The Western Michigan University School of Social Work offers research-driven professional programs that work closely with students and the community, focusing on social change, social justice and service transformation. Its graduate and undergraduate programs stress the need to:
- Recognize and fight discrimination in its many forms.
- Speak out against injustice.
- Promote human rights and a more equitable distribution of resources and power.
The school seeks to create a learning environment that is responsive to students' professional development, promoting community and a sense of individual and collective responsibility among and between students. Meaningful interaction among students, faculty and field instructors supports self-examination, expression and innovation.
School of social work events
Free Self-care workshop for WMU School of Social Work, Friday, September 6
BLND Health Kalamazoo and the Battle Creek Resiliency Project are offering a free training entitled, "Trauma stewardship: Integrative self-care workship designed for social work students" at the Foundry, 600 E. Michigan AVE. in Kalamazoo. The interactive workshop will include
psychoeducation, guided meditation, gentle yoga & tactics to help navigate students through social work coursework, field placement & beyond. The workshop is a cooperative effort from the community to provide adequate education and place self-care as a priority. This may ensure resiliency, health and an even stronger community. Increase resilience and coping skills as well as reduce the risk of behavioral health problems, prevent burnout and connect community peers.The interactive workshop will include education about secondary trauma, guided meditation, gentle yoga techniques and opportunities to gain new skills, techniques and approaches to decrease stress or anxiety associated with social work studies and field placement. Discuss and engage in topics about interpersonal dynamics in the field of social work while exploring compassion fatigue and stress in context of vicarious trauma, burnout, and related terms, such as trauma stewardship. Increase awareness about the impact of our work on us and our lives by exploring signs and symptoms of burnout or secondary trauma (i.e. hopelessness, chronic exhaustion, fear, anger, avoidance, numb, grandiosity, etc.). Work alongside professionals from the field to better
understand trauma stewardship and identify what students can adjust personally, professionally, organizationally. BLND is comprised of social workers, psychologists, yogis & functional health professionals. The group provides integrative mental health services to individuals, groups and families.
RSVP is required by September 3 at BLND.EVENTBRITE.COM. Students- check your email for a free event registration code!
new student events
Incoming students are asked to attend campus-specific kickoff/orientation events before their classes start. Please find the applicable event below, and contact your campus directly with any questions.
Grand Rapids
- MSW Make-up Orientation: Thursday, August 8 from 10 a.m. until noon at the East Betline location.
Kalamazoo
- 60 Credit Hour MSW Kickoff : August 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the College of Health and Human Services Room 4010.
- BSW Orientation: September 13, from noon to 3 p.m. at the College of Health and Human Services Room 4010.
prospective student events
Join us to learn more about the Master of Social Work (MSW) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs at Western Michigan University. For both programs, attendees will receive relevant information about our programs, our faculty research, and the unique qualities of WMU.
Benton Harbor and Grand Rapids
Extended University Programs Info Sessions