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Admissions

Apply for your BSW, MSW, or PhD in Social Welfare

Welcome

Aloha and mahalo for your interest in applying to study social work at the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health. The University of Hawaiʻi has been training social workers since 1936, and we’ve expanded our degree option to include a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and PhD in Social Welfare. 

We are also excited to offer both a Campus-Based and a Distance Education options for our BSW & MSW degree programs.

On this page you will find information and links related to submitting an application for each one of our programs.  Join us at one of our Information Sessions or email us at sswadmit@hawaii.edu.

We look forward to reviewing your application and wish you the best!

Learn More About Applying to Our Programs

As of Fall 2022, all applications for admissions at the Department of Social Work will be using SocialWorkCAS.  SocialWorkCAS

An application fee of $45 will be charged by SocialWorkCAS in addition to application fees charged by the University of Hawaii at Manoa Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions offices.

The SocialWorkCAS application fee will not be charged until you submit your application.  Start your application now and pay when you are ready to apply!

Click on SocialWorkCAS to create your account.

SocialWorkCAS Applicant Help Center

SocialWorkCAS Quick Start Guide and FAQs.

Information Sessions

Learn more about studying social work at the Thompson School by attending one of our upcoming Admissions Information Sessions.  All session are on Zoom.  Find the program you are interested below to register.

 

BSW Information Session Registration

Learn more about studying social work at the Thompson School by attending one of our upcoming Admissions Information Sessions.

Please check back for upcoming dates!

View a copy of the presentation here.

MSW Information Session Registration

Learn more about studying social work at the Thompson School by attending one of our upcoming Admissions Information Sessions on Zoom.

Please check back for upcoming dates!

View a copy of the presentation here.

PhD Information Session Registration

Thank you for your interest in the PhD program.  There are currently no PhD information sessions scheduled.  Please check back later for updates to the schedule.

Recommendation FAQs

Who should I ask to provide a recommendation?

Applicants are requested to provide three letters of recommendations.  When selecting who to provide the reference, consider the following:

Recommenders should be able to give an independent evaluation of your skills and ability to study social work.  They should

  • Know you professionally or academically but not personally.
  • Be able to assess your ability to study social work and your potential for professional social work practice.

Examples of people who fit the above include Academic Instructors and Employment or Volunteer Supervisors.

What will I be evaluated on?

Recommenders answer a series of questions and are required to upload a letter of recommendation that should discuss your skills and abilities that make you a good candidate.  

Before submitting the letter, the recommender will also answer the following questions:

  • How long have you known the applicant?
  • How well do you know the applicant?
  • In what capacity do you know the applicant?
  • Using the following scale (Not Observed, Poor, Below Average, Average, Good, Excellent), evaluate the candidate on the following:
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Empathy
    • Ethics
    • Integrity
    • Oral Communication
    • Professional Demeanor
    • Self-Awareness
    • Written Communication

Finally, the recommender will make a “Recommendation Concerning Admission” and select from one of the following:

  • I highly recommend this applicant
  • I recommend this applicant
  • I recommend this applicant with some reservations
  • I am not able to recommend this applicant

Will I see the recommendation?

Applicants will be required to select whether they would like to “waive my right of access to this reference.”  If you select this option, you are not able to access the reference.  

The recommender as well as those that review your application will know if you have waived your right to access the reference.

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