Application for admission

The MSSW program requires admission to both the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and The University of Texas at Austin Graduate School.

A single, online application is required to apply to both. International students, transfer students, and applicants to the post-BSW track and dual degree programs must submit additional materials.

hand pointing to computer

Attention New Application Deadline!

Fall 2025 application deadline: December 1st.

Post-BSW, Summer 2025 application deadline: February 15th.

Helpful Links

Minimum requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited institution or proof of equivalent degree at institution outside of the United States.
  • GPA of 3.00 or above in upper-division (junior and senior level) courses.
  • 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.

Please note:

  • An application will be enhanced by: 1) evidence of strong volunteer and/or paid employment in human services or a related area; 2) undergraduate courses in the liberal arts and behavioral sciences.
  • 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.

Step-by-step application instructions

All students

  1. Obtain an electronic ID (EID) from The University of Texas at Austin.
  2. Access the online application (EID required).
  3. When completing the online application, you will be asked to submit the following materials:
    1. Non refundable application fee. See information about fees, payment methods, and waivers.
    2. Official transcript from every senior college you attended. See information about valid transcripts and how to submit them.
    3. Information on status of introductory statistics course (transcripts needed by beginning of semester of entry to the MSSW program).
    4. Personal narrative statements.
    5. Current resume.
    6. Letters of recommendation: 3 required, 5 preferred. When completing the online application, you will be given the opportunity to list the name, position, organization and email address for recommenders. Recommenders will receive instructions for completing online references after application submission.

International students

  • Submit “All students” materials plus:
  • If first language is not English: Have official score reports of the TOEFL or IELTS sent to The University of Texas at Austin. See information about these tests, minimum required scores and how to have them submitted to the university.

Transfer students

  • Submit “All students” materials plus:
  • Letter of good standing from director of social work program attended. When completing the online application, you will be given instructions on how to submit this letter.


Applicants must transfer from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 36 hours toward the degree at The University of Texas at Austin to receive the Master of Science in Social Work. Beyond those 36 hours, a maximum of 24 credit hours may be waived after a review of course materials and transcripts. Credits that are waived do not appear on the student’s UT Austin transcript.

Applicants to the post-BSW track

  • Submit “All students” materials plus:
  • When completing the online application, you will be given instructions on how and when to submit:
    • Final field practicum evaluation. If currently enrolled in a BSW program, submit your mid-term field practicum evaluation. Please upload the final (or mid-term) field practicum evaluation to “Miscellaneous Admissions Documents” using your My Status Page.
    • Letter of reference from an agency-based field instructor. Download reference form.
    • Letter of reference from faculty liaison/field seminar instructor, coordinator of field instruction or BSW program director. Download reference form.

Please request field instructor and faculty liaison references to be emailed to ssw-recommendations@austin.utexas.edu.

Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program.

Applicants to dual-degree programs

Learn more about the dual degrees and explore program options.