Social Work - Statewide Blended Regular, MSW

Program Overview

Students in the Statewide Blended Regular MSW Program complete the program through a unique blend of face-to-face instruction/Zoom videoconferencing, and fully online learning. Michigan State University social work students in the Statewide Blended program option attend class one Saturday per month during the fall and spring semesters via Zoom videoconferencing software. Remaining coursework is done independently online. The MSW hybrid Master's degree program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students can choose between two areas of specialization: Clinical Practice and Organization and Community Leadership (OCL).

The Statewide Blended Regular MSU MSW Program is a three-year, part-time program, ideal for non-traditional students who need to balance work, family, and school demands.

Program Outcomes

The Statewide Blended MSW Program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and value base needed to become effective members of the professional social work community. Through the integrated coursework and field experience in this social work master's program, our students receive the education and training necessary to have successful social work careers and become highly skilled social work practitioners who will enrich the lives of those they serve and the communities in which they practice.

Career Outlook

Social workers have a profound impact in a range of settings and work with a variety of people on many different social issues. At the macro level, social workers advocate for social change in agencies, systems, and communities as well as at regional, national, and international levels. Macro social workers fill a variety of roles such as agency administrators, policy analysts, and grant writers. Clinical social workers advocate for change at the individual level, with families, or in small groups and work in mental health, geriatrics, schools, private practice and many other settings. Students who graduate from this CSWE-accredited program are eligible to apply and work towards licensure. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018), there were more than 680,000 social workers employed in the United States in 2016, a number that is projected to increase to more than 790,000 by 2026, a 16% growth rate, more than double the projected growth rate for all occupations.

Course Information

These core courses are required for both Clinical and OCL specialization.

SW 810 - Theory of Groups, Organizations, and Communities (3 Credits)

SW 811 - Perspectives in Human Development (3 Credits)

SW 820 - Social Welfare Policies and Services (3 Credits)

SW 822 - Topics in Policy Practice & Advocacy (3 Credits)

SW 829 - Social Work Research Methods I (3 Credits)

SW 830 - Social Work Research Methods II (2 Credits)

SW 832 - Evaluation Social Work Programs and Practice (2 Credits)

SW 840 - Generalist Social Work Practice I (3 Credits)

SW 841 - Generalist Social Work Practice II (3 Credits)

Clinical concentration requires completion of:

SW 843 - Clinical Assessment Diagnosis (2 Credits)

SW 845 - Administrative Skills for Social Work Practice (3 Credits)

SW 850 - Clinical Social Work Practice I (3 Credits)

SW 851 - Clinical Social Work Practice II (3 Credits)

SW 894 D - Field Education: Clinical Practice I (4 credits)

SW 894 E - Field Education: Clinical Practice II (4 credits)

Electives - 6 credits at the 400+ level

Organization in Community Leadership concentration requires completion of:

SW 844 - Organization and Community Theories (2 Credits)

SW 865 - Leadership in Organizations and Communities I (3 Credits)

SW 866 - Leadership in Organizations and Communities II (3 Credits)

SW 894G - Field Education: Organization and Community Practice I (4 Credits)

SW 894I - Field Education: Organization and Community Practice II (4 Credits)

Electives

All students are required to take 6 elective credits at the 400+ level. OCL students take an addition 3 elective credits from an approved list.

Admissions and Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

• A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized institution (NOTE: Bachelor of Applied Science degrees are not accepted)
• 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale. Grade point of at least 3.00 in undergraduate study or in 14 or more credits of graduate study. For undergraduate, the GPA in the last 60 credits or their equivalent is primarily considered. If your GPA is lower than 3.00, you will be asked on the application to explain the circumstances and why you feel you are now ready to be successful in graduate school.
• Résumé
• A written personal statement
  One, 3-page (double-spaced, 12 pt. font) essay. Please visit socialwork.msu.edu for detailed instructions on what the essay should include.
• 3 letters of recommendation
  Recommenders should be from professional, academic, and/or volunteer settings. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

• Complete a university graduate application.
• In addition, applicants to the Statewide Blended MSW Program must: live more than 30 miles from the East Lansing and Flint campuses; if out of state, live within 50 miles of the Michigan border; have access to high-speed internet service (not dial-up) on a regular basis and a quiet workspace without distractions for the videoconference sessions; successfully complete an Online Assessment and Orientation Program (OAOP) on how to learn effectively in an online environment; take part in an interview with program administrators (if requested). Note: The GRE is not a requirement for admissions to our MSW program.
• Be sure to visit socialwork.msu.edu for instructions on additional application requirements not provided on the Admissions website.