Social Work (MSW): On-Campus and Online

To apply, please submit the following:

Completed online application form: Upload your personal statement and resume before submitting. You may submit your application online at any time before the admission deadlines, but we recommend applying early for faster processing. You can save and exit your application at any time and continue by signing in with your credentials. Please submit only one application to the MSW program. If you need to change your start term or program, email us rather than starting a new application.

$45 non-refundable application fee: The $45 fee is payable by credit card when you submit your application and is not refundable. Limited waivers are available to applicants affiliated with nonprofit organizations such as City Year, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and Teach For America, as well as to military personnel and veterans. Email Admission Office to request instructions for a fee waiver.

Resume: Upload a detailed resume before submitting your application. Include relevant employment or volunteer experience, education, and professional training or certificates. Address any gaps in employment or volunteer experience in your personal statement. You may also submit a CV.

Personal Statement (3-5 pages): In your personal statement, please answer the following questions:

• How has your professional, volunteer, and academic experience contributed to your decision to be a professional social worker, and how has it prepared you for graduate social work education? Provide specific examples from your professional, volunteer, or academic experience to explain your answer. Make sure to describe your role and the organizational, community, and social context for your experience.
• What particular aspects or special fields of social work interest you most?
• Why does Simmons School of Social Work best suit your educational needs?
• What contributions will you make to the school community and to your fellow students?
• How do you plan to manage the rigorous demands of graduate coursework and practicum education?

Additionally, if you have low or inconsistent grades or attended multiple schools, please discuss factors that contributed to your academic performance.

The Statement of Purpose will be used by the admission committee to assess and understand your preparation, readiness, and motivation for graduate social work education. The Statement of Purpose is also considered a writing sample and is assessed for writing quality.

Official college transcripts, indicating graduation date: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Official transcripts from all previous college courses taken are required. Community college and study abroad transcripts are required only if the course grades are not reflected on your main college transcript.

We prefer transcripts to be sent electronically. You can make your request directly to your undergraduate institution. Your undergrad institution will submit electronic transcripts via Student Clearing House, Scrip-Safe, E-Scrip, Parchment Exchange, or any other certified electronic transcript services. Please use our email [email protected] to send electronic transcripts.

If it is not possible to send transcripts electronically, please mail official transcripts to the address below:

Carlos Frontado
Director of Admission on Campus Programs
Simmons University School of Social Work
300 The Fenway,
Boston, MA 02115

International transcripts must be officially translated and evaluated for educational equivalency.

These instructions are for the on-campus MSW.

Three letters of professional or academic recommendation: We require three professional or academic recommendations to be submitted on your behalf via our online recommendation form.

While completing your online application, you may send personalized recommendation invitations to your recommenders at any time. You do not need to wait until your application is submitted. Be sure to click the "Send Invitation" button, as invitations are not sent automatically or by Admissions.

Recommenders may also attach a formal letter of recommendation with their online submission. After entering your recommenders' information and sending the invitation, you can track the status of each recommendation in your self-service portal.

*If your recommenders have trouble accessing the online form or did not receive the invitation, contact the Office of Admission for assistance.

Additional Requirements

• For Advanced Standing Applicants Only
  • In addition to the statement of professional and educational intent, please include a 2-3 page, double-spaced summary of your learning in your BSW internship. This should include:
    • A discussion of a case example in which you used theory to facilitate understanding of the case and guide an intervention or develop a treatment plan.
    • A self-assessment of learning to date, a statement of learning goals, and the challenges you anticipate encountering in an advanced clinical placement
    • The social work models and approaches utilized
  • Of the three Recommendations, one recommendation is from the supervisor of your senior BSW practicum placement, and one recommendation is from a BSW faculty member who can comment on your overall performance (courses and placement).*
  • A copy of your most recent BSW practicum evaluation.
• TOEFL scores, if English is not the first language: If you have an undergraduate degree from an English-speaking country, you do not need to take the TOEFL.
• Source of income statement (for international students)
• Mandatory Health Insurance: Effective September 1, 1989, all full-time and three-fourths time students enrolled in a Massachusetts institution of higher education are required to be covered by health insurance for the 12 months following September 1, or from the date of enrollment, if after September 1, until August 31 of each year enrolled. The insurance coverage must meet the state's minimum requirements for a Qualifying Student Health Insurance Plan (QSHIP). All colleges and universities require students to purchase insurance unless they waive participation by demonstrating they have comparable coverage.
• Recommendations should address the applicant's readiness for an advanced clinical internship.

*Note: Applicants who have been employed in a social work position for a minimum of one year post-BSW may submit a letter of reference from an MSW employment supervisor.

Note: Standardized test scores are not required.

Spring 2026

(January start date is only available for the MSW extended program that is completed in 2 1/2 years and the 16-month accelerated MSW program)

• 16-month MSW Program deadline: October 15, 2025.
• Priority admission deadline for the 2 1/2 year MSW Extended Program: November 1, 2025.
• Rolling admission deadline for the 2 1/2 year MSW Extended Program: December 15, 2025.
• Non-Matriculating Program deadline: January 5, 2026

November 1, 2025: Priority admission deadline for merit scholarship consideration (non-binding)

If you apply by November 1, your application will be reviewed promptly, and you will receive priority consideration for merit scholarships. Admission decisions are mailed once your file is reviewed. The Office of Student Financial Services will send a separate letter with complete financial aid information, including merit scholarships (if eligible) and federal loans.

Rolling admission deadline: December 15, 2025

If you apply after November 1 and by December 15, you will be considered for rolling admission. Once your file is complete, the admission committee will review it and notify you within 7 to 10 business days. Merit scholarship consideration is available if funds remain. All application materials must be received by December 15, 2025.

The Office of Student Financial Services will send a separate letter with full financial aid details, including merit scholarships (if eligible) and federal loans.

Fall 2026

• February 1, 2026 – Early Admission Deadline
• March 1, 2026 – Regular Deadline
• July 1, 2026 – Rolling Admission Deadline (only for Extended Part-time MSW Programs, including hybrid and non-matriculated)

February 1, 2026 – Early Admission Deadline for priority consideration for Merit Scholarship Review (Non-Binding)

If you apply by February 1, 2026, you will receive an early admission decision and priority consideration for merit scholarships. Admission decisions will be uploaded to the Simmons application portal by March 1, 2026. The first decisions will be released in early January 2026. If eligible, you will also receive a merit scholarship award letter and preliminary financial aid information. All application materials must be received by the deadline.

The Office of Student Financial Services will send a separate letter with full financial aid details, including your merit scholarship (if awarded) and information about federal loans if you are eligible.

March 1, 2026 – Regular Deadline

If you apply after February 1 and by March 1, your admission decision will be uploaded by April 15, 2026. Applications received by March 1 will be considered for merit scholarships.

The Office of Student Financial Services will send a separate letter with full financial aid details, including your merit scholarship (if awarded) and information about federal loans if you are eligible. July 1, 2026 is the rolling admission deadline for the three-year and four-year Extended MSW on-campus and hybrid programs, including non-matriculated applicants.

Rolling admission is available for Extended/Part-time MSW on-campus and hybrid program applicants who apply after March 1. Admission is offered on a space-available basis. Once your file is complete, the admission committee will review it and notify you within three weeks. Merit scholarship consideration is available if funds remain.

The Office of Student Financial Services will send a separate letter with full financial aid details, including your merit scholarship (if awarded) and information about federal loans if you are eligible.

Application Status

After you submit your online application, you can track its status and required materials by signing into your self-service portal at any time.

You are responsible for checking your application's status in the self-service portal, although the Office of Admission will occasionally email you updates. Application materials are updated daily and will appear in your portal as soon as they are received. Allow 5–7 business days after submitting your application for all required materials to be added before contacting the Office of Admission about your status.

Admission Decisions

Decisions will be uploaded to the Simmons application portal. You can view your admission decision by logging in. Please inform the Office of Admission if you change your mailing address, phone number, or email. Admission decisions will not be emailed or given over the phone.

You must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. It is desirable that you have a balanced liberal arts education on the undergraduate level.

You must demonstrate a commitment to social work values and personal qualifications for social work, as evidenced in your Statement of Professional and Educational Intent and letters of recommendation.

An interview is not required; however, under certain circumstances, you may be asked to interview with the Director of Admission or a member of the SSW Admissions Committee after your application is reviewed. Although an interview is not required, you are welcome to arrange an informational visit or telephone conversation by calling 617-521-3939.

We are glad you are considering applying to Simmons as an international student. In the past few years, students from countries like Korea, Uganda, Kenya, Italy, Canada, China, and Japan have joined our MSW program.

English Language Proficiency

If your first language is not English, you must demonstrate English proficiency by taking the TOEFL or IELTS. For IELTS, you must score at least 6.5 in each section. For TOEFL, you need a minimum score of 600 on the paper test, 250 on the computer test, or 105 on the internet test.

TOEFL Institution Code=3761 TOEFL Department Code=95

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Please contact your nearest English language testing center or:

TOEFL(R) Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA
Telephone: 609-771-7100
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ets.org/toefl

If you are in the Boston area, please contact:

TOEFL(R) Test Center
27-43 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210 USA
Telephone: 617-345-8980

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

To find your nearest testing center and upcoming test dates, visit the IELTS website. If you are in the Boston area, please contact:

ELS Language Centers/Boston-Newton

IELTS Administrator
777 Dedham Street
Miller Hall
Newton, MA 02459

Telephone: 857-389-2892
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.els.edu/english-programs/testing-test-preparation/ielts

Visa Requirements and Full-Time Academic Status

International students with F-1 visas must finish their graduate studies within two years. To stay in compliance, plan to take courses during summer sessions as needed.

Required Academic Records

Please submit all your post-secondary transcripts for admission, even from schools where you did not earn a degree or certificate. All transcripts must be official, signed in original ink, and stamped with a seal.

To make sure your transcripts and application are evaluated correctly, non-US or Canadian transcripts must be reviewed by a NACES member organization, such as WES, The Evaluation Company, or IEE.

Evaluations must include English translations, and US equivalencies are needed for all transcripts from schools outside the United States and Canada. Notarized translations, photocopies, or facsimiles are not accepted. The evaluation service must send the evaluations directly to us, not the applicant. In the US, academic records or mark sheets are called "transcripts," which is the term used on this website.

Study Abroad

If you have study abroad transcripts that were transferred to a US institution and the grades are not shown on your degree-granting transcript, please provide those transcripts to Simmons. They do not need to be evaluated by a NACES member, but if the classes are not listed on your degree-granting transcript, they should be translated into English.

Financial Assistance

International students can receive merit-based scholarships awarded to the top 20-25% of new students starting in the fall or spring semesters. You may also apply for the Dean's Fellowships, our most prestigious awards. However, international students are not eligible for need-based grants or federal loans.

Please note that funding for doctoral students is very limited.

Transfer Students Applying to the Simmons MSW program

We welcome transfer students and encourage you to apply. Acceptance is based on the strength of your application and the availability of openings. Transfer students are those who apply to leave their current MSW program and matriculate as MSW students at Simmons. To apply, you must be in good standing with the school from which you are transferring and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. 

Application Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Nonrefundable application fee $45 
• 3–5 page personal statement of your career goals and how the program supports them
• A short statement outlining your reasons for transferring
• Official college transcripts, indicating graduation date, and transcripts from your current MSW program 
• Letter of good standing from the Dean, Associate Dean, or Director of the MSW program
• A practicum evaluation for first-year practicum education 
• Three letters of professional or academic recommendation

Additional information for transfer applicants:

• You may transfer up to 32 credits. Only credits from a CSWE-accredited MSW program will be accepted.
• A syllabus for each course must be submitted for transfer credit
• Courses in which the student receives a “B-” or lower will not be transferred
• All MSW coursework, including transfer credits, must be completed within 5 years

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (NHSC LRP) offers fully trained and licensed clinical social workers $50,000 to repay student loans in exchange for two years serving in a community based site in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) that has applied to, and been approved by, the NHSC as a service site.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a loan forgiveness program targeted at students pursuing public service careers and who have high debt but not high income. Generally, this program is available to anyone who works in a non-profit organization. Debt forgiveness is available for Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Plus Loans, and Grad Plus Loans. For more information, please visit:

• FinAid - Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Federal Student Aid - Public Service Loan Forgiveness 

Equal Justice Works

Equal Justice Works has a resource page for student debt relief.

Income-Based Repayment Resources

IBRinfo.org has information and tools for students to apply for Income-Based Repayment and update their income online. They also offer an IBR calculator. 

Indian Health Services (IHS) Loan Repayment Program

MSW-prepared clinical social workers employed by the IHS are eligible to apply for the IHS Loan Repayment Program. For more information, visit the IHS website.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Public Health Professions (PHP) are responsible for addressing the health needs of over 1.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in a network of 48 hospitals, more than 230 clinics, and a system of Tribal and Urban programs. As part of the US Department of Health and Human Services Their mission is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of this diverse population to the highest level. To contact the social work recruiter call 301 443 4754

Army National Guard Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Social Workers

The Army National Guard is a part-time service that requires one weekend a month and 15 days of annual training each year from October to October and has a flexible training program that can fit individuals' schedules. The Massachusetts Army National Guard's Medical Detachment is located at Hanscom Air Force Base in Lexington, MA. For students leaving Massachusetts, positions exist in other States.

Additionally, the Guard provides Federal Loan Repayments up to $60,000 ($20,000 a year for three years), Special Bonus of $45,000 ($15,000 a year for three years), $400,000 life insurance, Tri-Care Medical Coverage, PX, and Commissary Privileges. Upon completion of 20 years service in the Guard, you would receive a Military Pension at age 60 and be entitled to receive all Military Retiree benefits, including healthcare. Appointees should attend an Officer Basic Course within 18–24 months of joining the Guard at Fort Sam Houston, Texas

For more information, contact Joseph Guerriero at 571-641-9032 or at [email protected].

Simmons Online MSW Admission Requirements

Simmons’ online MSW program seeks candidates who are committed to upholding core social work values, and possess a record of academic and work experience that shows they are prepared to meet the Simmons standard. Specific admissions requirements may vary depending on the program track you are applying for, but all online MSW program applications will require the following materials:

• Resume
• Official academic transcripts
• Statement of professional and educational intent
• Two letters of recommendation
• Application fee
• Interview (by invitation)

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