Bachelor of 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.

State of Michigan Licensure

All BSW and MSW students wishing to be licensed by the State of Michigan must follow the procedure listed below.

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 on the left-side of the page. At this page, scroll to “Forms & Applications”, select (click) the appropriate application packet. The application packet with instructions is 16 to 18 pages in length.

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, you may also refer to the MDCH website for additional information or frequently asked questions. Included in the Social Work application packet is a two page form called The Certification of Social Work Education.

The State requires two forms completed by EMU:

The Certification of Social Work Education Form (2 pages)
Official copy of your transcripts

Complete the first page of the Certification of Social Work Education Form and a Transcript Request Form. The Transcript Request Form is available on line to print off at http://www.emich.edu/registrar/formslibrary/index.php. You will then need to deliver (in person or by mail) these two forms along with a $5 transcript fee to:

Eastern Michigan University
Cashier’s Office
201 Pierce Hall
Ypsilanti, Mi 48197
(734) 487-3331

The Transcript Department will complete the Certification of Social Work Education Form, process the transcript and then mail both to the State of Michigan as required.

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

For more information on obtaining your State of Michigan Social Work License, please visit http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,1607,7-154-27417_27529_27554---,00.html