The UCLA MSW degree requires a total of 91 academic units taken over a two-year period of full-time study or a three-year period of part-time study. First-year foundation courses are required for all students, whereas program attendees have considerable discretion in selecting their advanced year(s) concentration courses, electives, and practicum placements. UCLA Luskin’s MSW program blends theory, leadership, and research with generalist practice and three unique advanced concentrations. We have a commitment to anti-racism and effective practice with diverse populations. Two separate year-long practicum placements with social work agencies allow our students to actualize what they are learning in the classroom, providing a holistic, integrated experience.
Admission to the Social Work program is restricted to the fall term only. Each fall, roughly 100 new students enter the MSW program and approximately 6-8 enter into our Ph.D. program. Admission to the Luskin School of Social Work is competitive. The selection process includes a holistic evaluation of each applicant’s demonstrated and potential abilities as a student, practitioner and leader in the social work practicum.
The Department of Social Welfare at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs seeks to:
Areas of Concentration in the MSW Program include:
View a statement of purpose workshop, application walk-through, information session, and access more resources here
Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission:
Applications for the Masters in Social Welfare (MSW) generally open in early-September. Please check the Division of Graduate Education website for the most up to date information.
Applications must be complete and all letters of recommendation received by the final deadline, January 15th.
To be considered for the Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP), applications are due December 15th. Incomplete or late applications received after the final deadline will not be reviewed.
We do not require the GRE and submitted scores will not be considered during the review process.
While the department can recommend whether a student should be offered admission, the Division of Graduate Education has final authority in all admission decisions.
Immunization Clearance/COVID-19 Vaccine Exemptions:
The UCLA MSW program requires that all students obtain a health clearance. In certain limited circumstances, students may be granted a medical exception, an accommodation based on religious beliefs or disabilities, or a deferral based on pregnancy. While we do understand that UCLA is allowing for exemptions under special/certain circumstances, please be aware that your agency may or may not allow such exemptions. While we will do our best to find an agency that will allow an exemption or that does not have a vaccination policy, please be advised that practicum education is an integral part of the MSW program and that if we are unable to find a suitable placement, you will not be able to meet the program requirements.
Begin your application to the Master of Social Welfare.
The application process begins with the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application. Here you will submit basic information including your academic history and the degree program to which you wish to apply, as well as the payment of an application fee ($120 for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents or $140 for for all other applicants).
Application fee must be submitted online by credit or debit card before the application can be processed. Note: Fees are subject to change.
Please see the MSW Application Checklist for details.
For all students applying for the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship, the final application deadline is December 15.
For MSW applicants, the final deadline for submitting your application is January 15.
Decisions will begin to be sent beginning mid-February through mid-March.
Students applying to the Combined MSW/PhD program should use the PhD application checklist.
The MSW Program at UCLA seeks to educate:
The program also seeks applicants experienced in working with diverse groups around issues of social justice.
Due to the pandemic, e-transcripts are the preferred method to receive official transcripts. Official transcripts will be required to be sent in after admission. Please request transcripts sent directly to sw@luskin.ucla.edu.
Community College transcripts are not necessary.
Transcripts must contain the name of the institution, name of the student, conferral date, and degree awarded need to be included when applicable. Student progress reports are not accepted.
If physical official transcripts are the only option offered by your institution, please request they be sent to:
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
Department of Social Welfare Admissions
3250 Public Affairs Building, Box 951656
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656.
2. Upload one copy of transcripts to the UCLA Graduate online application. All transcript uploads are considered unofficial. Official transcripts will be required only after admission into the program. Community college transcripts are not necessary. Transcripts must contain the name of the institution, name of the student, conferral date, and degree awarded need to be included when applicable. Student progress reports are not accepted.
Evaluations are not necessary for international transcripts as we will evaluate them internally.
3. Complete the GPA Worksheet for Calculating Jr/Sr GPA (Grade Point Average). Upload on the UCLA Graduate Online Application with transcripts or in the additional document section. The worksheet must be converted and uploaded to the application portal as a PDF. Do not include P/NP grades. International transcripts not on the 4.0 scale do not require a worksheet as these will require internal review.
4. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores, if the applicant is a student whose native language is not English. (The TOEFL or IELTS) is required of all non-native speakers unless they have completed two years of university-level coursework in an English-language institution).*
*TOEFL/IELTS scores can take several weeks to verify, therefore we consider self-reported scores during the review process. We will then verify scores directly if an offer of admission is to be made.
5. Resume or chronological list (starting with the most recent) of all relevant employment, including summer jobs and internships you consider significant. Please also include all relevant volunteer or other experience with service-oriented groups. For each job or volunteer experience, please include your title, the number of months and/or years you held the position, and the number of hours worked each week. Upload on the UCLA Graduate Online Application.
6. Three letters of recommendation submitted directly by individuals who have supervised your work (academic, scholarly, and/or professional). At least one academic letter and one professional letter are preferred. Academic letters can be from a professor or doctoral student. Letters from colleagues, peers, and general character recommendations are not suitable. Enter your recommender’s name and email address on the UCLA Online Application. Do not provide more than three recommenders. Upload instructions will be sent to them through the online system. Applicants do not need to wait for all letters of recommendation to come in before submitting their application.
7. Statement of Purpose:
What is the statement of purpose, and what is it used for?
The statement of purpose is an integral part of your application for graduate admission and consideration for the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship. It is used to understand your academic interests, and to evaluate your aptitude and preparation for graduate work, as well as your fit with the proposed program of study. It is also used to assess your ability to write coherent and convincing prose.
Instructions: Please respond to the following. Your statement can be up to 500 words in length (approximately 1-page, single spaced, using 1-inch margins and 12-point font). You do not need to answer every question; focus on the elements that you feel are most relevant to your candidacy.
8. Personal Statement:
What is a Personal Statement and what is it used for?
The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to provide additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA. It will also be used to consider candidates for the Cota-Robles and Graduate Opportunity fellowships.
Instructions: Please respond to the one or more of the following prompts. Your statement can be up to 500 words in length (approximately 1-page, single spaced, using 1-inch margins and 12-point font). To be considered for a Cota-Robles or Graduate Opportunity fellowship, be sure to describe your contributions to diversity.
Notes:
Required courses can be taken at any community college.
Courses may be in progress during the application process. However, all courses must be completed by the end of spring quarter to be considered for admission.
In some cases, proof of enrollment may be required and/or a letter from the instructor stating that the applicant is on track to complete the course with a grade B or better.
