Admission Requirements
The minimum admission requirements are:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- A grade point average of at least 2.75 (A=4.0) for the final 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate study
- A liberal arts background consisting of credit received on the collegiate level in the following areas:
- English composition, with a minimum grade of "C"
- Social and behavioral sciences (20 semester hours are recommended, but applicants with strong records in humanities are urged to apply.)
- A course in statistics passed within the past six years with a minimum grade of "C"
Applicants should note that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Furthermore, it should be noted that interviews are not required and may not be requested by an applicant. Interviews may be requested by the Director of Admission on a case-by-case basis. This is the rare exception and not the rule.
Application Packet
A complete application packet consists of the following:
- OAR's Graduate online application form .
- The College's completed application form. This can be filled out online or in booklet form
- The required application fee
A nonrefundable application fee of $50 domestic or $60 international (in U.S. currency) must be submitted with your application, except for those applicants previously enrolled as graduate students at UIC. Attach a check or money order payable to the University of Illinois at Chicago to the top of the application form. An application cannot be processed without payment of the application fee. Application fees, it should be noted, will not be refunded to applicants who withdraw their application.
- A self-addressed, stamped business size #10 envelope
- Two official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
If you are a current or were a student at UIC, you should submit UIC transcripts. Submitting them will expedite the application process. Official transcripts should be placed in an unopened, sealed envelope, with the signature/seal of the college or university or an official of the academic institution over the flap. If a school does not sign the flap of the envelope, simply forward those transcripts unopened. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has studied outside of the U.S. for academic credit, you must also submit those transcripts. They must be official and must be submitted even if the information appears on your U.S. transcripts. Please Note: College seniors must have a final transcript sent when all degree requirements are satisfied. The undergraduate degree must be posted on the transcript.
- Three written references
Submit three written references that have been completed on the official forms contained in this application booklet. The references should be from people qualified to evaluate your ability to complete the MSW program successfully. Undergraduate college students or recent applicants should seek at least one reference from a college instructor. If you have been employed at least six months, you should seek a reference from a supervisor. Other references may come from volunteer supervisors, college advisors, or agency consultants. Do not submit references from friends or relatives. References should be sealed, signed across the seal, and returned, unopened, along with the rest of your application packet.
- Personal Statements
Prepare a typed, double spaced statement of up to one page for each of the following sets of questions:
- How did your interest in social work develop? Why are you now seeking an education in social work? What are your special interests? If you have trained or worked in another field, why are you considering changing your career goals?
- What significant life experiences, family members, friends, or work experiences have influenced the development of your interest in social work?
- What are your career goals? How are they in accordance with or disparate from the mission of the Jane Addams College of Social Work?
- How do you intend to complete the program? How will you finance your graduate education? How will you balance your outside responsibilities with your academic responsibilities?
- Experience Statement / Resume
Provide an experience statement or resume that contains the following information:
Required
- your employment experience
- your volunteer experience
- your civic leadership experience
- your practicum or internship experience
- your publications
- your research experience
Be sure to use the stated descriptors for the information provided.
- Basic Skills Test Scores (For School Social Work Concentration Applicants only)
You are responsible for submitting to the College a copy of the official letter you received from the Illinois Certification Testing System that contains your basic skills test results. Requesting that the Illinois Certification Testing System send the College a copy of your basic skills test results will not relieve you of your responsibility for submitting a copy of the official results sent to you. The College must have the results by April 15.
- International Applicants
International applicants should submit the following in addition to their transcripts:
- TOEFL scores or waivers
- Foreign credential evaluation
- Council on Social Work Education evaluation report (if necessary)
- Declaration and Certificate of Finances Form (this form must be received by the College between March 1 and 15, approximately six months prior to the start of the fall semester).
International applicant should consult the Office of Admissions and Records' webpage for additional information regarding international applications: www.uic.edu/depts/oar/grad/international_requirements_grad.html
- JACSW Financial Support Application.
After reading the statement related to financing graduate social work education complete and include with the application a copy of the Jane Addams College of Social Work's Financial Support Application. Do so whether you are interested in or are not interested in being considered for any of the financial supports provided by the College.
Admissions Computer Links
Click here to download MSW application form and booklet.
Click here to download Annual Bulletin.
If you are downloading the application from the Web site, please be sure to affix your signature and the date to the bottom of page six in order to validate your application. Your application cannot be processed without your signature.
To download the application in PDF format, please be sure that you have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you need to download the Reader program, click the Reader icon.
To request application material, send email to jacswadm@uic.edu or write to:
Office of Admissions
Jane Addams College of Social Work (MC 309)
University of Illinois at Chicago
1040 West Harrison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607-7134
(312) 996-3218