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Social Work - Weekend Regular Program, MSW

Master of Social Work

Hybrid

Course Delivery

57

Total Credits

$867

Credit Hour

3 Years

Minimum Duration


Program Overview

Students in the Weekend Regular MSW Program complete the program through a unique blend of face-to-face weekend sessions and fully online learning. Weekend sessions are held once per month during the fall and spring semesters for a total of 8 sessions per year, at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. In between these weekend sessions, coursework is completed independently online. The MSU MSW Program is fully accredited by CSWE. Michigan State University social work students can choose between two areas of specialization within this hybrid Master's degree program: Clinical Practice and Organization and Community Leadership (OCL).

The Weekend 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 Weekend 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 practitioners in social work careers 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 that social work Master's program students can participate in, such as certificate programs that prepare students for practice 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

  • 32nd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2021
  • A Top 100 Global University — Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report, 2021

 

kelly-fornwalt-lmsw

Kelly Fornwalt, LMSW

Assistant MSW Program Director

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)

SW 894A - Field Education: Generalist Social Work Practice I (4 Credits)

SW 894B - Field Education: Generalist Social Work Practice II (4 Credits)

 

Additionally, 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

 

Additionally, 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 - 6 credits at the 400+ level

OCL specific elective (3 credits)

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. The grade point average in the last 60 credits or their equivalents of undergraduate courses is primarily considered. If your undergraduate 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. 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 Weekend Regular MSW Program must: live within 50 miles of the Michigan border if an out-of-state resident; have access to high-speed internet service (not dial-up) on a regular basis; 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 application requirements not listed on the Admissions website.

Key Dates 

Application Opens

September 1st

Early Bird Application Deadline

December 6th

Final Application Deadline

February 7th

 

Tuition & Fees per credit

 

In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$867
$1,703.50

 

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.

Program Overview

Students in the Weekend Regular MSW Program complete the program through a unique blend of face-to-face weekend sessions and fully online learning. Weekend sessions are held once per month during the fall and spring semesters for a total of 8 sessions per year, at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. In between these weekend sessions, coursework is completed independently online. The MSU MSW Program is fully accredited by CSWE. Michigan State University social work students can choose between two areas of specialization within this hybrid Master's degree program: Clinical Practice and Organization and Community Leadership (OCL).

The Weekend 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 Weekend 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 practitioners in social work careers 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 that social work Master's program students can participate in, such as certificate programs that prepare students for practice 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

  • 32nd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2021
  • A Top 100 Global University — Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report, 2021

 

kelly-fornwalt-lmsw

Kelly Fornwalt, LMSW

Assistant MSW Program Director

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)

SW 894A - Field Education: Generalist Social Work Practice I (4 Credits)

SW 894B - Field Education: Generalist Social Work Practice II (4 Credits)

 

Additionally, 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

 

Additionally, 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 - 6 credits at the 400+ level

OCL specific elective (3 credits)

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. The grade point average in the last 60 credits or their equivalents of undergraduate courses is primarily considered. If your undergraduate 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. 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 Weekend Regular MSW Program must: live within 50 miles of the Michigan border if an out-of-state resident; have access to high-speed internet service (not dial-up) on a regular basis; 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 application requirements not listed on the Admissions website.

Key Dates 

Application Opens

September 1st

Early Bird Application Deadline

December 6th

Final Application Deadline

February 7th

 

Tuition & Fees per credit

 

In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$867
$1,703.50

 

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.

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 for more than 160 years.

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 for over 20 years. 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.