A social work student sits across from a patient

Upper Level BSW

Students must apply for admission to the Upper Level BSW Program in order to enroll in the required junior-level practice courses and senior-level field and practice sequence. Students should apply to the BSW Program near the beginning of the junior year. Academic advisors can help students ensure they have met the appropriate requirements to apply. 

BSW Program Admissions Deadline – October 1

All students wishing to enter the BSW junior-level practice sequence in the Winter semester must apply for admission by October 1. To be eligible for admission to the upper level curriculum, a student must have met requirements by the end of the first semester of the junior year. In other words, students can apply while they are currently enrolled in the courses listed below. Students will be screened for admission according to the following criteria: 

  • Admitted to Northern Michigan University
  • Have accrued a minimum of 60 college credits toward the BSW degree by the end of the semester in which they apply
  • GPA at or above 2.50 in the two social work pre-admission courses (SW 100, SW 230)
  • GPA at or above 2.50 in at least five of the seven courses within the Human Behavior Cluster minor, which must be completed by the end of the fall semester in which they apply. All completed courses in the minor will be considered in calculating a student’s GPA
  • Evidence of ethics and values of the profession. The student’s personal statement will be used to evaluate:
    • Understanding of generalist social work practice
    • Commitment to the profession 
    • Alignment with the ethics and values of the profession
    • Readiness for practice methods courses and field placement
    • Evidence of skills and attributes necessary for social work practice
    • Employment and volunteer experience in the human services (preferred but not required for admission)

Applicants are screened and admitted by approval of the BSW Admissions Committee. The application review process is rigorous and, in some cases, competitive. Students may be denied admission if the application is incomplete, requirements are not met, or if a student otherwise fails to exemplify potential as a future social worker. Applications will assess and consider the whole person; exceptions to admissions requirements may be made by vote of the BSW Admissions Committee if the student’s full potential shows promise in social work practice. Applicants may appeal BSW Admissions Committee decisions through the grievance procedure outlined in the BSW Program Handbook. 

Students will be notified of their admission status within 30 days following the application due date. Students may be accepted, accepted with provisions (i.e. provisional status), or denied admission based on the above criteria. Early admissions applicants may also be wait-listed until the October 1 deadline.

BSW Program Application

Global Campus Early Admissions Deadline – April 1

Global campus and junior-level transfer students may apply for early admission on April 1 if they are expected to complete 60 credits in social work or related courses by the end of the winter/spring semester in which they apply. Students accepted under early admission criteria will remain on provisional status until completion of the requirements for full admission to the upper-level BSW curriculum.

If the number of student applicants exceeds the number of available seats in the program, the following additional factors will be considered in admissions decisions:

  • Completion of pre-Social Work courses at NMU
  • Completion of pre-Social Work requirements at a community college under an articulation agreement with the NMU Social Work Program
  • Residing within the geographic region (Upper Peninsula and counties in Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan north of the 45th parallel)

Students in the Bachelor of Social Work degree program must meet a set of criteria for continuous retention in the program, which are detailed in the BSW Student Handbook. Students must maintain a cumulative 2.50 grade point average in all coursework applicable to the social work curricula, defined as all courses in the major, required minor(s), and other required courses. 

Students must earn a minimum grade of "C” (73%) in all upper level curriculum courses in order to move on to subsequent program courses and successfully complete the BSW program. After successful completion of the two junior-level practice courses in the winter semester, students then enter the senior social work sequence, where courses are scheduled into a one-day block, allowing ample time to complete the necessary field requirements. Students must also consistently demonstrate characteristics and competencies becoming of a professional social worker as outlined in the BSW Student Handbook. Failure to meet retention standards may result in suspension or dismissal from the BSW Program.