BSW & MSW Applications
Applications cannot be reviewed until all application materials have been received including transcripts and recommendations. We encourage applicants to follow up with their recommenders to ensure their letters have been submitted. All unofficial transcripts for any college credit earned (including college courses taken while in high school) must be submitted with the application.
Applicants can view if transcripts and recommendations have been received in their application portal.
The School of Social Welfare Admissions Office will make an effort to inform applicants of any missing materials. However, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their application is complete for review. Incomplete applications may result in delayed admissions review. All Admissions Correspondence will be emailed. Please check your email frequently for notifications.
Uploading Unofficial Transcripts
- Transcripts must be uploaded as a PDF file to the applicant's application portal. PDF screenshots from computers, phones and/or photos of transcripts will not be accepted for review.
- Unofficial transcripts should be requested from the applicant's college/University Registrar’s Office or academic student portal and then uploaded to the applicant’s application portal or mailied to the School of Social Welfare.
- DegreeWorks/Advising worksheets are not acceptable transcripts for application review.
- All unofficial transcripts must show the applicant's full name and the attended college/University name.
- Official transcripts are only required upon acceptance of an offer of admission.
- Applicants who have already received their Associate's, Bachelor’s and/or Master’s Degree must submit their unofficial transcript showing their degree awarded/conferred for application review along with any other previously attended colleges/University unofficial transcripts.
- Upon acceptance of an offer of admission all official transcripts will be required showing your degree awarded/conferred and any other previously attended college/University transcript.
- Applicants who are currently completing their undergraduate credits/Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree must submit their most recent unofficial transcript that shows courses in progress and/or courses registered for to take in the upcoming semester for application review along with any other previously attended colleges/University unofficial transcripts.
- Upon acceptance of an offer of admission all official transcripts will be required showing your degree awarded/conferred and any other previously attended college/University transcript.
- Stony Brook University current students or graduates must upload their unofficial Stony Brook transcript along with any other previously attended colleges/University unofficial transcripts.
- The School of Social Welfare will not upload Stony Brook University or previously attended colleges/University unofficial transcripts to applicants applications.
- Applicants who choose to send unofficial transcripts via mail. Should send to the following address:
Stony Brook University
School of Social Welfare, Students Services Office
Health Sciences Tower
Level 2, Room 093
Stony Brook, NY 11794-8230
Due to the scanning and filing process for mailed materials, it may take a few weeks for materials to be added to your application. Mailed materials should be sent using United States Postal Services (USPS), not other mailing services. Transcripts uploaded through the application portal will be added to the application without delay. Please ensure all required transcripts are received for application review. Applicants are responsible for submitting transcripts in the requested format. Missing transcripts may result in delayed admissions review.
International Students - Updated 4/14/22
For institutions attended abroad/international, an evaluation by appropriate agency to determine U.S. equivalencies, official transcript* and translation is required. In addition, if your native or primary language is not English, you must take an English proficiency test to be considered for admission. You can visit our Health Sciences Bulletin for more information about the needed documents and test score requirements. For further information international students should email the Graduate & Health Sciences Admissions at gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu.
*Unofficial WES evaluations & transcripts are acceptable for application review. Official WES evaluations and transcripts are only required upon acceptance of an offer of admission.
Important Notes:
Undergraduate Applicants please do not send transcripts to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Applicants must upload transcripts through their application portal or mail to the School of Social Welfare. Transcripts sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office may cause delay in admissions review.
Graduate Applicants please do not send transcripts to the Graduate School. Applicants must upload transcripts through their application portal or mail to the School of Social Welfare. Transcripts sent to the Graduate School may cause delay in admissions review.
Personal Essay
Each of the sections should be clearly numbered (please limit your essay to 3 double spaced typewritten pages). Do not exceed more than 5 pages.
Advanced Standing Applicants must include a header identifying “Part 1 - Social Problem/Issue” on the first part of their essay and “Part 2 - Professional Growth” on the second part of the essay.
Letters of Recommendation
- Recommendations should be from past or current professors and/or employers, supervisors or health care professionals for whom you have worked in a paid or volunteer position.
- Personal recommendations from family members/ friends are not recommended for review.
- Applicants will provide their recommender's contact information in their application portal. Recommenders will then be sent an email request to submit their letter of recommendation electronically with the applicant’s application.
- Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the application portal or mailed to the School of Social Welfare. If your recommender did not receive the electronic emailed request, please have them check their spam folder.
- Advanced Standing Applicants must submit three letters of recommendations. At least (1) recommendation letter is required from their BSW Program Director or Field Supervisor for submission.
- Maximum of (4) letters of recommendations to be submitted with your application. Applicants should not exceed this limit.
- Missing letters of recommendations may result in delayed admissions review.
- Applicants can send a reminder email to their recommenders through their application portal.
- Recommendations on professional letterhead are recommended but not required.
Resume
Applicants must upload a current resume with their application. Resumes should include the following:
- Work experience
- Unpaid volunteer/community service experience
- Awards, honors and/or publications
- Research and/or leadership experience
Applicants' resumes should demonstrate to the Admissions Committee their experience in the social services or related human services field as well as relevant non-social work experience.
Advanced Standing Practicum Evaluation Form
Applicants must download the Advanced Standing Practicum Evaluation Form located on the essay section of the application and provide it to their Field Supervisor to submit. The Field Supervisor must email the form to ssw_admissions@stonybrook.edu or mail it to the below address. Forms submitted by the applicant will not be considered for application review and may delay admissions review.
Stony Brook University
School of Social Welfare, Students Services Office
Health Sciences Tower Level 2, Room 093
Stony Brook, NY 11794-8230
Pre-Application Worksheet
BSW undergraduate applicants are strongly recommended to complete a Pre-Application Worksheet before submitting their application. Applicants should consult with the School of Social Welfare for equivalent Stony Brook courses or courses taken at another institution to ensure program prerequisite courses are fulfilled. Inequivalent courses may result in delayed admissions review.
Applicants must email the School of Social Welfare Admissions Office at ssw_admissions@stonybrook.edu with all unofficial transcripts for any college credit earned (including college courses taken while in high school). Applicants must submit their most recent unofficial transcript that shows courses in progress and/or courses registered for to take in the upcoming semester for a pre-application worksheet review along with any other previously attended colleges/University unofficial transcripts.
Applicants that received Advanced Placement (AP) and/or CLEP credit must also submit their unofficial AP/CLEP score report for the pre-application worksheet review.
Applicants are responsible to inform the School of Social Welfare of any academic course changes to receive an updated worksheet.
Applicants can visit our Transfer Course Equivalency to view our course database for equivalent Stony Brook courses and courses taken at another institution.
*Consult with the School of Social Welfare for equivalent courses. Inequivalent courses may result in delayed admissions review.
