MSW in Social Work

Minimum requirements to apply for the MSW program include:

  • An earned an undergraduate degree (in social work if applying for Advanced Standing program; in any other field if applying for Regular Program)
  • 2.7 or higher cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or submit GRE taken within past five years with scores at 29th or higher percentile), and
  • Completed classes in three of the following areas:  psychology, sociology, political science, human biology, statistics, or economics.

In addition to the admission criteria established by the College of Graduate Studies at The University of Toledo, applicants to the MSW program must submit

  • Personal Statement of up to 1000 words, addressing the following topics:
    • Factors that influenced your decision to become a social worker and pursue an advanced degree. How will this degree help you achieve your professional goals?
    • A pressing social and economic justice issue, what makes this issue particularly salient, and ways you might address it as a masters-level social worker.
    • Your experience in the area of social and economic justice, and any of your goals in this area beyond those addressed in the first bullet point.
    • Accomplishments you believe are relevant, including ways in which you have demonstrated leadership in areas such as employment, volunteerism, Peace Corps/AmeriCorps/VISTA, and/or military service.
  • Resume/CV
  • Three recommendations from people who know you in academic and/or professional settings
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended except the University of Toledo

Prospective applicants are urged to review information on the program website for additional information and/or application requirements.

The personal statement and references from both employers and prior faculty members will be evaluated for a “fit” with the social work profession and our program’s focus on social and economic justice. Applicants must convey their valuing of and adherence to the values and ethics of the profession. Applicants with no evidence of the above will not be admitted to the program.

The Council on Social Work Education does not permit programs to provide course credit for work experience. It is our hope that the student body of our program will include a mixture of students who have experience as well as those without extensive professional experience. We welcome diversity among applicants applying to the MSW program. This includes diversity of gender, age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability and experience in the profession, etc.

The MSW Program requires 60 semester hours for graduation, which is consistent with MSW programs across the country. Foundation (5000 level) course work is offered in the first year of the program and advanced (6000 level) course work in the second year.

Students must enroll in 16 credit hours of field education to obtain the minimum required by CSWE. Six (6) of these credit hours are taken during the foundation year and ten (10) credit hours during the advanced year. While every effort is made to accommodate students with full-time jobs, applicants to the program must be aware that field placements primarily take place during business hours and on week days. We are unable to guarantee a night or weekend field placement.

Students who are awarded admission with advanced standing must complete 33 credit hours to obtain the MSW degree. The advanced standing program focuses on advanced generalist and specialty courses and field placements. Only courses at the 6000 level are required for the advanced standing program.

Foundation students are required to complete 60 credit hours (First year, 27 credit hours are listed below, in the second year students are required to take the 33 credit hours listed below the advanced standing section).

SOCW 5010Social Work Research Methods And Analysis3
SOCW 5110Social Work Practice I3
SOCW 5120Social Work Practice II3
SOCW 5130Social Work Practice III3
SOCW 5210Micro Social Work Perspectives In Human Behavior And The Social Environment3
SOCW 5220Macro Social Work Perspectives In Human Behavior And The Social Environment3
SOCW 5330Policy Issues And Analysis In Social Work3
SOCW 5900Foundation Field Experience and Integrative Seminar I3
SOCW 5910Foundation Field Experience and Integrative Seminar II3
Total Hours27


Advanced standing students are required to complete 33 credit hours. 

SOCW 6030Research Methods For Macro Social Work Practice3
or SOCW 6040 Research Methods For Micro Social Work Practice
SOCW 6110Advanced Generalist Practice I3
SOCW 6120Advanced Generalist Practice II3
SOCW 6130Advanced Generalist Practice III3
SOCW 6140Advanced Social Work Assessment3
SOCW 6200Disparities, Diversity and Social Justice2
SOCW 6410Social Work Micro Practice with Children and Families3
or SOCW 6510 Social Work Micro Practice in Mental Health
SOCW 6430Social Work Macro Practice involving Children and Families3
or SOCW 6530 Social Work Macro Practice in Mental Health
SOCW 6900ADVANCED FIELD EXPERIENCE AND INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR I5
SOCW 6910ADVANCED FIELD EXPERIENCE AND INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR II5
Total Hours33
  • PLO Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  • PLO Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  • PLO Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
  • PLO Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
  • PLO Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
  • PLO Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • PLO Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • PLO Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • PLO Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities