Apply to the M.S.W. Program

Ready to find your focus as an advanced practitioner? Review the resources below to find application guidelines, tuition and fees, financial aid opportunities, upcoming deadlines and how to get in touch with us. Then apply to join us

#28

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Ranked No. 28 in Best Graduate Schools for Social Work by U.S. News & World Report *

$18,000+

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$18,145 is the average financial aid award for social work students seeking assistance (2019-20)

86.5%

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86.5% first-time licensure pass rate **

M.S.W. application deadlines

All applications are for the regular standing format unless otherwise noted.

  • March 27, 2024: For advanced standing online Fall 2024; full-time online Fall 2024; and full-time and part-time on-campus Fall 2024 starts
  • May 29, 2024: For part-time online Fall 2024 start
  • Aug. 14, 2024: For full-time online Spring 2025 start
  • Oct. 16, 2024: For part-time online Spring 2025 start
  • Feb. 12, 2025: For advanced standing online Summer 2025; advanced standing on-campus Summer 2025; and advanced standing online Fall 2025 starts
  • March 5, 2025: For part-time online Summer 2025 start
  • March 26, 2025: For on-campus Fall 2025; and online Fall 2025 starts
  • May 28, 2025: For part-time online Fall 2025 start

About the M.S.W. Program

Available on campus or online, full time or part time, and with options for advanced standing and dual degrees or certifications, the M.S.W. Program provides intensive, specialized coursework, research and field experience so our students can position themselves to make immediate impacts in the lives and communities they touch.

Financial aid opportunities

  • Around two dozen scholarships are available for current M.S.W. students through a competitive application process.
  • Yearlong research assistantship positions provide stipend and tuition assistance to incoming full-time M.S.W. students. These highly competitive positions include a rewarding and educational service component. Previous assistantships have provided students the opportunity to engage in faculty-led research and develop faculty mentoring relationships.

I chose the School of Social Work because of its history as an exemplary program, and I think I even cried when I got my acceptance letter because I was so overjoyed. My advisor, course instructors, field instructor and field liaison were exceptionally supportive and critically instrumental in my development during my generalist year.” 

Jennifer Leftwich (she/her), M.S.W. graduate and scholarship recipient

Jennie Leftwich

Have questions?

Prospective students interested in an online M.S.W. option can contact onlinemsw@vcu.edu. For on-campus M.S.W. questions, please reach out to sswinfo@vcu.edu.

Upcoming M.S.W. admissions events

If there are no admissions events scheduled, please check out our complete public calendar or our current student calendar.