Academic Programs Catalog

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.

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.

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.

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.

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