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Admissions

International Students

The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration (SSA) welcomes students from all over the world to enroll in our masters or doctoral program. One of six professional schools at the University of Chicago, SSA is a leading institution nationally and internationally for the development of social welfare policies and social work practices.

SSA has pioneered and continues to provide a rigorous and intellectually based social work curriculum. A renowned interdisciplinary faculty brings social science theory and groundbreaking research into the classroom. Students at SSA learn how to practice among diverse populations at all levels of social intervention: individual, family, program, organization, community, and policy. The School challenges students to combine a concern for human distress with a thoughtful, critical, and theoretical understanding of its causes and consequences.

Location

SSA is located in Hyde Park, minutes from downtown Chicago. Hyde Park is a racially integrated residential neighborhood, close to Lake Michigan and known for its many bookstores, restaurants, and easy access to public transportation and expressways. One of the world's great cities, Chicago is home to renowned cultural institutions such as the Art Institute and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, legendary sports teams like the Bulls and White Sox, a stunning lakefront with parks and beaches, and a diverse offering of restaurants. It is also home to President Barack Obama.

On-campus housing is available at the International House, a short walk from the SSA building. International House is primarily for graduate students and most rooms are single occupancy with shared dining facilities. About half of the residents are from the United States and half are from more than 50 countries. In addition, the University owns and operates 28 secure apartment buildings for graduate students, all located within a mile of campus.

Admissions Requirements

Because the requirements for professional employment in Canada and the United States are similar, the requirements for admission are the same for Canadian students and students from the United States. Some adaptations in admission requirements are made for students from other countries as follows:

  1. The student from another country is expected to have a baccalaureate-level degree or its equivalent and to have completed social work training in the home country and/or to have had work experience in a social agency before applying for admission to the master’s program. Exceptions are occasionally made when the individual is currently completing undergraduate education in this country.
  2. The student from another country must have fluency in spoken English. The fieldwork courses demand use of idiomatic English from the beginning of the period of study. All applicants from other countries must submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). SSA requires a TOEFL score of 100 with sub scores of 26 each (250 on the earlier computerized test with a score of 25 in each component section) or a score of 7 with sub scores of 7 each on the IELTS exam.

Funding Your Education

SSA understands the financial concerns of students deciding to attend graduate school-particularly when there are additional costs of travel and visa requirements. Please see the links to the right for a list of possible funding sources. International students are also considered for scholarships if they indicate need. The University of Chicago provides information on alternative loans for international students who meet the relevant requirements and have an eligible co-signer. Information can be found on the Student Loan Administration website under "Graduate PLUS and Alternative Loan Issues."

Please contact the Admissions Office with any questions or to request an application form.