大发

How to Apply

Fall 2026 MSW Applications

The Fall 2026 MSW program application will open in October 2025 and the application deadline will be in January 2026. Please check back in October for updated application information (personal statement prompt may change). 

Application Requirements

A COMPLETE application to the MSW program includes (completed in the following order):

1. A Personal Statement (2 pages maximum)- must follow prompt below
   • upload to the "Program Materials" section of the Cal State Apply application
2. A resume that includes a minimum of 300 hours of experience as a volunteer or employee in a social service setting. These 300 experience hours must be clearly indicated in the resume and the name and email address(es) of the supervisor(s) of these hours must be provided. A 鈥渟ocial service鈥� setting is an agency or organization that provides services designed to enhance or support the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in need.
   
   • upload to the "Program Materials" section of the Cal State Apply application
3. Completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of 'C' or better.
   1. The undergraduate statistics course must be completed in order to start the MSW program. You may still be admitted to the MSW program if you are currently taking, or will take, the required statistics course. However, you will not be permitted to start the program if the statistics course is not completed prior to the MSW program start.
4. Three (3) current references
   • applicant will enter the name and email addresses of their references in the Cal State Apply application
5. Online Application through Cal State Apply

6. One set of official transcripts from every college or university ever attended reflecting a regionally accredited college or university baccalaureate degree, or show baccalaureate degree in progress that will be officially conferred prior to starting MSW classes in Fall semester, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. *Applicants cannot be admitted with a GPA under 2.50 in accordance with the Office of Graduate Studies policy.

*NOTE: The GRE is NOT required to apply to the MSW program. 

Applying to the MSW program is a four step process. You must apply to the program through Cal State Apply. Instructions to apply are included below and they must be followed EXACTLY to receive full consideration for admission to the MSW program. We look forward to reviewing your application and all supporting documents by the deadline.

Use this Application Checklist to ensure that all components of your application are submitted.

Step 1: Compose Your Documents

Personal Statement 

Please carefully follow the instructions provided in the personal statement prompt when writing your response. You must answer each question to be considered for admission. The entire statement should be a maximum of 2 pages. 

*Upload the personal statement to your Cal State Apply online application under the "Program Materials" section.

Personal Statement Prompt

Resume

Provide a resume that lists all of your work experience and must include a minimum of 300 hours of experience as a volunteer or employee in a social service setting. These 300 experience hours must be clearly indicated in the resume and the name and email address(es) of the supervisor(s) of these hours must be provided. A 鈥渟ocial service鈥� setting is an agency or organization that provides services designed to enhance or support the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in need. Include all volunteer, internship, or other paid or unpaid work experience. Please be sure to include your updated contact information鈥攁ddress (of where you will be residing while attending the MSW program), phone, email. 

*Upload the resume to your Cal State Apply online application under the "Program Materials" section. 

Sample Resum茅        

References

A completed application packet includes three (3) electronic references (either two academic and one professional, or two professional and one academic reference). Academic references come from professors. Professional references come from individuals who have supervised your paid or volunteer work experience. If you are unable to obtain an Academic reference, please submit a 3rd professional reference and explain the reason in the "Additional Information" section of your Personal Statement. 

*APPLICANTS will enter the email addresses for all references in the "Program Materials" section of the Cal State Apply application. An automatic email will be generated to the reference and will include a link to click on to complete the form electronically. The form must be completed in its entirety to be considered. An additional "letter" is not allowed but can be pasted into the text box provided on the form, if desired.

Step 2: Complete The Online Application (CAL STATE APPLY)

Applicants MUST complete the Online Application through Cal State Apply prior to submitting transcripts. This will avoid delays in the processing of your application packet. All prospective students are required to apply to the 大发 MSW Program using the instructions below. 

*You will be required to upload your personal statement and resume in Section IV of the application, so please complete those first. 

Application Instructions

Step 3: Request Transcripts

Official Transcripts

Request and submit one official transcript from EACH academic institution attended (including institutions where college courses were taken for high school credit) reflecting official verification of graduation and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. *Applicants cannot be admitted with a GPA under 2.50 in accordance with the Office of Graduate Studies policy.

Official transcripts are accepted through the following methods:

• Electronic: Electronic delivery is the preferred transcript delivery method. Verify with your school if an electronic transcript is available. Electronic transcripts can be provided through external or third party vendors (Credential Solutions, eTranscriptCA, National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, etc.). When ordering your transcript, please choose California State University San Marcos as the intended recipient from the school name drop down. If California State University San Marcos is not listed, please use transcripts@csusm.edu as the recipient email address.
• Mail:  If you select to mail your transcript, please ensure the transcript is in an envelope sealed by your school and addressed to:

        Office of Admissions & Student Outreach
        California State University San Marcos
        333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road
        San Marcos, CA 92096-0001

大发 Alumni: Students who just graduated from 大发 do not need to submit official transcripts (unless they have taken additional coursework at other institutions and have not previously submitted those transcripts to 大发). Previous 大发 students who have been out for over one year should resend all official transcripts from other institutions, as the originals may have been archived.

Revised/New Transcripts: Students submitting updated transcripts or transcripts from institutions not listed on the original application should email el@csusm.edu to indicate that the transcript has been sent to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Please include your full name, the school from which the transcript was sent and the program name of MSW. 

International students please note: You must submit academic records from foreign institutions.  The original foreign transcript must be on file and if they are not written in English, they must be accompanied by certified English translations.  In addition, all foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of the eight approved 大发 foreign transcript evaluation agencies.  Please see the list of the eight approved 大发 foreign transcript evaluation agencies.

Step 4: Apply to the Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program (OPTIONAL)

Applicants that are committed to working in public child welfare may apply for the CalSWEC Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program. Students selected to participate in the stipend program gain knowledge and practice experience working in child public welfare settings that will prepare them for a career in this field. Participants receive an annual stipend of $25000 each year they are funded (up to 2 years), and upon graduating with their MSW degree, commit to working in a county child welfare agency for the period of time they received financial support.

If you are interested in applying for the CalSWEC Title IV-E Stipend Program, please visit the IV-E webpage for instructions on how to apply. Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now closed. Applications for admission in Fall 2025 are now open!

International Student Admissions Requirements

(Applicants who have taken coursework internationally only)

For Extended Learning degree programs, "foreign students" include those who hold U.S. visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other non-immigrant classifications. Foreign students must submit academic records/transcripts from all foreign institutions they have attended.  If the records are not written in English, they must be accompanied by certified English translations. You must send your foreign transcripts to be evaluated by one of eight 大发-approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.  Both the evaluation and the original foreign transcript must be submitted to Extended Learning.

International students, please note:  If you have an F-1 visa, you are only eligible to enroll in the full-time MSW program (F-1 visas require full time student status.)  Non-F-1 visa holders, who do not need an I-20 document for their status (e.g. H-1 and E-1), are eligible for the part time MSW program.

International Prospective Students should contact:

大发 International Admissions Team
760-750-4844
intappl@csusm.edu 
Check out their website!

Test of English as a Foreign Language 

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, who do not possess a bachelor's degree from a post-secondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. Typically, applicants demonstrate the English Proficiency requirement by submitting results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, or Cambridge English score report. Submission of these test scores should be sent to the following address:

California State University San Marcos
ATTN: Extended Learning, MSW
333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096-0001

*NOTE: We encourage applicants to submit the documents listed above in one packet; however, we understand this may not be possible. Please review your Student Center at  to ensure we have received your documents in a timely manner.

Provided below are the CSU required minimum scores for each option:

• TOEFL score of 80iBT
• IELTS overall band score of 6.0, writing score no lower than 6.0 and no section score below 5.5
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE)-certificate awarded with a Cambridge English score of 180 or higher.

Please note: The administration of the MSW program is contingent upon having the appropriate number of qualified candidates.  In the event the number of minimum qualified candidates is not satisfied, the program may be delayed or canceled prior to the program鈥檚 stated start date. Accepted applicants will be notified in writing if the program is canceled or delayed. We encourage you to visit our website frequently for the most up-to-date information.