Bulletin Year: 2022 - 2023 Graduate Bulletin | View this program in the current bulletin.

Admission Requirements

  • Comply with the regular admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, and
  • for Regular Standing admission:
    • 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
      • Lifespan Development
      • Psychology
      • Sociology
  • for Advanced Standing admission:
    • a B.S.W. degree from a CSWE-accredited institution, or recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors, conferred no more than five years prior to the date of application
    • a Cumulative GPA of 3.25 with no BSW courses falling below a B+ (3.3 GPA)

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.

All Applicants must submit:

  1. Graduate admission application and fee.
  2. Official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.
  3. A personal statement demonstrating interest in social work, career goals, commitment to values and ethics of the profession and program preferences.
  4. Three academic or professional letters of recommendation.

Application Due Dates

Regular Standing:  There are two deadlines for applications. The first on December 1st, is for early-decision makers only.  Early decision makers are applicants who are already committed to attending NMU for their MSW, whereas regular applicants may be considering and applying to other institutions.  Regular applicants must submit their applications no later than February 28th.

Advanced Standing:  The deadline to apply for Advanced Standing is December 1st.

Master of Social Work Curriculum

Advanced Standing = 36 credits, Regular Standing = 50 credits

For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Social Work department page.

Total Credits Required 36 - 50
Advanced Standing 36
 
Foundation Courses 10
SW 519 Advanced Standing Clinical Methods 3
SW 529 Advanced Standing Indirect Practice Methods 3
SW 549 Advanced Standing Research Methods 2
SW 569 Advanced Standing Human Rights 2
 
Concentration Courses (choose one) 12
 
    Clinical Concentration  
     SW 611 Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals 3
     SW 612 Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups 3
     SW 613 Psychopathology 3
     SW 641 Clinical Evaluation Methods 3
 
    Policy, Planning and Administration Concentration  
     SW 621 Policy and Program Planning 3
     SW 622 Community Organizing 3
     SW 642 Program and Policy Evaluation 3
     SW 651 Policy Analysis and Advocacy 3
 
Field Placement Courses 8
SW 681 Concentration Field Placement I 4
SW 682 Concentration Field Placement II 4
 
Electives* 6
Regular Standing 50
 
Foundation Courses 18
SW 511 Direct Methods with Individuals 3
SW 512 Direct Practice Methods with Couples, Families and Groups 3
SW 521 Leadership in Communities and Organizations 3
SW 541 Social Work Research Methods 3
SW 551 Policy Practice 3
SW 561 Human Rights 3
 
Concentration Courses (choose one) 12
 
    Clinical Concentration  
     SW 611 Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals 3
     SW 612 Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups 3
     SW 613 Psychopathology 3
     SW 641 Clinical Evaluation Methods 3
 
    Policy, Planning and Administration Concentration  
 
     SW 621 Policy and Program Planning 3
     SW 622 Community Organizing 3
     SW 642 Program and Policy Evaluation 3
     SW 651 Policy Analysis and Advocacy 3
 
Field Placement Courses 14
SW 581 Field Placement I 3
SW 582 Field Placement II 3
SW 681 Concentration Field Placement I 4
SW 682 Concentration Field Placement II 4
 
Electives* 6
*Elective offerings include:  
   ED 551 Child Development and Learning: Birth through Kindergarten (4 cr.)  
   ED 554 Inclusive Learning Environments: Birth to Kindergarten (4 cr.)  
   ED 562 Introduction to Learning Disabilities (3 cr.)  
   ED 566 Classroom Management: Methods for Students with Learning Disabilities (3 cr.)  
   NAS 404 Research and Engagement in Native American Studies (4 cr.)  
   NAS 484 Inclusion in the Classroom (4 cr.)  
   NAS 485 Native American Education (4 cr.)  
   NAS 488 Native American Community Engagement (4 cr.)  
   PA 516 Organizational Theory (4 cr.)  
   PA 521 Grant Writing for Public Administrators (2 cr.)  
   PA 526 HRM in Public and Nonprofit Management (4 cr.)  
   PA 562 Program Evaluation for Public and Nonprofit Agencies (2 cr.)  
   PSY 445 Positive Psychology (4 cr.)  
   PSY 453 Affective Neuroscience (4 cr.)  
   PSY 457 Psychopharmacology (4 cr.)  
   PSY 504 Behavioral Neuroscience (4 cr.)  
   PSY 508 Program Evaluation (4 cr.)  
   PSY 541 Advanced Developmental Psychology (4 cr.)  
   PSY 561 Cognition: Advanced Theory and Methods (4 cr.)  
   SW 535 Ethical and Legal Issues in Addiction Services (3 cr.)  
   SW 537 Substance Abuse Disorders and Treatment (3 cr.)  
   SW 595 Special Topics in Social Work (1 - 4 cr.)  
   All 600 level SW prefix courses  

Graduate courses in other disciplines may be accepted as meeting elective requirements as approved by the MSW Program Director or designee.

Graduation Requirements

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.

Graduates must meet the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin in addition to the following:

  • Complete the minimum number of credits for the chosen degree track 
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
  • Successfully complete capstone course SW 682


Bulletin Year: 2022 - 2023 Graduate Bulletin