Online Master of Social Work

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Why Earn Your MSW Degree at UM-Flint?

Program Option	First Term/Year of Admission	Full-time/Part-time
Regular standing (non-BSW) • 60 credits with 900 hours of internship	Fall 2024 Fall 2025	Part-time (3 years) Full-time (2 years) or Part-time (3 years)
Advanced Standing (BSW w/ 3.0 GPA or higher) • 36 credits with 460 hours of internship	Fall 2025 Fall 2026	Part-time (1.5 years) Full-time (1 year) or Part-time (1.5 years)

Emphasis on Community-Based Learning

Your work as a social worker revolves around people. UM-Flint’s MSW program strives to inspire your work and your dedication to the profession through community-based learning. Our curriculum delivers a well-rounded graduate education that empowers you to engage with communities outside the classroom, participate in interprofessional learning opportunities, and increase self-awareness to become reflective change agents within evolving societal environments. 

During your community internship, you will develop and refine social work skills in supervised advanced practice settings while fostering meaningful relationships with peers, veteran practitioners, and community members.

Accreditation

As a new program, the UM-Flint MSW program is working to achieve pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Candidacy is a three-year process. We expect to complete the accreditation process in 2027. Assuming all steps in the process are successful, students admitted from fall 2024 will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program once we attain Initial Accreditation in 2027.

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Academic Advising

Do you need guidance on achieving a Master of Social Work degree? UM-Flint’s expert academic advisors want to help you succeed! Whether you want insight on developing your degree plan or academic support, our advisors have the knowledge and resources to share.

For more information about enrolling in the MSW program at UM-Flint, email [email protected].

Admission Requirements (No GRE)

When applying to UM-Flint’s online Master of Social Work program, you must meet the following criteria to qualify for admission:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (students with GPAs below 3.0 but higher than 2.7 may be considered if a Statement of Petition with supplemental information is submitted).
• Demonstrate desire and dedication to the social work profession and commitment to upholding the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

State Authorization for Online Students

In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to comply with the distance education laws of each state. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in this program, please visit the State Authorization page to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.

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Applying to the MSW Program at UM-Flint

At UM-Flint, we aim to keep our application process streamlined but comprehensive, ensuring you can excel in the program. When applying, please submit the materials listed below:

• Online application for graduate admission.
• $55 application fee (non-refundable).
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
• For any degree completed at a non-US institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
• If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
• Statement of Purpose (minimum three full-length pages, maximum five pages, double-spaced) to address the following:
  • Discuss a social problem that is important to you and motivates your decision to pursue an MSW degree.
  • Discuss your commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession. (Please review the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics here.)
  • Discuss how your identities and experiences have contributed to your understanding of social justice.
  • What personal, professional, and academic experiences have prepared you to be successful in an MSW program?
  • Describe why you are pursuing an MSW at this time and why the UM-Flint MSW program is a good match for you.
• A current résumé.
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation.
  • One academic reference from an instructor or faculty advisor and one professional reference from an employer or an internship/volunteer supervisor are preferred. Two academic references from instructors are acceptable. Applicants who received an undergraduate degree more than seven years ago may provide two professional references that speak to their potential for success in graduate studies in social work.
• Statement of Petition.
  • This only applies to students who have experienced any of the following academic challenges. Explain the issue(s) and how you have addressed it. Describe your plans and readiness to move into graduate-level study.
    • Undergraduate GPA below 3.0 but higher than 2.7;
    • Low or failing grades (for example, D, F, U);
    • Been on academic probation;
    • Dismissed from or denied readmission to any college

Please email all additional application materials to [email protected] or deliver them to the Office of Graduate Programs, located at 251 Thompson Library.

Coursework for this program is entirely online. Admitted students will not be able to obtain a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. Other non-immigrant visa holders currently in the United States, please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].

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Application Deadlines

• Fall (early deadline) – May 1
• Fall (final deadline) – July 1 

All MSW students begin their graduate studies in the fall semester.

*You must have a complete application by May 1 to guarantee application eligibility for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

Make a Lasting, Community-Wide Impact as a Social Worker

Earn your Master of Social Work online from the University of Michigan-Flint and embark on your journey to make a positive impact in your community. Our program’s community-based approach, specialized curriculum focused on mental health and behavioral health practice, and emphasis on practical application equips you with a diverse skill set, enabling you to become a proficient and compassionate social worker.

Ready to begin your journey toward a UM-Flint MSW degree? Take the first step toward your future by starting your UM-Flint application today! Or, if you still have questions, request information to learn more.