Online Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW) Our Master of Social Work degree is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

1. Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
   • A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
2. Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A BSW or BSSW from a CSWE-accredited program (conferred within the last 7 years) with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
   • Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
3. Admission to this program also requires:
   • Contact information (including phone number) for 3 recommenders from professional sources (i.e., not family/friends). One must be a field faculty member or program director from the BSW/BSSW program. This form can be submitted online (login required) or by email to luoverify@liberty.edu.
   • Statement of Purpose (1,200-word minimum):
     • Introduce yourself and explain what has inspired you to earn a Master of Social Work degree. Discuss related life events, experiences, and relationships – educational, professional, and/or personal. If you are making a career change, discuss what prompted the change. Discuss what you hope to do with an MSW. (400 words)
     • What qualities and abilities do you possess that you believe are a good fit for the social work profession? (150 words)
     • What qualities and abilities do you want to develop or further develop that you believe will be helpful in the profession? (150 words)
     • How do you show a posture of learning and respect when interacting with diverse individuals, families, and groups? (150 words)
     • Share a personal challenge (please do not share a challenge related to your job) in your life and discuss how you worked through or are working through this challenge. (200 words)
     • Explain the reason you believe Liberty University is the best fit to help you meet your goal of obtaining an MSW. (150 words)
     • If you have social work-related experience, discuss those experiences (for instance, working or volunteering in social services). (optional)
   • Department questionnaire (online form or PDF)
   • Copy of final field evaluation from the BSW/BSSW program
   • Department approval
4. Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
• Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
• If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

• Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
• Cumulative GPA
• A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
• Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.