Applications for Autumn 2024 will become available in late January 2024 and have an April 15th, 2024 application deadline.

The School of Social Work seeks individuals who are interested tackling complex social problems, building skills to help individuals, families and communities, and who are committed to becoming social change agents. The admissions committee makes final decisions based on the strength of the overall application materials. Please carefully review the Essential Skills, Values and Standards of Professional Conduct before applying.

 

  • Pre-application: While not required, we recommend attending one of our BASW information sessions before applying to ensure you have all of the application and program information you'll need before applying. Events are typically hosted virtually and will be posted to our Admissions Events calendar.
  • *Transfer Applicants Only: Transfer applicants must also submit a required UW transfer application (see website for deadlines). Typically this application is available towards the end of Fall quarter and due in mid-February.
  • January 15th: UW FAFSA priority deadline: January 15th (annually) | HB 1079 Students: WASFA
  • January 30th: BASW applications are available beginning at the end of January each year.
  • April 15th: BASW applications are due by April 15th each year, although applicants are encouraged to submit applications before this date. 
  • May/June: BASW decisions are sent between the end of May and mid-June. There are occasional cases, typically impacting transfer students, where decisions may be released later. If you are a current BASW applicant and have not received your decision by mid-June, please contact our admissions team.
  • September: Admitted BASW students will begin courses the Fall quarter after they apply. Please note that our department only admits cohorts for Fall quarter of each year. 
  • View the BASW Application Summary and BASW Brochure
  • For information sessions, drop-in hours, and events: Admissions Calendar
  • Schedule an advising appointment 
  • See our BASW events page for past information session recordings (*please note that dates, deadlines, application materials and application requirements are subject to change each year. Please refrain from preparing any application materials until January of the year you intend to apply for the program to ensure correct and updated materials are prepared.)
  • Minimum of 65 college level credits by start of program
  • Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA
  • Earned 2.00 or higher in each prerequisite
  • If you do not meet these academic requirements, please contact our admissions team to explore your options. 

See the BASW prerequisites page for details about the two prerequisites (introductory courses in psychology and sociology) that must be completed before you start the BASW program. These two classes can still be in progress at the time of application or projected to complete during the Summer before you intend to enroll, but must be completed by the time you start the program, if admitted. 

Notice Regarding Statistics and Foreign Language:
  • Though not a requirement for BASW admission, an approved introductory Statistics class is a required prerequisite of senior year BASW courses (recommended prior to admission).
  • Though not a requirement for BASW admission, BASW seniors must fulfill the Foreign Language Graduation Requirement (third year of high school foreign language or third college quarter of a foreign language, or equivalent) in order to graduate.  This graduation requirement is different from the UW foreign language admission requirement.

There is no minimum hour requirement for volunteer or community service. However, our strongest applicants tend to have participated in social service related volunteerism, work experience, and internship opportunities. Please review this resource to assist you in identifying relevant social service experience. 

Applicants who are offered admission to the School of Social Work will receive instructions to complete a background check through Castlebranch as well as complete a Request for Criminal History Information Form as a condition for enrollment. Prospective applicants with questions or concerns about this requirement should review our webpage for additional information.

Over half of UW undergraduates receive financial aid. Applying for financial aid is separate from your application(s) for admission. The UW uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and for undocumented students living in Washington, the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA). For priority aid consideration, be sure that you have submitted your FAFSA/WASFA by January 15 for the upcoming school year, even if you don’t know whether you will be offered admission. For more details, visit our page on Applying for Aid. Undocumented students are encouraged to explore UW's Leadership Without Borders resources as well as Immigrants Rising.

Connect with our SSW Admissions team help or information.