Graduate Degree

Social Work - Master of Social Work

Program:
Social Work - Master of Social Work
Plan Code:
CLSCW1_MSW;CLSCW2_MSW;ORCKAS_MSW;ORGCML_MSW
Program Level:
Graduate
Award Type:
Master of Social Work
College:
College of Social Science
Department:
Social Work


Excerpt from the official Academic Programs Catalog:

Listed below are the approved requirements for the program from the official Academic Programs Catalog.
Students must consult their advisors to learn which specific requirements apply to their degree programs.


College of Social Science

School of Social Work

Graduate Study
Social Work - Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work degree program includes extensive required courses and course sequences in social work. Only Plan B (without thesis) is available. Clinical (micro) social work, also known as direct practice with individuals, couples, families, and small groups, builds upon the profession's values and ethics and strengths-based, person-in-environment perspective.

Organization and Community Leadership (macro) social work, also known as the practice area of specialization, focuses on social issues at a larger scope - programs, policies, communities, laws, or social and governmental institutions - through activities such as program and policy analysis and development, advocacy, fund raising, grant-writing, research, and program evaluation.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission to the Master of Social Work Degree Program

All students begin the Master of Social Work degree program in the fall semester to align their enrollment with the sequencing of required courses. Therefore, applicants should seek admission during the previous fall semester. Students wishing to be considered for admission must complete all application materials. Additional information can be found at www.socialwork.msu.edu. Although an undergraduate major or concentration in the social sciences or in social work may be helpful, it is not required.
To be considered for admission to the Master of Social Work degree program, a person must have:

  1. A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized institution. (Bachelor of Applied Science degrees are not accepted) 
  2. A grade–point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) during undergraduate study or in 14 or more credits of graduate study.  The grade-point average in the last 60 credits or their equivalents of undergraduate course work is primarily considered.
  3. Evidence of personal qualities considered important for the practice of social work, as demonstrated through the Applicant statement and letters of reference.

In addition to these requirements, applicants to the Statewide Blended and Weekend program options must meet additional requirements. For Statewide Blended, applicants must:

  1. Live in the state of Michigan, or if out-of-state, within 50 miles of the Michigan border.
  2. Have regular access to high-speed internet service. 
  3. Applicants may also be asked to participate in a personal interview.

Requirements for the Master of Social Work Degree Program
The student must complete 57 credits in specified instruction in social work. Required course work for both the Clinical Social Work major and the Organization and Community Leadership major are taken in the following areas:  social work practice methods, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy, research methods, and field education. Additional information can be found at http://socialwork.msu.edu.

Clinical Social Work
1. All of the following courses (51 credits):
SW 810 Theories of Groups, Organizations, and Communities in Social Work 3
SW 811 Social Work Perspectives in Human Development 3
SW 820 Social Welfare Policy and Services 3
SW 822 Topics in Policy Practice and Advocacy 3
SW 829 Social Work Research Methods I 2
SW 830 Social Work Research Methods II 2
SW 832 Evaluating Social Work Programs and Practice 2
SW 840 Generalist Social Work Practice Methods I 3
SW 841 Generalist Social Work Practice Methods II 3
SW 843 Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis 2
SW 845 Administrative Skills in Social Work 3
SW 850 Clinical Social Work Practice I 3
SW 851 Clinical Social Work Practice II 3
SW 894A Social Work Field Education: Graduate Generalist Practice I 4
SW 894B Social Work Field Education: Graduate Generalist Practice II 4
SW 894D Social Work Field Education: Clinical Practice I 4
SW 894E Social Work Field Education: Clinical Practice II 4
2. Complete 6 credits of general electives at the 400-level or higher as approved by the student’s academic advisor.
Organization and Community Leadership
1. All of the following courses (48 credits):
SW 810 Theories of Groups, Organizations, and Communities in Social Work 3
SW 811 Social Work Perspectives in Human Development 3
SW 820 Social Welfare Policy and Services 3
SW 822 Topics in Policy Practice and Advocacy 3
SW 829 Social Work Research Methods I 2
SW 830 Social Work Research Methods II 2
SW 832 Evaluating Social Work Programs and Practice 2
SW 840 Generalist Social Work Practice Methods I 3
SW 841 Generalist Social Work Practice Methods II 3
SW 844 Essential Theories in Organizations and Communities Social Work Practice 2
SW 865 Social Work Leadership in Organizations  3
SW 866 Social Work Leadership in Communities 3
SW 894A Social Work Field Education: Graduate Generalist Practice I 4
SW 894B Social Work Field Education: Graduate Generalist Practice II 4
SW 894G Social Work Field Education: Macro Practice I 4
SW 894I Social Work Field Education: Macro Practice II 4
2. Complete 6 credits of general electives at the 400-level or higher as approved by the student’s academic advisor.
3. Complete 3 credits of general electives from a preapproved list of courses. Courses are reviewed on an annual basis and may require permission for enrollment. Students should consult advising staff prior to selection.


Admission to the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program

Persons who hold a recent bachelor’s degree in social work from a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may apply for admission to the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program.

Students begin the program in summer session. Applicants should therefore seek admission during the previous fall semester. Students wishing to be considered for admission must complete all the application materials. Additional information can be found at www.socialwork.msu.edu.

To be considered for admission to the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program, a person must have:

  1. A bachelor’s degree in social work, granted within the last six years, from a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
  2. A grade-point average of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) during undergraduate study. The grade-point average in the last 60 credits or their equivalents of undergraduate course work is primarily considered. 
  3. Evidence of personal qualities considered important for the practice of social work as demonstrated through the applicant statement and letters of reference.
In addition, applicants to the Statewide Blended Advanced Standing program must also:
  1. Live in the state of Michigan, or if out-of-state, within 50 miles of the Michigan border.
  2. Have regular access to high-speed internet service. 
  3. Applicants may also be asked to participate in a personal interview.

Requirements for the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program

The student must complete 36 credits in specified instruction in social work. Required course work for both the Clinical Social Work major and the Organization and Community Leadership major are taken in the following areas:  social work practice methods, social welfare policy, research methods, and field education. Additional information can be found at http://socialwork.msu.edu.

Clinical Social Work-Advanced Standing
1. All of the following courses (26 credits):
SW 822 Topics in Policy Practice and Advocacy 3
SW 830 Social Work Research Methods II 2
SW 832 Evaluating Social Work Programs and Practice 2
SW 843 Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis 2
SW 845 Administrative Skills in Social Work 3
SW 850 Clinical Social Work Practice I 3
SW 851 Clinical Social Work Practice II 3
SW 894D Social Work Field Education: Clinical Practice I 4
SW 894E Social Work Field Education: Clinical Practice II 4
2. Complete 10 credits of general electives at the 400-level or higher as approved by the student’s academic advisor.
Organization and Community Leadership-Advanced Standing
1. All of the following courses (23 credits):
SW 822 Topics in Policy Practice and Advocacy 3
SW 830 Social Work Research Methods II 2
SW 832 Evaluating Social Work Programs and Practice 2
SW 844 Essential Theories in Organizations and Communities Social Work Practice 2
SW 865 Social Work Leadership in Organizations  3
SW 866 Social Work Leadership in Communities 3
SW 894G Social Work Field Education: Macro Practice I 4
SW 894I Social Work Field Education: Macro Practice II 4
2. Complete 10 credits of general electives at the 400-level or higher as approved by the student’s academic advisor.
3. Complete 3 credits of general electives from a preapproved list of courses. Courses are reviewed on an annual basis and may require permission for enrollment. Students should consult advising staff prior to selection.

Residence

One year of residence consisting of two consecutive semesters and involving at least 7 credits of graduate course work each semester is required.

Part–Time Students

Both the Master of Social Work program and the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program are available on a part–time basis.

At the time of admission, students must apply for either part–time or full–time study. Students may transfer between part–time and full–time study with approval of the School.

Part–time students must progress through a plan of study as specified by the school. All students must meet their residence requirements during the year in which they are enrolled in the advanced practice and field education courses.