Reference Instructions for MSW Application

We require two reference letters for the MSW application. It is strongly recommended that one reference come from a college-level instructor.

If one of your references is not a college-level instructor, you should give the rationale for this in the education section of your narrative statement. In addition to a college-level instructor, the most meaningful references are drawn from the following individuals:

• Present or former employment supervisor
• Field placement or internship supervisor
• Supervisor or coordinator from volunteer, community engagement or social justice activity
• Present or former college-level class instructor, an advisor, student support center staff or research assistant supervisor

What is the reference process?

• The school collects references electronically via an emailed prompt to the reference person.
• The applicant will need the name, contact information, and email address for their reference person. The applicant will enter this information into the MSW application.
• We recommend that the applicant enter their reference person’s information into the MSW application as early as possible in the application process.
  • This will give those submitting a reference sufficient time to receive the email from us and complete their reference by the deadline.

Other guidelines:

• Make sure the reference names you submit have agreed in advance to serving as a reference and know to expect an email from UWM regarding this reference.
• Do not include friends, relatives, or your own social worker, counselor, therapist, or doctor. Include only those who have been in a position to be able to evaluate you and with whom you have a primarily professional or academic connection.
• In order for an application to be considered complete, both letters must be received into the application system.
• Do not submit more than two references. Only two will be accepted and reviewed for your MSW application.

Transcript

• Upload an electronic copy of your undergraduate transcript into the application. This will serve as the unofficial transcript for admission purposes.
• After you are admitted and before starting classes, you must arrange for your undergraduate institution to send an official transcript directly to the UWM Graduate School.
• If you have completed any graduate-level work, please include a copy of any transcripts reflecting that work as a separate submission in your application.