Social Work - Statewide Blended Advanced Standing, MSW

Program Overview

Students in the Statewide Blended Regular Advanced Standing MSW Program complete the program through a unique blend of face-to-face instruction/Zoom videoconferencing, and online learning. The first required classes start in the Summer and are fully online. Students attend class 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 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 two-year, part-time 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.

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 (2 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:

• 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 order to be eligible to apply for Advanced Standing MSW, your bachelor's degree in social work must be conferred before the program begins summer semester. In addition, applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW Program must: Live more than 30 miles from the East Lansing, Oakland, and Mid-Michigan 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 video conference 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 the School of Social Work website (socialwork.msu.edu) for additional application instructions beyond what is available through the admissions website.