Welcome! We are excited that you are interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. We look forward to reviewing your application and providing support throughout the process.
Admission to the MSSW Program is competitive and requires acceptance to both the UT Austin Graduate School and the Steve Hicks School of Social Work using a single online application. We encourage early application and completion of all requirements by the final deadline.
We welcome all individuals to apply, regardless of their race, sex, color, religious affiliation, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or ability. In our holistic admissions process, we consider academic performance, readiness for graduate school, commitment to the field of social work and social justice as demonstrated by relevant experience working with populations served by social workers and understanding of the NASW Code of Ethics and Preamble, as well as your potential to contribute to an enriched classroom experience.
About the Program
MSSW Program Goals
- Graduates will practice professional social work utilizing advanced knowledge and skills in Clinical Social Work or Administration and Policy Practice.
- Graduates will develop and apply a commitment to critical inquiry and knowledge acquisition and development.
- Graduates will be able to discuss their understanding of the dynamics of populations at risk and implement social justice strategies to redress inequities and oppression within individual, family, group, community, and organizational contexts.
These goals are achieved through a course of study consisting of a foundation curriculum required of all students, followed by a group of courses in one of two areas of concentration selected by the student: Clinical Social Work or Administration and Policy Practice. The Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) Program of the University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Review the MSSW Handbook.
Learn About The Program
Let us help you decide if our MSSW Program is right for you.
- Learn more about the Steve Hicks School.
- Request an MSSW Program information packet.
- Browse the MSSW pages on this website.
- Attend an information meeting.
- Learn more about UT Austin by visiting the Graduate School pages.
- Visit Texas One Stop to find information about tuition rates, cost of attendance, financial aid and more.
Admission Requirements
All students interested in applying for graduate study in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin must meet the admission requirements established by the University’s Graduate School and the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Applicants are expected to be graduates of accredited colleges or universities. Below are the minimum requirements for admission.
Degree: Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited institution or proof of equivalent degree at an institution outside of the United States.
GPA: 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or comparable grade point average (GPA) in upper-division work (junior- and senior-level courses) and in any graduate work completed.
Statistics Course: A grade of C or above in one introductory statistics course that covered inferential applications (course can be online). Successful completion of a statistics course must be verified with an official transcript. If applicants cannot obtain an official transcript that includes a grade and number of hours received, the course will not be accepted. Certificates of completion for courses are not accepted.
Recommendations: 3 required. When completing the online application, you will be given the opportunity to list the name, position, organization, and email address of recommenders. Recommenders will receive instructions for completing online references after application submission.
Personal Narrative Statements: 3 required; a conditional statement will be requested if an applicant has a GPA below 3.0.
Relevant Service: Experience in volunteer or paid work in social work or a related field is required.
Resume: Submit a professional resume using the DiNitto Center for Career Services’ Resume Guide.
GRE Exam: The GRE is accepted but not required. Applications with non-traditional transcripts or GPA below 3.0 may be strengthened by GRE scores. If taking the GRE, have the score report sent to The University of Texas at Austin.
Transcripts: Provide an official transcript from every senior college you have attended. Review additional transcript information.
Non- refundable application fee: $65.00. See information about fees, payment methods, and waivers.
Helpful Resources:
Obtain an electronic ID (EID) from The University of Texas at Austin.
See information about transcript requirements and how to submit them.
International Applicants, Transfer Students, Post-BSW Program & Dual Degree Program
International Applicants
Language Proficiency: International applicants applying to The University of Texas at Austin must submit either an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report demonstrating an adequate knowledge of English. See information about these tests, minimum required scores and how to have them submitted to the university.
Transfer Applicants
To transfer into the MSSW Program at The University of Texas at Austin, applicants must have previously been enrolled in a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Transfer students are required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours at UT Austin in order to receive their degree. After a review of course materials and transcripts, up to 24 credit hours may be accepted, allowing for some courses to be waived in the MSSW Program.
Additional requirements:
1. List Courses: Identify the courses you wish to transfer on your application along with the letter grades and the semesters in which the courses were completed.
2. Letter of good standing: Include the program director’s contact information on your application. Your current program director will need to provide a letter of good standing. The letter of good standing should be written on university letterhead and sent via email to the Director of Admissions at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work: shs-admissions@austin.utexas.edu.
Course Syllabus: Upload syllabi for the courses you wish to transfer through MyStatus as a “Miscellaneous Admissions Documents” after the application is submitted.
Post-BSW Program
Applicants for the Post-BSW Program must have a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Along with meeting program requirements, applicants must also submit their final practicum evaluation. If you are currently enrolled in a BSW program, please submit your mid-term practicum evaluation. Your application will be reviewed upon receipt of the mid-term evaluation.
Please upload the mid-term practicum evaluation to the “Miscellaneous Admissions Documents” section using your My Status page.
If admitted, your BSW degree must be conferred before you can register for your first summer semester.
Dual Degree Applicants
If you are considering a dual-degree program, you will need to contact each school or college to understand the specific requirements for each program. As a dual-degree student, you must apply to and be accepted by each school or college that grants the accompanying degree. If you are not accepted by both programs initially, you are encouraged to reapply during the next application cycle. In the event that you are accepted by both programs, you will need to choose which program you would like to start with in your first year of graduate school. It is essential to communicate with both programs to ensure successful enrollment in the correct program.
Learn more about the dual degrees and explore program options.
– MSSW/MBA: McCombs School of Business
– MSSW/JD: UT Austin School of Law
– MSSW/MPH: UT Health Houston School of Public Health
– MSSW/MDiv: Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
– MSSW/MPAff: LBJ School of Public Affairs
– MSSW/MA: Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies
Please note that if you are applying to any of the following dual-degree programs (MSSW/MBA, MSSW/JD, MSSW/MPH, and MSSW/MDiv), you must submit a separate application. This means you need to submit the MSSW dual degree application as well as the application for the respective program.
However, if you are applying for the dual degree program with the LBJ School of Public Affairs or Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, you only need to submit the dual degree program application. Both programs use this application as their graduate admissions application, so you only need to submit one application to be considered for admission to both programs. However, you must be accepted by each school or college that grants the accompanying degree.
Attention Post-BSW Applicants: If you are applying to a dual-degree Post-BSW Program, you must submit two applications. This means you need to submit the MSSW, Post-BSW application as well as the application for the respective program.
Helpful Resources
International Student and Scholar Services
The university’s office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is a resource to admitted students. The ISSS can assist you with questions about topics ranging from immigration status to housing.
Office of Graduate Admissions
The Office of Graduate Admissions assists international applicants with the graduate admissions process.
Admission Procedures
Application for Admission
The application period starts in early August and ends on December 1st.
Please make sure to complete the online application for admissions and pay the application fee through your What I Owe portal.
Supporting Documents
Personal Narrative Statement
You will receive an email within 1-2 business days after submitting your application confirming receipt and providing you with your UT EID and a temporary password. The email will also include a link to My Status where you can upload your personal narratives.
To apply to this program, you will need to submit a personal narrative statement comprised of three prompts. You are advised to upload one document with individual responses to each prompt.
Please note: The Admissions Review Committee members are required to report certain information as mandated reporters.
Mandatory Reporter.
Beginning January 1, 2020, Texas Senate Bill 212 requires all employees of Texas universities, including faculty, report any information to the Title IX Office regarding sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking that is disclosed to them.
Texas law requires that all employees who witness or receive any information of this type (including, but not limited to, written forms, applications, one-on-one conversations, and class assignments) must be reported.
If you would like to speak with someone who can provide support or remedies without making an official report to the university, please email advocate@austin.utexas.edu. For more information about reporting options and resources, please visit http://www.titleix.utexas.edu, contact the Title IX Office via email at titleix@austin.utexas.edu, or call 512-471-0419.
Conditional Admission Statement
Applicants whose upper-division GPA is lower than 3.0 will be required to submit a Conditional Admission Statement along with their application.
We use your upper-division GPA as a metric to evaluate your readiness for graduate coursework. Applicants whose upper-division GPA is lower than 3.0 are required to submit a conditional admission statement along with their application. Failure to submit the statement will result in an incomplete application. Once your application is received, we will send you an acknowledgment letter indicating if a conditional admission statement is required and provide further details about what to include in that document at that time.
Resume
Admission to this program requires submission of a resume. We recommend utilizing the DiNitto Center for Career Services’ Resume Guide to create a polished resume that emphasizes your relevant experience in the field of social work. Please ensure that your uploaded resume is in PDF format, as we do not accept any other format. Before uploading, carefully review your document to avoid any errors. For your security, we recommend that you do not include any documents that contain your Social Security number.
Recommendations
Letters of recommendation are crucial for a successful application. You are required to submit three (3) recommendations. When completing your application, you will need to provide the names of three (3) individuals who can serve as your recommenders. These individuals should have a strong understanding of your skills, achievements, dedication to social justice, and preparedness for graduate school. Academic references should be professors who can speak to your academic strengths, and professional references should be individuals who can write positively about your relevant work (paid or unpaid) experience. Avoid personal references, such as friends or family members since they cannot objectively speak to your readiness for graduate coursework. Choose carefully to get a strong and positive recommendation that highlights your qualifications and potential for success in graduate school.
The Steve Hicks School of Social Work uses a web-based system to collect the three (3) recommendations in support of your application. The three individuals identified on the application will be contacted by the University after the application is submitted.
Transcripts
After submitting your application fee, provide an official transcript from every senior college you have attended. Transcripts must be submitted from the institution at which the courses were taken, even if courses taken are recorded on another institution’s transcript. Failure to list all colleges on the application and provide those transcripts will be considered an intentional omission and may lead to the cancellation of your application for admission or withdrawal of your offer of admission. Transcript Submission FAQ
Official Test Scores
The GRE is accepted but not required. Applications with non-traditional transcripts or GPAs below 3.0 may be strengthened by GRE scores. If taking the GRE, have the score report sent to The University of Texas at Austin. If your first language is not English have official score reports of the TOEFL or IELTS sent to The University of Texas at Austin.
Ask the appropriate testing agency to send your official test scores. The Educational Testing Service institution code for the GRE and TOEFL is 6882. For more information view Submit Test Scores
See information about these tests, minimum required scores and how to have them submitted to the university.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid oversees a variety of scholarships available to both incoming and current students. Through the Longhorn Awards and Student Scholarship Opportunities (LASSO) system, students can explore and apply for scholarships.
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to submit a LASSO application when applying to the MSSW Program, as this will make them eligible for scholarships awarded by the Steve Hicks School of Social Work.
Scholarships for incoming students are awarded based on merit, financial need, and professional interest, and are used as a recruitment tool.
To be considered for financial aid annually, it is crucial to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The application can be conveniently submitted online at https://studentaid.gov/ using UT’s school code 003658.
Incoming students who do not submit a FAFSA will still be considered for scholarships that do not depend on financial need. However, it is advisable to complete a FAFSA to maximize eligibility for a wide range of scholarships.
Funded Practicum Education
The Practicum Education Office offers several Funded Practicum Education Programs – Steve Hicks School of Social Work (utexas.edu). During practicum education, students participate in academic internships at community agencies. Here, they develop and enhance their social work skills under the guidance of experienced social workers. Additionally, students attend a practice course and practicum seminar to reflect on and learn from their internship experiences.
The following Practicum Education Programs require the submission of an application. Please contact each program for information about their application requirements.
- Earl Maxwell Scholars Program
- The Gerontology Resources and the Aging Community in Education Scholars Program (GRACE)
- St. David’s Foundation Bilingual Social Work Scholars Program
Student Employment
Graduate students are encouraged to explore academic and non-academic employment opportunities at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and within the university.
For more information visit:
Helpful Resources
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend the Steve Hicks School. Your COA covers both your tuition and basic living expenses, including housing and food, books and supplies, transportation and travel costs, and personal expenses. To calculate your COA visit Cost & Tuition Rates.
My Status
MyStatus offers applicants secure, individualized information from initial application submission to the final admission decision and beyond. Use it to track the receipt of submitted application materials, to upload required supporting documents, to confirm that your application file is complete, and to get your decision.
What I Owe
There are several ways to pay for your UT education. Find information here on how to pay online, in person or by mail, using financial aid or outside loans.
LASSO FAQ
Frequently asked questions by students about the LASSO scholarship management system.
Texas OneStop
A central location to have questions answered regarding financial aid, billing, payment, registration, and records.
Admission Review Process
Admission Decision
The MSSW Program requires admission to both the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and The University of Texas at Austin Graduate School. If admitted, you must complete all compliance requirements before the first day of class.
Admitted applicants will receive an email with a link from the Director of Admissions. The link will allow them to view and respond to their admission offer letter. To view the offer letter, the applicant will have to sign in using their EID and password, using the link provided via email. Once signed in, the offer letter will provide the applicant with the option to accept or decline the offer. The official notification from the Office of Graduate Admissions will be available on your MyStatus portal.
Applicants who are not admitted will receive the decision via email from the Director of Admissions and through the MyStatus portal.
How to Accept Your Admissions Offer
Applicants are asked to respond to the admissions offer by the deadline stated in their offer letter, which is generally 30 days from the notification date. It is recommended that applicants flag or save the email if they plan to respond at a later time.
The Steve Hicks School of Social Work Admissions Office may rescind the admission offer if the applicant does not respond by the due date.
An enrollment deposit fee is due at the time of acceptance.
How to Decline Your Admissions Offer
To decline the admission offer, the applicant should sign in using their EID and password through the link provided in the email sent by the Director of Admissions. Once signed in, the applicant will be able to access their offer letter and decline the offer. It is also recommended for the applicant to reply to the initial offer email, informing the Director of Admissions of their decision.
Program Change
After accepting our offer, if you are thinking about changing your program of work, please inform the Director of Admissions. Making changes to the original program of work may affect practicum placements, so we recommend that you notify us as soon as you’ve made that decision.
Helpful Resources
My UT
MyUT, the online student portal of The University of Texas at Austin, is a central location where you can view your class schedule, see personalized financial aid and registration information, and more.
After Your Decision
Prior to enrollment, admitted students must complete all compliance requirements.
My Financial Aid
Regularly check your financial aid portal to ensure you have no outstanding requirements that could delay your financial aid.
FUTURE LONGHORN
You have confirmed your admission to the program.
Now it’s time to prepare for your first semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I contact?
Dante Vargas, Senior Program Coordinator for Recruitment and Community Engagement,is available to assist you from the moment you start exploring the program until you submit your application. Once admitted, Dante will be your main point of contact for orientation and the St. David’s Bilingual Scholars program.
Megan Keller, Administrative Associate in the Admissions Office,is available to assist you with any questions you may have about the program and to provide support before, during, and after you submit your application. She can also help with questions about your application status and guide you through using the MyStatus portal.
Lorena Sánchez, Director of Admissions,provides ongoing support to prospective students from recruitment through the application process and admission decisions, and all the way through orientation. Once you attend orientation and advising, you are officially considered a student. At this point, support transitions from the Admissions Office to the MSSW Program Staff.
Marian Mahaffey, the Graduate Program Administrator,is your first point of contact to address your educational needs while you are enrolled in the MSSW Program. Each semester, students are required to attend an advising session to ensure that all their academic needs are met.
What is an Information Session?
Prospective students are invited to attend an interactive MSSW Information Session to learn and ask questions about our MSSW Program, admission requirements, and the application process. The sessions are held twice a month on Mondays via Zoom. To attend, please RSVP before the day of the event. Once registered, participants will receive the Zoom link on the morning of the session.
Do you have a list of statistics courses that meet the program requirements?
Some examples of courses that satisfy our requirements:
- Elementary Statistical Methods
- Social Statistics Statistics/Research Design
- Intro Stats for Behavioral Science
- Psychological Statistics
- Social Work Statistics
- Applied Probability and Statistics
- Intro to Statistics for Biosciences
Contact Megan Kellerwith specific questions regarding meeting the statistics course requirement.
MSSW Information Sessions
Prospective students are encouraged to take part in an MSSW Information Session to learn about the program, newly revised admission requirements, and the application process.
During each information session, prospective students will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive the support they need to help them determine if our program is right for them.
- All meetings are in Central Time and last 90 minutes.
- RSVP for the meeting you plan to attend. You will receive the secure Zoom link and instructions via email 2-3 hours before the meeting starts.
- The RSVP links for each MSSW Information Session close on Friday morning.