The University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Social Work is a renowned institution for pursuing a degree in social work. To be considered for admission, applicants must meet specific prerequisites and requirements. As of 2025, the admission requirements for the UMass Amherst School of Social Work include a strong foundation in liberal arts and sciences, as well as a demonstrated commitment to the field of social work.
Academic Prerequisites
To be eligible for admission, applicants must have completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The School of Social Work also requires applicants to have completed specific coursework, including statistics, research methods, and human behavior in the social environment. Additionally, applicants must have completed coursework in biology, psychology, and sociology to ensure a solid understanding of human development and social systems.
Course Requirements
The following courses are required for admission to the UMass Amherst School of Social Work:
- Statistics: Applicants must have completed a statistics course, such as Introduction to Statistics or Statistical Analysis, with a grade of B or higher.
- Research Methods: A research methods course, such as Research Methods in Social Work or Qualitative Research Methods, is required, with a grade of B or higher.
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment: This course, which explores the complexities of human behavior and the social environment, is a prerequisite for admission.
- Biology: A course in biology, such as Introduction to Biology or Human Biology, is required, with a grade of B or higher.
- Psychology: Applicants must have completed a course in psychology, such as Introduction to Psychology or Abnormal Psychology, with a grade of B or higher.
- Sociology: A course in sociology, such as Introduction to Sociology or Social Inequality, is required, with a grade of B or higher.
| Course | Grade Requirement |
|---|---|
| Statistics | B or higher |
| Research Methods | B or higher |
| Human Behavior in the Social Environment | B or higher |
| Biology | B or higher |
| Psychology | B or higher |
| Sociology | B or higher |
Admission Requirements
In addition to academic prerequisites, the UMass Amherst School of Social Work requires applicants to submit a comprehensive application package, including:
- A personal statement, which should outline the applicant鈥檚 motivation for pursuing a degree in social work, as well as their career goals and research interests.
- Official transcripts from all previous academic institutions.
- Letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.
- GRE scores, which are required for applicants with a GPA below 3.0.
Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for the UMass Amherst School of Social Work are as follows:
- Priority deadline: December 15, 2024, for fall 2025 admission.
- Regular deadline: February 15, 2025, for fall 2025 admission.
What are the GPA requirements for admission to the UMass Amherst School of Social Work?
+The UMass Amherst School of Social Work requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission. However, applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for admission if they have a strong personal statement, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores.
Can I apply to the UMass Amherst School of Social Work if I have not completed all the required coursework?
+No, the UMass Amherst School of Social Work requires applicants to have completed all required coursework before applying. Incomplete or missing prerequisites may impact admission decisions.
What is the application deadline for the UMass Amherst School of Social Work?
+The application deadlines for the UMass Amherst School of Social Work are December 15, 2024, for priority consideration, and February 15, 2025, for regular consideration.
