Admissions Information

Thank you for your interest in the MSW Program at UNC Charlotte. Applications are submitted through the UNC Charlotte Graduate School’s website. Use the “Apply Now” link below:

Apply Now

Program Options

There are two available pathways to earn the MSW on campus:

  • 1-year Advanced ​Standing Plan of Study – Advanced standing is awarded only to applicants holding degrees from baccalaureate social work programs accredited by CSWE, those recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors. Students start this plan of study in the first summer session and complete this Plan of Study over a one-year period.
  • 2-year Plan of Study – Students ​start classes in​ the ​fall ​semester ​and ​complete the program ​over ​a ​two-year​ period.

There are three available pathways to earn the MSW​ online:

Courses are delivered online with most having virtual class meetings weekday evenings or Saturdays. Practicum is completed in person.

  • 1-year Advanced ​Standing Plan of Study – Advanced standing is awarded only to applicants holding degrees from baccalaureate social work programs accredited by CSWE, those recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors. Students start this plan of study in the first summer session and complete this Plan of Study over a one-year period.
  • 2-year Advanced ​Standing Plan of Study – Advanced standing is awarded only to applicants holding degrees from baccalaureate social work programs accredited by CSWE, those recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors. Students start this plan of study in the first summer session and complete this Plan of Study over a two-year period.
  • 3-year Plan of Study – Students start classes in summer and complete the program over a three-year period. Practicum is completed in person.

Minimum Criteria Used for Admission

The criteria used for admission to the MSW program (traditional/campus-based and online/Distance Education) are:

  • Earned baccalaureate degree or its U.S. equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body. See the Graduate Catalog Glossary for a list of accrediting bodies.
  • GPA 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as indicated by transcripts – If an applicant has earned or attempted a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e. a master’s, doctoral or other), grades in that program will also be taken into consideration. The website includes this note: It is rare that applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 3.0 are offered admission and usually those who are have other compelling evidence pointing to success (e.g., – GPAs very close to 3.0, extensive work experience, earned master’s degree or graduate certificate in a related area with a 3.0 or higher).
  • Three recommendations
  • Resume
  • Statement of Purpose addressing all of the following in no more than four (4) double-spaced pages:
    • Describe why you want to become a master’s level social worker.
    • Discuss how the MSW program at UNC Charlotte will help you achieve your career goals.
    • Describe the population(s) and/or social problems(s) you are interested in.
    • Identify a social, economic, or environmental challenge in the NC/Charlotte region and how you, as a master’s level social worker, might intervene.
    • Using the principles outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics, describe how you think a social worker can bring about social change.
  • For non-native English language speakers: A minimum score of 83 on the Internet-based TOEFL or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required for admissions consideration.

Advanced Standing Eligibility

Applicants ​are ​eligible ​to ​apply ​for Advanced ​Standing (traditional/campus-based and online/Distance Education) if ​they ​meet the minimum criteria used for admission and​ one​ of ​the ​following​:

  • Applicants in their final year of study in a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) ​and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Applicants who have earned a BSW within the past ​seven years from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) ​and who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher​.
  • Applicants who have earned a BSW recognized by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service or who earned a BSW covered under a memorandum of understanding by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) with international social work accreditors are also eligible to apply for Advanced Standing. International applicants should contact the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for more information and visit the Council on Social Work Education International Degree Review website.

Applicants who have earned a BSW within the past seven years and have opted for the full 60-credit MSW program (traditional/campus-based and online/Distance Education) rather than Advanced Standing will not be expected to repeat courses where they have demonstrated mastery. They can substitute courses. See the ​Course Substitution Policy in the MSW Student Handbook.

Application Priority Deadline: January 15th annually

Decisions will be released via a letter in the Graduate School application portal between mid February to the end of March.

Overview of Application, Selection Process, & Waiting List

The application process for the MSW program (traditional/campus-based and online/Distance Education) is competitive and not all applicants who meet the minimum criteria for admission will be accepted. Applications must be submitted through the Graduate School portal by the School of Social Work priority deadline of January 15th for full consideration. Applications submitted after January 15th will be reviewed by the School of Social Work on a space-available basis. Applicants that apply to more than one program option will be considered for their first option during the initial full application review. If not accepted to the first program option preference, applicants will be considered for their second choice on a space-available basis. 

Applications are reviewed by the MSW Admissions Committee which is composed of full-time social work faculty members who regularly teach in or administratively support the MSW program. Additional faculty members and staff may also review components of the application. The following materials are submitted: Application form, transcripts, Statement of Purpose, resume, three recommendations, and any additional materials required by the Graduate School. Standardized test scores are not required. Application elements (academic preparation, experience, recommendations, and Statement of Purpose prompts) are scored using a MSW Application Rating Rubric which is based on a point system. Competitive applicants (those with the highest scores) are selected until all seats are filled.  ​The committee’s recommendation is submitted to the Graduate School for a final decision. The process for decisions is outlined below: 

Acceptance 

Applicants are notified of the acceptance decision via a letter in the Graduate School portal. Applicants for summer admission are notified of final decisions no later than May 1st and applicants for fall admission are notified of final decisions no later than August 1st. Applicants must accept or decline throughout the Graduate School System by the outlined date. If the application fails to respond by the identified date the application will be withdrawn and the seat will be offered to another applicant. 

Waitlist 

Applicants are notified of the decision via a letter in the Graduate School portal. The letter informs students that they have been placed on the out waitlist and if a seat becomes available they will be notified up until a meet before classes start.      

Denial 

Applicants are notified of the denial decision via a letter in the Graduate School portal. There is no other communication and/or follow-up.    

See the ​Policy on Admission to the University (University Policy #207) for more information. 

Additional Information for Applicants

  • The MSW Program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience toward the social work degree.  
  • Applicants with past convictions who are offered admission and opt to enroll would be doing so with the understanding that this background could be a potential barrier to graduation or future employment. The MSW Program does make every effort to assist students with a positive criminal background check in finding​ practicum​ placements.
  • Persons with disabilities who need assistance in the admission process must contact the School of Social Work to request such assistance a minimum of fifteen days prior to the application deadline. The applicant will be connected with the Office of Disability Services to request that a staff ​member​ assist ​the ​applicant ​with​ completing ​the ​application.
  • Students who leave the MSW program (in good standing, due to suspension, or due to termination) and wish to return can contact the MSW Program Director or the Graduate School for guidance related to readmission or reinstatement.
  • Transfer Admittance, also referred to as “Transfer of credit” refers to graduate course credits earned at UNC Charlotte or another institution either before or after admission to the MSW Program. The MSW program will accept a maximum of twelve (12) social work semester hours of transfer credit toward a master’s degree. Students cannot transfer credit for courses that counted toward another completed graduate degree. The UNC Charlotte Graduate School requires that transferred courses be no more than seven years old at the time of the student’s graduation (not acceptance into the program). Transfer credit will only be granted for courses taken at a CSWE-accredited university. Students who are enrolled in the MSW Program who choose to take a non-UNC Charlotte course for transfer credit are strongly encouraged to discuss this with their academic advisor before they enroll. Credits for Practicum Placement and Seminar (Field Education) cannot be transferred. Social Work practice courses will be accepted as part of the total 12 credits. The MSW Program does not give credit for previous work or life experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions about the MSW Program at UNC Charlotte or want to view some tips for applying, please view our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you still have further questions, please contact sswadmissions@uncc.edu.

FAQs for Prospective MSW Students
MSW Information Sessions

State Authorization

The Distance Education (online) MSW program is generally targeted toward those who live in the North Carolina region, but UNC Charlotte is authorized to offer online programs and courses in all US states and territories (Practicum Education availability may be impacted based on individual state, contact the School of Social Work Practicum Office for more information). UNC Charlotte is not currently authorized to offer any of its online programs outside of the United States, according to the School of Professional Studies. If a student listed in their application that they live in the North Carolina region and they are admitted, then it is with the understanding they plan to live in the North Carolina region throughout the duration of the program. If a student plans to move out of the North Carolina region during the program, they should consult with the MSW Program Director, Practicum Director, and Office of Distance Education to further discuss the program as this may impact the ability to complete the program. Please review the State Authorization from the UNC Charlotte School of Professional Studies for more information.