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Master of Social Work at NMU
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is designed to prepare students for advanced generalist social work practice. After completing foundational courses, students are able to select from two concentrations, Clinical Practice or Policy, Planning and Administration. This program is designed to be a full-time, two year (4 semester) program. Students who have previously earned a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from a CSWE accredited program may have the option of completing an accelerated, Advanced Standing curriculum track (3 semester)—special admission required.
Master of Social Work Mission
To prepare competent professionals committed to advancing social justice, human rights, and the dignity and worth of diverse individuals, groups, families, service delivery systems and communities through generalist social work practice, in a global context.
Master of Social Work Admissions Requirements
All regular standing applicants must have:
- A B.S.W. degree from an accredited institution, conferred no more than five years prior to the date of application
- A personal statement demonstrating understanding of and commitment to the values underlying the social work profession: service, social justice, competence, integrity, importance of human relationships, dignity and worth of the person.
- A Cumulative GPA of 3.00
All advanced standing applicants must have:
- A B.S.W. degree from an accredited institution, conferred no more than five years prior to the date of application
- A personal statement demonstrating understanding of and commitment to the values underlying the social work profession: service, social justice, competence, integrity, importance of human relationships, dignity and worth of the person.
- A Cumulative GPA of 3.25
In addition, all applicants for the advanced standing program who meet minimum admission requirements will have a face-to-face interview with a faculty member at the Department of Social Work.
All non-BSW applicants must have:
- A four-year undergraduate degree
- A personal statement demonstrating understanding of and commitment to the values underlying the social work profession: service, social justice, competence, integrity, importance of human relationships, dignity and worth of the person.
- A Cumulative GPA of 3.00
In addition, non-BSW applicants’ transcripts will be reviewed by the program director to determine if there is sufficient preparation for MSW program content. Courses needed to demonstrate preparation are as follows:
- a combination of courses equivalent to SW 100 Exploring Social Work and SW 230 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
- at least a 3 credit course in Statistics, Research Methods, or Quantitative Reasoning
- at least a 3 credit course in Biology (must include human biology content)
- at least 10 credits in some combination of the following content areas
If it is determined that preparation is insufficient, applicants may be admitted on a conditional basis, requiring that applicants complete specific courses recommended by the program director prior to starting the MSW program.
8. State the graduation requirements for the program.
In order to be retained in the MSW program, students must act within the professional standards outlined in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics (https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English.aspx).
Graduates must meet the requirements of the Office of Graduate Education as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin in addition to the following:
- Complete the minimum number of credits for each degree track as stated in the graduate bulletin (Advanced Standing 38 credits, Regular Standing 48 credits)
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Successfully complete SW 682
Programs
Bulletin Year: 2019 - 2020 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.