Social Work - Statewide Blended Regular, MSW | MSU Online

Program Overview

Students in the Statewide Blended Regular MSW Program complete the program through a unique blend of asynchronous online learning, and face-to-face instruction/Zoom videoconferencing. The first required classes start in the Fall term. Students attend identified classes one Saturday per month during the fall and spring semesters via Zoom videoconferencing software. Remaining coursework is done independently online. Summer coursework is fully 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 offered in either full-time (2 year) or part-time (3 year) formats.

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.

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 Tuition

Out-of-State Tuition

$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

Core Courses

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)

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)
OCL Elective (3 Credits)

Electives

All students are required to take 6 elective credits at the 400+ level.

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.
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.
- 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 Regular Statewide Blended MSW program, undergraduate degree's be conferred before the program begins summer semester.
Applicants to the Regular 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 Regular

Master of Social Work

Hybrid

Course Delivery

57

Total Credits

$937.25

Credit Hour

3 years

Minimum Duration

Kelly Fornwalt, LMSW

Assistant MSW Program Director