Registration Information for Out of Department and Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) Students

How do I register for classes at the UW School of Social Work?

Students who are enrolled in other UW programs or plan on applying for GNM status should complete the Waitlist/Add Code Request survey. The survey usually opens on the first day of Registration Period II. (See the Academic Calendar for future dates.)

Please do not contact instructors for add codes.

Spring 2023 Waitlist will open at 12:15am on February 27th (very early Monday) Waitlist will close 11:59pm on Weds, 3/22. After that date, please email inquiries to mswadvising@uw.edu.

Note: Prospective GNM students should NOT apply through the graduate school until they've been told they have a spot in a desired class. Students currently enrolled in an SSW course GNM do not need to reapply for GNM status (which maintains until student is not enrolled for 4 continuous quarters), but will still need to get approval through the above waitlist process for each course they want to take each quarter.

How do I find out which classes are being offered?

You will need to look in the UW Time Schedule.

What happens after I complete the survey?

You will receive an email at least two weeks before the quarter begins to let you know if a course is available, full, or is restricted to School of Social Work students. If you complete the survey after the quarter begins, then you will receive an email as soon as we are able to process your request.

If a course is available, you will be asked to respond by a specific date to confirm your interest. The course will be offered to the next person on the waitlist if you do not respond by the deadline in the email.

Should I contact the instructor of the course for an add code?

Student Services manages the registration process for the School of Social Work. Please do not contact instructors for add codes.

What happens after I have confirmed my interest in a course?

Out of Department Students: You will receive an email notifying you that Student Services has registered you in the course or you will receive instructions on how to register.

Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) Applicants:

Once you have confirmation that you can enroll in a course, review and complete the application procedures described in the “Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) and Non-Matriculated Applicants” section of the SSW Applicant Information Page. Note: When you complete the graduate school application, choose "Social Work - Seattle (MSW - Day Program Full Time)" for the graduate program unless you're specifically told otherwise. (In rare cases, you may be asked to choose a different program at SSW).
Alert Student Services when your application has been submitted and is ready for review by emailing us at mswadvising@uw.edu.
Student Services will email after your application is reviewed to inform you of whether or not your application meets the UW School of Social Work and Graduate School requirements for obtaining GNM status.
GNM students are limited to applying 12 GNM credits to a graduate degree and acceptance of the credits are at the department's discretion. All courses meeting requirements for a masters degree need to be completed within 6 years, so this should be taken into consideration when enrolling in GNM credits.
If you are approved to take the course, then you will register as described:

GNM students on the Seattle campus register for classes through UW Professional & Continuing Education (PCE) and are not required to maintain continuous registration but lose their GNM status after an absence of four consecutive quarters. Contact PCE Registration Services for information about registration and fees.

Although GNM status is maintained by continuous registration, GNM students still need to get approval through the above waitlist process for each course they wish to take.

GNM students wanting to use tuition exemption

The School of Social Work accepts tuition exemption for courses in the BASW, MSW Day, and PhD programs. Tuition exemption benefits may only be used for courses in the state-subsidized programs (not fee-based programs, such as our MSW EDP Program courses.) GNM students participating in the UW or state employee Tuition Exemption Program register for classes in MyUW and must maintain continuous registration (except summer quarter) or lose their GNM status. Tuition exemption request forms are due to the registrar's office 10 business days before the quarter begins (you can write in intended courses and turn in the form even if you haven't gotten approval for specific classes.)

Other notes:

Although GNM status is maintained by continuous registration, GNM students still need to get approval through the above waitlist process for each course they wish to take.
Please note: Prospective MSW students are limited to a max of 12 credits in GNM status and transfer credits, combined, and, within those the total transfer credits can't exceed 6 credits. Student visas are not possible for GNM status students.
School Social Work class (Soc W 588) - it is very rare for there to be space in our School Social Work class for other than our own students. Although you are welcome to waitlist, we'd encourage you to look at the list of ESA-approved classes on the OSPI website that will work for the certification requirement, that site has contact information for school districts offering that training. A number of these course options are much less expensive than taking our course as a GNM (which will cost a bit over $2000 through the UW.)
In general, GNM students will not be able to register into advanced clinical courses or courses that have prerequisites in the program. GNM students are typically approved for Soc W 500, 501 and 571 and many electives on a space available basis. Other classes are possible and mswadvising@uw.edu can be contacted to ask about what classes might be available in an upcoming quarter, always subject to space availability.

Resources:

UW Graduate School Admissions Process for GNM

UW Time Schedule

Tuition and Fees Information

UW/State Employee Tuition Exemption Policies

Please contact Student Services at mswadvising@uw.edu if you have any questions.