SSW FAQ

Yes, you may request a change to your pathway of interest. Please complete and submit the pathway change request form.

The certificate programs allow learners to explore the content covered in foundation courses covered at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. They could provide for advancement within a current position or could be used to add to a resume in hopes of obtaining a social work/social service position. The certificates can also allow qualified applicants to complete the MSW degree in less time. This will result in a cost savings for the MSW degree.

New registration for the MasterTrack Certificate (MTC) via Coursera closes in October 2024. Beginning in January 2025, the MTC program will change its name and platform. The same great content and curriculum will be available as the Social Work Essentials Certificate (SWEC).

Students can enroll in any cohort, but should align the ending of their cohort with the start of the MSW program, if they are planning to pursue the full MSW degree following certificate completion. To inquire about this, email [email protected].

Students may be able to enter a cohort up to two weeks following a published cohort date.

No. The MasterTrack certificate was designed to be completed over a 6 month period (taking 2 classes at a time), or a 4 month period (taking 3 classes at a time). It is strongly discouraged for students to take more than 3 classes at a time, unless they are working on the MasterTrack full time. Each course is approximately 8-weeks long.

You can expect to spend between 3 and 4 hours per week on a Social Work Essentials/ MasterTrack course.

The MasterTrack Certificate program is completely online. Each course besides the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) will have two live sessions - one during the first week of the course and one halfway through the course. These will allow you to build community and ask any questions you may have related to the course.

Yes and no. The first session in week one will be recorded as it will go through the objectives and the assignments for the course. The second session, halfway through the course will provide in-person office hours where students can ask questions related to the course. The office hour section will not be recorded.

Each course has a number of projects and assignments that students will complete. They are very aligned with skills that social workers use in professional practice.

Our Research Methods course is the only course that would include some statistical content. Once you are in the MSW program, depending upon your chosen pathway within the residential program, there could be additional statistics courses required.

The MasterTrack certificate began in September 2020 with 90 students in the first cohort. There is currently no limit to the number of students who can join the MasterTrack certificate cohort.