Sample MSW Program of Study 

The Council on Social Work Education mandates that all MSW requirements must be completed within four years of date of entrance into the program. The Full Program requires 63 graduate credits. Students admitted into the Advanced Standing Program complete the program with 35 credits.   All required courses are evening (after 5:30 pm) and/or Saturdays to accommodate working students.

For course descriptions and course information, please visit catalog.emich.edu

FOUNDATION COURSES (31 Credits)

 

ADVANCED COURSES (13 Credits)

(enrollment based on successful completion of all Foundation courses)

Advanced Concentration Courses (9 Credits):
(Choose ONE Concentration Only)

Family and Children's Services

 

Mental Illness and Chemical Dependency

 

Services to the Aging

Electives: Full Program = 10 elective credit hours/Advanced Standing = 13 credit hours

The requirement for electives can be fulfilled in multiple ways. For instance, students may take SWRK elective courses, courses from other related EMU graduate programs, independent study projects, or advisor-approved transfer credit from coursework at other accredited graduate schools.

Students are encouraged to broaden their perspective with a range of electives, and are not restricted to those related to their concentration.  Electives can also count simultaneously towards partial requirements for some EMU Graduate certificates (see Graduate Catalog for further details about certificate programs).

Since electives are not offered every year, please contact the School of Social Work or any other EMU graduate programs for a list of electives offered in particular semesters.

For quick and simplified veiw of the MSW Program Curriculum, please click here.

Additional EMU Graduate Certificates

Students may elect to apply to a graduate certificate program while working toward their MSW degrees. Most certificate classes may be counted as electives toward the MSW degree.

Below is a listing of graduate certificate programs that may be of interest to MSW students: 

Community Building
This unique certifcate program is designed to develop the competencies of community leaders, professionals and staff of nonprofit organizations in leadership, resource development and program evaluation; in understanding the community as a complex system; in understanding their organizations' potential for civic action; and in understanding how to improve the capacity of their community organizations to meet their missions and strengthen the community.

The program also has an external focus: to develop competencies for understanding the community as a social system and improving the social bonds and leadership skills among members of the community. For more information, please visit the Graduate Catolog.

Gerontology
This certificate emphasizes positive aspects of aging and addresses realities and myths of growing old. The result is an education that enhances your ability to work with and care for older people effectively and compassionately. This is an 18 credit hour program with coursework in multiple disciplines. For further information, please visit the Gerontology Certificate webpage.

Dementia
This certificate provides a theoretical framework and practical grounding in working with families and persons with dementia in the home, community-based programs, and 24-hour settings including: assisted living, adult foster home, nursing homes, and hospitals. This certificate is the first of its kind in the United States and is intended for health professionals and students who want to pursue a specialized career in working with persons with dementia. This is an 18 credit hour program. For further information, please visit the Dementia Certificate webpage.

Nonprofit Management
This certificate has an internal focus and is designed to develop competencies and practical skills for building management capacity of a nonprofit organization in the areas of (1) financial management, accountability, and legal issues; (2) budgeting and resource management; and (3) human resource management. This is a five-course (12-15 credit hours) curriculum with coursework in multiple disciplines. For further information, please visit the Nonprofit Management webpage.

Health Administration
This certificate supports the ongoing need for trained, competent health professionals.  The program’s curriculum focuses on developing the management skills needed in today’s health care industry. The certificate provides specialized knowledge and includes a practicum option that will allow health professionals from a variety of fields to prepare themselves for management and administrative responsibilities. For more information, please visit the Health Administration webpage.

Public Policy Analysis
This certificate is designed to meet the professional needs of state, local and nonprofit employees as well as private citizens with an interest in developing quantitative analytical skills for public policy issues. Students will learn about policy making process, impact, cost benefit and econometric analysis. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge in public policy analysis as well as offer enough flexibility for students to pursue individual interests. This is a six-course (16-17 credit hours) curriculum. For further information please visit: http://www.emich.edu/public/polisci/pubad/certificates.htm

Public Management
This certificate is designed to meet the professional needs of state, local and nonprofit employees with general management responsibilities. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge in public management as well as offer enough flexibility for students to pursue individual interests. This is a five-course (13-15 credit hours) curriculum. For further information, please visit the Public Management webpage.

Management of Public Health Care Services
This certificate is designed to meet the professional needs of mangers working in the healthcare field including hospitals, public health departments, nursing homes, managed care agencies, insurance agencies, home healthcare systems, and private medical practices. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge in public healthcare services as well as offer enough flexibility for students to pursue individual interests. This is a five-course (14-15 credit hours) curriculum. For further information, please visit the Management of Public Health Care Services webpage.

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 Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) website at www.michigan.gov/healthlicense.

Once at the LARA home page, you will click "Social Worker" 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:

1. The Certification of Social Work Education Form (2 pages)
2. 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/formlibrary/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, Michigan 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