Promote Mental and Behavioral Health of Individuals and Communities
The University of Michigan-Flint’s new online Master of Social Work (MSW) will prepare students to meet the growing demand for master’s level social workers to provide mental and behavioral health services for individuals, families and groups.
Prepare to positively impact the well-being of individuals and communities with collaborative experiences in coursework, community-based learning, and extensive internship opportunities.
The MSW program coursework is offered 100% online with a combination of asynchronous and synchronous courses. Synchronous courses will be offered on weekdays in the evenings via Zoom and require attendance. In person internships, in proximity to your place of residence, will connect coursework to real-world learning experiences.
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Why Earn Your Master of Social Work at UM-Flint?
Flexible Program Will Offer Part-time, Full-Time and Advanced Standing Options
The MSW Program has numerous options to fit your circumstances and busy life. A regular standing program for students with bachelor’s degrees in a field other than social work includes both part-time* and full-time* options, though only the part-time option will be available when the program launches in Fall 2024. A full-time, regular-standing MSW option will begin in Fall 2025.
Beginning in Fall 2025, a part-time advanced-standing MSW program will be offered. In Fall 2026, a full-time advanced-standing MSW program will be available. Students who earned a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for the advanced standing MSW.
*The number of credit hours used to determine full- and part-time status as defined by the University of Michigan-Flint policy may differ from that of the MSW program. Review the curriculum to better understand the credits required in different program offerings.
Emphasis on Community-Based Learning
Our program will prepare you to make a positive change in your communities through many real-world learning experiences, including community-based learning and extensive internship opportunities.
Online MSW Program Coursework & In-person Internship
The flexible UM-Flint MSW curriculum allows you to engage with communities outside the classroom, participate in interprofessional learning opportunities, and increase self-awareness to become reflective change agents within changing societal environments.
Our MSW program, with a specialized curriculum in Mental Health and Behavioral Health Practice, will equip you to deliver mental and behavioral health services for individuals, families and groups. Additionally, our optional focus area in Social Work in Health Care Settings prepares students to provide holistic, psychosocial support to patients and clients in various healthcare settings including hospitals and mental health clinics.
The MSW program involves online coursework (synchronous and asynchronous modalities) and in-person internships. Synchronous courses will meet via Zoom in the evenings. In-person internships are completed at a social service agency in the student’s area of residence. Optional in-person, on-campus touchpoints will provide opportunities to engage in meaningful interactions with faculty and peers.
| 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) |
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 in Fall 2024 will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program once we attain Initial Accreditation in 2027.
Master of Social Work Career Outlook
The demand for master’s-level social workers with expertise in mental health practice and patient assistance is increasing both locally and nationally.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for social workers are projected to grow 7% through 2032. The need for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health therapists is projected to grow 22% through 2032.
Admission Requirements (No GRE)
UM-Flint’s online Master of Social Work degree seeks applicants who meet the following requirements:
- 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 Statement of Petition with supplemental information is submitted.)
- Demonstrated 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 be in compliance with the distance education laws of each individual 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.
Applying to the Master’s in Social Work Program
All students will start in the fall semester.
To apply to our program, please submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to [email protected] or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library.
Requirements for applying to Regular Standing MSW Program – Available Fall 2024
- Application for Graduate Admission.
- $55 application fee (non-refundable)
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- 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 3 full-length pages, maximum 5 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 resume
- 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 7 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 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
Coursework for this program is fully online. Admitted students will not be able to obtain a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].
Application Deadline
- Fall (early deadline) – May 1
- Fall (final deadline) – July 1
*You must have a complete application by May 1 to guarantee application eligibility for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.
Estimated Tuition and Cost
At UM-Flint, we are dedicated to your academic and personal success. That’s why we ensure you receive competitive tuition rates and helpful financial aid resources to support you as you finance your graduate education.
Learn more about UM-Flint’s tuition and financial aid to start planning for your graduate degree.
Academic Advising
Do you need more guidance on your journey toward achieving a Master of Social Work degree? UM-Flint’s expert academic advisors are here to help! Committed to your success, our advisors can assist you with class selection, degree plan development, and much more. Email [email protected] for more information.
Discover UM-Flint’s Master of Social Work (MSW)
Be prepared to impact the well-being of individuals and communities with UM-Flint’s Master of Social Work (MSW). Are you ready to advance your career? Request information or start your application today!