Student Services FAQ

There are numerous scholarship opportunities. The School offers Dean’s Scholarships, which are awarded based on the undergraduate GPA of incoming students (as calculated for admissions review purposes) in addition to a strong commitment to the mission of the School of Social Work. The School also offers Merit Scholarships based on strong academic and/or social work-related experience or based on a strong commitment to the mission of the School. No separate application is necessary for applicants to be reviewed for these awards. Several other named scholarships are also awarded based upon information in applications and supporting documentation.

The School also offers Michigan Scholarships, which are based on a combination of merit and need as well as Opportunity Grants which are based primarily on need. Michigan Scholarships and Opportunity Grants require the submission of the School of Social Work Financial Aid Form and the FAFSA to the University of Michigan (code: 002325).

If a student wants to be considered for the Child Welfare Scholarship Program, Community Scholars: Community-Based Initiative in Detroit, Community Scholars: National Community Scholars, Geriatric Scholarship Program, Global Activities Scholars Program, Integrated Health with Medically Underserved Populations, Jewish Communal Leadership Program, or New Leaders in African-Centered Social Work Scholars Program, there is a separate application specific to each special program.

A complete list of scholarships can be found at the SSW MSW Program Grants and Scholarships webpage.

Extensive services are available. For information on these services, please contact the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management at the School of Social Work (734-936-0961 / [email protected]) or the University's Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (734-763-3000 phone/voice/TTY/TDD); U-M Services for Students with Disabilties website.

Applicants must submit three recommendation forms and/or letters of recommendation in order for their MSW application to be considered complete. When possible, applicants should try to submit one recommendation from a professional source (ex. from someone who supervised you in a paid, volunteer or internship position that was human services-related and can speak about your readiness for professional social work practice) and one recommendation from an academic source (ex. college faculty member or academic advisor who can speak about your readiness for graduate level work). Applicants may submit two professional recommendations and one academic recommendation or two academic recommendations and one professional recommendation. While not as strong, we do accept personal recommendations. It is not recommended that applicants submit recommendations from family members or friends.

Exemptions from foundation courses will be granted when students have extensive prior comparable courses (minimum of two), covering essentially all of the content of a foundation course in either an undergraduate or graduate program, completed within the last six years PRIOR to enrollment in the MSW program with a grade of "B" or better. Prior work experience is NOT a basis for exemptions. An exemption does not reduce the total number of hours required for graduation. Exemptions provide an opportunity to take additional electives.

Incoming MSW students are informed by the School of Social Work when they can submit an Exemption Request Form to be evaluated for possible exemptions from foundation courses.

There are two On Campus MSW application deadlines: December 1st and March 1st.

December 1-Early Application Deadline:
The early application deadline is December 1. Students are strongly encouraged to meet this deadline. Applicants complete with their application and supporting documents by December 1 receive notification of their status through the initial review by March 1. For most applicants this will be a final determination. For some applicants, the School will inform them by March 1 that a re-review of their application will be completed in May. Some applicants who have their applications re-reviewed in May will be admitted into the program, some will be denied admission and others will be offered a position on an Alternate List. Some Alternate List members may be offered admission in June, July or August. Those not admitted will be given a final review in September, which could include denial or deferred admission for the next year.

March 1-Priority Deadline / February 1-Priority International & NAB Deadline::
The Priority deadline is March 1. Applicants submitting completed applications by March 1 will have priority for admission in relationship to those applying after March 1. The School will accept applications following the priority deadline, but we strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. NOTE: International applicants must submit their applications and supporting documents by February 1.

Application after March 1st:
The MSW application final deadline for NAB and international applicants is March 1st. For other On Campus MSW applicants, applications are usually accepted after the March 1 Priority Deadline. Once a final On Campus MSW application deadline is set, it is listed on the SSW website, as well as posted to the U of M School of Social Work Prospective Students Facebook page.

Applicants that were complete with their application and supporting documents by December 1 receive notification of their status through the initial review by March 1. For most applicants this will be a final admission decision. For some applicants, the School will inform them by March 1 that a re-review of their application will be completed in May. Some applicants who have their applications re-reviewed in May will be admitted into the program, some will be denied admission, and others will be offered a position on an Alternate List. Some Alternate List members may be offered admission in June, July or August. Those not admitted will be given a final review in September, which could include denial or deferred admission for the next year.

U-M CASC & Social Work, U-M Sociology & Social Work, and UM-Dearborn HHS & Social Work students submitting an MSW application during their junior year for a future term (preferred application process) have a March 1 application deadline. Admission decision notification will occur in the spring, at the earliest date possible, for all U-M CASC & Social Work, U-M Sociology & Social Work, and UM-Dearborn HHS & Social Work juniors applying to the MSW program for a future term. (e.g. Applying in fall 2026 for fall 2027.).

Most Social Work classes are held in the School of Social Work Building. Some classes are held in the School of Education Building (SEB) which is connected to the School. Classes are also held in the Family Assessment Clinic which is located on South University and is within walking distance of the School

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