There are nine Master’s of Social Work programs in the state of Michigan. Eight of these programs have been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and one of the programs is in candidacy status for accreditation. Many of these programs could be a good choice for you to earn your Michigan-based master’s degree in social work, as accreditation is one factor that demonstrates that a school has met certain requirements for quality. The CSWE has a directory where individuals can research the accreditation status of any MSW program they are interested in.
Social work is a career that many people find rewarding. It involves improving the lives of individuals or families in a community. A social worker might do a number of tasks, including:
- Helping clients on a caseload find resources like food and housing.
- Collaborate with various agencies to help clients get what they need.
- Work with clients to meet goals.
- Document client progress through case notes.
- Support clients through receiving services such as mental health medication.
- Advocate for policy change in their community.
Social workers with their master’s degree might do all of the following, but may also qualify to:
- Provide therapy and interventions for people with mental health conditions. A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) may even open their own mental health practice.
- Supervise social services organizations, including mental health facilities, nonprofits, hospitals, VA clinics, and more.
- Provide supervision to social work licensure candidates (if licensed themselves).
A benefit of being a social worker in Michigan, along with it being a rewarding career, is that it holds the benefit of being in demand in most states. The BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that all variations of the social work career are expected to grow 7% over the next decade, which is faster than the average growth for other careers. When it comes to wages, the BLS states that US social workers have a median annual wage of $58,380 as of mid-2023, with the lowest 10% of social workers making less than $38,400 annually, while the highest 10% earned more than $94,910.
When it comes to Michigan, according to O*Net Online, the state’s social work career outlook and median annual income is as follows:
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Projected Growth: 12% (much faster than the average occupation)
- Average Annual Wages: $57,210
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Projected Growth: 14% (much faster than the average occupation)
- Average Annual Wages: $57,290
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Projected Growth: 12% (much faster than the average occupation)
- Average Annual Wages: $62,880
- Social Workers, All Other
- Projected Growth: 7%
- Average Annual Wages: $61,710
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Projected Growth: 13%
- Average Annual Wages: $79,370 (much faster than the average occupation)
The above information is the average career outlook and wages for social workers in the state of Michigan. When looking at the information, it’s important to remember that wages may vary depending on factors such as the type of organization that is hiring, the area of the state, how many years of experience you have, and more. Additionally, the information takes into account the career levels of all social workers, combining the average of those with their bachelor’s degree and those with their masters. Depending on factors discussed and more, someone with their master’s degree may be more likely to earn more than someone with a bachelor’s degree. Earning a master’s in social work allows you to be more competitive in the job market, as employers know that a social worker with a master’s degree likely has more knowledge and training. A social worker with a license will also take continuing education credits (CE’s) every two years to refresh their knowledge on up-to-date practices.
The below sections have information on each of the masters of social work programs in Michigan to determine which is the best option for you.
Michigan Online Masters in Social Work
If you want to earn a master’s degree in social work, you might be wondering how to fit in school with all your other responsibilities. Whether you work full-time, have a family, are busy, or just thrive from a flexible environment, online MSW programs in Michigan might be for you. An online program gives students the flexibility to work around their hectic lives while earning a degree. Online MSW programs are also typically built with the understanding that many of the students enrolled already work as a social worker or another full-time position already. These programs, especially if accredited by the CSWE, are equal in quality to in-person MSW programs. They offer a curriculum that is designed to prepare you for master’s level social work and, when relevant, your licensing exam.
Below is an overview of the MSW programs in Michigan that offer an online format. Several of these universities also offer the MSW program on campus as well.
Andrews University – Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Berrien Springs, Michigan
- 2 to 3 years
- Online + In person
Program: Master of Social Work
Accreditation: CSWE
Number of Credits:
- Standard Program: 56
- Advanced Standing Program: 33
Length:
- Standard Program: Two to three years
- Advanced Standing Program: One to two years
Format: Online or in person
Practicum Requirement:
- Standard Program: 900 hours
- Advanced Standing Program: 600 hours
Tuition: $1,318 per credit hour
GRE: Not Required
Program Overview:
The MSW program at Andrews University prepares students to become advanced social workers who will be trained to work many different types of roles including clinical environments, administration, social justice, and more. Students are taught ethical social work practice through a trauma-informed lens. The curriculum focuses on populations facing oppression. Students also learn creative problem solving by working together collaboratively. In addition to classroom work, students learn how to apply what they learned to real-world scenarios through the field practicum.
Ferris State University – Big Rapids, Michigan
- Big Rapids, Michigan
- 2 years
- Online + In person
Program: Master’s of Social Work
Accreditation: CSWE
Number of Credits:
- Standard Program: 58
- Advanced Standing Program: 27
Length:
- Standard Program: Two years
- Advanced Standing Program: Three semesters
Format: Online or in person
Practicum Requirement:
- Standard Program: 1,120 hours
- Advanced Standing Program: 640 hours
Tuition: $740 per credit hour
GRE: Not Required
Program Overview:
Ferris State University’s MSW program is offered online or in person. The online courses are mostly done at your own pace except for weekly Zoom sessions. Students enrolled in the online courses are still expected to complete a face-to-face field placement. Graduates from this program qualify to work in a variety of locations and environments, including child welfare, substance abuse, and behavioral health agencies, schools, hospitals, and more. The curriculum offered through the MSW program is trauma-informed and innovative, incorporating the newest knowledge.
Michigan State University – East Lansing, Michigan
- East Lansing, Michigan
- 2 to 3 years
- Online + In person
Program: Master of Social Work
Accreditation: CSWE
Number of Credits:
- Standard Program: 57
- Advanced Standing Program: 36
Length:
- Standard Program: Two to three years
- Advanced Standing Program: One to two years
Format: Online or in person
Practicum Requirement: 240 hours per semester
Tuition: $867 per credit hour
GRE: Not Required
Program Overview:
Michigan State University’s MSW program offers two concentrations to choose from. The first is Clinical Social Work, which is a micro-level focus on how to work with individuals, families, and others who need help in various ways. The other concentration is Organization and Community Leadership, which is a macro-level focus of working with communities and organizations.
Students also have the opportunity to earn a dual degree in social work and public health, or social work and Juris Doctor (JD). Enrolling in a dual degree program can be beneficial to potentially opening up more career opportunities and being more well-rounded in one’s education.
Northern Michigan University – Marquette, Michigan
- Marquette, Michigan
- 2 years
- Online + In person
Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
Accreditation: CSWE
Number of Credits:
- Standard Program: 50
- Advanced Standing Program: 36
Length:
- Standard Program: Two years
- Advanced Standing Program: One year
Format: Online or in person
Practicum Requirement: 900 hours
Tuition: $669 per credit
GRE: Not Required
Program Overview:
The MSW program at Northern Michigan University can be personalized by the student through either the Clinical concentration or the Policy, Planning, and Administration concentration.
CSWE Accredited MSW Programs in Michigan
Eight MSW programs in Michigan are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). One program, Oakland University, is a candidate for accreditation. The ones that offer an online option for the program were reviewed in the previous section. This section will go over CSWE-accredited social work masters programs in Michigan that were not previously reviewed.
But first, what is CSWE accreditation? The CSWE is the sole accrediting organization in the United States for social work master’s programs. Accreditation is a status that a program earns for demonstrating that they provide innovative and high-quality education. The standards for this are set by the CSWE themselves, an organization that comprises dedicated professionals in the field. These professionals work to determine what students should learn so that they are most prepared for modern-day social work in an ever-changing world. Accredited programs also ensure that you are prepared for any relevant licensing exams that need to be taken after graduation, such as the LCSW exam. Other benefits include consistency of educational standards across the US, and that employers tend to prefer to hire social workers who attended an accredited school.
Below are additional CSWE-accredited MSW programs offered in Michigan that were not mentioned in the previous section.
Eastern Michigan University – Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Ypsilanti, Michigan
- 2 to 4 years
- In person
Program: Master’s in Social Work
Accreditation: CSWE
Number of Credits:
- Standard Program: 61
- Advanced Standing Program: 35
Length:
- Standard Program: Two to four years
- Advanced Standing Program: One to two years
Format: In person only
Practicum Requirement:
- Standard Program: 400 hours
- Advanced Standing Program: 500 hours
Tuition: $11,216 per year
GRE: Not Required
Program Overview:
The MSW program at Eastern Michigan University offers classes in the evenings and Saturdays to help accommodate those who work full time. There are also both full-time and part-time options available Students can choose among three specializations: Health & Aging, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Recovery, and Families & Children. The University allows students to apply for more than one social work program at a time.
Grand Valley State University – Allendale, Michigan
- Allendale, Michigan
- 3 semesters to 4 years
- In person
Program: Social Work, MSW
Accreditation: CSWE
Number of Credits:
- Standard Program: 60
- Advanced Standing Program: 38
Length: Three semesters to four years
Format: In person only
Practicum Requirement: 20-25 hours per week depending on the semester.
Tuition: $789 per credit
GRE: Not Required
Program Overview:
The MSW program at Grand Valley State University offers a hybrid curriculum, where some coursework takes place on campus while there are also online components. Students have the option to complete an MPA (master’s in public administration) alongside their MSW for a dual degree. The program teaches students to help identify their future client’s strengths, understand people and institutions, and work to improve societal conditions. The curriculum is focused on diversity, human rights, and social justice. Students learn about these subjects through research and evaluation, as well as a practicum requirement.
Madonna University – Livonia, Michigan
- Livonia, Michigan
- 4 semesters
- In person
Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
Accreditation: CSWE
Number of Credits:
- Standard Program: 60
- Advanced Standing Program: 30
Length:
- Standard Program: Four semesters
- Advanced Standing Program: Two semesters
Format: In person only
Practicum Requirement:
- Standard Program: 900 hours
- Advanced Standing Program: 500 hours
Tuition: $35,756-$45,164 per year
GRE: Not Required
Program Overview:
The MSW program at Madonna University offers several concentrations for students to choose from: Community Leadership, Aging, Children & Youth, and Mental Health. There are also additional educational opportunities including the opportunity to earn certificates in school social work, social work administration or addiction studies.
Saginaw Valley University – University Center, Michigan
- University Center, Michigan
- 2 to 3 years
- In person
Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
Accreditation: CSWE
Number of Credits:
- Standard Program: 59
- Advanced Standing Program: 40
Length:
- Standard Program: Two to three years
- Advanced Standing Program: One to two years
Format: In person only
Practicum Requirement: Hours not specified
Tuition: $721.65 per credit
GRE: Not Required
Program Overview:
Saginaw Valley University’s MSW program offers two paths: the advanced standing or standard path. To be admitted into the advanced standing path, one must have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and have a GPA of 3.25+ in their undergraduate work. The standard program allows for those with any MSW program to apply, as long as they also submit the other application requirements. The MSW program prepares students to work at places such as VA hospitals, counseling centers, schools, healthcare clinics, and more, by teaching them relevant skills to help better their community.
No GRE Required MSW Programs in Michigan
The nine MSW programs in Michigan do NOT require taking the GRE for the application. The GRE, or Graduate Record Exam, was designed to help schools determine how prepared applicants were to graduate-level studies. The exam assesses a student’s knowledge and skills in subjects such as problem-solving, math, critical thinking, vocabulary, and more. However, more and more universities are opting out of requiring students to take the GRE and submit the scores in the graduate school applications. Instead, many university programs are choosing to look at a student’s real-world experience, general grades from their undergraduate program, references, and passion for the program through certain essay requirements. This tends to give programs a much more well-rounded view of what a student is capable of. Other requirements may vary by program.
Below is a summary of MSW programs that do not require the GRE in Michigan that has not been reviewed in previous sections.
Oakland University – Rochester, Michigan
- Rochester, Michigan
- 2 to 3 years
- In person
Program: Social Work MSW
Accreditation: Candidate for CSWE
Number of Credits:
- Standard Program: 64
- Advanced Standing Program: 34
Length:
- Standard Program: Two to three years
- Advanced Standing Program: One to two years
Format: In person only
Practicum Requirement:
- Standard Program: 900
- Advanced Standing Program: 450
Tuition: $871.50 per credit
GRE: Not Required
Program Overview:
The MSW program at Oakland University teaches students to become effective and competent social workers through skills such as critical thinking and scientific inquiry. The goal of the program is to help their social workers to learn how to provide interventions to those who need it and advocate for social justice in their community. The first year of the program teaches students foundational information on the ethics of the profession and more. The second year is more specialized, where students will choose specific electives that are relevant to their interests.
Michigan MSW Programs with Accelerated Advanced Standing Options
All nine of the MSW programs in Michigan offer an advanced standing option. Each of these were reviewed in previous sections. The length can differ based on the program, but the advanced standing curriculum generally takes two semesters to two years to complete, depending on if a student is attending full-time or part time. Conversely, the standard program takes two to four years to complete. Both programs can offer high quality, but if you want to complete your master’s degree in as little as two semesters, you might consider enrolling in an advanced standing program. However, to qualify for this version of the MSW program, you typically need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Have a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited institution.
- Meet the MSW program’s GPA requirements. This is usually above a 3.2, but depends on the program.
- Any other unique requirements laid out by the admissions website for your program of choice.
Another benefit of attending an advanced standing program is that it tends to be more affordable, since you would be taking less credits overall. It can even cut the tuition cost in half. If a university offers their MSW program online, they often offer the advanced standing program as well. Overall, advanced standing can be a helpful accelerated option when going for a master’s-level social work career.
Affordable MSW Programs in Michigan
Cost may be an important factor to consider when deciding what Michigan Master of Social Work program you want to attend. While affordability is subjective, certain schools offer a lower tuition rate due to many different reasons. For example, state universities tend to be more affordable than private universities. This is because part of the tuition at state universities is funded by tax dollars. So, when a student who is a resident of the state attends one of these universities, they get the benefits of a lower cost. This is also why out-of-state tuition is usually more expensive. So, if you want to save money on tuition, look at local state colleges first. There are several state universities in Michigan that offer an MSW program, including Michigan State University, Northern Michigan University, Ferris State University, and others.
Below is an example of several affordable MSW programs in Michigan.
- Northern Michigan University
- Tuition: $669 per credit hour
- Saginaw Valley University
- Tuition: $721.65 per credit hour
- Ferris State University
- Tuition: $740 per credit hour
- Michigan State University
- Tuition: $867 per credit hour
Michigan CSWE Accredited MSW Programs
University Name | City | State | Program Title | Program URL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Michigan State University | East Lansing | MI | MSW Program | https://socialwork.msu.edu/Programs/MSW |
Northern Michigan University | Marquette | MI | Master of Social Work | https://www.nmu.edu/socialwork/home |
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | MI | Master of Social Work | http://www.ssw.umich.edu/ |
Conclusion
Social work is a challenging, yet rewarding career. While you can enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, earning a master’s degree can allow you to make positive changes in your community at a higher level while expanding your income opportunities as well. With a master’s degree, you might be able to do things like supervise or manage a mental health clinic, nonprofit organization, social services agency, and more. If you pursue a social work license after earning your master’s degree, you may also be able to provide mental health therapy to those in need, and even open up your own private practice. There are many opportunities available for social workers, especially those at a master’s level. This is particularly true since social work is in high demand in most states, including Michigan.
Michigan has a lot to offer its citizens, but it is not without its problems, and social workers are needed to help. According to the Michigan ACLU, some of the social problems in Michigan include criminal justice, immigrant’s rights, LGBTQ+ issues, disability rights, drug policy, and the Flint Water Crisis. Social workers, especially those who are at a higher level, such as those with a master’s degree, can help on both an individual level to support the community, as well as advocate for those who need justice the most.