School of Social Work

Master of Social Work

 

group of graduates on stage at Miller Auditorium


With an MSW from Western Michigan University, you can deepen your expertise and pursue specialized roles in clinical social work, healthcare, schools, mental health, policy and more.

School of Social Work
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5354 USA
(269) 387-3180

Pursue a Master of Science in Social Work

The WMU School of Social Work offers the MSW program in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Note: The WMU School of Social Work does not offer an entirely online degree program at this time.

Admissions requirements are the same for both the full-time and extended study advanced standing programs. When you apply, you will select a program and location. Our programs operate in cohorts, which means you will progress in the program with the same group - building a sense of friendship and community. However, it also means that changing programs or locations can only be considered if space becomes available in another cohort. Requests to change program or location cannot be guaranteed.

Pathway to an MSW

Learn more about our program options below:

Information sessions

To learn more about the MSW degree program, information sessions for fall and spring are listed below. To join a scheduled Webex session, visit: 
 
https://wmich.webex.com/meet/christopher.b.smith
 
Wednesday, September 24 at noon
Wednesday, October 8 at noon
Wednesday, October 22 at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, November 5 at noon
Wednesday, November 19  at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3 at noon
Wednesday, January 14 at noon
Wednesday, January 28 at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, February 11 at noon
Wednesday, February 25 at noon
Wednesday, March 4 at noon
 
For more information, please email christopher.b.smith@wmich.edu


What you'll learn

In the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, students will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become reflective, ethical and effective practitioners. They will learn to critically assess their own values, emotions and experiences, and understand how these influence their professional practice. The program emphasizes the importance of practicing within the values and ethics of the social work profession, with a deep respect for diversity and a commitment to social justice. Students will gain the ability to analyze and respond to the psychosocial impacts of oppression and discrimination, empowering clients by leveraging their strengths and resources. Through a generalist practice framework, they will learn to intervene effectively with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities, using theoretical models to understand complex human behavior within broader social, cultural, political and economic contexts. The curriculum also prepares students to evaluate and influence social policies, engage in collaborative decision-making and assess organizational structures to enhance service delivery. A strong emphasis is placed on continuous professional development, critical use of professional literature and the evaluation of practice effectiveness through supervision and reflective practice.

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I have been incredibly pleased with the quality of education and the range of opportunities I have experienced through the School of Social Work at WMU. While my concentration is in clinical social work with a focus on trauma across the lifespan, I have also had the chance to gain experience in policy, planning, and administration — areas I am equally passionate about. Even within a single concentration, the program has allowed me to explore and develop skills in both areas. My field experience has been incredibly impactful, and it has given me a strong sense of confidence as I prepare for my future career.
— Social work graduate student


Make the most out of your field experience

Field education is a significant, impactful and engaging part of social work education. You will practice the knowledge, skills and values of the social work program and learn to be a professional social worker in practice.

This intensive focus on field education is unique in social work education, and is what makes it our signature pedagogy. Note that most internships require daytime availability.

Learn more about fieldwork


Standard Master of Social Work (60 Credits)

The graduate professional program in social work at WMU prepares you for direct-service and leadership positions in the field of social welfare. It begins with a 24-hour foundation curriculum, including classes on human behavior, social policy, culture/ethnicity, research and social work practice and introduces different approaches to problem solving. This foundation will prepare you to choose between two concentrations: clinical practice or policy, planning and administration.

Field education provides opportunities for practical experience under supervision by a seasoned social work professional in a human service setting. In this program, you will complete a 400-hour internship over two semesters, followed by a 500-hour concentration internship over two more semesters.

The School of Social Work admits students once a year, with classes starting each fall. There are two different ways to schedule your program - either full-time (2 years, 12-15 credits per semester) or part-time/extended study (3 years, 6 credits per semester year-round).


Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (39 Credits)

If you received a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited school, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 (using the most recent 60 credits) and have only one social work course grade below a B, you are eligible to apply for the advanced standing program. This 39-credit program builds on the BSW foundation courses, allowing you to complete your MSW faster than students without a BSW.

In this program, you will complete one 500-hour internship over two semesters. 

The School of Social Work admits for this program once a year, with classes starting each summer 2 session (July). There are two different ways to schedule the program - either full-time (10 months, 12-15 credits per semester) or part-time (2 years, 6 credit per semester).

Concentrations

Policy, planning and administration

This concentration prepares you for leadership in government, nonprofit and community organizations and empowers you to facilitate changes in the structures and processes of organizations, communities and society to contribute to:

  • a just distribution of resources and opportunities.
  • the ability of officials and the citizenry to understand and respond appropriately to the human condition.
  • the provision of opportunities and resources to troubled or disadvantaged people to help them cope with personal and social barriers to the betterment of their condition.

Learn more

Clinical social work

This concentration prepares you for advanced clinical practice with individuals, families and groups within diverse community contexts. Clinical practice emphasizes transactions between people and environments, preparing you to develop practice knowledge and skill in

  • the promotion and enhancement of psychological, social, and biological well-being.
  • the amelioration of psychological, social, and biological dysfunction.
  • the integration of theory, practice and research knowledge.

Learn more


Specializations

Built into your MSW program are nine elective credit hours. You may select any graduate-level courses relevant to your degree, or you can work toward a specialization. Most specializations are only nine credit hours and do not extend the time to graduation. 

Clinical Practice students may choose any certificates and specializations. PP&A students may choose the Holistic Health specialization. If PP&A students wish to pursue other certificates or specializations, they must first consult with their academic advisors and the MSW Program Director, as the internship requirements for those options may conflict with the core PP&A program requirements.

School of Social Work specializations

School of Social Work graduate certificates

College of Health and Human Services collaborative specializations

Trauma Across the Lifespan

Requirements:

Nine credit hours of approved trauma courses

MSW Clinical Concentration Field Placement (500 hours)

  • Students complete their placement with a TALS approved organization
  • Placement must use a trauma-focused approach
  • Placement supervised by a trauma-trained clinician
  • Many placements available
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Requirements:

Five credit hours of approved trauma courses

  • SWRK 6500, 6378, 6379
  • Courses apply to MSW elective credits

MSW Clinical Concentration Field Placement (500 hours)

  • Placement supervised by a TF-CBT-trained clinician
  • Students may simultaneously earn TALS by taking four additional approved trauma courses
  • Many placements available
School Social Work

What is school social work?

School social work is a specialized field of practice where social workers provide support to children to help them achieve their goals. Social workers assess for learning barriers and equip the child and their family to advocate for support. With specific training in systems theory, special education law, and school law, school social workers help schools to draw connections between human development, education, justice, mental health and families.

Requirements for currently enrolled MSW students:

  • Completion of school social work courses SWRK 6200, SWRK 6210, SWRK 6220 (grade "B" or better)
  • MSW Concentration Field Placement (500 hours)
    • direct social work practice with children and/or youth, supervised by a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), preferably in a school setting

Becoming a School Social Worker in Michigan

Western Michigan’s MSW program fulfills the educational component of the state requirements for approval as a school social worker. Detailed Michigan Department of Education requirements can be found within the Administrative Rules for School Social Workers. Note: If you seek approval in another state, please contact that state’s licensing board. 

For more information on the School Social Work Certification, please contact Karla Vandenberg, School Social Work Program Coordinator via email at karla.vandenberg@wmich.edu

Requirements for WMU MSW Alumni:

  • Valid social worker license (LLMSW or LMSW) issued by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
  • Completion of at least 500 clock hours of direct social work practice with children and/or youth, supervised by either a LMSW Professional School Social Worker or a valid Fully Approved School Social Worker while they provided social work services to students with disabilities whose individualized education program (IEP) required those services, which may be earned via a post-master’s degree practicum or via work experience.

After completing the post-MSW courses, you can continue with the steps indicated on the School Social Worker page listed under the heading "WMU MSW Alumni Who Have Completed the Post-MSW School Social Work Continuing Education Courses" to be certified as a school social worker. 

Child Welfare

What is Child Welfare?

Western Michigan University is now offering a pathway for graduate level students interested in becoming child welfare professionals to learn more about child welfare-related work. 

Child Welfare workers nurture families and support permanent connections to enhance child well-being. Child welfare workers will work with parents to ensure children and their families have the tools they need to thrive, building upon the strengths of the family and their community to help provide safe, permanent, and loving environments for children.

Requirements for fellowship eligibility: 

  • Citizenship
    • Students must be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, DACA status or eligible noncitizens to participate in the fellowship 
  • Social Work Program Selection:
    • Must be accepted into the Master’s of Social Work Program at Western Michigan University

For more information on the requirements while in the program and after program completion, visit the Child Welfare page.

Apply Now for the Title IV-E Fellowship program. Applications are currently being accepted, with up to 14 spaces available. 

Interested in learning more about graduate trauma programs? Contact Dr. Karen VanDeusen at karen.vandeusen@wmich.edu.

The courses below are approved and satisfy requirements for the trauma specializations in the MSW program. These courses are available to all MSW students.

  • SWRK 6350 - Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Interventions for Asian American Pacific Islanders (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6350 - Core components and Skills for trauma-Informed Practice (3 credits)
  • SWRK 6351 - Secondary Traumatic Stress and Self-Care in Trauma- Focused Practice (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6352 - Trauma and Neurodevelopment / Trauma and Neurodevelopment (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6353 - Integrating Mindfulness with Treatment for Trauma / Mindfulness (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6354 - Integrating Body-based Interventions with Treatment for Trauma (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6355 - Intimate Partner Violence: Assessment and Intervention (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6356 - Assessment and Treatment for Adult Survivors of Sexual Trauma (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6357 - Trauma and Military Social Work (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6358 - Risk Assessment and Treatment Planning for Adolescents with Sexually Abusive Behaviors (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6359 - Strengthening Trauma-Informed Organizations
  • SWRK 6361 - Intergenerational Trauma: Assessment and Intervention in Indigenous Communities (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6362 - Play Strategies for Trauma Practice with Children and Adolescents (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6363 - Black Adolescents and Trauma (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6364 - Trauma and Refugee Populations (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6365 - Trauma and Sexual and Gender Minorities (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6366 - Human Trafficking and Trauma Practice (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6378 - Integrative Seminar in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (1 credit - available only for TF-CBT students)
  • SWRK 6379 - Integrative Seminar in Trauma Studies (1 credit - available only for TF-CBT and TALS students)
  • SWRK 6500 - Core Concepts of Child and Adolescent Trauma (3 credits)

Interested in learning more about the child Welfare program? Contact Jennifer Stiller at jennifer.stiller@wmich.edu

The courses below are approved and satisfy requirements for the child welfare program in the MSW program. These courses are available to all MSW students.

This is not an exhaustive list. Students can submit a request for additional courses by emailing Jennifer Stiller at jennifer.stiller@wmich.edu

Required courses

  • SWRK 6500: Core Concepts of Child and Adolescent Trauma (3 credits)
  • SWRK 6376: Integrative Child Welfare Seminar (3 credits)

Electives

  • SWRK 6350: See Course Look Up for current offerings
  • SWRK 6351: Secondary Traumatic Stress and Self-Care in Trauma-Focused Practice (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6352: Trauma and Neurodevelopment (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6353: Integrating Mindfulness with Treatment for Trauma (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6354: Integrating Body-based Interventions with Treatment for Trauma (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6355: Intimate Partner Violence: Assessment and Intervention (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6356: Assessment and Treatment for Adult Survivors of Sexual Trauma (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6357: Trauma and Military Social Work (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6358: Adolescents with Sexually Abusive Behaviors (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6359: Strengthening Trauma-Informed Organizations (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6361: Intergenerational Trauma: Assessment and Intervention in Indigenous Communities (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6362: Play Strategies for Trauma Practice with Children and Adolescents (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6363: Trauma and Black Adolescents (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6364: Trauma in Refugee Populations (1 credit)
  • SWRK 6430: Leadership in Human Service Organizations (3 credits, if non-PPA student)
  • SWRK 6450: Administration in Human Service Organizations (3 credits, if non-PPA student)
  • SWRK 6680: SW practice with families (3 credits, if non-clinical track student)

Students can also take electives in non-Social Work courses including but not limited to: 

  • ADA 5200: Family and Addiction (3 credits)
  • ADA 6060: Causes of Substance Abuse (3 credits)
  • ADA 6349: Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (3 credits)
  • ADA 6400: Co-Occurring Disorders and Addictions (3 credits)


Are scholarships available?

At WMU, we believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of a student’s passion to serve others. Our scholarships for social work students are designed to support your academic journey and empower your future career in making meaningful change.

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Mission, vision and goals

The mission of the masters program is: we value scientific inquiry, service, integrity, ethics, competence and the power of justice to educate and co-create a diverse, equitable, and accessible Program focused on human rights and enhanced quality of life for persons and communities, locally and globally. 
 

Our vision is a learner-centered school that develops social work leaders to impact social, economic, environmental, and racial justice through excellence in research and practice.

The goals of the masters program are to:

  1. provide a professional education that prepares advanced practitioners to enhance, advocate, and support social, economic, and environmental justice and personal well-being for all people.
  2. prepare advanced practitioners who demonstrate the knowledge, skills, values, cognitive and affective processes necessary to work effectively with diverse, vulnerable, and marginalized populations. 
  3. prepare advanced practitioners who possess the needed knowledge, embrace social work values, and have the requisite skills needed to formulate and realize a vision of a just society. 
  4. prepare ethical, reflective, and competent advanced practitioners in Clinical Social Work to work with individuals, families, and groups; and in Policy, Planning, and Administration to work with organizations, communities, and institutions within a global and changing environment
  5. prepare advanced practitioners to effectively engage, assess, and intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and institutions by utilizing evidence-based knowledge and theories and guided by trauma informed, culturally responsive, and anti-racist models of practice.
  6. prepare advanced practitioners with the knowledge, skills, values, cognitive and affective processes necessary to engage in practice informed research and research informed practice, and the ability to evaluate social work practice at micro, mezzo, and macro system levels. 
  7. prepare advanced practitioners who are grounded in a cultural-bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework, understand the historical roots of the social work profession, and can analyze, develop, and utilize social policy to advance justice policy to advance justice.