MSW Program
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Below you will find the spring/summer email communications sent to incoming MSW. These weekly emails highlight various topics, containing important and helpful information. As new ones are sent, they will be added here.
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 Callie Torkelson at ctorkel@umich.edu or 734/936-0961. Please also feel free to reach out to student organizations directly.
Be sure to stop by!
September 13
12 Noon - 2 PM
MSW Student Org Fair
SSWB Lower Level
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the School of Social Work is a catalyst and support system to students, staff and faculty for the purpose 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:
Learn about more SSW DEI & Anti-Racism Initiatives
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
ssw-dei-office@umich.edu.
Canvas is the learning management system and online space for all SSW courses. In Canvas, you may have access to the course syllabus, assignments, files, discussions and more depending on your course and instructor. All U-M students can login to Canvas at canvas.umich.edu using your U-M uniqname and password. You may also find it helpful to download the Canvas mobile app for your iOS device in the Apple App Store or for your Android device in the Google Play Store.
Students using Canvas for the first time may want to view the Canvas Overview video to get familiar with basic use on Canvas (including the dashboard screen, finding a course site, viewing reminders, and more). For questions or help using a specific Canvas feature, the Canvas Guide for Students may contain the information you need.
Fall SEED Orientation this week will include a variety of in-person sessions (August 22, 24 & 25) and virtual sessions (August 23). All incoming On Campus MSW students have access to Fall 2023 SEED Orientation in Canvas.
Be sure to review Canvas: Fall 2023 SEED Orientation, where you will find details of each day's activities for SEED Orientation Week.
If you are having difficulty logging in to Canvas with your uniqname and password, please contact the ITS Service Center at 734-764-HELP (764-4357).
All incoming On Campus MSW students are expected to attend SSW Fall SEED Orientation activities next week. Click the link below to review the SEED Orientation Schedule. On Wednesday, you will see 'Fall 2023 SEED Orientation' in your Canvas dashboard. Be sure to review Canvas: Fall SEED Orientation for details on the various activities for each day of SEED Orientation Week. We will have printed copies of the final Orientation schedule available on Tuesday at the sign-in tables, but Canvas will have details, locations, and links (if a session is available virtually via Zoom).
If you submitted your Mcard photo to meet the Aug 1 deadline and have not picked up your card, it will be available for pick up at sign-in on Tuesday, August 22nd, or in the Office of Student Services any time after next Tuesday. You must bring government issued ID that shows your photo to pick up your Mcard.
You may view the name of your advisor in Wolverine Access starting next week on Monday. At sign-in on Tuesday, you also will receive an information sheet with the name of your faculty advisor.
Sign-in for Tuesday's SEED Orientation Welcome will be held at the Ross School of Business.
The nearest parking structure to the School of Social Work is the Forest Avenue Structure located at 650 South Forest Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. The Forest Structure allows for all-day parking and the cost is approximately $1.20/hour.
Short-term metered parking is available on East University Street and in the residential area south of the School. However, metered parking is extremely limited and has a two hour limit. The cost is $1.70/hour.
Handicapped parking is available in all structures, including the Forest Structure. Display of a state handicap parking permit and payment of the hourly fee are required.
Students may also review bus and parking information on the University of Michigan Logistics, Parking, and Transportation website.
If you are unable to attend SEED Orientation or plan on partial attendance, be sure to let us know at ssw.msw.info@umich.edu if you have not already done so.
If you will start field (SW515 or SW691) this fall term and are unable to attend your pre-field workshop, be sure to contact the Office of Field Education.
If you are unable to attend the first class of SW590 that will be held during SEED Orientation, be sure to contact your instructor.
We look forward to seeing you at SEED Orientation! Go Blue!
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:
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 2023-2024 academic year were released in July 2023. Incoming students beginning in Fall 2023 will be billed for the Fall semester in early August (pending course registration has occurred). 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 ssw.oss@umich.edu or (734) 936-0961 to connect with someone about financial aid.
In Wolverine Access, be sure to add an emergency contact and sign up for emergency alerts.
Steps:
Be sure to review the information found on the Admitted Students webpage for your program.
We hope you are having a great summer and are looking forward to meeting you in person or virtually during fall orientation!
The 2023-24 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 2023. 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
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 18, 2023 will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees, but are charged disenrollment and registration fees.
Students who have not completed any course and withdraw completely by October 9, 2023 are eligible for a 50% reduction in tuition and fees, but are charged disenrollment and registration fees. Please note that students who have completed any course, including SW 590, prior to October 9, 2023 are not eligible for the 50% tuition reduction.
After October 9, 2023, 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 U-M Tuition Insurance Page.
Tuition rate information is located at the Registrar Office's 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.
Feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) at ssw.oss@umich.edu with any questions.
To prepare for your social work journey at the U-M School of Social Work, all MSW students should plan to participate in SEED Orientation, which will be held Tuesday, August 22 - Friday, August 25, 2023 with various activities held each day. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday activities will be held in person. Wednesday activities will be held online via Zoom.
It is important to note that the first class session of SW590 will occur during SEED Orientation Week on Thursday, August 24.
A breakout list for Thursday's SW590 session showing sections assigned to Group A and Group B will be available soon on the On Campus MSW Fall 2023 SEED Orientation event webpage.
Incoming MSW students will be added to Canvas: Fall SEED Orientation the week prior to SEED Orientation Week. Be sure to review the Canvas course for a complete schedule of days, times, meeting locations, and links. Faculty advisors will be listed in Wolverine Access by August 21st.
Please review the preliminary SEED Orientation schedule to plan your week or orientation.
Questions? Feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) at ssw.oss@umich.edu or (734) 936-0961.
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 financial.aid@umich.edu (be sure to include your UMID) or (734) 763-6600 to inquire about it being added to your financial aid award.
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.? Review information on Grad Plus Loans and how to apply.
Want to learn more about financial aid? Click the Financial Aid Link button below for important information for incoming MSW.
Questions? Feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) at ssw.oss@umich.edu or (734) 936-0961.
Join Us for a Webinar
August 2, 3pm (EDT)
Financial Aid Info for Incoming MSW Students
Register to Join Here
The University Board of Regents has set tuition and fee rates for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students may view applicable tuition and fee rates via the University Registrar's Tuition & Fees webpage. The rates shown for academic year 2023-2024 are applicable for Fall 2023, Winter 2024, and Spring/Summer 2024. Tuition and fees will be charged for each term/semester of enrollment. Rates are subject to change without notice by the Regents of the University.
The federal government has set interest rates and fees on federal student loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024. MSW students eligible for federal financial aid are eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct Graduate Plus Loans. Please find more information about these interest rates and fees on the Federal Student Aid website. Please note that interest rates and fees are generally lower for federal student loans than private student loans.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) at ssw.finaid@umich.edu or (734) 936-0961 should you have any questions about financial aid or budgeting for the academic year.
Join Us for a Webinar
August 2, 3pm (EDT)
Financial Aid Info for Incoming MSW Students
Register to Join Here
MSW students are required to obtain a personal laptop 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.
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, you may pick up your Mcard at Fall SEED Orientation check-in.
Please review additional details on the SSW MCard webpage.
Have an existing Mcard? Please review the Existing Mcards webpage.
Please take some time to review the U-M Health Response webpage. Together, we can continue to support and protect ourselves, our School, and our community.
We look forward to seeing you in Ann Arbor or meeting you online this fall!
This year, we are asking all incoming students to read at least the first section of My Grandmother's Hands by social worker Resmaa Menakem. This National Best Seller is a call to action for us all to understand how racism and white supremacy creates trauma in our minds, and in our bodies. Below are a few key things about this required summer read.
Having a book that all incoming students have read in common provides a great grounding experience for students. It's something you have in common that you can layer your classes on top of, raise in conversations with classmates, and draw upon to shape the launch of your social work experience. Our UM School of Social Work is on our own continual journey to be a truly antiracist community. We selected a book that relates to racism, in part, to strengthen these community efforts.
You can find My Grandmother's Hands on amazon.com, or from your local bookstore. Many local libraries also carry this title. Locally, you might consider Black Stone Bookstore & Cultural Center in Ypsilanti, or Literati in Ann Arbor. Once you are a current student (that is, after you have registered), you have access to the book for free, through the UM Library system. Still struggling to access the book? Please contact ssw.msw.info@umich.edu to find out how we can help.
There will be two optional book discussions over the summer to talk about topics from the book. The discussions will be held virtually via Zoom. Please note there is no required reading for these discussions. This will be a place to begin having conversations about the book and its topics! The fall semester will also include ways to engage more in activities connected to the book. Remember, we are focused this summer on the first part of the book (up to chapter 10), so this fall, you can keep reading!
Thursday, July 13, 6-7 pm
Register here
Thursday, July 20, 6-7 pm
Register here
Happy reading!
SEED Orientation Team
PS: Need some inspiration to get started, check out this video!
To be considered for entry into a closed course or course where department consent is required, you must submit a Course Enrollment Petition. Individual faculty members cannot grant permission into a closed course, or course where department consent is required, and the School does not utilize the University waitlist system.
On or anytime after your registration appointment time/day, you may petition to enter a closed course via the Course Enrollment Petition.
Upon receiving an email decision on submitted course enrollment petitions, we ask that you follow through with any steps you may be given by the Registrar's Office (i.e. drop a course, add a course, etc.) as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that permissions for courses do expire and we can be more responsive to new petitions when students have followed through with recommended actions.
Earlier this summer you received information on how to apply for exemptions from foundation 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 2023 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 6 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.
The University of Michigan assesses applicable tuition and fee rates for each academic year the summer prior. Tuition and fee rates for the 2023-2024 academic year will be released in July 2023.
Incoming students beginning in Fall 2023 will be billed for the Fall semester in early August (as long as course registration has occurred). Tuition and fee estimates can be located via our Tuition and Fee Webpage.
Planning on 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.
Visit the U-M Student Financial Services webpages for information on tuition billing, payments, or setting up a U-M payment plan.
Should you have questions about covering your educational related expenses, feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) at ssw.oss@umich.edu or (734) 936-0961 to connect with someone about financial aid.
Join Us for a Webinar
August 2, 3pm (EDT)
Financial Aid Info for Incoming MSW Students
Register to Join Here
MSW students may pursue exemptions from some essential course requirements. We offer an online exemption request process for MSW students. The exemption process is web-based and student-initiated. We encourage students to request exemptions as soon as possible as it may affect Fall 2023 course selections.
Please click the Exemption Request Process button below for detailed information.
Questions? Feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) at ssw.oss@umich.edu or (734) 936-0961.
Fall SEED Orientation Week will be held Tuesday, August 22 - Friday, August 25, 2023 with various activities scheduled each day. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday activities will be held in person. Wednesday activities will be held online via Zoom.
We are excited to be able to offer Fall SEED Orientation in person, incorporating virtual components via Canvas with a combination of synchronous live Zoom meetings on Wednesday and asynchronous recorded videos and materials. Where possible, meetings will be recorded and posted to Canvas for those that are unable to attend at scheduled times. However, we expect and strongly prefer that all incoming MSW students attend Fall SEED Orientation activities during scheduled times and locations.
The virtual portion of Fall SEED Orientation will provide a great opportunity for you to experience Canvas, which is the learning management system and online space for all SSW courses.
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 22 - August 25, 2023, including your first SW590 class session on Thursday, August 24th. Be sure to review the Canvas course for a complete schedule of days, times, meeting locations, and Zoom links to join activities.
International Student Orientation will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023 at the U-M School of Social Work. Incoming international students will receive additional information via email.
Want to begin planning for Fall SEED Orientation? A tentative schedule is now available for Fall SEED Orientation.
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 ssw.oss@umich.edu or (734) 936-0961.
It is important that you review the Orientation Toolkit for your MSW Program.
As an incoming MSW student, you are expected to review the information in each area of the Toolkit for your program to prepare for your U-M SSW journey.
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 a student has been fully admitted to the University of Michigan, they are able to begin the interactive process for exploring accommodations. We encourage students to set up an initial welcome meeting after orientation in order to help streamline the process.
Please visit our How To Get Connected page below to fill out our Student Initial Information Form and learn how to get connected to an SSD Coordinator. Reviewing our Helpful Documentation Guidelines can help students be proactive in understanding documentation needs and can be submitted prior to the initial meeting.
Students with disabilities may also contact Callie Torkelson in the SSW Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management with questions about completing the Accommodate form at ctorkel@umich.edu / (734) 936-0961.
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 $2,000 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, 2023.
Check out the Office of Global Activities (OGA) website for more information on global opportunities. Reach out to OGA at ssw.oga@umich.edu with any questions.
Please be aware that global education experiences remain contingent on travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join a few of our current MSW students for a live webchat in one or all of the following Zoom sessions. Click on the links below for more information and to register.Join a few of our current MSW students for a live webchat in one or all of the following Zoom sessions. Click on the links below for more information and to register.
Also be sure to register for the following Important Webinar:
June 12, 3pm MSW Course Planning for On Campus MSW
May 10, 6pm-7pm
Admitted Student Webinar Series - Housing
May 24, 6pm-7pm
Admitted Student Webinar Series - Field Education
June 7, 6pm-7pm
Admitted Student Webinar Series - Working While in the Program
June 14, 6pm-7pm
Admitted Student Webinar Series - Life as an MSW Student
June 28, 6pm-7pm
Admitted Student Webinar Series - Navigating Course Registration
July 12, 6pm-7pm
Admitted Student Webinar Series - Housing (again!)
July 19, 6pm-7pm
Admitted Student Webinar Series - Preparing to move to Ann Arbor (and the Midwest!)
Note: all times shown in U.S. Eastern Time
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.
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 ssw-cso@umich.edu.
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
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.
Northwood housing will allow students to break their lease without penalty if they are graduating before the end of their lease agreement. To do this, you will need to submit a Departure Notice at least 30 days before graduation.
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, housing@umich.edu 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.
You are strongly encouraged to read through the admitted student webpages for important information. Updated information will be added throughout the spring and summer.
Course planning and registration information will be available in June and course registration will occur online in July. Please expect to receive an email from us in early summer with more information.
Be sure to regularly check your UMich email account. All official School communication is sent to the UMich email account.
We look forward to seeing you this fall!
Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management with any questions.
University of Michigan
School of Social Work
1080 South University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106