Answer: Yes – there are several programs that do not require the GRE
There are several online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs that do not require the GRE or any other form of standardized testing. Other programs only require the GRE if an applicants GPA is below a certain threshold. Finally, there are some programs that do require the GRE for all applicants independent of their GPA.
On OnlineMSWPrograms.com, We classify any program that requires two or less visits to the campus per year as an online program. Currently, there are 34 schools that offer online MSW programs and the requirements for the GRE are broken down as follows:
Traditional Online MSW Programs (34)
- GRE Not Required: 22 schools
- Requirement Based on GPA: 8 schools
- Required for All Applicants: 4 school
Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs (24)
- GRE Not Required: 18 schools
- Requirement Based on GPA: 2 schools
- Required for All Applicants: 4 schools
The GPA requirement varies by university. For some schools, the minimum undergraduate GPA for which students are not required to take the GRE is a 3.0. While for others, it is 2.7. See the table below for GRE requirements for each online MSW program.
FEATURED ONLINE MSW PROGRAMS (NO GRE REQUIRED)
| SCHOOL | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| U of Southern California (USC) (FT, PT) | Top-Ranked Program with Multiple Concentrations and Start Dates No Campus Visits Required, Dedicated Field Placement Team |
| Simmons College (FT, PT) | Top-Ranked Clinical Social Work Program with Specializations Dedicated Field Placement Team, Multiple Start Dates |
| University of Denver | A Social Justice–Focused Online MSW |
| Fordham University | An Online MSW with a Future-Focused Curriculum |
These schools offer CSWE accredited online MSW programs with no campus visits required
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GRE Requirements for Traditional Online MSW Programs
Click on the school name for more information about that school’s programs, admission requirements and eligibility restrictions.
| SCHOOL NAME | STRUCTURE OF PROGRAM* | PROGRAM OPTIONS | MINIMUM GPA | GRE REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 (in last 60 semester hours) | GRE or MAT Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.2 |
| Boise State University | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 preferred | Not required |
| Boston University | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| California State University, Northridge | 100% Online | FT | 3.0 | Only required for students with a GPA between 2.5 - 2.99 |
| California State University, San Bernardino | Limited Campus Visits Required | PT | 3.0 (2.8 may be considered) | Not required |
| Case Western Reserve University | 100% Online | PT | 2.7 | Only required for students with a GPA lower than 2.7 |
| Columbia University | Limited Campus Visits Required | FT & PT | No Minimum GPA (Average GPA 3.5) | Not required |
| Edinboro University | 100% Online | FT | 3.0 | Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.0 |
| Florida State University | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | GRE required |
| Fordham University | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| Humboldt State University | Limited Campus Visits Required | PT | 3.0 | Not required but recommended if GPA is below 3.0 |
| Indiana University | Limited Campus Visits Required | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| Louisiana State University | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 | GRE required |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | 100% Online | PT | 2.5 | Not required |
| Portland State University | Limited Campus Visits Required | PT | 2.5 | Not required |
| Rutgers University | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| Saint Leo University | Limited Campus Visits Required | FT & PT | 3.0 | Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.0 |
| Simmons College | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| The Catholic University of America | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 Preferred | Not required |
| Texas State University - San Marcos | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University at Buffalo (SUNY) | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | Limited Campus Visits Required | FT & PT | 3.0 Preferred | Not required |
| University of Central Florida | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of Denver | 100% Online | FT | 3.0 preferred | Not required |
| University of Houston | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | GRE required |
| University of Louisville | 100% Online | FT & PT | 2.75 | Only required for students with a GPA between 2.5 - 2.75 |
| University of Missouri | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of New England (UNE) | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of New Hampshire | 100% Online | FT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of North Dakota | Limited Campus Visits Required | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of Southern California (USC) | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of Tennessee at Knoxville | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 | GRE required |
| University of Texas - Arlington | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.0 |
| Western New Mexico University | 100% Online | FT & PT | 2.75 | Not required |
| Widener University | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
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GRE Requirements for Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs
Click on the school name for more information about that school’s programs, admission requirements and eligibility restrictions.
| SCHOOL NAME | STRUCTURE OF PROGRAM* | PROGRAM OPTIONS | MINIMUM GPA | GRE REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State University | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 preferred | Not required |
| Boston University | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| Case Western Reserve University | 100% Online | PT | 2.7 | Only required for students with a GPA lower than 2.7 |
| Edinboro University | 100% Online | FT | 3.0 | Not required |
| Florida State University | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | GRE required |
| Fordham University | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| Humboldt State University | Limited Campus Visits Required | PT | 3.5 | Not required |
| Indiana University | Limited Campus Visits Required | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| Louisiana State University | 100% Online | FT | 3.0 | GRE required |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| Saint Leo University | Limited Campus Visits Required | FT | 3.25 | Not required |
| Simmons College | 100% Online | FT | 3.3 | Not required |
| Texas State University - San Marcos | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University at Buffalo (SUNY) | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | Limited Campus Visits Required | FT & PT | 3.0 (3.5 in BSW core courses) | Not required |
| University of Houston | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | GRE required |
| University of Louisville | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 (3.25 in Social Work Courses) | Not required |
| University of Missouri | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of New England (UNE) | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of North Dakota | Limited Campus Visits Required | PT | 3.0 | Not required |
| University of Southern California (USC) | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.25 (3.5 in Social Work Courses) | Not required |
| University of Tennessee at Knoxville | 100% Online | FT & PT | 3.0 | GRE required |
| University of Texas - Arlington | 100% Online | PT | 3.0 | Only required for students with a GPA lower than 3.0 |
| Western New Mexico University | 100% Online | FT & PT | 2.75 | Not required |
*All 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.
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More FAQs about Online MSW Programs
- FAQ: Are there any one year online MSW programs?
- FAQ: Are there any online MSW programs for BSW students?
- FAQ: Are there any online MSW programs for non-BSW students?
- FAQ: Are there any online MSW programs that have multiple start dates?
- FAQ: Are there any online MSW programs that start in the Spring?
- FAQ: Are there any online MSW programs with a children, youth, and family counseling concentration?
- FAQ: Are there any online MSW programs with a trauma concentration?
- FAQ: Are there any online MSW programs with asynchronous instruction
- FAQ: Are there any two year online MSW programs?
- FAQ: Can you get an MSW without a BSW?
- FAQ: Is Walden University’s online MSW program accredited?
- FAQ: MSW vs. LCSW
- FAQ: MSW vs. MSSW vs. MSSA
- FAQ: What are the GPA requirements for online MSW programs?
- FAQ: What does it mean if an online MSW program uses a cohort model?
- FAQ: What is an advanced generalist online MSW program?
- FAQ: What is the difference between micro, mezzo and macro social work?
- FAQ: What is the difference between online, campus, hybrid, and distance learning MSW programs?
- FAQ: Where do licensed clinical social workers work?