Social Work - Master of Social Work (Clinical Social Work Adv Stand)

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.

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 during the previous fall semester. Students wishing to be considered for 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 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 both the East Lansing and Flint campuses.
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.

Due to cancellations of many international English language proficiency tests, MSU will be temporarily accepting the following tests for international students applying for fall semester 2022. In addition, MSU will be expanding the ability for students to receive provisional admission. If a provisionally admitted student is able to take a test that meets our regular admission standards prior to enrollment, we will update their admission status to regular.