Social Work Communications

Many students in the University of Michigan School of Social Work choose to be part of a student organization during their time in the program. Each year there are approximately 18 organizations within the School of Social Work and over 1,600 student organizations across campus. Being part of a student organization allows students to enrich their learning, develop leadership skills, connect with other students, and make valuable community contributions.

The School of Social Work Student Government is a student organization comprised of elected students whose mission is to support and encourage coordination and integration of the efforts of students and faculty to achieve greater academic excellence, student success, social justice, and equality. The School of Social Work Student Government serves as the voice of the student body within the School; it also works in partnership with many School of Social Work student organizations.

We welcome you to review the list of student organizations that can be found in the Student Life section of our website.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Beth Feldkamp at [email protected] or 734/936-0961. Please also feel free to reach out to student organizations directly.

MSW Student Org Fair
September 11
12 Noon - 2 PM
SSWB Lower Level

• SSW Student Orgs
• U-M Organizations
• Orientation Toolkit

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the School of Social Work is a catalyst and support system for students, staff, and faculty, with the goal of cultivating a community where every person feels affirmed, respected, valued, and appreciated.

Students have always been an integral piece of enhancing our DEI efforts. We encourage you to learn more about some of the ways that you can get involved while also furthering these values in your social work journey. Some ways to get connected include:

• Common Roots - You can join this committee that builds healing spaces and nurtures the flourishment and empowerment of communities of color, including faculty, staff, and students at the SSW, through programming that is open to all who share its mission.
• DEI Anti-Racism Fund - Consider submitting a proposal for these funds that support student-led individual or group anti-racism projects with a specific focus on confronting and combating anti-blackness, racism against Indigenous peoples, and White supremacy.
• DEI Social Justice Impact Fund - Consider submitting a proposal for these funds that support projects with a specific focus on projects that align with the values of social justice, anti-racism, and addressing systemic inequities to advance social justice to the greatest degree possible.
• Undoing Racism Workgroup - Attend a monthly meeting of this community collective of students, staff, and faculty in the SSW dedicated to fighting white supremacy at the individual, school, and structural levels. Join us virtually for the Undoing Racism Workgroup this fall on one or all of the dates below:
  • Thursday, September 12, 2-3:30 pm
  • Thursday, October 10, 2-3:30 pm
  • Thursday, November 7, 2-3:30 pm
  • Thursday, December 5, 2-3:30 pm
• SSW Committees - Get involved with the Promoting Action for Intersectional Social Justice (PRAXIS) or UNDOING RACISM WORKGROUP. Each Fall & Winter semester, the Student Government will send out a call for those interested in serving as student representatives.

Learn more about SSW DEI 2.0

Stay tuned for more DEI information and updates!

Have questions or want to learn more?
Feel free to contact the SSW Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at [email protected] or stop by the office in Room 2607!

• DEI Homepage
• DEI Workgroups

We hope you are having a great summer and are looking forward to meeting you in person or virtually during fall orientation!

The 2024-25 MSW Student Guide is now available online. The Student Guide is updated each year and this year's version includes the policies and procedures for MSW students beginning the MSW program this fall 2024. Please take some time to review the Student Guide for information on the School's Academic and Professional Policies, MSW Curriculum, and Field Curriculum.

Please also take some time to review the Safety & Emergency Preparedness webpage, where you may view the University's Active Attacker Response and Prevention Video, Register for U-M Emergency Alerts, and learn more about being prepared if you are on campus.

Go Blue!

Tim Colenback
Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management

Erin Zimmer
Director of Student Services

• MSW Student Guide
• Safety & Emergency Preparedness
• Orientation Toolkit

Wolverine Access: Direct Deposit

You may want to consider setting up direct deposit through Wolverine Access. Direct deposit will allow you to quickly receive financial aid refunds at the beginning of each term (if your financial aid exceeds your charges) as well as receive bi-weekly pay for any work-study position.

Steps to set up direct deposit:

1. Go to Wolverine Access
2. Students
3. Student Business
4. Payroll & Compensation
5. Direct Deposit

U-M Student Financial Services & Tuition Information

Looking for tuition billing or payment information? Visit the U-M Student Financial Services webpages.

Interested in paying any portion of your tuition and fees out of pocket? Consider enrolling in the University Payment Plan to spread out these tuition payments over the semester. We encourage you to be mindful of the payment plan periods. Please also note that the payment plan is not an option for the Spring/Summer term.

The University of Michigan assesses applicable tuition and fee rates for each academic year the summer prior. Tuition and fee rates for the 2024-2025 academic year were released in July 2024. Incoming students beginning in Fall 2024 will be billed for the Fall semester in early August (pending course registration). Tuition and fee estimates can be located via our Tuition and Fee Webpage.

Should you have questions about covering your educational related expenses, feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) at [email protected] or (734) 936-0961 to connect with someone about financial aid.

Emergency Alerts

In Wolverine Access, be sure to add an emergency contact and sign up for emergency alerts.

1. Go to Wolverine Access
2. Students
3. Student Business
4. Emergency Contacts & Emergency Alerts

• UM-OFA Disbursement of Aid
• U-M Student Financial Services
• MSW Orientation Toolkit

We wanted to set out the tuition guidelines for you prior to Orientation:

Withdrawal and Tuition Refund Policy

Students who have not completed any course and withdraw completely by September 16, 2024 will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees, but are charged $130 in disenrollment and registration fees.

Students who have not completed any course and withdraw completely by October 7, 2024 are eligible for a 50% reduction in tuition and fees, but are charged $130 in disenrollment and registration fees. Please note that students who have completed any course, including SW 590, prior to October 7, 2024 are not eligible for the 50% tuition reduction.

After October 7, 2024, students who withdraw from courses will not be eligible to receive a tuition refund.

Tuition Refund Insurance is available and significantly extends and enhances the university's published withdrawal policy. For details and rates, visit the UHS Tuition Insurance page.

Tuition rate information is located at the University Registrar's Office website. MSW students in the Online MSW Program will want to view the "Distance Learning" rates. MSW students in the On-Campus MSW Program will want to view the regular tuition rates.

Tuition rates are based on:

• Student's residence classification
• School/College
• Number of credit hours registered
• Term

Feel free to contact the Office of Student Services & Enrollment Management at [email protected] with any questions.

• Tuition & Fees
• Tuition Refund Insurance
• Orientation Toolkit

Received a work-study award and interested in finding a work-study position? We encourage you to begin looking for positions now and throughout the summer. Feel free to search for open positions at studentemployment.umich.edu.

If you did not receive a work-study award but are interested in work-study, contact the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected] (be sure to include your UMID) or (734) 763-6600 to inquire about it being added to your financial aid award. Eligibility for work-study is based on financial need determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Want to learn more about Student Employment? Review our Student Employment webpage.

Planning to apply for a Grad Plus Loan, which can be used toward tuition, living expenses, etc.? Click here to review information on Grad Plus Loans and how to apply.

Have child care expenses? The University of Michigan offers a Child Care Subsidy to students to assist with the cost of State of Michigan licensed child care of their young, dependent children. Click here to review eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Want to learn more about financial aid? Click the Financial Aid Guide button below for important information for incoming MSW.

Questions? Feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) at [email protected] or (734) 936-0961.

• Financial Aid Guide for Incoming MSW
• Student Employment Info
• Orientation Toolkit for Incoming MSW

MSW students are required to obtain a personal laptop computer or, for students in the Online MSW program, a laptop or desktop computer. Please review the Requirement Policy.

Due to the nature of assignments in the SSW, students would benefit from having Microsoft Office (available to current UM students at no charge) or similar software package. Additionally, come courses may require that students purchase SPSS (available to current UM students at a significantly reduced cost) for their personal computer. Note that tablets will not meet the computer requirement as they are unable to run SPSS.

U-M Microsoft Office 365 and the Adobe Creative Cloud are available to current University of Michigan students at no charge.

The UMICH Tech Guide is a valuable resource of information on tech needs, as well as tech services available to students while at Michigan.

Get Your MCard

All MSW students will need to obtain their student ID, which is called an 'Mcard'. The Mcard is needed to check out library materials, access U-M workout facilities, and also will allow you to ride AATA and U-M buses for free. Mcard holders are also eligible for numerous discounts around the U-M and Ann Arbor area. Note that your Mcard photo is also used for the class roster.

You may submit your photo via the Graduate Student Photo Submission webpage. The submission deadline is July 30th. If you submit a photo and are an On Campus MSW student, you may pick up your Mcard at Fall SEED Orientation check-in. Online MSW students will receive an email in August with information on obtaining their Mcard.

Please review additional details on the SSW MCard webpage.

Have an existing Mcard? Please review the Existing Mcards webpage.

• Guide to Technology at U-M
• Laptop Requirement Policy
• Submit Photo for Your Mcard

Previously, you received information on how to apply for exemptions from essentials courses. Many students have successfully pursued exemptions from these courses through the exemption request form.

The exemption process is web-based and student-initiated. We encourage students to request exemptions as soon as possible as it may affect fall 2024 course selections.

All students (except advanced standing, U-M Sociology & SW, U-M Dearborn Human Services & SW, and MasterTrack MSW) are scheduled to take SW 507 - Research Basics for Social Work Practice in the first fall term. Often, if students have taken prior coursework in research methods and statistics in the last 7 years receiving a B or higher in the courses, they are eligible for an exemption. We advise students to apply for an exemption from this course now.

• Exemption Request Form
• Incoming MSW Exemption Info
• Incoming MSW Orientation Toolkit

Share, Explore, Engage, Discover

Fall SEED Orientation Week will be held in-person Tuesday, August 27 - Friday, August 30, 2024 with various activities scheduled each day. We strongly encourage all incoming MSW students to attend Fall SEED Orientation activities during scheduled times and locations.

All incoming MSW students will be added to a 'Fall SEED Orientation' Canvas "course" before orientation week begins. Various activities are scheduled each day during Fall SEED Orientation Week, August 27 - August 30, 2024, including your first SW590 class session on Wednesday, August 28th. Be sure to review the Canvas course for a complete schedule of days, times, meeting locations, and Zoom links to join activities. Where possible, meetings will be recorded and posted to Canvas for those that are unable to attend at scheduled times.

International Student Orientation will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024 at the U-M School of Social Work. Incoming international students will receive additional information via email.

We look forward to meeting you at Fall SEED Orientation and seeing you this fall! Go Blue!

Questions? Feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) at [email protected] or (734) 936-0961

• Orientation Toolkit
• Using Canvas as a U-M Student
• Review Important Communications

The University of Michigan complies with federal and state laws which affect qualified persons with disabilities. It is the policy and practice of the School of Social Work to provide equitable educational opportunities for students with documented disabilities in programs and activities, including field experience.

The mission of the U-M Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) is to support the University's commitment to equity and diversity by providing support services and academic accommodations to students with disabilities. Registering with SSD is highly encouraged. SSD serves as a student advocacy agency and can assist in obtaining appropriate accommodations.

Once you have been fully admitted to the University of Michigan, you are welcome to begin the interactive process for exploring accommodations.

Please visit SSD's How To Get Connected page to fill out a Student Initial Information Form and learn how to get connected to an SSD Coordinator. Reviewing the Helpful Documentation Guidelines can help you be proactive in understanding documentation needs. After submitting your Initial Information Form, you will receive an email from SSD with a link to schedule your Welcome Meeting with your assigned coordinator

Students with disabilities may also contact the SSW Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management with questions about completing the Accommodate form at [email protected] or 734-936-0961.

• Admitted Student Webpages
• SSD Office Webpage

Enrollment Status

Dual degrees are only an option for full-time students. Online and on-campus (residential) full-time students are both eligible; however, most non-social work degree programs are in person at this time.

Students must apply to each program and be admitted into both degree programs.

Students must graduate from both programs in the same term to count course credits from their dual unit towards MSW program requirements.

Registration

All social work courses must be enrolled in under the Graduate Social Work (GSW) career on Wolverine Access. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by Barb Hiltz, MSW Program Director, and Tim Colenback, Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management.

Dual degree students typically register in Social Work exclusively or primarily (12 credits or more) in either their first three terms of enrollment (i.e, Fall Term 1, Winter Term 1 and Spring/summer Term 1) or in their second year (i.e., Fall Term 2, Winter Term 2 or Spring/summer Term 2). This will be two terms for advanced standing students.

Dual degree students who have already completed a year of enrollment in their other unit should plan on enrolling primarily or exclusively in social work in their next three terms.

Due to class availability and the field placement process, on-campus and online dual degree students need to begin their first social work term in their first or second fall semester

Course Planning Appointments

Dual degree students must schedule a course planning appointment with their Social Work Program Manager.

• Residential Program: Kate Sechler, [email protected]
• Online Program: Antuan Featherstone, [email protected]

Students are also encouraged to consult with their assigned academic advisor in their other degree program either before, during, or immediately after this social work appointment to ensure the devised plan is acceptable to meet degree requirements. A joint meeting with both social work and the other area advisors is strongly encouraged whenever possible.

Tuition Charges

Students enrolling under both careers (GSW and the other unit) will be charged the higher of the two units' tuition rates at the 9+ credit rate. Typically, students enrolling in only social work courses (under their GSW career) in three terms will have lower tuition charges.

Field Education

Students are required to enroll in field education during the three terms of social work enrollment (two semesters for advanced standing students). Students beginning their terms of primary or exclusive enrollment in social work in their first term should contact the Office of Field Education (734-764-5331) immediately if they have not applied for a field placement. Students enrolling primarily or exclusively in social work in year two will apply for field placement in their second term of their other degree enrollment.

Financial Aid

Dual degree students will receive any SSW grant or scholarship aid awarded in the three terms where they enroll primarily or exclusively in the SSW. Dual degree students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits under their GSW career in the terms where they receive grant/scholarship aid from the SSW. Dual degree students are typically limited to three terms of MSW grant/scholarship aid. Dual degree students may not accept aid from both units in any term enrolled in either degree program without prior written approval from Barb Hiltz, MSW Program Director and Tim Colenback, Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management. MSW/MPH dual degree students are not eligible to pursue special scholarship program enrollment.

• Dual Degree Webpage
• MSW Orientation Toolkit

Consider pursuing a Global Independent Study! This is a student-initiated experience that gives MSW students the opportunity to travel abroad during the Spring/Summer term. Students travel outside the U.S. to study a topic of their interest while working with a faculty instructor. Students from all program pathways and curriculum tracks are eligible to apply and will receive elective credits for the global independent study course. Students can focus their study on service learning, internships, research, and more. Global Independent Study students are eligible for a grant of up to $2,500 to help cover the cost of their experience. To learn more information about Global Independent Study, please visit the Office of Global Activities (OGA) website.

Another global opportunity includes incorporating 27 months of Peace Corps service into your MSW program. If you are interested, then check out our Masters International Volunteer Program. Please note students interested in this option must submit their Peace Corps application before September 1, 2024.

Check out the Office of Global Activities (OGA) website for more information on global opportunities. Reach out to OGA at [email protected] with any questions.

• Office of Global Activities Webpage
• Admitted Student Webpages
• Incoming MSW Communication

As you plan your social work educational journey, I want you to be aware of a great resource available to you - the School of Social Work Career Services Office. We offer many services to students and alumni of our program. Such services include individual career planning appointments, professional development workshops, writing services, mock interviewing, review of field and job application materials (resumes, goal statements and cover letters) and licensure information and support.

As you may be aware, the title and field of social work (especially clinical practice) is regulated in all 50 states and Washington DC. As such, these jurisdictions dictate what criteria is needed to successfully apply for licensure. Basic criteria may include verification of a social work degree and coursework, moral character and background checks, and passing social work board exams.

Moral character and background checks may include applicants answering questionnaires about past criminal offenses, sanctions, probationary status, sanctions from other professional licenses, and obtaining results from child abuse/neglect registry, FBI fingerprinting, and sex offender registry. This is serious because a social work board can decline, sanction or revoke a license based upon the information from these sources. Each jurisdiction has information about their application process and rules regarding sanctions and convictions. The Association of Social Work Boards provides a clearinghouse of information about licensure. You can research licensure requirements by state and links are provided to each state for specific details.

If you have concerns about whether or not a criminal conviction or offense would prevent you from obtaining licensure here in Michigan (MI), the State of Michigan Licensure and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has a Preliminary Determination Request for Health Licensing form that you may complete for a preliminary review before you would have to apply for licensure in MI. This is only applicable for Michigan licensure.

Additionally, some jurisdictions may want specific coursework or field work completed during your MSW program in order to pursue a clinical license. New York, Florida, Minnesota, and Indiana are just a few of the states where specific coursework is required to achieve a clinical license.

It is imperative that you know about the licensure requirements in the state(s) you wish to practice in after graduation so that you can plan accordingly while in our program. On our career services webpage, we have basic information about licensure and a link to a chart listing each jurisdiction/state. You will also find the levels of licensure, whether specific coursework is needed, and a link to the specific jurisdiction/state.

If you have any questions, email our office at [email protected].

Again, welcome to the School of Social Work. Go Blue!

Michelle Woods, LMSW - Clinical and Macro Practice
Director of Career Services
U-M School of Social Work

• Licensure Webpage
• Admitted Student Webpages

As you begin making arrangements to move to the Ann Arbor area this fall to begin your MSW degree, we want to inform you of U-M's on-campus housing options. Munger Graduate Residences and Northwood housing are both available to graduate students and currently available for leasing this fall.

If you are interested in one of the above housing options, U-M Housing recommends submitting an application as soon as possible. To apply for Munger or Northwood Housing please email, [email protected] from your U-M email account and include your UMID number.

Additionally, we have updated the housing page on the SSW website to allow easier access to helpful housing links. The webpage includes a link to our SSW roommate finder and off-campus housing as well.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management with any questions.

• Munger Residences
• Housing Webpage
• Northwood Housing