Many MSW programs don’t interview at all. Others interview every qualified applicant, interview only when they have questions, or use a recorded video or a timed writing exam instead. Here is what named social work programs say about the 2027 cycle, from their own admissions pages.
From MSW programs’ own admissions pagesFall 2027 admissionChecked October 28, 2026
Practice with a mock interviewOne-on-one on Zoom with Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP.
Jump to:FormatsWhat they assessWriting exam promptsPractice questionsHow to prepareFAQ
Which MSW programs interview
| Program | Format | What their page says |
|---|---|---|
| Loma Linda University | Interview for qualified candidates | For Fall 2027, the admissions committee “coordinates contacting all qualified candidates for admission interviews.” Source |
| University of North Alabama | 15 minutes, two faculty | The requirements list a “15 minute interview with 2 Social Work faculty”. Source |
| University of Michigan | On request, Zoom or in person | “Applicants to the MSW program are welcome to request an interview after they have submitted their MSW application and all required supporting documents.” The review team may also request one. “Interviews are conducted via Zoom or in person.” Source |
| Stony Brook University | At the committee's discretion | For Fall 2027: “At the discretion of the School of Social Welfare Admissions Committee, interviews may be required.” Source |
| Simmons University | Only in certain cases | “An interview is not required; however, under certain circumstances, you may be asked to interview with the Director of Admission or a member of the SSW Admissions Committee after your application is reviewed” Source |
| San Diego State | Recorded video | Fall 2027 applicants submit “a 1-2-minute video response” to a prompt about their chosen specialization. Source |
| Cal State Bakersfield | Timed writing exam, no interview | A two-hour MSW Writing Exam at the CSUB Testing Center, with published sample prompts (below). Source |
| CSUN Tseng College (online MSW) | No interview | Its FAQ: “no interview is required or requested during the review process.” Source |
| University of Washington | None listed | For the 2027 deadlines (January 14 and February 16, 2027), the application asks for short-answer critical reflection questions and lists no interview. Source |
What MSW interviews assess
Loma Linda spells it out. It looks for “Demonstration, through the application and interview processes, of compatibility with the profession of social work, ability to develop and nurture interpersonal relationships, communication skills, self-awareness, professional comportment, critical thinking skills, fit with the mission and values of Loma Linda University and the Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, and the capacity to successfully complete the Master of Social Work curriculum.” (Loma Linda)
San Diego State says its video “allows us to assess your verbal communication skills, critical thinking, and professional presence” (San Diego State). Self-awareness comes up again and again in social work: expect questions about your own values, biases, and how you take care of yourself in hard work.
A writing exam with published prompts
Cal State Bakersfield replaces the interview with a timed essay. Applicants “will have two hours to complete the exam”, and the exam fee is $45 (CSUB checklist). The department posts sample prompts and says “The prompts you receive at the time of your exam will be similar in type and format but will not be the same.” Your answer is “a well organized, two-page essay (double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font) with an introduction, thematic body paragraphs, and a conclusion.” (CSUB sample prompts)
The 2027 sample prompts:
- “Discuss the academic and/or professional experiences, skills, and attributes that have prepared you for success in graduate school and the social work profession.”
- “Discuss your academic and/or professional experiences, skills, attributes, and values that align with the social work profession.”
- “Articulate your career goals within the field of social work and how your academic and/or professional background supports those objectives.”
- “Describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to social justice or social change in an academic, volunteer, or professional context.”
- “Identify specific social work issues or populations that you are most interested in working with and explain why.”
- “Explain why you believe the CSUB Department of Social Work is a strong fit for your educational and professional goals.”
These six prompts double as excellent interview practice. They are also the questions your MSW personal statement should already answer.
Practice questions
Apart from CSUB’s writing exam prompts, programs don’t publish their questions. These are my practice prompts, not questions any program has published:
- Why social work, and not counseling or psychology?
- Tell us about a time you worked with someone whose values differed from yours.
- Which population do you want to serve, and why?
- How do you take care of yourself in emotionally hard work?
- Tell us about a time you advocated for someone.
- What does social justice mean in your daily practice?
- How will you handle field placement hours alongside classes and work?
How to prepare
- Check whether your programs interview. Many don’t, and some interview only when they need more information.
- Write timed answers to CSUB’s six prompts. They are good practice for any MSW interview or video.
- Prepare self-awareness stories. Loma Linda names self-awareness and professional comportment.
- Know your population and practice area and why they fit your experience.
- Consider requesting an interview at Michigan if your file needs context, such as a low GPA or a career change.
Your interviewers may have your application in front of them, so reread your own MSW personal statement before the interview. If you haven’t submitted yet, see our MSW personal statement examples, or work with Lauren Hammond, PhD, our personal statement editor.
For counseling, MFT, and art therapy programs, see our counseling program interview guide and our MFT interview guide.
If interviews make you nervous, see how to calm your nerves before an interview from Julie Cunningham, a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Practice with a real interviewer before the real one. My wife, Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist who runs mock interviews on Zoom for MSW applicants. She coaches every format: one-on-one, panel, MMI, and recorded video interviews such as Kira Talent. She works on how your answers come across: clear key words, pace, voice, filler words, organizing an answer so it has a point, staying steady when you’re nervous, and how you look and sound on camera. It’s $250 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Do MSW programs require an interview?
Many don’t. CSUN’s online MSW says no interview is required or requested, and the University of Washington lists none. Others, like Loma Linda and the University of North Alabama, interview qualified applicants.
Can I request an MSW interview?
At the University of Michigan, yes. Applicants are welcome to request an interview after submitting the application and all supporting documents.
What is the CSUB MSW writing exam?
A two-hour exam at the CSUB Testing Center in which you write a two-page essay responding to department prompts. The fee is $45, and CSUB publishes sample prompts.
What do MSW interviews assess?
Loma Linda looks for compatibility with the profession, interpersonal and communication skills, self-awareness, professional comportment, critical thinking, and fit with its mission.
Do MSW programs use video interviews?
Some do. San Diego State asks Fall 2027 applicants for a 1 to 2 minute video response about their chosen specialization.
Related guides: Clinical psychology, Counseling programs, Marriage and family therapy, and Art therapy. See all interview guides by program.
Every date and quotation on this page comes from the program’s own admissions page or document, linked where it appears. Last checked October 28, 2026.