MSW Application Checklist
You may apply to the MSW Program in the School of Social Work at Portland State University by submitting a single application online. All application materials, including letters of reference, must be submitted
electronically. Links to the application will be available when the program for the coming year is open.
Basic Information
- Your contact Information
- Personal Information including your citizenship status, DOB, gender, ethnicity, etc.
- The program option you are applying for admission (e.g. Advanced Standing, Campus, Online, Distance)
- Your residency status for tuition purpose
Review the Criminal Conviction Statement »
Educational Information
- Bachelor’s degree with a Liberal Arts foundation from an accredited college, university or equivalent
- Advanced Standing applicants must have a BSW degree within the past five years from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- TOEFL scores if your undergraduate degree was not received from a U.S. college or university. See English Language Proficiency Requirements
- List of every college or university you attended.
- Scanned copy of an unofficial transcript for the schools where a bachelor's degree was awarded and/or any graduate level courses were taken. Transcripts from high schools and community colleges are not needed.
- Minimum cumulative GPA requirement: To be considered for regular admission, applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or the equivalent or a graduate GPA of 3.0.
Review Liberal Arts foundation course list »
Transcripts
Unofficial Transcripts
You must upload, using a PDF file, unofficial transcripts for each and every college or university you earned a bachelor's degree or completed graduate level coursework. Unofficial transcripts include:
- Web based transcripts that you download from your institution (institution name should be visible on transcript)
- Photocopies of official transcripts (please include both front and back)
Official Transcripts
Once you have been offered admission, you will be required to submit official copies of your transcripts and/or documents for GPA and degree conferral verification. This is required before you will be given access to register for classes. Failure to provide official documents may result in registration holds that could delay your registration. Official transcripts should be sent to PSU by mail or electronic submission directly from each college or university attended. Enrollment in courses is contingent upon the receipt and verification of these official documents (which must show the awarding of degrees where appropriate). The official transcript will be compared to the document you uploaded in the online application.
Submit copies of your transcripts »
MSW-Specific Information
- Resume, including Social Work-related experience: Employment, volunteer, internship and other
- Three recommendations
- Choose recommenders from your work, educational, and volunteer experiences who can address your qualities that make you suitable for social work. Do not use relatives, therapists, or personal friends as references.
- At least one reference should address your ability to do graduate-level academic work.
- Please read carefully the statement on the Recommendation page in the application system regarding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
- A link will be provided to the recommender to complete a questionnaire regarding the applicant. There is no need for the recommender to upload a separate letter. Completion of the questionnaire is sufficient.
- A three- to four-page statement of purpose
View instructions on writing your statement of purpose »