University of Michigan - Flint

The University of Michigan-Flint's Social Work program uses Bartlett's definition of social work to organize the instruction of bachelor students toward professional social work practice. 

Professional social workers assist individuals, groups, or communities to restore or enhance their capacity for social functioning, while creating seocietal conditions favorable to their goals. The practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior, of social, economic and cultural institutions, and the interaction of all these factors.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States. The profession is expected to grow by 30% by 2010. Currently, nearly 600,000 people hold social work degrees.

Social workers are hightly trained and experienced professionals. Only those who have earned social work degrees at the bachelor's, master's or doctoral levels, and completed a minimun number of hours in supervised fieldwork, are "professional social workers."

      
Watch the "Be a Social Worker" PowerPoint Presentation 

Click here to be directed to U of M-Flint's Transfer Equivalencies Database

Students interested in social work as a major are encouraged to seek academic advising by a social work faculty member. When a student is ready to begin studying the professional education courses, the student will consider making application to be formally admitted to the program. Students must be fully admitted before they may begin the professional practice and field placement courses. 

Students wishing to concentrate in social work must indicate their intention by completing a Social Work Program application form.

The applicant will be assigned a social work advisor and will be permitted to enroll in upper division social work classes.

In order to be formally admitted to the social work program, a student must:

Have completed 45 credit hours of course work with a minimum GPA of 2.40.
Have completed SWK 200 and a 300 level SWK course with a minimum letter grade of "C" in each course (students must maintain a grade of "C" or better in all social work courses). A transcript must be provided.
Demonstrate competency in written and oral communication (student must complete ENG111 and 112 with a minimum grade of "C" in each course). Students transferring credit for ENG111 and 112 from other institutions may be required to complete a writing competency exam administered by the English Department.
Prepare a 2 to 4 page typed evaluative statement of interest, readiness, and suitability for a career in social work. The statement must include biographical data, employment information, and volunteer experience. The purpose of this self evaluation is: to demonstrate competency in written expression of the English language and to reflect the applicant's commitment to the goals and purposes of social work.
Sign the statement indicating that you have read and will be guided by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Work.
Provide at least two letters of reference detailing scholarly potential, general character, and interest in social work practice. If the student is transferring from another social work program in another institution, one letter must come from a social work faculty member at the previous institution.
For more information on application to the program, transferring course-work, gatekeeping, and deadlines click here.

For the Social Work Policy Statement and Program Application click here.