Before Applying

Before submitting an application to the MSW program, it is recommended to better apprise yourself about the program.

• Attend an upcoming information session in order to learn more about the program and process of admission.
• Review the following about documation about our program
  • FAQ
  • Information about the MSW program
  • Information about field education

GRE Requirement Suspended for Fall 2026-2027 Admission Cycle

Due to the Covid-19 challenges, the School of Social Work has decided to suspend the requirement for GRE scores for applicants to the MSW program indefinitely for admissions cycle. Applicants DO NOT need to submit GRE scores with MSW applications. The School of Social Work reserves the right to implement the GRE at any time or at a future date.

Eligibility Criteria

• Academic Requirement: Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have at least a 2.80 cumulative GPA.
• (Waived for Fall 2027 Admissions) GRE (Graduate Records Examination)

• Human Biology Requirement: Pass an acceptable course with human Biology content with a grade of "C" or better. Course content should include: introduction to the major concepts of biology and their application to humans, reproduction and heredity, energy, metabolism, ecology, evolution, and the levels of biological organization using the human as an example. This must be completed before the start of the fall semester of matriculation. See the list of examplesof acceptable Human Biology
• Statistics Requirement: Pass an acceptable course in statistics with a grade of C or better. Course content should include: descriptive and inferential statistics, sampling, and probability distribution. This must be completed before the start of the fall semester of matriculation. See the list of example acceptable Statistics
• Cultural Diversity Courses: Cultural Diversity content should be
  related to modern populations you may work with in your capacity as a social worker. See the list of example acceptable Cultural Diversity Courses.

Application Process & Instructions

The Cal State Apply application includes both the University application and the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program application materials. Applicants to the CSUS Master of Social Work (MSW) Program must complete and submit both through Cal State Apply.

If you have questions about the University application process, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies.

• The Office of Graduate Studies: https://www.csus.edu/graduate-studies/
• How to apply: https://www.csus.edu/graduate-studies/future- students/application-information.html

Applications will be available to view beginning August 1, 2026.

Application submission period: October 1, 2026 – December 9, 2026.

Before starting application:

• Read the Fall 2027 MSW Instructions and Application thoroughly.
• Review the Cheat Sheet below as an example of the Social Work Supplemental application found within the Cal State Apply application.

Fall 2027 MSW Instructions and Application

Fall 2027 MSW Application Cheat Sheet

Only use Chrome, Firefox, and Edge to submit applications. Other Web browsers are not supported for application submission.

Step 1: Apply online to the university. The Social Work Supplemental Application is already attached to the Cal State Apply application

Step 2: After submitting the Cal State Apply and Social Work Supplemental Application, you will receive an email from the Office of Graduate Studies, Sacramento State, with the instruction for setting up or reactivating the SacLink account

If Applying for the Title IV-E Program...

Make sure you have completed Steps 1 and 2 above, then continue to Step 3 below.

Step 3: Submit the Title-IV-E Application.

The Title-IV-E application form MUST be finished within 20 minutes, and you MUST click "Summit" when finished.

Applications will be available to view beginning August 1, 2026.

Application submission period: October 1, 2026 – December 9, 2026.

Title IV-E Application

To learn more about the Title IV-E Stipend Program.

Application Review Timeline

Review of the submitted MSW applications is time-intensive and involves the commitment and work of the faculty within the School of Social Work. Applicants will be notified of admission via their Sac State email, as early as possible. Typically, notices are sent out by mid-April.

PowerPoint for the MSW Info Session