Graduate Students

Master of Social Work Program

The MSW Program at EMU was designed to meet the unique needs of working people who are committed to the profession, but who are employed full-time, generally in the human services. The program has been accredited since 1992.

EMU offers both a "full program" for students with a Bachelor degree in a field other than social work and an "advanced standing" program for students who hold a BSW degree from an accredited program. The full program requires students to successfully complete 63 credit hours to earn an MSW degree. Students admitted with advanced standing complete 35 hours of advanced level coursework.

Students who earned a BSW with at least a 2.75 GPA overall - or at least 3.0 GPA in their last 60 undergraduate credits - qualify for advanced standing.

Part-time, evening, weekends

MSW program course work is offered only on evenings and Saturdays. The typical EMU MSW student is employed full-time in a social work-related job, and pursues a degree on a part-time, year round basis.

Most "full program" students have a plan of study leading to a degree in 4 years. Most "advanced standing" students have a plan of study leading to a degree in 2 years. In both cases, students take about 6 credits a semester.

In the field

As part of their studies, all full program students complete one 8-month (400 hours) agency–based internship as part of their foundation for advanced practice. All students complete one 8-month (500 hours) agency-based internship at the advanced level. Though courses meet in evenings and on Saturdays, most field placement require daytime hours during the regular work week. Work site placements are made available to students who can make appropriate arrangements to carry out a field placement at the place of work.

The School of Social Work has cultivated a rich network of relationships across the Southeast Michigan region with a wide range of field agencies, affording EMU Social Work students a range of opportunities for field experience.