Admission Requirements

PhD Program admission requirements include:

• a master’s degree (MSW is preferred) with a graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher, based on a 4-point scale;
• a bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher, based on a 4-point scale;
• acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, for applicants whose first language is not English or who have not earned a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is exclusively English. The program will accept Duolingo English test scores if the applicant received a combined undergraduate and graduate education of four years where the official language of instruction of the institution was English for all course work. Test scores for TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test are considered valid for two years.
  • TOEFL Score Requirements
    NYU Silver accepts the TOEFL iBT test, the TOEFL iBT Home Edition and the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition. The minimum scores for the TOEFL are 92-93. Our TOEFL code is 2506. We will accept an unofficial score until we receive an official copy from Educational Testing Service (ETS).
  • IELTS Score Requirements
    Admission criteria for the IELTS is an overall score of 7.0 or higher (no individual scores less than 7 in any category).
  • Duolingo English Test
    Admission criteria for the Duolingo English Test is a minimum score of 115.
  • Exemptions: 
    • Applicants who have earned a degree from an institution where the language of instruction during their entire undergraduate program (four years) and/or master's degree was exclusively English, regardless of country, are exempt from submitting a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.
    • Applicants who are U.S. Permanent Residents and have earned their undergraduate degree from a US Institution.
• an updated Curriculum Vitae;
• a well-written and compelling statement of research interest; and
• three outstanding letters of recommendation.
• International applicants ‒ please learn more about your additional requirements.

Note: Although post-MSW practice experience is not a requirement, at least three years of experience is recommended.

Contact Us

Phone: (212) 998-5941
Email: silver.phd@nyu.edu