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Admissions

WURZWEILER SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

Your guide to WSSW admissions requirements, resources, and points of contact.

We know you are eager to start making the world a better place. To make it easier, we've outlined the application requirements for each program at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work in the sections below. 

Application Details

Application Process:

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

Application:

Complete the YU Application or SocialWorkCAS. 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. 

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 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. 

Advanced Standing Applicants:

Field Evaluation: You must submit a field 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 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. 

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. 

*If an interview is requested for your application, you will be notified by admissions via your application email. 

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 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 Work. 

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 two 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, professioanl 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. 

Additional Resources:

 

Term

Program(s) 

 Application Deadlines

Summer 2023   MSW
  • April 17
Fall 2023  MSW, Ph.D.,DSW 
  • April 17

 

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

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

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