Applicants can pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) at our Stony Brook campus, Manhattan location, or through our Online MSW Program.
The online full-time program spans two years, and the online part-time program spans three years. Both tracks are currently accepting applications from candidates who can fulfill their practicum requirements within the State of New York.
We only admit for a Fall semester start. We do not offer a Spring semester start.
- Submit a $100 non-refundable application fee. Please see the application for more information about fee waivers.
- Applicants must hold or be in progress of pursuing a bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university with a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 (2.8 preferred).
- Upload all unofficial transcripts* for any college credit earned (including college courses taken while in high school).
- Complete a personal essay that displays your understanding of the profession, the School of Social Welfare Mission, and readiness for graduate social work education through the manner in which you address the identified issues and your use of examples that illustrate your points. Although you may include any information that you believe is pertinent to your application, please be sure to discuss the provided essay questions indicated on the application clearly.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation required from past or current professors and/or employers, supervisors, or health care professionals for whom you have worked in a paid or volunteer position.
- Advanced Standing applicants: One (1) of the three (3) letters of recommendation must come from a faculty member of your BSW program.
- Resume.
- Advanced Standing Students ONLY: Must complete the Advanced Standing Practicum Evaluation Form (located in the application). Applicants who have earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program must have received the degree within the last five years.
There are no prerequisite courses or GRE test scores required for admission into the MSW program.
*Please do not send transcripts to the Graduate School. Applicants must upload transcripts through their application portal or mail them to the School of Social Welfare. Transcripts sent to the Graduate School may cause a delay in the admissions review process.
See Application Material Guidelines for more information about the admissions requirements.
Applicants who wish to be considered for admission into any of the three Dual-Degree MSW programs at Stony Brook must comply with all admission requirements for each degree, including completion of two separate applications.
- MSW/MA: Social Work and Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics
- MSW/MPH: Social Work and Public Health
- MSW/JD: Social Work and Law
Please note: When completing the MSW application, select the MSW/MA, MSW/MPH, or MSW/JD option, depending on the program you're interested in, to be considered for the dual degree.
- At the discretion of the School of Social Welfare Admissions Committee, interviews may be required.
- Admission to the MSW program is conditional and contingent on the successful completion of all admission requirements of the School of Social Welfare.
- 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.
- Forty-three (43) percent of applicants to the MSW program are accepted, and 45 percent are accepted to the BSW program. Ninety-five (95) percent of enrolled MSW students and 98 percent of enrolled BSW students complete the requirements for the degree. A survey of MSW graduates indicated that 90 percent of those responding to the questionnaire were employed in social work, and 85 percent had obtained employment within three months of graduation.
