Social Work

Social work is a valuable profession with broad opportunities to serve local, national, and international populations. Accordingly, the mission of the MSW program at WVU is to educate graduate students in advanced integrated social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and social administration. The focus of this education is to produce competent and effective practitioners committed to enhancing social well-being and quality of life with particular emphasis on vulnerable and oppressed populations in small towns and rural areas characteristic of the Appalachian region.

All students will specialize in Advanced Integrated Practice. The curriculum prepares students to integrate micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills across service sectors and within interdisciplinary teams to effectively address social and human problems across a wide range of practice areas, with a particular emphasis on effective models of rural service delivery.

Program Application Requirements

Additional Application Information

Note: Students that wish to apply to the online MSW program, should visit the Social Work - online page at: https://socialwork.wvu.edu/students/msw/admissions-requirements

Resume/CV, 3 Letters of Recommendation (for Advanced Standing students with BSW, one letter of recommendation must be BSW Program Director), Admissions Essay, Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university, Case Study (for Advanced Standing Students)

Note these important deadlines:

Regular Standing (Full and Part Time) and Advanced Standing (Part Time):

January 15 is the priority deadline*. Applications submitted by January 15 will be given preference for graduate assistantships and scholarships.
March 1 is the standard deadline*. All applications must be submitted by March 1 for consideration.

Advanced Standing (Full Time):

January 15 is the deadline for summer admission*. Submission of an Advanced Standing (full time) application between January 15 and March 1 will be considered pending available openings.

*Please remember that all required materials must be received and processed by the deadline dates listed above. Keep in mind transcripts, references, and test scores often take longer than anticipated to arrive.

Program Application Test Requirements

Application Deadlines

Fall Deadline

Spring Deadline

Summer Deadline

English Proficiency Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. WVU accepts either the TOEFL or the IELTS for this purpose. Learn more about our English language proficiency requirements.

Accreditation Information

WVU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The M.S.W. program at WVU has enjoyed continuous accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education since the 1940s, and our B.S.W. program was among the first programs to receive accreditation in 1974. The M.S.W. program in the School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. www.cswe.org