BSW admissions requirements

Admission requirements for the Baccalaureate of Social Work (BSW) program include:

  • A strong liberal arts base (minimum of 52 credits in LAS)
  • A minimum of 56 credits 
  • A recommended GPA of 3.0
  • The following transfer path requirements need to be met:
    • Introduction to Social Work Practice (SW-300 or SW 250 for BU students)
    • General Psychology (PSYC -111 for BU students)
    • Introduction to statistics (MATH-147, MATH 148, PSYC-243, or SW 243 for BU students)
    • Intro to Sociology (SOC-100 for BU students)
    • Human Biology (BIOL-113, 114, 251, or 341 for BU students)

Freshman Application Process:

Please note that acceptance to Binghamton University does not guarantee admission to the Social Work (BSW)  Program. We accept students into our two-year BSW program in their Junior year.

Freshman and Sophomores have the option of enrolling at Binghamton University in any major they choose that grants them acceptance. One option is to enroll as an Undeclared, or “Pre-Social Work”, major in our College of Community and Public Affairs. For more information about selecting a major that prepares students for transfer into the BSW major, please contact the BSW Program Director or the CCPA Liaison and Admissions Counselor in Undergraduate Admissions.

Step 1: Academic Record Review

Application and transcripts are submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. After the application and academic record are reviewed, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will make an admission decision and notify the applicant.

Transfer Application Process:

Applications for the BSW program are reviewed in a 3 step process.

Please note that acceptance to the Binghamton University does not guarantee admission to the Social Work (BSW) Program.

Step 1: Academic Record and Supplemental Materials Review

Application and transcripts are submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. After the application and academic record are reviewed, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions may recommend that the applicant move forward and submit supplemental materials via Slate.  These supplemental materials include:

Applicants can track their progress in Slate using the status checker Once applications are complete, including supplemental materials, they will be reviewed by the BSW admissions committee.  Applicants who have a completed file will simultaneously be invited to sign up for a virtual (via Zoom) group interview.  

Step 2 Interview

Applicants with completed applications will be interviewed via Zoom.  These interviews will often be conducted in a small group format, but may, depending on the availability and interest of applicants, be conducted in a one-on-one format.  Applicants will receive an email inviting them to sign up for an interview date and time.

Step 3: Admission Committee Recommendation

Once all academic records and supplemental materials are complete and an interview has been conducted, the admissions committee will make a recommendation of admitted, or denied to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions who will have final determination regarding admittance to the BSW program.

Intra University Transfer (IUT) or Double Degree (DD) Application Process:

Applications for the BSW program are reviewed in a 3 step process. Admission to the College of Community and Public Affairs’ undergraduate program in social work (BSW Program) is selective. Review requirements and prerequisites carefully. Please note that fulfilling requirements does not guarantee admission. The Department of Social Work has an application process to become matriculated into the Baccalaureate of Social Work Program.

Step 1: Complete IUT or DD Application, including Supplemental Materials

Applications for the IUT or DD admission must be submitted online via BU Brain to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by March 15 (fall admission only for BSW) and students who meet this deadline will be given priority. Due to strictly enforced sequencing of the major, the Department of Social Work recommends applying for an IUT or DD following a meeting with the Director of Undergraduate Student Services, Regina Alfieri-Squier (ralfieri@binghamton.edu). Simultaneously, IUT or DD applicants should also complete the internal application form.  

This form asks a number of questions, including requesting the required supplemental materials (a resume and personal statement). Once the application is reviewed, the committee may recommend that the applicant move to step 2. If an applicant moves to step 2, the applicant will receive an e-mail with next steps requesting that the student sign up for a day and time to participate in an interview.

Step 2: Interview:

Applicants with completed applications will be interviewed via Zoom.  These interviews will often be conducted in a small group format, but may, depending on the availability and interest of applicants, be conducted in a one-on-one format.  Applicants will receive an email inviting them to sign up for an interview date and time.

Step 3: Admission Committee Recommendation

Once an interview has been completed, the admissions committee will make a recommendation of admitted, denied, or hold to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions who will have final determination regarding IUT or DD application and admittance to the BSW program.

Change of Major Application Process

For Binghamton University students enrolled in a major within CCPA (Human Development or CCPA Undeclared/Pre-Social Work) who wish to be accepted into the BSW program, applications for the BSW program are reviewed in a 3 step process. Admission to the BSW program is selective. Please review requirements and prerequisites carefully and note that fulfilling requirements does not guarantee admission.

Step 1: Initial Application to BSW Program

Applicants should complete a Change of Major form.

 Applicants who apply by March 15 (fall admission only for BSW) will be given priority.

This form asks a number of questions, including requesting the required supplemental materials (a resume and personal statement).

Once the application is reviewed, the committee may recommend that the applicant move to step 2. If an applicant moves to step 2, the applicant will receive an e-mail with next steps requesting that the student sign up for a day and time to participate in an interview.

Step 2: Interview

Applicants with completed applications will be interviewed via Zoom.  These interviews will often be conducted in a small group format, but may, depending on the availability and interest of applicants, be conducted in a one-on-one format.  Applicants will receive an email inviting them to sign up for an interview date and time.

Step 3: Admission Committee Recommendation

Once an interview has been completed, the admissions committee will make a recommendation of an admission decision. Applicants will be notified of the admission decision to the BSW program by the end of the Spring semester.

Note on conduct, convictions and licensure

Applicants should be aware that some states, such as New York State, may restrict or deny professional licensure for people with felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions or actions taken against them by a professional organization. Any student with questions on any of these situations would benefit from consulting with their state's licensing board before submitting an application. The application will be subject to a more rigorous review by both the Graduate School and the Department of Social Work Graduate Admissions Committee.  At present, those with a BSW are not eligible for licensure in New York State, but are eligible for licensure in some states.

Applicants should also be aware that students admitted to the program are required to satisfactorily complete one or two field placements in order to graduate. Students must obtain malpractice insurance before they are placed with field agencies. The insurance agency requires disclosure of personal information, including convictions, and may or may not issue insurance coverage. Field agencies also require personal information and conduct background checks. While the Department of Social Work will work diligently to arrange placements for students, agencies have the right to refuse placements.

Important Notice:  COVID-19 Vaccine & Field Education

Students entering the Department of Social Work are required to complete an on site field placement as scheduled in the curriculum as part of their degree requirements. At this time, and for the foreseeable future, most of our agencies where students are placed require full vaccination for COVID. Sites may have varying requirements; religious exemptions may not be available and the site may have very narrow guidelines for medical exemptions. Any religious exemption granted by Binghamton University applies only to the University setting; it does not apply to off-campus affiliated activities or locations. Being unable to complete the required field education component will affect a student's ability to progress within and graduate from the Department of Social Work.

Therefore, the Department of Social Work cannot guarantee field placements during the program or licensure upon completion of the program.

For more information, and to apply, contact the Department of Social Work at 607-777-9159.