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An M.S.W. student on Grand Valley's Robert C. Pew campus in downtown Grand Rapids.

Social Work, M.S.W.

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program prepares you for advanced professional practice in social work, and in the development and implementation of social welfare policies and programs. The M.S.W. lays the foundation for you to assume leadership roles in society's institutions, organizations, and communities.

Visit the program website for more information.

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Program Overview

The M.S.W. 60 credit hour program is available on a full or part time basis, including 12 credit hours of field education. The curriculum incorporates a focus on CSWE core competencies. Advanced standing status, a 38-credit program with 8 field education hours, is for those who successfully completed a B.S.W. degree at a CSWE accredited program and meet other admission criteria. You may apply for the hybrid advanced standing program if eligible.

Application Deadlines

  • February 1 (spring/summer: advanced standing full time)
  • March 15 (fall: advanced standing part time, regular standing full or part time)
  • October 15 (winter: regular standing part time)

The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if you previously applied to GVSU. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions regarding application deadlines.

Why Study Social Work at Grand Valley?

Students will:

  • become a culturally competent practitioner in a complex society through field education and practice;
  • be prepared to engage in grassroots, political, and community organizing, as well as electoral politics;
  • become a skilled practitioner capable of assuming leadership and scholarly professional roles in regional, state, national, and global communities;
  • contribute to the ongoing development of professional social work knowledge and practice through research and scholarly inquiry that employs state-of-the-art technology; and
  • earn a degree that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Career Insights

This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.

Accreditation

The M.S.W. degree at Grand Valley State University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Location & Format

Classes for this major are a combination of online and in-seat on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

Format:

Coursework

  • Substance abuse
  • Human behavior
  • Community-based learning, including global and domestic service learning
  • Clinical diagnosis
  • Social research and policy
  • Practice with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities

Admission Requirements

For general requirements for graduate admission, visit Grand Valley State University’s admission section of the online catalog.

Admission into the social work program has additional requirements, which are available on this page.

If you have additional questions, please contact our graduate admissions office.

For More Information

School of Social Work

uncsj.com/ssw
391C DeVos Center
(616) 331-6550

Graduate Admissions and Recruitment Office

uncsj.com/gradapply

Program Director

Jamie Langois, DSW 
(616) 331-6550

 

“The M.S.W. program at GVSU prepares students to practice at multiple levels as they meet the needs of a diverse society.”

DIANNE GREEN-SMITH, PH.D., LMSW, ACSW
FACULTY