GSS Master of Social Work Application Process

Prerequisites

Applicants must have:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• 18 undergraduate credits in liberal arts content.

The GRE is not required for admission into this program.

Application Deadlines

Fall

• Priority deadline: February 1
• Standard deadline: April 1

Spring

• Priority deadline: November 1 
• Standard deadline: December 1

Please note: we will continue to accept applications on a space-available basis after the above dates. However, applications submitted after the deadlines will not be given priority consideration for merit scholarship awards. All admission decisions will be emailed to applicants within four (4) weeks from the time an application becomes complete. Whenever possible, all documents should be submitted to [email protected].

Note: GSS policy does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.

We cannot review your application until we have received all required materials including supplemental documents that must be hand-delivered or mailed.

• Application Form. You must select a plan of study and a campus.
• Autobiographical statement. The autobiographical statement page includes suggested topics. If you are applying for the online M.S.W. program, you must answer the extra question, which appears below the autobiographical statement in the online application form.
• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Please refer to the application to learn the specifics regarding transcript requirements.
• Whenever possible, please submit documents electronically to [email protected].
  
• One (1) letter of recommendation. Approved recommenders are past and present employers, professors, and approved volunteer coordinators. Letters of recommendation must be submitted via the link in the application, US mail, or can be hand-delivered in their original, sealed envelope with the recommender's signature along with the seal or marked with other official insignia. In the application, you will provide an email address for your reference. The application allows you to click to have instructions sent to your reference on how to submit their letter electronically through the application system.
• Complete Resume or CV.
• Application fee. $60, payable on the online application page. If you prefer to pay by mail, please send a check or money order payable to Fordham University.

Advanced Standing Applicants (B.S.W. graduates) only:

If you have completed or are still in the process of completing a B.S.W. degree, your faculty adviser or BSW program chair must provide us with your Final or Mid-Year Field Evaluation. If they are unable to provide us with one, they may complete our alternative field evaluation form. This must be emailed to [email protected] by your faculty advisor or program chair.

Advanced standing is awarded only to graduates holding degrees from baccalaureate social work programs accredited by CSWE, those recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.

Transfer Student Application Only:

If you have completed a first-year field assignment in an M.S.W. program, your faculty adviser or MSW program chair must provide us with your Foundation Year Field Evaluation. If they are unable to provide us with one, they may complete our alternative field evaluation form. This must be emailed to [email protected] by your faculty advisor or program chair. If you are a transfer student, please email us or call 212-636-6600 to discuss your plan of study. Only up to 6 credits can be transferred.

It is required that applicants personally hand-deliver or mail all offline supplemental materials, via UPS, FedEx, or USPS with return receipt requested, to:

Whenever possible, please submit documents electronically to [email protected].

Fordham University

Graduate School of Social Service
Office of Admission
113 West 60th Street, Suite 608
New York, NY 10023

Offline refers to any hard copy documents that are not being submitted through your application portal and can include:

• Transcripts in their original signed and sealed envelope.
• Letters of recommendation in their original sealed envelope with the recommender's signature along with the seal or marked with other official insignia.
• Advanced Standing Fieldwork Evaluation (if applicable).
• Transfer Student Fieldwork Evaluation (if applicable).

Additional Requirements for International Students

International students are welcome to apply to the accredited master’s programs at the Fordham Graduate School of Social Service (GSS). Our Office for International Services offers assistance to meet these students’ specific needs, including financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Transcript Evaluation

All students with credentials from universities outside the United States and Canada must have their transcripts evaluated. Credential evaluations will be accepted from any organization that is a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

English Language Proficiency Testing

All students applying for admission from a country where English is not the official language are required to take a standardized examination testing their ability to use English. Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service accepts two providers of proficiency testing:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): The minimum required IELTS test score for admittance to the MSW program is a 7.
• Educational Testing Services, Testing of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): The minimum, required TOEFL test score for admittance to the MSW program is 100 for the Internet-based (IBT) test. Fordham University's Institutional Code for the TOEFL is 4894.

Financial Aid for International Students

All international students must fill out an Affidavit of Support form. We also encourage you to check the Office for International Services website for information on other types of assistance you could use.