JD/MSW Application Process

For ALL applicants

• Bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) in any discipline from an accredited institution. 
• Minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate liberal arts coursework. Of those 24 credits:
  • 6 must be in the social or behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science).
  • 6 must be in the arts or humanities (e.g., history, English, foreign languages, philosophy, ethnic/gender studies).
  • 12 credits may be made up with any combination of the above or with courses from the natural sciences or mathematics.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 preferred.
• Human biology undergraduate course (3 credits) must be completed prior to the advanced year MSW curriculum, if not fulfilled at the time of application.

It's easy to apply to the University at Buffalo using GrAdMIT, our electronic graduate application system.

Be sure to read the drop-down list of application options thoroughly, since each track has a different application form. Make sure you select the JD/MSW application.

On the application form, you will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references who are best able to assess your potential for graduate-level academic work and for the profession of social work. This includes: 

• Faculty
• Classroom instructors
• Academic advisors
• Current or past employers, supervisors or professional colleagues

Do not use personal friends, relatives, friends of the family or other personal relationship sources. In addition, do not use clients or individuals you provide services to, or therapists or other individuals you receive services from. 

Copies of transcripts should be uploaded to the GrAdMIT application portal. You must provide transcripts for all previous schools attended at the undergraduate and graduate levels, regardless of whether a degree was received.

If accepted to the degree program, you will be required to submit final official transcripts from all educational institutions you have attended (except from the University at Buffalo). Official transcripts can be mailed to:
University at Buffalo 
School of Social Work- Admissions
685 Baldy Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260-1050

This is a key component of your application. Your essay should reflect strong technical writing and critical thinking skills. Write a full essay answering ALL questions in the Guidelines for Writing the Personal Statement. 

Once you submit your application, you will receive an email containing a secure e-pay link, allowing you to pay the non-refundable application fee by credit card or e-check.

The JD/MSW application fee is $100. 

You will be required to complete a separate law application through the Law School Admission Council and submit Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores.