Bachelor of Social Work
If you want to serve communities in need and help people improve their lives, the University of Michigan-Flint’s Bachelor of Social Work program will help you turn your passion into an altruistic career as a social worker.
Social:
Promote Social Justice for Vulnerable Populations
Combining rigorous theoretical training with hands-on fieldwork, UM-Flint’s BSW program provides you with:
- The knowledge and experience needed for generalist practice.
- The credential needed to take the state social work licensure exam.
- A solid foundation for pursuing a graduate degree in social work.
UM-Flint’s BSW program coursework can be completed 100% online through both asynchronous and synchronous courses. Synchronous courses require you to attend live meetings via Zoom. In-person practicum placements in your final year in the program are completed at a social service agency in the student’s area of residence.
100% Online
UM-Flint’s BSW program coursework can be completed 100% online through both asynchronous and synchronous courses. Synchronous courses require you to attend live meetings via Zoom. In-person internships are completed at a social service agency in the student’s area of residence.
Beginning April 1, 2026, students who are interested in pursuing a BSW at UM-Flint must apply separately to the BSW program after gaining admission to UM-Flint and after completing the prerequisites listed below.
At this time, we are not currently accepting BSW applications for the Fall semester. We will accept applications for the Winter 2027 semester beginning on September 1, 2026, until November 1, 2026. Please meet with your academic advisor to review how this timeline may impact your studies and financial aid.
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Why Choose Social Work at UM-Flint?
We offer ample community-based learning opportunities with hands-on practicum placements. Students spend their last two semesters in the BSW program diving headfirst into their practicum placement, where they receive valuable experience working with individuals, families, and communities in various settings under the guidance of a seasoned social work professional.
Situated in the College of Health Sciences (CHS), BSW students participate in interprofessional educational opportunities (IPE) with CHS classmates. BSW students have an opportunity to participate in macro-level work, volunteer projects and community programs that promote social justice and equality. Much of our learning starts in the Flint community, and extends to other statewide, national and global connections.
In-person practicum placements are completed at a social service agency in the student’s area of residence.
You’ll also have the option to conduct research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program or the Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. In a paid or volunteer role, you can develop your research skills while working side-by-side with faculty on state-of-the-art research.
Free Tuition with the Go Blue Guarantee!
UM-Flint students are automatically considered, upon admission, for the Go Blue Guarantee, a historic program offering free tuition for high-achieving, in-state undergraduates from lower-income households. Learn more about the Go Blue Guarantee to see if you qualify and how affordable a Michigan degree can be.
Curriculum Overview
The coursework is offered entirely online, in both asynchronous and synchronous formats. Synchronous courses require you to attend live meetings via Zoom.
In addition to the Bachelor of Social Work program, which includes a comprehensive curriculum covering core areas such as human behavior, social welfare policy, and social work practice, UM-Flint offers an Honors program. This option provides an enriched experience where you can gain off-campus research experience and complete a thesis.
Accreditation
Accreditation reports produced before April 2027 are archival materials and may not meet the accessibility standards required in SPG 601.20. If you need an accessible version, please report a barrier regarding digital access.
The University of Michigan-Flint’s Bachelor of Social Work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. You are assured that our program meets high educational standards. In addition, since all accredited graduate social work programs require a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree, your BSW degree from UM-Flint is your ticket to graduate school. All CSWE-accredited programs measure and report student learning outcomes.
The CSWE learning outcomes for the Social Work program at the University of Michigan-Flint are available by academic year:
Career Outlook
The field of social work is as diverse as the population it serves. Social workers reach every part of the community, serving people of every age in many different settings. They may work with individuals, families, organizations, and communities. Many social workers also seek to impact societal change by pursuing social justice.
You’ll be prepared to work in environments like:
- Advocacy
- Aging services
- Child welfare
- Developmental disabilities
- Health care
- Justice and corrections
- Mental health
- Public welfare
- Substance abuse social work
Social workers also play a vital role in the U.S. health care system. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers make up more than 40% of the behavioral health workforce.
Our students get experience in many settings. They have interned at Bendle Community Schools, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Carman Ainsworth Schools, Communities First, Ennis Center for Children, the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office, Genesee Health System, Lapeer Community Mental Health, Medical Team Hospice, Urban Renaissance Center, and more.
BSW-level social workers provide generalist entry-level services. More advanced clinical social work services require a master’s in social work. About two-thirds of our BSW graduates go on to earn an MSW.
9%
Projected social workers’ employment growth
40%
Social workers make up more than 40% of the behavioral health workforce
$50,390
Median salary for social workers
Admission
Please review the following information regarding admission into UM-Flint’s BSW program. We admit students twice a year and limit our class cohort to 60 students.
Prerequisites to Apply to the BSW Major
- Completion of SWR 100 or an equivalent class with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.
- Completion of ENG 111 or an equivalent class with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.
- Completion of at least 30 college credit hours at UM-Flint or another institution.
Application Process
After you have gained admission to UM-Flint and have completed the prerequisites to apply to the BSW major, please follow the instructions below.
To apply, students must submit a BSW application.
Application Deadlines
Applicants who have not yet met all admission requirements by the final deadline are still eligible to apply for conditional admission to the following semester.
Fall Semester Admission
We are not currently accepting any new students into the Fall 2026 cohort.
Applicants who have not yet received their winter and/or final semester grades at the time of application are eligible for conditional admission. These applicants must provide their final semester transcript by July 1.
| Deadline type | Application deadline | Application decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early deadline | May 1 | June 1 |
| Final deadline | July 1 | August 1 |
Winter Semester Admission
The application portal will open on September 1, 2026.
| Deadline type | Application deadline | Application decision |
|---|---|---|
| Final deadline | November 1 | December 1 |
Application Review
The BSW admissions committee will review completed applications in the order they are received. Applicants can expect to receive an admission decision approximately 4 to 6 weeks after all required materials have been submitted.
- Fall applications will be reviewed beginning February 1.
- Winter applications will be reviewed beginning November 15.
Once departmental approval is granted, students are formally accepted into the BSW program. If enrollment capacity for the upcoming term has been reached, accepted applicants will be offered a seat in the next available term.
After Formal Admission to the BSW Program
- Students will be assigned a social work academic advisor based on accumulated credits and are required to attend advising sessions.
- Students must complete a BSW program orientation focused on program requirements and the social work profession.
Progression Requirements
To progress in the program, students must:
- Pass SWR 121 – Introduction to Professional & Academic Writing and Social Work Practice with a grade of C (2.0) or higher during their first semester in the BSW program. Students who do not earn a C or higher in SWR 121 must retake the course before continuing in the program. Students are permitted to retake SWR 121 up to two times.
- Receive grades of C (2.0) or better in all prerequisites, social work, and complementary studies courses.
- Maintain an overall UM-Flint and Social Work GPA of 2.4 or higher.
Continued enrollment and graduation with a BSW degree require consistent adherence to CSWE competency standards. Any violation of the NASW Code of Ethics or inability to meet program competencies may be grounds for dismissal from the BSW program.
Advising
If you want to fight for social justice as a thoughtful and responsible social worker, apply to UM-Flint’s Bachelor of Social Work program today. You can contact one of the program’s academic advisors if you have questions.
At UM-Flint, dedicated academic advisors are here to help you confidently navigate your path from your first courses through graduation.
Academic Advisor
Less than 55 credits
More than 55 credits
Scholarships
Besides being eligible for financial assistance through UM-Flint’s Office of Financial Aid, you can apply for numerous UM-Flint scholarships that are specifically for social work students. They include:
- Donna D. Badeer Social Work Scholarship
- Lucille Bigelow Social Work Scholarship Fund
- Everett J. Blakely Social Work Scholarship
- Ralph M. and Emmalyn E. Freeman Social Work Scholarship
- Olivia P. Maynard and S. Olof Karlstrom Scholarship Fund
- Dr. Marigowda and Renuka Nagaraju Scholarship for Social Work and Peace Studies
- Vivian Juanita Pullum Social Work Student Emergency Fund
- School of Education & Human Services Alumni Scholarship for Social Work