BASW Admissions

The UW Tacoma Social Welfare major admits a cohort of students in autumn quarter only.  Core classes must be taken in sequence. Prior to application students must complete all admission requirements for UW Tacoma and the Social Welfare major (or students must have a plan in place to complete required courses prior to entry).

To be considered for BASW program admission, applicants must:

• Be admitted to UW Tacoma (with completion of the intermediate algebra entrance requirement). Not a current UWT student? Apply first.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
  • Current UWT students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all UW coursework and be in good standing with the university.
  • Transfer and Running Start applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all transferable coursework.
• Be on track to have completed at least 75 college-level quarter credits before the start of the BASW program.
• Have completed each the following prerequisite courses with a grade of 2.0/C or better:
  > 5 credits of English composition
  > Introductory course in psychology*
  > Introductory course in sociology*

  Refer to the BASW prerequisite grid to find college-level courses that have been approved to meet the prerequisite course requirements to the program.

  *Applicants can be considered for admission if one or both of these courses are planned for an upcoming quarter and are encouraged to apply.

Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Completion of admission requirements.
• Academic history.
• Quality of admissions essay.
• Experiences related to social services (paid or volunteer).  

Note: Academic credit toward the BASW major is not given for previous employment or life experience.

BASW Application Requirements:

• Complete online Social Welfare Application for admission and upload all of the documents below during final submission:
  • Submit essay using the writing prompt provided.
  • Provide current resume of work and volunteer experiences.
  • Complete, sign and upload the Authorization for Repeat Background Checks and Dissemination of Results / HSIP Acknowledgement form.  See additional details in Special Requirements section below.

The Autumn 2022 BASW Application is currently still accepting applications.

The BASW program admits a cohort or students each autumn quarter only. All applicants must be admitted to UW Tacoma to be considered for BASW program admission.

Prior to applying for BASW program admission, applicants must complete all admission requirements for UW Tacoma and the BASW program (or have a plan in place to complete the required courses prior to beginning classes). Transfer and Running Start applicants are encouraged to meet with a university admissions advisor prior to applying.

The annual priority deadline for the BASW major is March 15. The program will continue to review program applications completed after this deadline on a space-available basis and may be placed on a waitlist; applicants not admitted off the waitlist must submit a new application to be considered for a new program start.

Background Checks

Washington state law requires that individuals who have access to children under 16 years of age, persons with developmental disabilities and vulnerable adults such as older people disclose background information. During their education in the Social Welfare program, students will come into contact with members of the above-mentioned populations. Therefore, a comprehensive background check is a required part of the admission process. Applicants must submit the Authorization for Repeat Background Checks and Dissemination of Results / HSIP Acknowledgement form with their application. All applicants offered admission must initiate the background check within two weeks of receiving their offer letter. Please be aware that this service is fee-based and subject to price changes. Please contact the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice for more information.

Depending upon a practicum setting, there may be additional requirements such as fingerprinting, providing proof of immunizations, CPR training, and/or completing the agencies required background check procedures. Please be aware that students may be responsible for any costs related to these special requirements. Students will also be required to provide their own transportation to and from the practicum sites. Students may also need to meet certain immunization standards and submit a health history.

UW Health Sciences Immunizations Policy (HSIP)

The University of Washington Health Sciences Center requires that its students show documentation of protection against a number of vaccine-preventable diseases. The University of Washington Seattle School of Social Work falls under the umbrella of UW Health Sciences and therefore all UW Tacoma MSW and BASW students must comply. Applicants must submit the Authorization for Repeat Background Checks and Dissemination of Results / HSIP Acknowledgement form with their application.

New students admitted to the Social Welfare Program must submit appropriate documentation within a specific timeframe. New students will be advised of specific submission deadlines upon admission, but generally all documentation must be supplied prior to entering the Social Welfare program. The following immunizations and verifications are REQUIRED for all Social Welfare students. No student will be permitted to enter any practicum site until all immunization verification is submitted and verified by the Health Sciences Immunization Program (HSIP). Students must document immunization verification to Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis, Varicella (chicken pox), COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and have a current, annual TB screening. Due to the nature of health professions training programs, exemptions are rarely granted and only in alignment with CDC recommendations, HSIP policy, and University policy and practice.

Please review the immunization FAQs for further information.