Social Work - Statewide Blended Advanced Standing, MSW | MSU Online

Program Overview

Students in the Statewide Blended Advanced Standing MSW Program complete the program through a unique blend of asynchronous online learning, and synchronous online instruction via Zoom videoconferencing. The first required classes start in the Summer and are fully online. Students attend identified classes one Saturday per month during the fall and spring semesters of their advanced year of the program via Zoom videoconferencing software. Remaining coursework is done independently online. The MSW hybrid Master's degree program is fully accredited by CSWE. Students can choose between two areas of specialization: Clinical Practice and Organization and Community Leadership (OCL). The Statewide Blended Advanced Standing MSW Program is offered in either full-time (3 semester) or part-time (2 year) formats.

Program Outcomes

The Statewide Blended Regular Advanced Standing MSW Program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and value base needed to become effective members of the professional social work community. Through integrated coursework and field experience, our students receive the education and training necessary to become highly skilled social work practitioners who will enrich the lives of those they serve and the communities in which they practice. The School of Social Work also provides optional learning opportunities MSU MSW students can participate in, such as certificate programs that prepare students for social work careers in specific fields, an Advocacy Scholars Program, a Research Scholars Program, Education Abroad, and two dual degree options (MSW/JD and MSW/MPH).

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.

A Top-Ranked Education

29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025
#4 in Graduate Programs for Educational Psychology — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
#11 in Graduate Programs for Student Counseling and Personnel Services — U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Tuition & Fees per credit

In-State

Out-of-State

$937.25

$1,773.75

Cost of Attendance

The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.

The MSU Value Promise

You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will since 1855.

MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

MSU has been offering online degree programs since 1998. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.

MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.

Course Information

Clinical Concentration

SW 822 Topics in Policy Practice and Advocacy (3 Credits)
SW 830 Research Methods II (2 Credits)
SW 832 Evaluation Social Work Programs and Practice (2 Credits)
SW 843 Clinical Assessment and 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)

Organizational and Community Leadership Concentration

SW 822 Topics in Policy Practice and Advocacy (3 credits)
SW 830 SW Research Methods II (2 credits)
SW 832 Evaluating SW Programs and Practice (2 credits)
SW 844 Organization and Comm Theories SW Practice (2 credits)
SW 865 Leadership in Organizations and Communities I (3 Credits)
SW 866 Leadership in Organizations and Communities II (3 Credits)
SW 893 G SW Field Education Org & Comm I (4 Credits)
SW 894 I Field Education Org & Comm II (4 Credits)
OCL Elective (3 credits)

Electives

All students in Advanced Standing Statewide Blended program complete 10 credits of electives at 400+ level.

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

Bachelors of Social Work earned from a CSWE accredited university within the last 6 years.
3.25 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Grade point of at least 3.00 in 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 3.25, you are asked to explain circumstances and preparedness for graduate study; or may be considered for admissions to the Regular Program.
Official Transcripts, from all previous institutions of higher education
Résumé
A written academic statement.
- Please visit socialwork.msu.edu for detailed instructions on what the essay should include.
3 letters of recommendation.
- Recommendations should be from professional, academic, and/or volunteer settings.
- Advanced Standing applicants must submit a letter from the field (i.e. a Field Instructor, Field Liaison, or member of Field Office).
- Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.

To apply to this program:

Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Note: The GRE is not a requirement for admissions to our MSW program.
In order to be eligible to apply for Advanced Standing Statewide Blended MSW program, your bachelor's degree in social work must be conferred before the program begins summer semester.
Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW Program must:
- 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 video conference sessions.

For additional application instructions visit the School of Social Work website .

Social Work - Statewide Blended Advanced Standing

Master of Social Work

Hybrid

Course Delivery

36

Total Credits

$937.25

Credit Hour

1 year

Minimum Duration

Kelly Fornwalt, LMSW

Assistant MSW Program Director