You do not need an undergraduate degree in social work to be considered for admission. Students with academic backgrounds including, but not limited to, psychology, sociology, public health, nursing, criminal justice and business may apply to the MSW program.

If you earned a bachelor’s degree in social work, you may be eligible for our Advanced Standing program. This program option is designed for students who earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program no more than five years prior to their anticipated MSW graduation.

The Statement of Purpose is a critical component of the application. For additional details, refer to the Statement of Purpose guidelines. 

Please refer to The Graduate School and International Student Services for information.

Please contact The Graduate School or call 803-777-4243 for details. 

Please refer to the transcripts webpage for information.

Note: Previous University of South Carolina students (graduates and attendees who have completed coursework at any of our UofSC campuses) do not have to submit official transcripts as their academic history is on file.

Applicants can typically expect to receive an admission decision approximately 4-6 weeks from completion of the application file, including submission of all required supplemental materials (e.g., transcript, and recommendations).

You must pay the seat confirmation fee within 30 days of the date of your College of Social Work admission recommendation email. After accepting the College’s admission offer, you will be directed to the enrollment requirements site, which provides payment directions.

Yes, you may defer your admission for one year by completing the Update Request Form.

• The Full-time plan of study in Columbia is designed to be completed in two years.
• The Part-time plan of study in Columbia, Charleston or Greenville is designed to be completed in three years.
• The Advanced Standing plan of study in Columbia is designed to be completed in 11 months.

Full-time and Part-time students begin their graduate studies during the fall term. Advanced Standing students begin their graduate studies during the summer term.

Courses are typically offered as follows:

• Full-time courses are offered Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring terms.
• Advanced Standing courses are offered Monday through Thursday during the summer bridge term, and Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring terms.
• Part-time courses are offered on Saturdays during the fall, spring, and summer terms. Field practicum seminar courses are offered on weekday evenings during the fall and spring terms.

The Community, Social, and Economic Development, Health and Mental Health, and Child, Youth and Families specializations are offered in the Full-time and Advanced Standing programs. Only the Health and Mental Health specialization is offered in the Part-time program.