Application Requirements
SOCIALWORK@SIMMONS
The online Master of Social Work (MSW) program has the same admission standards as the on-campus MSW program. We seek candidates who are interested in an education in clinical social work, committed to social work values, and possess the academic qualifications and work experience that will lead to success in our rigorous online program.
Application Items
Your SocialWork@Simmons MSW program application must include the following items:
- Online application: Complete the online application in its entirety.
- Résumé: Show relevant work experience through summer employment, volunteer work during or after college, and/or full-time employment in the human services discipline. No course credit will be granted for work experience.
- Transcripts: Provide transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you have attended, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned. This includes community colleges, institutions you may have attended as a non-degree student, or schools where you enrolled but withdrew from classes. If you have any questions when determining if you need to submit a transcript as part of your application, please reach out to your admission counselor. Failure to submit transcripts from all postsecondary institutions can result in dismissal from the program.
Unofficial transcripts may be submitted in place of official transcripts in order to complete the application for review by the admission committee. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted via mail, fax, or scan (including mobile scanning applications) and should include the institution name and student name. Screenshots or faxes of grade reports are not acceptable and will not satisfy the transcript requirement for this purpose. Official transcripts must be submitted three weeks prior to the start of the term.
Transcript requests can take time to process, so we recommend submitting your requests as soon as possible. Please request that official transcripts be mailed to:
Simmons University
Application Processing Center
SocialWork@Simmons
PO Box 30096 [015-004]
College Station, TX 77842
Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.Many schools also issue transcripts electronically, either through their own web services or vendors. If this option is available, provide the email address applicationservices@socialwork.simmons.edu or select Simmons University — SocialWork@Simmons if listed as an option by the vendor. This will expedite the delivery of the transcript(s) and completion of your application.
All coursework from institutions outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by an organization that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) such as WES, SpanTran, or IEE. Evaluations should include English translations and U.S. equivalencies, and provide course-by-course details. Please allot additional time in the application process to have your official transcript evaluated and submitted directly from the evaluation service. If you have already had your transcript evaluated by service other than the ones approved by NACES, please reach out to your Admission Counselor to determine if it is acceptable.
Evaluations for study abroad coursework are not required if all course titles and grades are reflected on a U.S. transcript.
- Recommendation forms: Secure two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation, a third letter of recommendation is optional. If you have recent or current experience working or volunteering as a social worker or in the human services discipline, it is preferred that one recommendation come from your most recent direct supervisor. Additional letters may be obtained from senior employees. If you are a current student or recent graduate it is preferred that you submit a recommendation from a professor or academic advisor who can speak to your readiness for graduate education. Letters from friends, family members, co-workers, personal counselors or therapists, or clergy will not be accepted. Your recommenders must complete Simmons’ online recommendation form and address your commitment to and readiness for graduate clinical social work education. Additional information on recommendations is provided in the online application.
- Statement of professional and educational intent: Address the prompts below in three to five double-spaced pages. Prompts:
- How has your professional, volunteer, and academic experience prepared you for graduate social work education and contributed to your decision to be a professional social worker? Provide specific examples to explain your answer and address what aspects of the discipline most interest you.
- Why does SocialWork@Simmons best suit your educational needs, and what contributions will you make to the school community?
- Describe how you will manage the rigorous demands of graduate coursework and practicum education.
- If also applying for a certificate, please discuss your specific interest in that practice area, highlighting any relevant experience.
- Interview (by invitation): In some cases, the admission committee may request a phone interview as part of the admission process.
- Test scores: There is no standardized testing requirement for SocialWork@Simmons. However, if English is not your first language, you must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic score that demonstrates satisfactory proficiency. If you earned a college-level degree in an English-speaking country, this requirement can be waived.
- TOEFL: A minimum score of 600 on the paper test or 105 on the internet-based test is required. Simmons must receive your scores directly from ETS (Educational Testing Service).
- IELTS: A minimum score of 7.0 on the Academic test is required. Score reports must be official.If you have questions about these requirements, contact an admission counselor at 1-855-523-7779.
- Duolingo: In lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS, we will accept Duolingo scores on a case-by-case basis.
- Application fee: The nonrefundable application fee of $50 can be paid electronically as part of the online application. If you submit your application before the priority application deadline, your application fee will be waived.
Application fee waivers are available for applicants affiliated with non-profit organizations such as: City Year, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and Teach for America, and military personnel, veterans, and their spouses. Please contact your admission counselor to request instructions for obtaining the fee waiver.
Transfer Applicants
If you are enrolled or have been enrolled in another CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program, you may apply to SocialWork@Simmons as a transfer student. If you are applying as a transfer student, you must provide the following materials in addition to the general application requirements listed above:
- A letter of good standing from the dean or program director of the MSW program in which you are currently enrolled or were most recently enrolled.
- A statement outlining the reason for leaving your previous MSW program and transferring to SocialWork@Simmons.
- A copy of your first year practicum evaluation if you have completed your generalist practicum education.
If admitted to the SocialWork@Simmons program, you may petition to transfer credits from your previous institution. Faculty will review previously completed courses to determine which, if any, are eligible for transfer.
Admission FAQ
1. I’m not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; can I apply?
International students are not eligible for the online program at this time. Please refer to our Practicum Education page for more information.
2. I am a U.S. citizen living abroad. Can I apply?
Yes, U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. Please note, however, that students must complete their practicum placements in the continental United States or Hawaii.There are no circumstances under which a student can complete an international practicum placement.
3. Are there any prerequisite course requirements?
There are no prerequisite courses required. However, a writing course may be recommended to some students to complete within their first term in order to optimize student success. This course teaches some of the basic skills necessary for written work at Simmons, such as writing a literature review, organizational skills in writing, using APA format, and other skills useful for entry into the program.
Upcoming Admission Deadlines
Advanced Standing Program
| Cohort | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
May 2025 | February 28, 2025 | March 25, 2025 |
Full-Time Program
| Cohort | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
May 2025 | February 28, 2025 | March 25, 2025 |
Extended Program
| Cohort | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
May 2025 | February 28, 2025 | March 25, 2025 |
Accelerated Program
| Cohort | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
May 2025 | February 28, 2025 | March 25, 2025 |
Transfer Applicants Program
| Cohort | Priority Application Deadline |
|---|---|
May 2025 | February 28, 2025 |