Social Work, M.S.W.

• Submitted Online Application. All online applications and materials must be received by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.
• Application fee: A non-refundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
• Statement of Purpose: Refer to the MSW admissions page for the Statement of Purpose Guidelines and supplemental questions to be answered.
• Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores: Official scores must be reported to institution code 5251. More information can be found at our Admissions FAQ page or, to schedule the test, at www.gre.org.
  • To be considered for a GRE waiver, complete this online form.
• Master of Social Work applicants: To be considered for a GRE waiver, complete this online form.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) Academic scores (International applicants only): All international applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores.
• Three letters of recommendation: All letters should be submitted through the online application.
• Upload Transcripts from each post-secondary college/university attended.
  • Upload each transcript to the Academic History section of the online application before submitting your application -or- upload to your application status page under the Upload Materials section if your application has already been submitted.
  • Review requirements for submitting transactions.
  • Failure to follow these requirements will delay your application processing.

For additional details and examples on the Admissions process, visit the MSW admissions site.

The Curriculum Structure for the M.S.W. program consists of three components: (1) Liberal Arts Perspective; (2) Social Work Generalist Practice; (3) Social Work Specialization. The M.S.W. program can be completed in two calendar years of full-time study and three calendar years of part-time study. Total degree hours: 60 semester hours for full-time and part-time students; 39 semester hours for advanced standing students.

The liberal arts core will include course work in humanities and social sciences, a course with human biology content, statistics, and research.

The purpose of the professional social work generalist practice curriculum is two-fold. First, the generalist practice model provides core knowledge for competent social work practice through the presentation of new advances in practice knowledge, as well as the accumulated knowledge of social work education and the social work profession. Second, the generalist practice serves as preparation for the focused knowing and learning in the specialization year.

Students in the program have options for both full-time and part-time programs. In addition, an advanced standing option is available for students who have met the 30 credit hours of Social Work Generalist Practice course work as a result of their bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education

For up-to-date curriculum requirements, please visit the catalog.

You may also download the attached pdf resources.

• MSW 1st year Competencies
• MSW 2nd year Competencies
• MSW 2nd year Skill Sets
• MSW Advanced Standing Program of Study
• MSW Full-Time Program of Study
• MSW Part-Time Program of Study

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

To accomplish the mission of the M.S.W. program, the School of Social Work has set forth these goals: (1) students will be able to think critically and communicate effectively in the application of social work knowledge, skills and values to community partnerships practice and students will be able to engage as social work leaders to build and strengthen communities.

Field education at Georgia State is organized and implemented as a partnership between the educational community and the practice community in training future social work practitioners. Within this partnership, there are three key people to the success of the field education experience: the student, field supervisor, and faculty liaison. First is the student, who possesses the willingness and desire to observe, learn, take action, and reflect. The student’s professional development is guided and nurtured by the field supervisor whose role as teacher is pivotal in the student’s evaluation of self as an emerging professional social worker. The faculty liaison’s role is to provide ongoing support and information to the student and the field supervisor. Communication among all parties is critical in meeting the objectives of field education and maintaining a healthy partnership. Ongoing feedback is welcomed from all parties.

View more information about field education.

Download the School of Social Work Student Handbook.

Georgia State University
Master's Social Work Program
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes.

Download Assessment