Student Services FAQ

Admissions decisions are based primarily on a review of the following:

• Applicant's commitment to the mission of the School of Social Work.
• Applicant's undergraduate GPA on transcripts provided at the time of application.
• Additional academic work completed by applicant following completion of an undergraduate degree, if applicable.
• Specialized training(s) relevant to social work completed by applicant.
• Applicant's social work-related or human service-related paid, volunteer, research and internship experience.
• Applicant's Supplementary Statement.
• Recommendation letters and/forms submitted.

Over 500 internship sites, termed field placements, are available. Students are required to submit a goal statement, resume, and a list of top placement choices to the Office of Field Education (OFE). Students are assigned a field educator with whom they will work closely with to set up a field placement. MSW students are required to complete 900 clock hours (672 hours for Advanced Standing students) of fieldwork related to their practice area and practice method concentrations. Please visit the OFE's website for additional information.

All MSW students must select a specialized pathway from one of the eight pathways offered by the School:

• Community Change »
• Global Social Work Practice »
• Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse »
• Management & Leadership »
• Policy & Political Social Work »
• Program Evaluation and Applied Research »
• Social Work Practice with Older Adults and Families from a Lifespan Perspective »
• Children, Youth, and Families (formerly Welfare of Children & Families) »

Specialized pathways focus on theories and interventions related to practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and/or society. Pathways also provide an opportunity to apply this knowledge, focusing on selected contexts and domains of practice, with particular attention given to specific policies, procedures, and practices. Each pathway serves to broaden and deepen foundation knowledge and skills, and enhance the specialized skills needed for students to know the how and why of their interventions.

Students complete twelve credit hours in their specialized pathway. A student's choice determines which pathway courses are requirements for graduation.

The average incoming student GPA is 3.5. However, we accept a wide range of GPAs, as each application is reviewed individually and evaluated based on a number of factors including:

• Successful completion of a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
• An undergraduate record that reflects a liberal arts perspective
• A commitment to keeping social justice at the center of your work  
• Personal qualities considered essential to the practice of social work
• Strong written and oral communication skills

 The GRE is not required for admission to the MSW degree program.

Both tracks or curriculum schedules are four semesters in length; however 16-month students attend courses and complete fieldwork over four consecutive terms, including the spring/summer term, whereas 20-month students have the spring/summer term off between their first fall/winter terms and second fall/winter terms.

You should also keep in mind that some field placement options require a specific track. For example, most public school field placement sites only accept 20-month students. 

The decision between the two different tracks is a personal one that should be weighed carefully for your own educational needs and preferences. Please contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (734-936-0961) to speak with an admissions counselor if you have further questions regarding the selection of a curriculum schedule.

The 2018-2019 student budget for tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, and personal expenses is $51,412 for Michigan residents; $68,112 for non residents for two semesters of full-time enrollment. The Regents of the University set tuition and fees in July of each year; so costs are subject to increase each year.

To learn more about tuition fees and expenses please visit the Financial Aid section.

The application fee is $75 if you submit the online web application and $150 if you submit a paper application. If you cannot afford the application fee, please contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (734-936-0961) or email [email protected] for information on obtaining a fee waiver.

The fall 2017 incoming MSW class was comprised of 28% students of color and 15 international students from six different countries.

About half of the MSW course sections have 25 - 30 students and about half have fewer than 25 students. Occasionally, but infrequently, sections are combined into a larger sections (approximately 40-50 students) to provide students with a more rich academic experience.

Applicants must submit the following*:

• School of Social Work MSW application
• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer and study abroad
• Supplementary Statement (maximum 3 pages double-spaced)
• Three recommendation forms and/or letters
• Current resume
• Application fee

*Non-native speakers of English, non-BA, transfer, and International applicants must submit additional materials.