The Saint Louis University School of Social Work is glad that you're considering us for your studies in the field of social work. SLU offers a wide variety of programs in social work and related fields, including applied behavior analysis, criminology and criminal justice and gerontology. For a complete listing of these offerings, visit our Academics page.
Undergraduate Admission
For information about applying to Saint Louis University as a first-time freshman or transfer student, visit the Saint Louis University Office of Admission.
For more information about undergraduate financial aid and scholarships, visit the SLU Office of Student Financial Services.
Graduate Admission
Degrees in the Saint Louis University School of Social Work are designed to empower students progress through the programs on a full-time or part-time basis. As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step.” Our admissions team is available to help you throughout the application and admissions process. Contact us at socialwork@slu.edu.
Graduate Application Deadlines and Decision Timeline
- August 1: For fall consideration
- December 1: For spring consideration
- March 1: For graduate assistantship and fellowship considerations
- June 1: For scholarship consideration
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants can expect to receive an admission decision within two to three weeks of submitting their application. If your application is deemed incomplete, it will delay the release of an admission decision until all required application components are received. The Admissions Committee will only review and release a decision on complete applications.
Transcripts
Applicants may upload unofficial copies of transcripts for application review; however, we strongly encourage applicants to initially submit official transcripts if possible.
- We need transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended.
- Transcripts must indicate successful degree completion from an accredited institution.
- If you have not yet completed your degree at the time of application, in-progress transcripts are acceptable.
- Admitted candidates are required to provide final official transcripts. Official transcripts
must be submitted to register for coursework at SLU.
- Official transcripts are released directly from your institution to SLU. Electronic delivery of official transcripts is preferred. Send electronic transcripts to socialwork@slu.edu.
- Official transcripts must have the applicant’s name, institution name, transcript key, dates of attendance, grades for each course and the date the degree was conferred.
Financial Aid for Graduate Students
The SLU School of Social Work recognizes that cost can be a concern when choosing to continue your education, and has identified the following financial aid resources to assist you:
Graduate Scholarships
Beginning in 2023, 100% of new School of Social Work graduate students will receive scholarship support thanks to our generous alumni and benefactors. You may also qualify for federal graduate student loans and apply for assistantship and fellowship opportunities. Plus, incoming students receive one semester of paid practicum experience while fulfilling course requirements. Please note that the terms of the scholarship are subject to change if a student petitions for a degree transfer or fails to remain in good academic standing.
Fellowships
The Doerr Fellowship for Equity and Inclusion is a two-year full-tuition fellowship funded by the School of Social Work for new and continuing students. A separate application is required with a deadline of March 1. This fellowship requires recipients to serve as members of the School of Social Work's Equity and Inclusion Committee. Recipients will also be expected to actively participate in the Doerr Center's diversity, equity and inclusion activities throughout the year.
Graduate Assistantships
Full-time students are eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship with the School of Social Work. By filling out a graduate assistantship application, you will automatically be considered for a full or partial graduate assistantship.
Assistantships are appointed for one year. Students must reapply to be considered for a second year, and there are no guarantees that recipients will receive subsequent/continuing assistantships. To be considered for a graduate assistantship, students must submit a separate application by March 1.
- Full graduate assistantships are University-funded assistantships (UFA) awarded by
the School of Social Work. They are assigned and funded for two semesters, a duration
of nine months, 20 hours per week, working with designated faculty.
- Most full assistantships are assigned to help faculty with research (GRA), and a small number may be assigned to assist with administrative work (GA) or faculty teaching (GTA).
- Students who receive a fully funded UFA in one year may not receive a UFA in subsequent years, although they remain eligible for partial assistantships throughout their pursuit of a graduate degree in the School of Social Work.
- The School of Social Work also funds and awards partial graduate assistantships. They
are assigned and funded for two semesters, a duration of nine months, 8-16 hours per
week, working with assigned faculty.
- Partial assistantships may be assigned to assist with administrative work (GA), research (GRA), or faculty teaching (GTA).
- Depending on the hours assigned, tuition benefits will differ; health insurance and stipends are not awarded partial assistantships.
For more information about graduate assistantships, fellowships, scholarships and financial aid, please visit SLU’s Graduate Scholarships, Fellowships, Assistantships and Awards website.