Bulletin Year: 2023 - 2024 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog. | 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:
    • SW 100 Exploring Social Work (or at least a 3 credit equivalent course as determined by
      admissions committee)
    • SW 230 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (or at least a 3 credit equivalent
      course as determined by admissions committee)
    • 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
      • Social Work
  • for Advanced Standing admission:
    • a BSW 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 3.0 with no BSW courses falling below a B 

The graduate admissions committee within the MSW Program will review all applications in their entirety, and will offer full or conditional admission to the program based on each candidate's comparative strengths and weaknesses. Positions will be offered to a limited number of applicants per year. For GPA requirements, primary consideration will be given to the last 60 credits of undergraduate or graduate study, and to courses determined especially relevant to the field of social work.

All Applicants must submit:

  1. Graduate admission application and fee  (Applications closed for Fall 2024)
  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. (Personal letters of recommendations will not be accepted.)
  5. Current resume

Application Due Dates

Priority Admission Deadline: December 1st. We recommend this deadline 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. (Applications closed for Fall 2024)

Regular Admission Deadline: February 28. All applicants must submit their applications no later
than February 28th.

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 Courses10
SW 519 Advanced Standing Clinical Methods3
SW 529 Advanced Standing Indirect Practice Methods3
SW 549 Advanced Standing Research Methods2
SW 569 Advanced Standing Human Rights2
 
Concentration (choose one)12
 
Clinical Concentration 
SW 611 Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals3
SW 612 Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups3
SW 613 Psychopathology3
SW 641 Clinical Evaluation Methods3
 
Advanced Generalist Concentration 
SW 611 Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals3
SW 612 Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups3
SW 621 Policy and Program Planning3
SW 622 Community Organizing3
 
Field Placement Courses8
SW 681 Concentration Field Placement I4
SW 682 Concentration Field Placement II4
 
Electives*6
REGULAR STANDING50
 
Foundation Courses18
SW 511 Direct Methods with Individuals3
SW 512 Direct Practice Methods with Couples, Families and Groups3
SW 521 Leadership in Communities and Organizations3
SW 541 Social Work Research Methods3
SW 551 Policy Practice3
SW 561 Human Rights3
 
Concentration (choose one)12
 
Clinical Concentration 
SW 611 Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals3
SW 612 Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups3
SW 613 Psychopathology3
SW 641 Clinical Evaluation Methods3
 
Advanced Generalist Concentration 
SW 611 Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals3
SW 612 Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups3
SW 621 Policy and Program Planning3
SW 622 Community Organizing3
 
Field Placement Courses14
SW 581 Field Placement I3
SW 582 Field Placement II3
SW 681 Concentration Field Placement I4
SW 682 Concentration Field Placement II4
 
Electives*6
*Elective offerings include: 
AIS 535 Using Scholarly Library Resources in Support of Graduate Research (2 cr.) 
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 541 Advanced Developmental Psychology (4 cr.) 
PSY 561 Cognition: Advanced Theory and Methods (4 cr.) 
SW 523  Death, Dying and Grief (4 cr.) 
 SW 531  Clinical Trauma Methods (3 cr.) 
SW 536  Prevention of Substance Use Disorders (3 cr.) 
SW 537 Evaluation and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (3 cr.) 
SW 595 Special Topics in Social Work (1 - 4 cr.) 
   SW 598  Directed Study (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: 2023 - 2024 Graduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.