Question: What are the GPA requirements for online MSW programs?

Answer: GPA requirements vary by graduate school and range from a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.5

For traditional programs, the majority of graduate schools require a GPA of 3.0 or greater to apply. However, some of these schools will still allow students with a GPA lower than 3.0 to apply if they have taken the GRE (see the GPA table below for more information).

[Please note: The majority of universities have a selective admissions process for MSW programs that are online, meaning that even if a student meets the minimum requirements for the program, they are not guaranteed admission.]

GPA Requirements for Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the main accrediting body for BSW and MSW programs. For students who have already earned a Bachelor of Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited undergraduate program, the majority of GPA table below for more information). Advanced standing programs often have stricter admission criteria when compared to traditional programs.

BSW students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements for an advanced standing program, may still be eligible to earn a MSW degree through a traditional program.

For students who are not sure about their qualifications, we recommend contacting universities before applying to determine your chances for admission.

GPA Requirements by Online Master of Social Work Program

Click on the school name for more information about their programs, admission requirements and eligibility restrictions.

Traditional Programs

School NameStructure of Program1Program OptionsMinimum GPAGRE Requirements
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
Not listed
GRE or MAT Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.2
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0 preferred
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
3.0 (2.8 may be considered)
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
2.7
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
No Minimum GPA
Not required
100% Online
FT
2.75
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.0
100% Online
PT
3.0
GRE required unless conditions are met
100% Online
FT & PT
2.6
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
3.0
Not required but recommended if GPA is below 3.0
100% Online
FT & PT
Unlisted
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not Required
100% Online
FT & PT
Unspecified
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0 (2.5 on Conditional Basis)
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0, Lower Considered Case by Case
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
2.5 or 3.0 for last 60 credit hours
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
2.75 Undergraduate or 3.0 Graduate
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0 or 3.2 for last 60 credits. 2.8 considered with GRE
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
2.5
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
A minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0 or Submit GRE
Required for GPA under 3.0
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
Unspecified
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
Unspecified
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
FT & PT
3.0 Preferred
Not required
100% Online
PT
Unspecified
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
2.5
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not Required
100% Online
PT
3.0
GRE required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
8 Semesters
3.0 or 3.25 for last 60 credits
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
Not Specified
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not Required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
2.7, 3.0 in graduate coursework
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.0
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
2.75
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0 for last 60 credits
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
2.75
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
2.8 for last 60 credits
GRE or GMAT required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required

1All online MSW programs require field education at a local health services agency. Programs that are 100% online do not require students to visit the campus during the program.

Last updated: March 2020

Advanced Standing Programs

School NameStructure of Program2Program OptionsMinimum GPAGRE Requirements
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0 preferred
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not Required
100% Online
Unspecified
3.0
Not Required
100% Online
PT
2.7
Only required for students with a GPA lower than 2.7
100% Online
PT
No Minimum GPA
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
GRE required unless conditions are met
100% Online
FT & PT
2.6
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
3.5
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
Unlisted
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
Unspecified
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not Required
100% Online
FT
3.0 (2.5 on Conditional Basis)
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not Required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0, lower considered case by case
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0 or 3.2 for last 60 credits. 2.8 considered with GRE
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
A minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0 or Submit GRE
Required for GPA under 3.0
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
Unspecified
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.3 with a 3.0 in each substantial course
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
FT & PT
3.0 (3.5 in BSW core courses)
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
GRE required
100% Online
PT
3.3
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
GRE required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0, 3.5 in Social Work Courses
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0 (3.25 in Social Work Courses)
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
4 Semesters
3.0 or 3.25 for last 60 credits
Not required
100% Online
Accelerated & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.2
Not required
Limited Campus Visits Required
PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0, 3.25 in Graduate Courses
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not Required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.25 (3.5 in Social Work Courses)
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
FT
3.0
Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.0
100% Online
FT
3.2
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required
100% Online
PT
2.75, 3.25 preferred for social work courses
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0 for last 60 credits
Not required
100% Online
FT & PT
2.75
Not required
100% Online
PT
3.0, 3.25 in social work courses
Not required
100% Online
FT
2.8 for last 60 credits
GRE or GMAT required
100% Online
FT & PT
3.0
Not required

2All online MSW programs require field education at a local health services agency. Programs that are 100% online do not require students to visit the campus during the program.

Program options include full-time (FT) and part-time (PT) programs. Most full-time online MSW programs designed for traditional students take two years to complete, whereas part-time programs typically take two and a half to four years to complete depending on the program.

Last updated: April 2020