Consider a sponsored online MSW program that is taking applications for 2024.
| School | Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|
| Adelphi University | Online Master of Social Work
Online flexibility and a personalized approach. Placements near you. No GRE. |
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| Virginia Commonwealth University | Online Master's in Social Work
Part-time and full-time online options, with three intakes throughout the year, let you learn from anywhere in the country. |
Part-time and full-time options |
| University of Kentucky | Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited, 100% online. Regular and Advanced Standing MSW tracks. |
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| University of Denver | Online Master of Social Work
GRE scores are not required to apply. |
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| Case Western Reserve University | Online Master of Social Work
No GRE required. Earn your Master of Social Work online at CWRU in as little as two and a half years. Bachelor’s degree required. |
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Click to view online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2024.
Many top institutions across the state of Michigan provide accredited programs in social work, along with varying opportunities for convenient online education. At least 4,000 hours of supervised practice after graduation is needed before receiving state licensures.
Michigan CSWE Accredited MSW Programs
A dozen universities offer social work programs at the graduate level that have accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in the state of Michigan. This includes some of the top institutions in terms of enrollment, such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University.
Are there online MSW programs in Michigan?
Yes, there are colleges in Michigan with an online Master of Social Work degree program. Consider a featured online MSW program that is taking applicants right now, or move on to the list.
| School | Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|
| Adelphi University | Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited |
Website |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Online Master's in Social Work
Accredited |
Website |
| University of Kentucky | Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited |
Website |
| University of West Florida | Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited |
Website |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited |
Website |
Click to see more accredited online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2024.
List of online MSW programs in Michigan that are CSWE accredited
| School | Program | CSWE Accredited? |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University | Online MSW: Clinical Practice | ✓ |
| Michigan State University | Online MSW: Clinical Practice and Organization & Community Leadership | ✓ |
Finding a Campus Based Michigan MSW Program
Popular locations that students can receive a CSWE-accredited Master's degree in social work is in Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Ann Arbor. Many specializations are available to consider at the University of Michigan, including direct clinical practice, gerontology, and mental health. Students should review other programs to see what they can specialize in when looking at social work careers.
Michigan State University's Online MSW
The College of Social Science offers the Master of Social Work with numerous certifications that students can choose from, including school social work, health care, and evidence-based trauma treatment. Education can be earned through a clinical or community leadership concentration. This means students can specialize in working directly with individuals and families, or the industry at a macro level.
Admission Requirements
In order to be administered into the regular or advanced standing program, prospective students must have completed a Bachelor's degree and earned high academic merit. The traditional program requires any degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA over the last 60 credit hours taken. For advanced standing, the degree must be in social work and accredited from the CSWE, and 3.25 GPA is needed over the last 60 credit hours.
Regardless of pathway chose, prior education must have certain liberal arts topics covered in sociology, psychology, history, and more. Neither pathway requires the submission of Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores. Availability of the online and hybrid program is on a state-by-state basis and students should review if they are able to take this program in their state.
In addition to the East Lansing campus and online formats, students can consider taking the MSW at Flint and Oakland. Examples of courses that students may take include Clinical Assessment Diagnosis, Social Work Research methods, and Administration Skills for Social Workers. There are four semesters of field education in the traditional program at two different internships
Grand Valley State University's Master of Social Work
The School of Social Work offers an MSW program that builds on student skills in the industry, including decision making with evidence-based conclusions, leadership and management, developing treatment plans, and working in crisis intervention. Courses are offered at the Grand Rapids campus and there is no online format available to students.
Curriculum Structure
60 total credit hours are needed for the traditional Master of Social Work program. Examples of foundational courses include Cultural Competency for Social Work, Integrated Methods, and Social Welfare Policy and Services. Those that are eligible for advanced standing can eliminate 19 credit hours worth of foundational content.
Students are able to pursue the advanced generalist concentration, which explores treatment planning, substance abuse, and social policy. Field education is divided into three different segments, each requiring 300 clock hours to complete. There is a supplemental seminar session that meets biweekly and integrates academic studies with real-world experience.
Admission Requirements
A Bachelor's degree from a CSWE-accredited program is needed for advanced standing, otherwise traditional entry requires a 3.0 GPA or higher over the last 60 credit hours. There is an option to waive some generalist courses if applicants are not eligible for advanced standing and have taken similar courses, but they will still need to meet the full 60 credit hours with additional electives.
Review of campus-based Michigan MSW programs
Andrews University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Berrien Springs
Requires 56 or 33 credit hours depending on academic background. Students with an accredited BSW may consider advanced standing. Blends together traditional social work study with faith-based application. 2.75 GPA needed for traditional program and 3.0 GPA required for advanced standing. Other admission needs include two recommendation letters, statement of purpose, and resume. Resume should show professional work or project accomplishment.
Eastern Michigan University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Ypsilanti
Concentrations in youth and family, mental health, and aging services. Provides full and part-time programs with evening and weekend availability. 900 total field work hours needed, with 500 hours toward specialization. Internships completed over eight-month period and requires availability during normal business hours. To qualify for advanced standing, students must have a 2.75 GPA in undergraduate studies. Also acceptable is a 3.0 GPA across courses focusing on social work topics.
Ferris State University - Master of Social Work (M.S.A.) - Big Rapids
Offers advanced generalist macro and micro practice to specialize studies. Foundational topics in policy analysis and research methods. Capstone project requires students to complete proposal for program or clinical development. Requires three reference letters and professional resume in the admission process. Personal statement must include professional goals and NASW values used in prior work. Advanced standing eligibility requires a 3.5 GPA among social work courses.
Grand Valley State University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Allendale
Concentration emphasizes advanced generalist techniques with effective direct practice. Students gain leadership skills and review effectiveness in established community programs. Includes micro and macro topics with different group practice and human services administration. Offers blend of weekend and online coursework with on-campus availability on Saturdays. Can pair with the Master of Public Administration if admission requirements met.
Madonna University - Master of Social Work - Livonia
Courses distributed at the Livonia campus with some hybrid and online options. Concentrations available in clinical or macro practice. Students will explore leadership skills within an organization with macro-level studies. Clinical specializations include mental health, youth and families, and gerontology. Graduates have gone on to work in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.
Michigan State University - Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH) - East Lansing
Blends both graduate programs in social work and public health. Students work with academic advisor to create schedule based on prior academic experience. Locations offering MSW program are eligible, but weekend and blended options are not. Admission requires 3.25 GPA and CSWE-accredited Bachelor's degree. Students should have strong writing capability and academic background in liberal arts. GRE scores are not required with application submission.
Michigan State University - Masters of Social Work (MSW) - East Lansing
Concentrations offered in clinical work and community leadership. These are also recognized as micro and macro-level opportunities depending on career goals. Nine different certificates available to customize elective study. Options include child welfare, evidence-based treatment plans, and addictions. Offered through the East Lansing and Flint locations. Also offers hybrid and weekend opportunities for part-time enrollment.
Saginaw Valley State University - Master of Social Work - University Center
Students gain ethical understanding of social work while solving problems with evidence-based research. Practicum focused on community and society within the Great Lakes Bay Region. Concentration emphasizes advanced generalist curriculum. Advanced standing available for students holding 3.25 GPA with accredited BSW. Degree obtained within the last five years. Traditional format starts summer semester while advanced standing is earlier in the spring.
Spring Arbor University - Master of Social Work - Spring Arbor
Program available with traditional 60 credit hour curriculum or advanced standing. Completed in one to two years with full-time enrollment. Advanced standing available for students with an accredited BSW within six years. One extra year granted for every two years of professional social work experience. Available at the Spring Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo campus locations. Three recommendation letters, professional goals, and resume needed in the application process.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Ann Arbor
Various formats include evening/weekend and online course distribution with part-time enrollment. The online option features advanced coursework in mental health and substance abuse topics. Students meet with faculty and other peers at on-campus residencies. Geared toward students eligible for advanced standing with a BSW above 3.5 GPA. Students may begin with a MasterTrack certification through Coursera. Entry-level program provides policy, research, and practice fundamentals over six to eight months.
Wayne State University - Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) - Detroit
Foundational content in human behavior, research methods, and theory in macro practice. Concentrations available in community development and interpersonal practice. The latter is a unique focus on impact from human behavior and family systems. Dual degree opportunities in public health and infant-aged mental health. Program begins in summer or fall term depending on traditional or advanced standing. Requires Bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA in prior academic education.
Western Michigan University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Kalamazoo
60 or 39 credit hours needed depending on traditional or advanced standing format. Concentrations offered in clinical work or policy and administration. Specializations can focus education on trauma-based advocacy or school social work. Some advanced topics available outside of the School of Social Work. The College of Health and Human Services emphasizes gerontology and drug abuse studies.
Careers, Licensures, and Salaries in Michigan
In general, the state of Michigan has a large amount of social work employment. Over 13,700 workers are represented in child, family, and school services according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly half of these workers can be found in the Detroit metropolitan area, along with thousands in Grand Rapids and East Lansing.
Average Salary of a Michigan Social Worker
Michigan has modest to above-average pay rates for social workers across the state. Looking again at youth and school services, the annual mean wage is estimated at $51,410, and this can jump to $68,220 in the top 10 percent of workers. Many other specialties, such as mental health and substance abuse, fall close to these figures.
Michigan Social Work Licensure Requirements
In order to obtain the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) designation, applicants must submit their transcripts showing completion of a Master’s degrees to the Michigan state board. This will give professionals a limited LMSW license, meaning they can pursue the 4,000 hours of supervised social work practice that is needed prior to getting the full licensure. With a cap of 2,000 clock hours each year, this must be obtained over at least a two-year time span.
Michigan allows the endorsement of licensures in other states if they are in good standing and are actively practicing. Renewal for LMSW licensure (or the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker designation) takes place every three years and requires 45 credit hours of continuous education. This is not the case for some licensures, such as the limited LMSW.
