Promote Social Justice for Vulnerable Populations
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.
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 internships are completed at a social service agency in the student’s area of residence.
Why Choose Social Work at UM-Flint?
We offer ample community-based learning opportunities with hands-on fieldwork. With two Field Instruction courses, you can dive headfirst into the real world and receive valuable practical experience working with individuals, families, and communities in various settings. You may also participate in volunteer projects and community programs that promote social justice and equality.
The coursework is offered completely online in both asychronous and synchronous courses. Synchronous courses require you to attend live meetings via Zoom.
Besides the Bachelor of Social Work program, UM-Flint also offers a Bachelor of Social Work Honors program. This option gives you the opportunity to gain off-campus research experience and complete a thesis.
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.
What will your experience as a social work major look like with UM-Flint? We’ve developed major maps to help you learn what to expect during each stage of your studies. These maps share year-by-year information like class selection, extracurricular opportunities, career preparation, and more. Download the map and start charting your course to success.
Accreditation
The University of Michigan-Flint’s Bachelor of Social Work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 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: 2022-2023, 2021-2022, 2020-2021, 2019-2020, 2018-2019, 2017-2018, and 2016-2017.
Scholarships for Social Work Students
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
Career Opportunities in Social Work
The field of social work is as diverse as the population that social workers serve. 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 through the pursuit of 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. Social workers make up more than 40% of the behavioral health workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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.
Demand for social workers is projected to grow by 9 percent through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is higher than the average for all occupations. The median salary for social workers is $50,390 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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.
Get Started on Your Social Work Career Today
If you want to fight for social justice as a thoughtful and responsible social worker, apply to the University of Michigan-Flint’s Bachelor of Social Work program today. If you have questions, you can contact one of the program’s academic advisors. Ryan Ashley from the Student Success Center advises students with less than 55 credits. Phone: 810-762-3085. Todd Womack from the Social Work Department advises students with 55 or more credits. Phone: 810-762-3390.