Admission Information
Consideration for admission requires two separate applications: a university application and a department application. The department application also requires three professional references. The university application, department application, and reference forms are available via the links on the bottom right.
The university notifies the applicant of admission to the university, and the department notifies the applicant of admission to the department. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the department.
Students are admitted only in the fall semester of each year. The application process for fall 2023 will begin October 1, 2022, applications for admission will be available then. The application deadline for the fall 2023 is January 31, 2023. All applications will be reviewed after the deadline.
Application Process
Admission Requirements:
Admission to the MSW program is based on an overall evaluation of the applicant on the following criteria: 1) intellectual and academic potential, 2) relevant human services experience, 3) leadership potential, and 4) quality of reference letters.
Writing Proficiency Requirement: All applicants are required to submit proof of a writing exam. Applicants must submit one of the following scores: GWAR Exam, GRE General Test, CBEST, or GMAT results. *All scores must be within the last 5 years in order to be considered for fall. Fall 2023 applicants, please see further information below:
* The MSW Department will be offering a new option for applicants to satisfy the writing exam requirement. Applicants will have the option of coming to the CSUB campus to complete an in-person writing exam on 11/19, 12/10, or 1/21. There is no additional charge for this exam. Applicants will have 2 hours to complete their personal statement during the exam. Please refer to the application for the personal statement prompt. To register, please click on link: https://calendly.com/aherrera1213/msw-writing-exam
*Beginning Fall 2023, the MSW Department will only accept the on-campus in-person writing exam. Out of state and international applicants, please contact MSW Admissions at mswadmissions@csub.edu
All admitted students must satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) prior to attending the program. Click GRADUATION WRITING ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT for more information on this requirement.
Bachelor's Degree
The Department of Social Work requires a minimum of an earned baccalaureate degree for admission to its MSW program.
Essential Requirements
An applicant must meet these requirements before the Admissions Committee will review the application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application file is complete.
- Possession of a Bachelor’s degree that provides a liberal arts foundation significantly equivalent to the general education requirements listed in the CSUB catalog and that is from a recognized college or university.
- A GPA of at least 2.5 (on a four point scale) in the last 60/90 units.
- A completed University application via Cal State Apply
- A completed Department of Social Work application
- Writing proficiency requirement. All applicants must submit test results from one of the following exams: GWAR Exam*, CBEST, GRE General Test, or GMAT.
*All test scores must be within the last 5 years in order to be considred for fall. Test scores must be submitted on or before the application deadline.
*GWAR course will not satisfy this requirement.
* The MSW Department will be offering a new option for Fall 2023 applicants to satisfy the writing exam requirement. Applicants will have the option of coming to the CSUB campus to complete an in-person writing exam on 11/19, 12/10, or 1/21. There is no additional charge for this exam. Applicants will have 2 hours to complete their personal statement during the exam. Please refer to the application for the personal statement prompt. To register, please click here: https://calendly.com/aherrera1213/msw-writing-exam
*Beginning Fall 2023, the MSW Department will only accept the on-campus in-person writing exam. Out of state and international applicants, please contact MSW Admissions.
- Official sealed copies of transcripts from all colleges attended
- Personal Statement (according to the guidelines in the department application)
- Resume (according to the guidelines in the department application)
- Three letters of reference
- Cal State Apply Application fee ($70)
Applicants who meet items 2 through 10 above will be evaluated for possible admission to the program. Applicants who do not yet have a bachelor’s degree may be admitted as “conditional” graduate students and must submit proof of having completed their degrees before beginning the MSW program.
Financial Resources
All applicants are encouraged to apply to the university for financial aid.
Individuals who are interested in the Title IV-E CalSWEC program should follow the directions on the last three pages of the department application. Additional information about the Title IV-E CalSWEC program is available from CalSWEC's child welfare site.
For more information email: mswcalswec@csub.edu
Part Time Program Information
The MSW part-time program is offered in a blended format, which includes face-to-face and on-line instruction for each course. The blended program allows students to take all three courses in a semester on one evening during the workweek. These courses will be offered either on Tuesday or Thursday night. Part-time students will complete three courses in the fall and spring semesters of all three years and one course during the summer of the first and second year of the program.
Advanced Standing Program
Students who meet the following requirements may apply for admission with Advanced Standing:
- Must have completed the BSW degree within five years prior to admission to the graduate program.
- Must have an overall GPA of 3.0 for the baccalaureate degree.
- Must have a grade of B (3.0) or better for all social work courses.
Students who qualify for Advanced Standing receive a waiver of the foundation content.
