Admission to the Major
The University of Texas at Austin Office of Admissions is responsible for the admission and readmission of undergraduate students to the University. For more information, contact the Freshman Admission Center. Transfer students should contact the Office of Admissions: Transfer Students.
The School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin maintains two classifications of undergraduate students enrolled in its program: pre-social work majors and social work majors.
Admission to the School of Social Work as a Pre-Social Work Major
A University student who wants to transfer as a pre-social work major must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of at least twelve semester hours of coursework in residence at the University. Credit earned by exam, correspondence, and extension may not be counted toward this requirement.
- A cumulative in-residence grade point average of at least 2.00. If social work coursework has been completed prior to the application, a grade point of at least 2.50 in those courses is required, and all social work courses must have been completed with a grade of at least C.
Internal Transfer Applications are due on May 1st and December 1st of each year (or the first following business day). Late applications are not accepted. Applications may be found at the following link.
Only currently enrolled students may apply. Admission to the School of Social Work is offered on a space-available basis to the students who are best qualified. Students with over 90 semester hours of coursework or a completed degree are encouraged to consider other options, such as completing a degree in their current college/school or alternate institution with the option of pursuing an MSSW degree at a later date. Contact Kristen Boyd Kessel (kristen.kessel@austin.utexas.edu) or Affiong Eyo (affiongeyo@mail.utexas.edu) for more information.
Admission to the School of Social Work as a Social Work Major
Once you have completed specified prerequisites, you may apply to the social work major. The School considers students for admission to the major twice a year, during the fall and spring semesters. The application allows you to outline your background and motivation to enter the social work profession.
Students who meet the following requirements may apply for admission to the BSW Program as a social work major.
- 45 semester-hours of coursework (including 30 in liberal arts)
- Minimum UT-Austin GPA of 2.0 (3.0 if transferring from another college or university)
- Minimum 2.5 GPA in social work prerequisite courses
- Emotional and professional readiness to work with clients
If you are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work, please make an appointment to discuss your intentions with a social work advisor by calling (512) 471-5457 or email your questions to Kristen Boyd Kessel, BSW Academic Advisor kristen.kessel@austin.utexas.edu. Also the School of Social Work schedules information meetings for those interested in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. These meetings provide an introduction to the profession, the School and the BSW program. If you are considering an undergraduate degree in social work, we encourage you to contact the School of Social Work to schedule an informational meeting with an academic advisor.
