Application Items

Our admissions committee evaluates applications holistically. Below, we list the requirements for all applicants, advanced standing applicants, and international applicants.

Requirements for All Applicants

  • Online application: To apply to OnlineMSW@Fordham, you must first create an account with Fordham University. After you create an account, which only requires filling in your contact information and birthdate, you will be able to start your application for the online MSW program.
  • Personal Statement: The personal statement is highly-weighted in the evaluation process. The Admissions Committee uses it to ascertain the potential of the applicant to write at the graduate level and the reasons for pursuing master-level education in social work. Specific details about the personal statement can be found inside the application. We encourage you to proofread your essay for spelling, punctuation and proper formatting before submitting.
  • Undergraduate and Graduate transcripts: Please refer to the application to learn the specifics regarding transcript requirements.

Transcripts can be sent electronically (strongly preferred) to gssadmission@fordham.edu or can be mailed to the following address:

Fordham University
Graduate School of Social Service
400 Westchester Avenue
West Harrison, NY 10604

If you plan to submit a credit transfer request for graduate-level social work courses, you must provide the official transcript for those courses before you can register. If you completed all foundation year courses and field placement through another MSW program, you will be required to submit a final official transcript from that program.

Should you be admitted, the registration process will quickly follow, so we encourage you to request official transcripts as soon as possible.

1If your bachelor’s degree was conferred prior to December 2021, the final official transcript will be required for the review process.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

  • Letter of recommendation: You must include one letter of recommendation. Approved recommenders are past and present employers, professors, and approved volunteer coordinators. You will request your letter of recommendation by entering your recommender’s contact information into the online application. After you submit your request, we will send your recommender specific instructions.
  • Current resume/C.V.
  • Application fee: $60

Requirements for Advanced Standing Applicants

  • If you earned or are in the process of earning a BSW, you must have your BSW program director or your faculty adviser provide us with your final or mid-year field evaluation. If those evaluations cannot be provided, your program director or adviser may complete our alternative advanced standing field evaluation form.
  • If you completed a first-year field education assignment as part of another MSW program, you must have your MSW program director or faculty adviser fill out the transfer student field evaluation form and submit it with your application.

Requirements for International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, you must reside in the United States for the duration of your enrollment in the online MSW program. To apply, you must submit the following items in addition to your online application, personal statement, letter of recommendation, resume, and application fee:

  • Transcripts: If your transcripts are in languages other than English, certified English translations should also be submitted with your application. To provide the translations, including an equivalent U.S. degree and grading scale, you must have your transcripts evaluated by a service accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluating Services.
  • English Language Proficiency Assessment: All students who did not earn an undergraduate degree taught primarily in English are required to submit scores for either the TOEFL or IELTS. Our institutional code for the TOEFL is 4894. Scores can be no more than two years old from the time you submit your application.

    Applications will not be processed until the required TOEFL or IELTS score is received. Scanned copies of the score report are acceptable for admission consideration; however, an official score report received directly from the testing agency is required upon acceptance of an offer of admission.

    The following scores are the recommended minimum, current test scores for English Language Proficiency for admission to the Graduate School of Social Service:
    • TOEFL: 600 for paper test; 100 for internet-based (IBT) test
    • IELTS: 7 for General Test Score; no subtest can be lower than 6