Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

School of Social Work

Anne Katrin Hughes, Director 


Social work is a profession that focuses on helping vulnerable and oppressed people improve their lives. Social work uses a wide range of approaches toward this end, with the intent of improving both personal life circumstances as well as the broader institutions and social forces that affect these populations. Our field stresses the interaction between the person and the person’s environment as we develop solutions. Social work is guided by a code of ethics that encompasses values fundamental to our practice, such as respect for diversity, self-determination, empowerment, and focus on the most vulnerable members of society.

Our programs prepare students for social work practice in a wide range of settings, including at the individual, community, state, national, and international levels. Social workers engage populations experiencing diverse needs, such as in child welfare, aging, schools, health care, criminal justice, or poor communities. Experiential learning is critical to social work education; all students complete structured field placements in community-based and other service agencies that introduce students to real social work practice issues. These field placements comprise a significant portion of study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

 

Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The primary educational goal of the program is to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice. Students apply for admission to the social work major and primarily complete course work in their junior and senior years. Students also complete a field practicum in their senior year. For a detailed program description visit www.socialwork.msu.edu.

For a detailed program description visit www.socialwork.msu.edu.


Social Work

Admission as a Junior

The number of students who can be admitted as juniors to the bachelor's degree program in social work is limited. Applications are accepted and reviewed only during the spring semester of each year.

All persons who are interested in applying for admission as juniors to the bachelor's degree program in social work must request a special application form and detailed information regarding admission requirements and procedures from the School of Social Work Web site at http://www.socialwork.msu.edu/Programs/BASW.

Students who are enrolled in colleges and universities other than Michigan State University should contact Michigan State University's Office of Admissions and the School of Social Work regarding admission to the bachelor's degree program in social work as transfer students.

To be considered for admission as a junior to the bachelor's degree program in social work, a student must have:

  1. Submitted a completed application form by the deadline specified by the school.
  2. Completed Social Work 200, which is a prerequisite for the 300–400 level courses required for the bachelor's degree.
  3. Completed the courses in related areas referenced in items 3. a. (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) under the heading Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work.

Admission to the bachelor's degree program in social work is competitive, and there is no guarantee that students with a major preference in social work will be admitted to the bachelor's degree program as juniors.  In making admissions decisions, the faculty considers the relative qualifications of applicants, their suitability for the program, and the enrollment capacity of the program.

A student who has been admitted to the bachelor’s degree program in social work for a given semester, but then decides not to enroll for that semester, would need to reapply for admission to the program. There is no guarantee that the student would be admitted to the program again.

Honors Study

Students interested in honors study in social work should consult with academic advisors in the school.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Social Work major is met by completing Social Work 440. That course is referenced in item 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following required major courses:
                   
    a. The following courses in related areas (20 or 21 credits):
    (1) All of the following courses (8 credits):
    PSY 101 Introductory Psychology 4
    SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology 4
    (2) One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    HNF 150 Introduction to Human Nutrition 3
    MMG 141 Introductory Human Genetics 3
    PSL 250 Introductory Physiology 4
    PSY 209 Brain and Behavior 3
    (3) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    EC 201 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
    EC 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
    (4) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    PSY 200 Cognitive Psychology 3
    PSY 235 Social Psychology 3
    PSY 236 Personality 3
    PSY 244 Developmental Psychology: Infancy Through Childhood 3
    PSY 270 Community Psychology 3
    PSY 280 Abnormal Psychology 3
    (5) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    PLS 100 Introduction to American Politics 3
    PLS 140 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3
    b. All of the following Social Work courses (38 credits):
    A grade of 2.0 must be earned in each of the following courses:
      Social Work 310, 320, 420, 430, 431, 440, 441, 493A, 493B, 494A, and 494B.
    A minimum of 2.0 must be earned to progress to a course for which one of these courses is a prerequisite. Students must pass (P) SW 494A to progress to SW 494B.
    SW 200 Introduction to Social Work 3
    SW 310 Human Behavior and Social Environment 3
    SW 320 Social Work and Social Policy I 3
    SW 340 Foundations of Social Work Practice 3
    SW 420 Social Work and Social Policy II 3
    SW 430 Research Methods in Social Work I 4
    SW 431 Research Methods in Social Work II 3
    SW 440 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups (W) 3
    SW 441 Social Work Practice with Task Groups, Organizations and Communities 3
    SW 493A Social Work Field Education: Integrative Field Seminar I 1
    SW 493B Social Work Field Education: Integrative Field Seminar II 1
    SW 494A Social Work Field Education: Undergraduate Generalist Practice I 4
    SW 494B Social Work Field Education: Undergraduate Generalist Practice II 4
    c. One of the following courses (3 credits):
    ANP 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3
    HDFS 442 Ethnic Families in America 3
    SOC 215 Race and Ethnicity 3
    SOC 216 Sex and Gender 3


Graduate Study

The fully accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program prepares students for advanced and more specialized social work practice. Students select either Clinical Social Work or Organization and Community Leadership as an advanced concentration. Clinical Social Work prepares students to engage in professional practice with individuals, families, and small groups, using many different intervention techniques. Organization and Community Leadership trains students for work in policy, advocacy, community development, and administrative positions. 

The school emphasizes access to social work education, and has developed a wide range of options to meet the diverse needs of students. The school offers MSW programs in East Lansing and Flint, as well as a weekend program and a hybrid (face-to-face and online learning) program, call the Statewide Blended program. For all of these options, students can complete their field placements near where they live or work. 

The school offers both regular and advanced standing MSW program options. The regular program requires 57 credits for degree completion. Students admitted after having completed the equivalent of the first year of this program at another university must complete a minimum of 31 credits in the MSW program at Michigan State University. A maximum of 26 credits of graduate level work in another Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program may be applied to the credit requirements under the MSW degree. 

Students who have received a bachelor’s degree in social work within the last six years from a program accredited by the CSWE may apply for admission to the Master of Social Work Advanced Standing program. The Advanced Standing program requires a minimum of 38 credits for the MSW degree, and may be completed with full-time study over one year or part-time study over two years. 

Students enrolled in the MSW degree program may complete an optional certificate program in areas including school social work, advanced clinical practice with families, social work with older adults, substance abuse, social work and health, or trauma-focused social work practice.

Students who are enrolled in the Master of Social Work degree program in the School of Social Work may elect specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Social Work, which is open to students who have earned an MSW degree, emphasizes the development, analysis, and application of social work knowledge, and is designed to prepare social workers for research and teaching positions in the academy and/or applied research settings. 

 

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.
  4. Prior work reflecting a liberal arts perspective with 19 credits in humanities and social and natural sciences, such as courses in sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, philosophy, literature, and languages.

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 more than 30 miles from the East Lansing campus.
  2. Live in the state of Michigan, or if out-of-state, within 50 miles of the Michigan border.
  3. Have regular access to high-speed internet service. 
  4. Complete an online assessment and orientation program on how to learn effectively in the online environment.
  5. Applicants may also be asked to participate in a personal interview.

For Weekend, 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. Complete an online assessment and orientation program on how to learn effectively in the online environment.
  4. 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 the following approved list of courses. Many courses require permission for enrollment.
ADV 816 Fundraising and Philanthropy in Nonprofit Organizations 3
CSUS 433 Grant Writing and Fund Development 3
CSUS 858 Gender, Justice and Environmental Change: Issues and Concepts 3
GEO 816 The World System of Cities 3
HDFS 860 Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development 3
HDFS 861 Community Youth Development 3
HM 804 Public Health Policy and Administration 3
HM 841 Public Health Policy 3
HM 854 Health Equity Framework for Public Health Practice 3
HM 828 Community Engagement in Public Health Practice 3
HRLR 813 Organizational Behavior for Human Resources and Labor Relations 3
HRLR 816 Organizational Development and Change 3
HRLR 818 Leadership 3
HRLR 822 Training and Development 3
PDC 403 Introduction to Domicology: Sustainable Built Environment 3
PPL 801 Quantitative Methods in Public Policy 3
PPL 802 Quantitative Methods in Public Policy II 3
PPL 806 Policy Evaluation 3
PPL 807 Public Policy 3
PPL 808 Policy Development and Administration 3
PPL 890 Policy Workshop 3
PPL 891 Issues in Public Policy 1 to 3
PSY 873 Methods and Practice of Community Engagement I 3
PSY 880 Foundations of Evaluation Practice 3
PSY 881 Evaluation Design 3
PSY 882 Evaluation Data Collection Methods 3
PSY 883 Statistics for Evaluators I 3
PSY 885 Communicating and Reporting 3
PSY 887 Statistics for Evaluators II 3
PSY 888 Evaluation Management 3
SOC 881 Analysis of Social Data I 3
SW 492 Seminar in Social Work 3
SW 890 Independent Study 1 to 4
SW 891 Special Topics in Graduate Social Work 1 to 4


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.
  4. Prior academic work reflecting a liberal arts perspective with 19 credits in humanities and social and natural sciences, such as courses in sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, philosophy, literature, and languages.
In addition, applicants to the Statewide Blended Advanced Standing program must also:
  1. Live more than 30 miles from the East Lansing campus. 
  2. Live in the state of Michigan, or if out-of-state, within 50 miles of the Michigan border.
  3. Have regular access to high-speed internet service. 
  4. Complete an online assessment and orientation program on how to learn effectively in the online environment.
  5. 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 the following approved list of courses. Many courses require permission for enrollment.
ADV 816 Fundraising and Philanthropy in Nonprofit Organizations 3
CSUS 433 Grant Writing and Fund Development 3
CSUS 858 Gender, Justice and Environmental Change: Issues and Concepts 3
GEO 816 The World System of Cities 3
HDFS 860 Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development 3
HDFS 861 Community Youth Development 3
HM 804 Public Health Policy and Administration 3
HM 841 Public Health Policy 3
HM 854 Health Equity Framework for Public Health Practice 3
HM 828 Community Engagement in Public Health Practice 3
HRLR 813 Organizational Behavior for Human Resources and Labor Relations 3
HRLR 816 Organizational Development and Change 3
HRLR 818 Leadership 3
HRLR 822 Training and Development 3
PDC 403 Introduction to Domicology: Sustainable Built Environment 3
PPL 801 Quantitative Methods in Public Policy 3
PPL 802 Quantitative Methods in Public Policy II 3
PPL 806 Policy Evaluation 3
PPL 807 Public Policy 3
PPL 808 Policy Development and Administration 3
PPL 890 Policy Workshop 3
PPL 891 Issues in Public Policy 1 to 3
PSY 873 Methods and Practice of Community Engagement I 3
PSY 880 Foundations of Evaluation Practice 3
PSY 881 Evaluation Design 3
PSY 882 Evaluation Data Collection Methods 3
PSY 883 Statistics for Evaluators I 3
PSY 885 Communicating and Reporting 3
PSY 887 Statistics for Evaluators II 3
PSY 888 Evaluation Management 3
SOC 881 Analysis of Social Data I 3
SW 492 Seminar in Social Work 3
SW 890 Independent Study 1 to 4
SW 891 Special Topics in Graduate Social Work 1 to 4

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.


Social Work - Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work is an interdisciplinary program rooted in the historical, epistemological, and philosophical bases of social work. It is designed to prepare social workers for leadership positions in the profession as educators, researchers, policy makers, and/or administrators. It places emphasis on the development, analysis, and application of social work knowledge related to professional practice, and is designed to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the social work profession and field of social welfare.

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

Admission

The doctoral program in social work invites applications from experienced social workers who hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited graduate program. Applicants must provide evidence of academic performance via transcripts and standardized test scores, and a capacity to develop concepts and articulate issues related to the social work profession via two writing samples. Students are asked to provide a personal essay that articulates their interest in advanced social work research, education, and practice. Applicants with outstanding academic records may be admitted to the program provisionally and permitted to make up deficiencies on a collateral basis..

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Social Work

1. All of the following courses (18 credits):
SW 900 Doctoral Proseminar in Social Work 2
SW 901 Knowledge Construction in Social Work 3
SW 905 Historical and Current Analysis of Social Work and Social Problems 3
SW 911 Research Sequence Practicum I 2
SW 912 Research Sequence Practicum II 2
SW 920 Evaluation of Social Work Services and Practice 3
SW 930 Social Work Research Using Quantitative and Qualitative Methods 3
2. Complete a minimum of 6 credits in statistics at the 800 or 900 level as approved by the student’s guidance committee.
3. Complete 15 additional graduate-level credits in a focused cognate or social science discipline, of which 3 credits can be in social work.
4. Pass a comprehensive examination administered by the student’s guidance committee.
5. Complete 24 credits of SW 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
6. Successfully defend the doctoral dissertation.