Applicants to the Advanced Standing program option must have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program no more than five years prior to their anticipated MSW graduation.

Applicants to the Full-time Columbia, Full-time Online, or Extended-time MSW program option must have a bachelor’s degree in any major from an accredited college or university.

The Statement of Purpose is a critical component of your application. For instructions and required prompts, visit here.

Visit here for international applicant requirements.

Effective July 15, 2023, the $50 general graduate school application fee is waived until further notice.

Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended for credit must be uploaded in your application.

If you are admitted to the MSW program and accept the offer of admission, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended for credit must be sent to the Graduate School using the directions here .

University of South Carolina students and graduates do not need to request their official transcript be sent to the Graduate School.

Your application file is reviewed once it becomes complete, meaning all required supplemental materials (e.g., transcript(s) and recommendations) have been received. Application file review typically takes 4-6 weeks.

Once your application file has been reviewed, you are notified via email by the College of Social Work and the Graduate School of your admission recommendation and official decision. Visit here for more information.

The confirmation fee must be submitted after accepting your offer of admission. At that time, you will receive access to the MSW enrollment requirements, which provide confirmation fee payment directions.

Admission can be deferred for only one academic year. To defer admission, submit the MSW Student Intent form linked in the College of Social Work’s admission recommendation email.

• The Advanced Standing plan of study in Columbia is designed to be completed in 11 months. 
• The Full-time plan of study in Columbia is designed to be completed in two years. 
• The Extended-time plan of study in Columbia, Charleston or Greenville is designed to be completed in three years. 

Advanced Standing students begin their graduate studies during the summer term.  Full-time and Extended-time students begin their graduate studies during the fall term.  

Courses are typically offered as follows: 

• Advanced Standing courses are offered Monday through Thursday during the summer bridge term and Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring terms. 
• Full-time courses are offered Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring terms. 
• Extended-time courses are offered on Saturdays during the fall, spring and summer terms. Field practicum seminar courses are offered on weekday evenings during the fall and spring terms.