Application Requirements

Program Deadlines Requirements

Traditional MSW On-campus program

  • Spring: N/A
  • Fall: January 15

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis for the Fall 2025 semester. Please note that practicum sites have competitive deadlines and opportunities may become limited by summer. Applications received after May 1, 2025 are not guaranteed a practicum placement, and the student may need to defer practicum and enroll as a part-time student (3-year program).

Traditional & Accelerated MSW Online program

  • Fall: August 1
  • Spring: December 1
  • Summer: April 15

Advanced Standing Priority

  • Fall: December 15 (on-campus program); July 1 (online program)
  • Spring: September 1 (online program)

Applications for the MSW on-campus program are being accepted on a rolling basis for the Fall 2025 semester. Please note that practicum sites have competitive deadlines and opportunities may become limited by summer. Applications received after May 1, 2025 are not guaranteed a practicum placement, and the student may need to defer practicum and enroll as a part-time Advanced Standing student (2-year program).

Transfer Students

Transfer students can apply to the MSW online program or the MSW on-campus program. Please contact the department at socw@gmu.edu with any questions.
  • George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
  • Minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the most recent 60 credit hours
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Expanded Goals Statement

 

For Advanced Standing applicants only

  • George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
  • Minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Resume
  • Official Transcripts
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (Professional/Academic; one must be from BSW Program Director or full-time faculty member).
  • Expanded Goals Statement
  • BSW Field Evaluation Form (pdf)
  • Note: Be sure to check the MSW Advanced Standing Recommendation box on the Recommendation form in the online application.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Work, MSW and Conflict Analysis and Resolution, MS Dual Degree

  • Spring: N/A
  • Fall: January 15

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis for the Fall 2025 semester. Please note that practicum sites have competitive deadlines and opportunities may become limited by summer. Applications received after May 1, 2025 are not guaranteed a practicum placement, and the student may need to defer practicum and enroll as a part-time student.

 

 

 
  • George Mason Application for Graduate Study and nonrefundable application fee. An application for Virginia in-state tuition rates is built into the online application.
  • Resume
  • Transcripts
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Expanded Goals Statement

Applicants should communicate their interest in completing the dual degree program in the online application, in their essays, and recommendations should address the dual degree program interest. Students must be admitted to both programs in the same semester (fall only) to be admitted to the dual degree program.

 

Transcripts

In order to expedite the processing of your application, you may upload unofficial transcripts into your application. You will still be required to submit official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions. However, unofficial transcripts are acceptable for admissions review.

One official transcript from all institutions attended is required. The preferred method for submission of transcripts is as electronic submissions from the institution's Registrar's Office to ugtrans@gmu.edu. If necessary, transcripts can be mailed directly from the institution's Registrar's Office to the address below:

Office of Graduate Admissions
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MSN 4C8
Fairfax, VA 22030

The mail stop number is crucial to the address. Failure to use it may result in a delay in the processing of the application or even in lost documents.

Please review the FAQs regarding transcripts on the university admissions website if you have further questions about transcript submission.

Expanded Goals Statement

Social Work, MSW: Please respond to these two prompts:

Prompt 1: Begin your essay by presenting your understanding of social work (in your own words) and your interest in pursuing a Master of Social Work at George Mason University. Include your reasons for this particular degree in relation to your academic background, work experience, and professional career goals. Describe your personal qualities and development and how they have influenced your career choice. (Prompt length: maximum of 1 page/double spaced).

Prompt 2: The NASW Code of Ethics (2021) describes social justice as a core value of the social work profession. Define a social problem that is important to you (e.g., immigration, gender equity, poverty, racism, disability rights); and briefly outline your understanding of the problem/issue, how it is a social justice issue, and the role of social work in addressing the issue. Please use APA 7th edition citation style. (Prompt length: maximum of 2 pages/double spaced).

Letters of Recommendation

The people best suited to provide recommendation for graduate study on the applicant's behalf (recommenders) are faculty members, university administrators, or internship supervisors who are in a position to knowledgeably discuss the applicant's academic potential for graduate study, as well as the applicant's personal qualities and experiences. Applicants who have been out of school for some time are welcome to submit recommendations from supervisors.

Near the end of the online application process, applicants will be prompted to provide the names and email addresses of each recommender. Once the application is submitted, the application system automatically notifies recommenders that they have been named as recommenders and tells them how to submit the letter online.

It is appropriate to ask the recommenders in advance if they would be willing to submit a recommendation. Consider alerting recommenders after the online application is complete to be on the look-out for the electronic notice asking for them to complete the recommendation form.

You can resend a recommendation request through the Self -Service Center. However, in order to change the name of a recommender, you will need to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions (masongr@gmu.edu). Letters will not be accepted in lieu of this electronic form.

Please note: Recommenders must submit these forms online by following the prompt sent through email. If the recommender is not able to use the online system, they may submit recommendations directly to masongr@gmu.edu. Letters of recommendation cannot be submitted by the applicant on behalf of the recommender, unless they are in a signed and sealed envelope from the recommender.

Transfer Applicants

There are two additional requirements for transfer applicants.  They are as follows:

  1. An official letter sent to us from the Dean or the Program Director of the MSW Program from your previous school on official letterhead confirming that you were a student in good standing when you left their program. Email letter to Professor Evelyn Tomaszewski at etomasze@gmu.edu.
  2. A copy of all field placement evaluations.

International Applicants

International applicants (those with an undergraduate degree from outside the United States) should review their additional requirements as listed on the international applicant page of the Admissions website.

Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program (CWSP)

Please find more information and application requirements on the Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program (CWSP) webpage.

Behavioral Health (CAP-BH) Stipend Program

Please find more information and application requirements on the Behavioral Health (CAP-BH) Stipend Program webpage.