Admissions

Program Options Include: Live Virtual Classroom  |  Traditional Face-To-Face  |  Summer MSW  | Online MSW  

► Application:

Complete the YU Application or SocialWorkCAS (common application for applicable schools of social work). The application fee is non-refundable. 

►Personal Statement:

What qualities and skill set do you possess that would help you succeed in this program and ultimately as a social worker? The essay should be 500 words maximum in 12 point, Times New Roman font double-spaced. Please focus on quality over quantity. 

► Letter of Recommendation:

Provide one letter of recommendation from an academic (professor) or professional (supervisor) reference. The reference should be able to attest to your skills and capabilities, especially as they relate to your pursuit of social work studies. Letters from mentors, high school teachers, or friends are not considered appropriate references. 

► Transcripts:

Please submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities where you have earned 9 or more credits. If admitted, we will only require official transcripts from institutions where you have earned a degree (associate's, bachelor's, master's) prior to the first day of classes. If you are looking to transfer in coursework from another MSW program that you have not completed, we will also require the official transcript from that institution. 

*Transcripts from Yeshiva/seminary study in Israel are NOT required for the application. 

*YU students wll need to indicate they attended on the app but will NOT need to upload their transcript. 

*International applicants, please see "International Students" section. 

►Addendum (Optional):

If you wish to provide additional information, please upload your document as a PDF under the "Additional Information" section of "Supplemental Items & Documents" once you have submitted your application. Topics can include: addressing academic discrepancies, additional qualifications/accomplishments highlighting your candidacy, etc. 

► Advanced Standing Applicants:

Practicum Evaluation: You must submit a practicum evaluation from your bachelor of social work program signed by the agency and Program Director.

Letter of Recommendation: You must provide a recommendation from the Program Director or Academic Advisor of your bachelor of social work program.

CSWE/CASWE BSW: Your bachelor's degree (conferred or pending) must be a bachelor's in social work from a CSWE accredited school or CASWE accredited school for Canadian students. If you completed a bachelor's in social work outside of the U.S. or Canada, please utilize the CSWE international social work degree evaluation service to provide proof of competency. Note that the bachelor's in social work degree must have been awarded within 5 years at the time of MSW application review and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above to be able to qualify for advanced standing. 

► International Students:

Transcript Evaluation: If you have earned your degree(s) outside of the U.S. or English-speaking Canada, we will require a NACES approved course-by-course evaluation instead of transcripts. The evaluation must demonstrate that your coursework is equivalent to at least a U.S. bachelor's degree and show your cumulative GPA on a 4.0 U.S. based scale. 

TOEFL/IELTS: If you have completed your degree outside of an English-speaking institution, we will require TOEFL (90 or above) or IELTS (7.0 or above) test scores.  

We accept the following TOEFL tests: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Paper Edition, and TOEFL essentials. 

*We reserve the right to interview applicants. If an interview is requested for your application, you will be notified by the Graduate Admissions Team via your application email. 

**In accordance with CSWE accreditation guidelines, the School does not give academic credit for work, volunteer, or life experience and undergraduate courses. The MSW program does not give academic credit for graduate courses that have been used to fulfill requirements for other degrees. 

PhD in Social Welfare

► Application:

Complete the YU Application or SocialWorkCAS. The application fee is non-refundable. 

► Interview:

An interview component with the Program Director. 

►  Degree Minimum:

Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE accredited program or other master's equivalent. 

►  Two Letters of Recommendation:

One letter should be academic (from a professor/faculty member) and the other should be professional (from a direct/former supervisor). 

► Resume:

Should highlight your career trajectory, degrees, skills, and accomplishments particularly as they relate to social work/social welfare.  

► Academic Writing Sample:

A writing sample of an academic paper or other professional written work (e.g. solo published work, professional case study, agency-based report, or program design). 

►  Transcripts:

Please submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities where you have earned 9 or more credits. If admitted, we will only require official transcripts from institutions where you have earned a degree (associate's, bachelor's, master's) prior to the first day of classes.

*Transcripts from Yeshiva/seminary study in Israel are NOT required for the application.

*YU students wll need to indicate they attended on the app but will NOT need to upload their transcript. 

►  Two Personal Statements (500-1000 words each):

1. Describe the academic and professional experiences that have led to your decision to pursue a PhD in Social Welfare. 

2. What are your research interests and professional aspirations, and how will the PhD help you to achieve your goals?

►Addendum (Optional):

If you wish to provide additional information to the admissions committee, please upload your document as a PDF under the "Additional Information" section of "Supplemental Items & Documents" once you have submitted your application. Topics can include: addressing academic discrepancies, additional qualifications/accomplishments highlighting your candidacy, etc. 

Clinical Doctorate of Social Work (DSW)

► Application:

Complete the YU Application. The application fee is non-refundable. 

► Open House Attendance: 

Applicants are required to attend a virtual Open House to learn more about the DSW program and meet with the Program Director and faculty. Please click here to sign up for an upcoming Open House.

*Please note that the Admissions Committee also reserves the right to do an additional interview with applicants. 

► Work Experience:

A minimum of three years supervised post-MSW practice experience

►  Degree Minimum:

Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE accredited program or international equivalent. 

► Social Work Licensure:

Applicants are required to have a valid licensure, certification, or registration valid in the state or country in which you are practicing. 

►  Personal Statement:

Write one personal statement responding to the following questions.

1. What factors have contributed to your decision to pursue a clinical doctoral degree in social work at Wurzweiler School of Social Work.

2. Discuss a contemporary social issue with clinical implications you potentially would want to explore further in your clinical doctoral studies.

3. Describe a challenging case or professional situation that you have encountered, where you were in the role of a social work practitioner, supervisor, or administrator. What factors (theoretical framework, practice philosophy or other) guided your assessment and intervention in the situation?

4. Please state professional goals and how they align with the DSW curriculum. 

►  Transcripts:

Please submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities where you have earned 9 or more credits. If admitted, we will only require official transcripts from institutions where you have earned a degree (associate's, bachelor's, master's) prior to the first day of classes.

*Transcripts from Yeshiva/seminary study in Israel are NOT required for the application. 

*YU students wll need to indicate they attended on the app but will NOT need to upload their transcript. 

*International applicants, please see "International Students" section.

►  Resume/Curriculum Vitae:

Should highlight your career trajectory, degrees, skills, and accomplishments particularly as they relate to social work. 

►  Academic Writing Sample:

A writing sample of academic paper or other profession written work (e.g. solo published work, professional case study, agency-based report, or program design). 

►  Two Letters of Recommendation:

One letter should be academic (from a professor/faculty member) and the other should be professional (from a direct/former supervisor). 

►Addendum (Optional):

If you wish to provide additional information to the admissions committee, please upload your document as a PDF under the "Additional Information" section of "Supplemental Items & Documents" once you have submitted your application. Topics can include: addressing academic discrepancies, additional qualifications/accomplishments highlighting your candidacy, etc. 

► International Students:

Transcript Evaluation: If you have earned your degree(s) outside of the U.S. or English-speaking Canada, we will require a NACES approved course-by-course evaluation instead of transcripts. The evaluation must demonstrate that your coursework is equivalent to at least a U.S. bachelor's degree and show your cumulative GPA on a 4.0 U.S. based scale. 

TOEFL/IELTS: If you have completed your degree outside of an English-speaking institution, we will require TOEFL (90 or above) or IELTS (7.0 or above) test scores.  

We accept the following TOEFL tests: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Paper Edition, and TOEFL essentials. 

*In accordance with CSWE accreditation guidelines, the School does not give academic credit for work, volunteer, or life experience and undergraduate courses. The DSW program does not give academic credit for graduate courses that have been used to fulfill requirements for other degrees. 

Before applying to a Pathways program, contact the Pathways Coordinator at pathways@yu.edu to express your interest and learn more about program requirements, coursework, and the application process. The Pathways Coordinator will also connect you with the graduate program director. Once you are ready to apply, follow the directions below.

► Application:

Complete the YU Application. 

►Personal Statement:

What qualities and skill set do you possess that would help you succeed in this program and ultimately as a social worker? The essay should be 500 words maximum in 12 point, Times New Roman font double-spaced. Please focus on quality over quantity. 

► Letter of Recommendation:

Provide one letter of recommendation from an academic (professor) or professional (supervisor) reference. The reference should be able to attest to your skills and capabilities, especially as they relate to your pursuit of social work studies. Letters from mentors, high school teachers, or friends are not considered appropriate references. 

► Transcripts:

YU students wll need to indicate they attended on the application but will NOT need to upload their transcript. The Graduate Admissions Team will pull from the Banner system. 

NOTE: If you are a YU undergraduate, you already have an account. Try the “Forgot your password?” button to access that account. You can also create a new account. If you create a new account and your email address is already in our system, then you’ll be brought to a screen with two options: 

1. You can click “I signed up previously. Please let me sign into my account.” This brings you back to the home screen, where you can click “Forgot your password?” and reset your password. 
2. Or you can click “I have never signed up here before, please create a new account.” This will let you create a new account.     

• Information Sessions

• External Events

View the Office of Student Finance page for the latest information. 

Admissions Contacts

Live Virtual (Synchronous) and On-Campus Programs

Sammi Melendez (For Prospective Students)
Graduate Admissions Advisor 
Email: salmai.melendez@yu.edu 
Phone: 646.592.4745
Programs Supported: MSW & PhD & DSW Programs 
Schedule an Appointment

Sofia Ludwig (For Applicants)
Assistant Director of Admissions 
Email: sofia.ludwig@yu.edu 
Phone: 646.592.4711
Programs Supported: MSW Program
Schedule an Appointment

MSW Online (Asynchronous) Program

Online MSW Admissions
Email: onlinemsw@yu.edu 
Phone: 646.846.7105
Schedule an Appointment

Wurzweiler students come from diverse ethnic, religious, and academic/professional backgrounds to meet the needs of the board populations they end up serving. Some individuals have years of social work related experience, while others are career changers or coming fresh from earning their bachelor’s degrees. View our student demographics.

Yes, Wurzweiler School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE is the only national accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for accrediting social work programs in the United States. Accreditation ensures that Wurzweiler School of Social Work meets the highest standards of academic quality and professional preparation.

Our deadlines vary by program. Be sure to review the application requirements and deadlines for your program. Our admissions team is available to answer any questions about your application materials.

Yes! If you have already completed a CSWE or CASWE accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree within the last 5 years with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), you may qualify for our 30-credit Advanced Standing program. Get details here.
 

Wurzweiler School of Social Work does not require GRE test scores for admission.

Letters of recommendation are required for all of our programs. Visit our Admissions page for more information.
 

Students who have started but not completed an accredited MSW program will first need to apply through the admissions process and provide their latest MSW transcript as part of the review process. Coursework in the MSW should have at least a B grade or better. If admitted, the student's transcript and coursework syllabi are reviewed by the Associate Dean for a determination on how many credits can transfer in.