Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program (BSW)

If you have a passion for helping people and are concerned about issues of social justice, social work is the profession for you! Social workers help people to resolve personal dilemmas and address the inequities in communities. The Eastern Michigan University Baccalaureate Program in Social Work prepares students for professional practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. Our program is committed to the empowerment of poor, vulnerable and underserved populations.

When you complete the social work program you will be prepared for beginning social work practice with populations that include:

Individuals and families who are homeless
Children who have been abused and neglected
Youth who are troubled
People with mental illness
People with addictions
Aging people who are in need of services
Families who are struggling with poverty

You will develop skills in:Assessing the needs and strengths of individuals, families, groups, organizations, andcommunities

Intervening with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Effectively interviewing individuals, families, and groups
Planning services with colleagues and consumers
Evaluating the effectiveness of practice and programs
Reaching out to people and communities
Advocating for consumer rights and addressing consumer needs
Networking with other professionals
Helping communities to address member needs

Our diverse faculty has a focus on student learning and teaching excellence in all areas of professional concentration. Our baccalaureate social work program provides the services that you, as students, need - most classes are offered both day and evening, tuition is affordable and there is convenient commuter access. The baccalaureate social work degree is very marketable, and also provides the potential for Advanced Standing into an MSW Program. In fact, the U.S. Labor Department has identified social work as one of the fastest growing professions. Our program is housed in a new technologically advanced building, and offers multiple hands-on learning experiences, including three different field experiences. We also have opportunities for study abroad.

BSW or MSW State of Michigan Licensure

To obtain the required licensure application packets, please visit the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) website at www.michigan.gov/healthlicense.

Once at the MDCH home page, you will click Social Worker in the light blue box, to the left of the page.

At this page, scroll to “Forms & Applications”, select (click) the appropriate application packet to print. The application packets are 16 to 18 pages in length, this includes instruction pages.

As per the licensure instructions:
It is your responsibility to have all the required documentation sent to the Board of Social work. Questions regarding your application can be directed to the Michigan Board of Social Work at (517)335-0918 three weeks after the date you sent the application. Applications submitted without the applicant’s signature and date will be returned. Please allow 6-8 weeks processing time.

Please read the instructions in full, these will help answer any questions you might have about the application packet. You may also refer back to the MDCH website for additional information or frequently asked questions.

Please see the three steps below:

1. The State requires verification of education, and has provided the Certification of Social Work Education form to be completed. As the applicant, you will complete section I of this form in full, and sign at the bottom. Forward the form to the following address:

Eastern Michigan University
School of Social Work
317 Marshall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Once The School of Social Work has received your request, section II of this form will be completed. The originals will be sent to the State, and a copy will be sent back to you, verifying completion.

2. Because there is a fee for transcripts, it is your responsibility to have them forwarded to the State of Michigan. You may do so one of three ways:

On-line from the national student registry at www.getmytranscript.com
In person by visiting 303 Pierce Hall
Written letter sent to:

Eastern Michigan University
Records and Registration
303 Pierce Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Each request will cost $5.00, and takes 2 business days to process. You may have the transcripts sent directly to the State of Michigan from Records and Registration.

3. The Application for a MSW/BSW License along with the Livescan Fingerprint Request Form must be completed and sent to the State of Michigan along with the applicable fees. Please do not send either of these documents to the School of Social Work, this will only delay your application process.