Admission

The Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. However, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.

Students in the Standard MSW path have two opportunities to begin the Online MSW program each year: Fall or Spring. Students in the Advanced Standing path must begin the program in Summer. For more information on the Advanced Standing option for the Online Master’s of Social Work click here.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission to the Adelphi University College of Social Work graduate programs are based on prior academic performance, values that are consistent with the social work profession and paid and/or volunteer human service experience. Admission requirements include:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a strong background in the liberal arts and sciences
• Personal characteristics and qualifications related to successful professional performance consistent with the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA on a four-point scale
• Paid or volunteer experience in the human services preferred
• Participation in an interview via Google Hangout may be required (case-by-case basis)

Advanced Standing program applicants must also submit evidence of the following:

• An undergraduate degree within the past five years from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• GPA of 3.0 or better on a four-point scale in all social work courses
• Two professional letters of recommendation:
  • One must be from your field liaison/field instructor from your senior or junior year, however there is a preference for senior year instructor recommendations.
  • A faculty member recommendation is preferred for the second letter.

Note: Students are not required to take the GRE for admission to the program.

Application Materials

In order to complete the application, all candidates must submit the following:

• Completed application
• Official transcripts for all schools attended. See below for more information.
• Personal statement/essay describing how your interest in social work developed, including life experiences that influenced this choice.
• Two letters of recommendation preferably from supervisors in social agencies, college faculty or other non-relatives who are equipped to evaluate your readiness for graduate study
  Note: For advanced standing applications, one letter of recommendation must be from your faculty field liaison or field instructor, the second preferably from a faculty member
• Professional résumé—preferred but not required
• $60 application fee

No GRE is required for admission.

Transcript Submission Details

All candidates must submit official undergraduate transcripts for all schools where credits were earned toward the conferred degree.

Official eScripts can be sent to our office electronically (directly from the institution) to graduateadmissions@adelphi.edu, or via mail (in sealed envelopes) to:

Tuition

Below is a breakdown of the tuition for the Online Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Visit the Tuition & Financial Aid page for additional information on tuition, fees and deposits.

*Tuition and fees based on 2025-2026 rates. Tuition and fees subject to change. Total tuition may vary based on credits taken.