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Program Admission Deadlines

Fall Semester
admissions

Begin: December 1st, each year
Deadline: March 15th, each year

Spring Semester
admissions

Begin: June 1st, each year
Deadline: September 15th, each year

Applicants will be notified of their final admission decision within 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.  Please be sure that you begin the application process with plenty of time for your professional references to submit their letters of recommendation.

apply

Get Started in Social Work

1. Apply to the U

 

Check your status

2. Meet with an Advisor

 

 Schedule an Appointment

3. Complete Program Application

 

Begin Application

Additional Requirements

  • A cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 2.75.

    • We average all college/university credits from every institution the applicant has attended

  • General Education Requirement

    • At least 30 College Level Credits must be completed or in-progress at time of application for the BSW Program.

      Requisite courses and Prior Learning Credits can apply toward the total number of credits earned.

    • MATH (QA) and Writing (WR2) must be completed prior to admission.

  • Completion or registration of BSW pre-major course requirements. 

    • Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better by the time an applicant begins the BSW Program.

    • Prerequisite courses include all of the following:

      • SW1010 Social Work and Social Welfare

      • SOC1010 Introduction to Sociology

      • POLS1100 US National Government or equivalent

      • PSY1010 General Psychology or equivalent

      • Note:  you may have completed equivalent versions of these courses at another institution. Check with a BSW academic advisor to ensure that the courses you took at a transfer institution will indeed satisfy our program’s pre-major requirements. 

    • Transcripts from every college or university attended by applicant, regardless of final grades earned or how long ago attended; unsealed (unofficial) copies are acceptable, but we cannot accept degree audits or progress reports

    • Personal statement essay questions

    • Social Work-related resume

    • Two evaluation forms and letters of recommendation (minimum of two required; maximum of three accepted)

    • Read and abide by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics

    • ADMISSION TO THE BSW PROGRAM IS CONTIGENT UPON ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH.

Academic Decisions

Admission decisions for the BSW Program are based upon a review of academic performance, relevant work or volunteer experience, a personal statement, resume, and letters of recommendation. Applications are reviewed after all materials have been submitted. If needed, a student may be asked to complete a formal interview with the Admission Committee, as well as submit additional documentation for those who can support the student’s readiness for a career in social work. The Admissions Committee may seek additional information from social work faculty, the applicant, or other formal sources. The Committee will focus on academic achievement as well as criteria that demonstrate a commitment to social work values, beginning understanding of the social work profession, professional attitude and behavior, emotional maturity, and ability to express oneself clearly both orally and in writing.

Following review by the Committee, the applicant is notified via email of the Committee’s decision. Committee options include full admission, conditional admission, or denial of admission. Students can expect to receive an admission decision within 6 weeks of the application due date.

Anyone with an interest in social work who meets the minimum academic requirements is invited to apply. No student will be denied admission based upon race, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, culture, creed, class, ethnicity, or national origin.

Transfer Students:

If you will transfer from another school, please contact a BSW academic advisor for more information regarding transfer credit articulation. 

Transfer students must apply both to the University of Utah and to the BSW Program. Students must meet both the institution’s transfer application deadline and the BSW Program deadline. We urge that applicants first complete and submit their University of Utah transfer application and then submit the BSW Program by our published deadline, regardless of whether the applicant has heard back yet about the University’s admission decision. It is not necessary to have received a University admission decision before submitting the BSW Program application, since this process can take several weeks. Ultimately, in order to enroll a new BSW student, they will need to have been admitted to the University of Utah and to the BSW Program. 

Criminal Background Check Information:

Applicants should be aware that the College of Social Work does not conduct criminal background checks; however, many human service organizations and agencies require individuals to pass criminal background checks before entering field placements (practicum). Practicum is required for completion of both the BSW and MSW programs. In addition, the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) may ask about criminal history in the application for licensure and may request an explanation. In some instances, candidates with extensive, violent, and/or recent criminal backgrounds may be unable to secure a license. Questions regarding licensing should be directed to DOPL: www.dopl.utah.gov.

Last Updated: 3/27/24