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Graduate College of Social Work

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Prospective Students

MSW Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions

Yes, this is a university record keeping requirement.
You can submit transcripts showing all academic work to date, but before you can enroll in graduate courses, you must submit an official transcript that show the degree has been awarded. Your admission will be considered provisional until all required documentation has been received in our office.
The GRE is NOT required for our MSW program application.
Once admitted to the GCSW, you will participate in a summer orientation program during  which you will receive specific information about your degree plan and registration. Registration is done online through the university’s system, myUH.
Applicants who hold the BSW degree (Bachelor's in Social Work) from a CSWE accredited program are encouraged to apply for Advanced Standing. For more information, see Advanced Standing under “Special Admissions Categories” on the main admissions page of this website. Not everyone who applies for Advanced Standing will be admitted with the advanced status; the admissions committee may deny advanced standing but still approve admission to the regular program.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of the Information Sessions scheduled at the GCSW in the Fall and early Spring. Individuals can also request information by filling out our Request for Information form online.
If you can't start the program in the semester in which you applied, you can request that your admission be deferred for one year. A limited number of deferrals are allowed each year; you may be told to reapply for the following year.
Please see the MSW Application Checklist for detailed instructions on the Letters of Recommendation.
Transfer credit may be granted for courses taken in other disciplines under a few provisions. Please see our Transfer Credit Policy page for the most up-to-date information.
Practicum assignments are handled by the Practicum Team. An overview of practicum is given during summer orientation. Other required meetings are held in the fall to provide more information. The GCSW has more than 300 approved practicum settings in which students are placed.

We have two enrollment options for students who cannot attend full-time during the day:  hybrid and online.

Our hybrid program offers a course of study that is especially suited to the needs of working professionals. Students take courses that are delivered 50% online and 50% face to face and are in class one to two Saturdays each month. This offers the flexibility and convenience of an online program combined with an opportunity to meet face to face for skill development. Hybrid students will attend the UH Sugar Land campus for the Saturday classes. Students concentrate in Clinical or Macro Practice. The program takes three years to complete, or two years with the Advanced Standing waiver. For the generalist (1st year) placement the Practicum Education Team prioritizes matching hybrid students with Houston agencies who offer a flexible schedule (flexible placements typically offer 85% of hours in the evening and weekends, but do require some availability during business hours). Hybrid students will interview with the Houston agencies of their choice for their concentration (3rd year) placement.

For highly self-directed students, our Online Program is ideal. This program offers students across the country the opportunity to participate in a unique online learning community with top rated faculty. Students concentrate in Clinical or Macro Practice. Online students will benefit from smaller class sizes and a diverse student population. Online students who live outside the Greater Houston area (Brazoria, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, and Harris Country), with the help of the Practicum Team, will be primarily responsible for locating opportunities in their geographic region. Online students in the Houston area will follow the Practicum Team structured processes to connect with Houston area agencies. The program takes three years to complete, or two years with the Advanced Standing waiver.

Our Face-to-Face students attend their classes at the University of Houston Main Campus. Hybrid students attend Saturday classes at the University of Houston at Sugar Land.

For all students, the GCSW offers two Areas of Specialized Practice: Clinical and Macro.

Clinical Practice is the application of theories, methods, skills and ethics for the enhancement of cognitive, mental, emotional and social well-being of individuals, couples, families, and groups. Clinical Practice requires leadership in promoting social, racial, economic, and political justice. Its methods are relationship centered, contextualized, culturally responsive and strengths focused. Clinical Practice calls upon knowledge surrounding biopsychosocial functioning and evidence-supported interventions. It can include assessment and intervention, diagnosis and treatment, education and prevention, advocacy, case management, counseling, as well as supervision and consultation.

Macro Practice prepares students for work in settings where the needs of diverse, vulnerable groups, organizations and communities require highly skilled, professional leaders. Practice in both public and private organizations is designed to promote progressive social change that contributes to the growth and empowerment of individuals, agencies, and communities. Core concepts and practice skills are developed for work at the organizational, community, societal and global levels. Students are prepared to assume leadership positions as advocates, managers, program planners, researchers, policy analysts and agency and community-capacity builders at the organizational, community, societal and global levels.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for the enrollment plan they are able to manage. Students who wish to change their status prior to their initial enrollment may have to postpone starting the program for a full year if all slots are full. Once a student has successfully completed the first semester of the program, students may work with the academic advisor to change their status. Any student who would like to make a change from their original enrollment model will need to complete an internal application, and the request to change will be subject to program availability.
You can check the status of your application on UH at www.applyweb.com/uhouston.
Under no circumstances will credit toward the MSW degree be approved for correspondence courses, extension courses, continuing education courses, or life or employment experience.