Admissions Process and Eligibility

No. Anyone can enroll in Social Work Essentials Certificate courses, as long as they are at least 18 years old.

Yes. If you are planning to complete the MSW degree with another graduate degree (dual degree) at the University of Michigan, you would need to apply to the MSW program and meet an experience requirement in order to complete the Social Work Essentials MSW Program.

Learners must be at least 18 years old.

Yes, however, you will need to have your human service screened through the Eligibility Review Request form.

Applicants must show completion of a U.S. bachelor's degree or its equivalent, with competitive grades, from an accredited institution. Note: Prospective students applying under the Provisions for Non-Baccalaureate Degree Applicants do not have to meet this requirement.

Applicants must also show an undergraduate record that reflects a liberal arts perspective. Students are required to have a minimum of 20 academic semester credits in psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, history, political science, government, and/or languages prior to enrolling in the School of Social Work

You may apply for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program before, during, or after starting or completing the Social Work Essentials Certificate. Most students will want to have confirmation that they are fully admitted to the MSW program before purchasing the Social Work Essentials Certificate because the courses are non-credit bearing and cannot be transferred to another program. Review the posted deadlines for the On-Campus and Online MSW programs and apply as early as possible.

Review the steps here for the On-Campus and Online MSW program options.

With social work being such a broad profession, it does vary. Examples of human service experience can include, but are not limited to, direct client care, case management, nonprofit work, advocacy, organizational management, program evaluation, and much more. If you would like to discuss your specific experience, please call (734) 936-0961 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment with one of our admissions counselors.

Eligibility request forms will be reviewed as soon as possible. Students should receive a decision before the next cohort start date.

No, but you should consider submitting it well in advance of start of a Social Work Essentials Certificate cohort so you have a determination before the course begins. This is particularly important for students planning to apply to the MSW degree program.