta.edu
Phone:817-272-2551
Office:  SWSH 203O

Dolores Bevins
Admissions Counselor II
Email: doloresbevins@uta.edu
Phone: 817-272-1044
Office:  SWSH 203Q

Antwan C. Williams, JD, MS
Assistant Dean of Communications, Marketing, and Recruitment
Email: antwan.williams@uta.edu
Office:  SWSH 416L

Questions About School of Social Work Admissions?

Get information about School of Social Work Academic Programs, Admissions Requirements, Complete Future Student Interest Form, and more.

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