Michigan State University MSW Program
Program Options: Part-time
Tuition: $17,261 per year
Acceptance Rate: 65 percent
GRE Required: No
1-year/Accelerated Option: Advanced Standing MSW Program
Campus Visits Required: Yes
Field Hours: 960 hours
CSWE Accredited: Yes, in 1952 and reaffirmed in 2011
Application deadline: January
Recommended: Top 10 Affordable Master of Social Work Online (MSW) Degrees
Overview
Since the founding of the online MSW program at Michigan State University in 2006, it has become a popular option for students who desire greater flexibility in their education to continue working or staying involved in other obligations. The online program is a unique combination of distance learning and face-to-face classroom interaction. Students in the program will attend physical instruction every June on the Michigan State University (MSU) Lansing campus. Regional meetings are held one Saturday per month and may be accessed through video conference by participants who live far from the meeting site. Instructional materials outside of these physical learning experiences will be available online in a flexible format that can be accessed at students’ convenience.
Strengths
As the only Land Grant University in Michigan, the MSU social work program has been developed with an emphasis on accessibility and preparation for vocational work with a diverse client base. MSU is one of the largest universities in the country, providing students with the many resources and benefits of a large school. At the same time, the MSW online program has small class sizes with professors who are engaged in current work and research in the field. This low student to faculty ratio creates a successful experience for online students needing detailed feedback about their work. The online MSW program presents opportunities across disciplines to equip well-rounded graduates with knowledge in related fields such as psychology and political science. Additionally, the physical campus is in Lansing, the Michigan state capitol. This location provides unique connections and opportunities for students to participate in policy making and advocacy.
Concentrations
MSW online students may choose either a micro or a macro focus within their degree. The micro focus, or Clinical Practice concentration, prepares students for work and interventions with individual clients in a clinical or therapeutic setting. The fieldwork and courses focus on effective care for individuals and families and prepare the graduate for roles working with clients in schools, hospitals, or agencies. The macro focus, known as the Organization and Community Leadership concentration, enables graduates to work in organizational capacities for larger groups. This concentration focuses on roles in advocacy, policy making, teaching, and research. Leadership theory is a major component of the macro focus, empowering graduates to choose the most effective procedures and leadership styles in their future career.
Program Requirements
Students in MSU’s online MSW program choose a macro or micro focus. Each concentration requires the completion of 57 credits over 3 years. The online blended program is only available to be completed part-time and instruction continues year-round. Students begin work during MSU’s summer term. The first year of the program requires students to complete academic coursework while the second and third years combine academic classes with 960 hours of fieldwork. The fieldwork must be completed in an approved social work organization, and participants already employed in such an organization may have some of their work hours accepted as fieldwork. Students are required to complete 16 hours of fieldwork per week across four semesters.
Admissions Requirements
GPA, personal qualities, letters of recommendation, and distance from MSU campuses are all considered factors for applicants to the online MSW degree program. Applicants must submit an official transcript that shows successful completion of a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA on the most recent 60 completed hours of coursework. Undergraduate backgrounds should include a liberal arts perspective and at least 19 credits within humanities or social science. The personal qualities of applicants will be assessed through academic and personal statements and three letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s capacity within professional or volunteer settings. Applications and documents may be submitted online with a $65 application fee. Additionally, students who wish to enroll in the online MSW program must live more than 50 miles away from the MSU campuses at East Lansing and Flint. Out-of-state applicants must live within 50 miles of the Michigan border. All accepted students must have regular access to high-quality internet for successful completion of coursework.
Faculty
The MSU school of social work boasts a diverse faculty from a range of social work backgrounds and disciplines. Many are involved in current research at the university. Forbes places MSU as #54 on its list of Best Employers for Diversity. There are 17 students to each instructor.
Online Courses
The online MSW with a Clinical Practice concentration requires completion of the following courses along with six electives:
• Social Work Research Methods I
• Theories of Groups, Organizations, and Communities in Social Work
• Social Welfare Policies and Services
• Social Work Perspectives in Human Development
• Social Work Research Methods II
• Administrative Skills for Social Work Practice
• Generalist Social Work Practice Methods I
• Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
• Topics in Policy Practice and Advocacy
• Evaluating Social Work Policies and Practices
Internships
For the 960 required hours of fieldwork, students will be placed with an organization as close to their community and place of residence as possible. All placements are arranged through a field coordinator, and students will be verbally assessed each semester to judge their ability to progress to higher levels of involvement and responsibility.
Contact
Amanda Woodward, Ph.D., Director of MSW Programs
517-432-8702
Visit the MSU Online MSW program website.
Michigan State University provides a unique blended online and face-to-face MSW program that combines the advantages of small class sizes with the considerable resources of a large university. Graduates of the program can expect to receive a rigorous and current education with a focus ionworking with diverse populations at an individual or organizational level. Applicants searching for a flexible and focused online MSW within Michigan should include Michigan State University in their search.