BSW Program Mission Statement

The BSW program aligns with the School’s mission of empowerment-oriented practice, is centered on collaboration, and driven by the needs, strengths, and priorities of vulnerable, oppressed, underserved, and marginalized populations. Graduates of our program:

  • Utilize critical thinking skills to respond to the increasingly complex challenges that impact our clients and our communities and promote social and economic justice
  • Engage in and advance equitable practices that are culturally responsive, anti-racist, and inclusive of all identities
  • Identify with and integrate the social work profession’s values and ethics as reflective and compassionate local and global citizens
  • Commit to life-long personal and professional development 

BSW students will be prepared for generalist practice in a variety of settings as they work with client systems, ranging from individuals and families to organizations and communities. Students will have the knowledge, skills, and an integration of professional and personal values to enable them to become leaders committed to advancing social justice-based practice in the social work profession. The undergraduate Social Work program also prepares students to enter graduate Social Work education.

About the Program

The Bachelor's of Social Work Program at EMU attracts a growing and diverse student body, providing students with strong preparation for generalist social work practice.

Once accepted to the social work program, you'll complete a personalized plan of study including an eight-month (400-hour) agency-based internship. BSW students spend two days a week during their final year of study completing this internship. The EMU School of Social Work has cultivated a rich network of relationships across the region with a wide range of social work agencies who offer placements to our students.

Most required BSW courses are offered both during the day and during the evening.

Curriculum

The three required areas for a bachelor's in social work from EMU are liberal arts, pre-social work and social work. Read more in the catalog.

Field Education

All BSW students complete field placements in affiliated public or non-profit agencies that are consistent with the School’s mission. All placements require 16 hours per week (200 hours per semester, for 400 hours total). Placements start in fall or winter in the last two semesters of the senior year. Find out more about the field placement.

BSW Minor

As faculty strive to embody the University’s mission to “enrich lives in a supportive, intellectually dynamic and diverse community,” it is important that our program be responsive to the growing demand for online offerings among students who are trying to juggle multiple demands in their lives and overcome structural barriers to their education. 

Career Opportunities

Social workers can be found in various settings such as child welfare, mental health, substance abuse, adoption, family services, foster care, senior services, schools, rehabilitation, law enforcement, shelters and other services to the poor, neighborhood centers and adolescent and youth services.

Contact Us

Dave Evoy, student services coordinator
734.487.6807 | [email protected]

School of Social Work
319 Everett L. Marshall Building
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734.487.0393