Admission Requirements Master of Social Work

Master of Social Work

  1. Master’s Degree
  2. Social Work & Human Services
  3. Master of Social Work
  4. Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations.

  • A conferred bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution. 
  • Your official bachelor's transcripts, minimum grade point average of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale. If your official transcript has a grade point average below 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, please call and discuss with enrollment services at 1.844.676.9480.
  • 2 letters of recommendation completed by professionals who can assess your aptitude for graduate education in social work.
  • A three-page essay.
  • Your résumé or curriculum vitae (CV).
  • A signed Acknowledgement Agreement
  • A $50 non-refundable application fee. Fee is required to initiate an application for admission and must be paid as part of the application process. The fee covers the cost of transcript requests, transcript evaluation and other administrative costs.
  • A valid, government-issued form of photo identification.
  • GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

Recommendation Requirements

Applicants must provide 2 references who can offer an objective evaluation. The recommendation should speak to your aptitude for graduate education and include relevant examples. One letter of recommendation should come from a professional reference and the other from a supervisor/employer.

Essay Requirements

Faculty and admissions staff seek to understand each applicant’s personal goals, values, and interest in the social work profession. To this end, the MSW program faculty requests each prospective learner to submit a personal statement that specifically addresses the questions below. Your admission essay should be no more than three, double-spaced, typed pages in length and address the following areas*:

  1. Interest statement
  2. Academic statement
  3. Social justice statement

*Additional details included on Essay Request

CV/Résumé Requirements

Your professional résumé or curriculum vitae must be prepared specifically for this application in Microsoft Word and should demonstrate career progression, leadership and overall achievements. The up-to-date résumé should cover:

  • Your professional work experience
  • Volunteering experience
  • Certifications, training, and special awards The résumé should have a professional, easy-to-read appearance, and be checked for spelling errors.

International Student Requirements

You are considered an international applicant if you completed your highest degree outside of the U.S., regardless of where you currently live. International applications include all U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens who have completed their most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the U.S.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

  • Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
  • Transcript evaluation

Learn more about international student admissions.

Ready for the next step?

Learning online doesn't mean going it alone. Help is here. From faculty, coaches, advisors, and more. Plus a supportive community of students who are as passionate about their careers as you are about yours.

Call Us: 1.866.516.9182