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2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Social Work

Requirements:

Website: gvsu.edu/grad/msw

Grand Valley State University's Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) is offered through the School of Social Work and prepares students for advanced professional practice by laying the foundation for students to assume leadership roles in society's institutions, organizations, and communities.

The program emphasizes human behavior, interface between people and their social environment and institutions, and client strengths. Advanced generalist social workers are also concerned with societal conditions in their efforts to improve the quality of life and social and economic justice.

The mission of the M.S.W. program is to prepare advanced generalist social workers who enhance and sustain the welfare and well-being of the individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities of West Michigan, the state, the nation, and the world; and who further the goals of the university and of the social work profession in this region and beyond. This is accomplished through professional leadership, advancement of the social work field's knowledge through research and evaluation, and a focus on diversity, social justice, and human rights.

The program's goals are derived directly from its mission statement and are designed to meet the social service needs of its program locations and beyond:

  • To provide a foundational M.S.W. curriculum and an advanced generalist social work curriculum that prepares M.S.W. graduates for autonomous social work practice that promotes social, economic, and environmental justice and endeavors to address poverty and other social problems within individual, organizational, and community contexts within, but not limited to, West and Northern Michigan and the State of Michigan.
  • To award the graduate degree to individuals who are skilled practitioners who adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics, incorporating diversity into their practice and are capable of assuming leadership and scholarly professional roles in the community, region, state, national, and global communities.
  • To contribute to the ongoing development of professional social work knowledge and practice through research and scholarly inquiry that employ state-of-the-art technology.
  • To prepare students for continued professional development opportunities throughout their careers, including doctoral education.

Advanced Generalist

The advanced generalist model is built on a liberal education foundation that promotes critical thinking and the conscientious application of advanced practice social work knowledge, skills, values, ethics, and cognitive and affective processes.

The features of this model are designed to

  • enhance the depth and breadth of practice in a multimethod, multilevel, and theoretically grounded perspective;
  • refine and shape advanced practitioners through acquisition of professional competencies to assess, intervene, and evaluate within all systems and within all practice environments;
  • affirm that human problems derive from a complex interplay of psychological, social, cultural, economic, political, biological, and physical forces;
  • prepare students to effectively intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities;
  • expand, extend, and enhance the foundation of generalist social work core competencies with advanced knowledge and practice behaviors; and
  • promote the development of advanced knowledge, skills, values, and affective and cognitive processes in leadership, collaboration, administration, advocacy, assessment, problem solving, intervention, cultural competency, communication, collaboration, community building, program evaluation, organizational management, policy analysis, and scientific inquiry.

The integration of professional practice skills within the advanced generalist curriculum model culminates in the mastery of social work's core competencies, so that M.S.W. graduates are proficient in a wide range of settings, with a broad diversity of populations at all levels of professional practice in any geographic location.

Accreditation

The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) as an in-person program. Accreditor's website: cswe.org.

ADMISSION POLICIES FOR REGULAR M.S.W. AND M.S.W. ADVANCED STANDING

GVSU School of Social Work welcomes applications to the masters program. There are distinct admission dates that guarantee review:

  • January 15 for all international students for full-time, regular admission to begin in the fall semester.
  • February 1 for students with a B.S.W. applying for full-time, advanced standing to begin in the spring/summer semester.
  • March 15 for students with a B.S.W. applying for part-time, advanced standing to begin in the fall semester.
  • March 15 for students applying for full-time, regular admission to begin in the fall semester.
  • March 15 for students applying for part-time, regular admission to begin in the fall semester.
  • October 1 for students applying for part-time, regular admission to begin in the winter semester.

Applications received after these dates are not guaranteed review. Applications for international students will not be reviewed after January 15.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR REGULAR AND ADVANCED STANDING STUDENTS

REGULAR STANDING M.S.W. DEGREE (All international and non-B.S.W. applicants)

The School of Social Work offers a 60-credit-hour Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree program which can be completed on a full-time (two years) and part-time (three or four years) schedule.

The M.S.W. Regular Standing program has seven requirements that all applicants must meet to be granted admission. These are:

  • Submit a completed M.S.W. program application and a current resume.
  • Have completed an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education.
  • Provide official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution previously attended.
  • Have an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in their undergraduate coursework. The university calculates the relevant GPA based on the applicants last 60 credits.
  • Provide evidence of a broad background in liberal education that reflects the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 18 credit hours in a combination of human biological, social, and behavioral science courses, with good representation in sociology, psychology, and/or social work.
  • Three professional recommendations using the electronic GVSU M.S.W. Admission Recommendation Form (sent to references by GVSU) from professionals (including academics) familiar with their qualifications for pursuing a graduate social work degree (including a field education supervisor or an individual in a comparable field education role if the student holds a B.S.W. degree).
  • Write an essay answering the questions as follows. Typed response (limited to five pages or less than 2,500 words).
  • What motivates you to pursue a master's degree in social work at this time?
  • The profession of social work is committed to social, political, and economic justice, the alleviation of poverty and oppression, and the reduction of social problems. Address a social problem about which you are particularly concerned. Concisely discuss your understanding of social, political, and economic justice. How do you think that you can advance the aforementioned? What experiences or factors have shaped your interest in advancing justice?
  • Describe some of your experiences and achievements in school, work (volunteering or employment), and in your personal life. Include a description of any barriers you have encountered in pursuing your education, work, or personal goals. Indicate the steps and strategies you have used, or are using, to overcome these barriers.
  • Describe examples and experiences that demonstrate you can work effectively with individuals and communities that represent diverse populations (including, but not limited to, people and communities reflecting diverse ethnicities, racial identities, abilities, socio-economic class, gender, or sexual orientations). Describe any difficulties you have encountered when working with any of the diverse groups previously mentioned.
  • Please describe your plans for completing the M.S.W. program, if you are admitted. For example, how do you plan to balance your work, education, and personal life? What supports are in place for you when you enter field placement?

Regular Standing Conditional Admission (Not available for Advanced Standing or international students)

  • Applicants who do not earn a 3.0 GPA in their last 60 credits from bachelor level studies may be considered for Conditional Admission. Individuals with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 as part of an application that demonstrates skillful writing and reflection, completion of 18 credits of social sciences, and strong professional recommendations may be eligible for Conditional Admission. Conditional Admission may also be granted if application review reveals a history of strong social work experience.
    • GVSU School of Social Work does not grant SW course credit for life experiences or previous work experience.
  • The director of the M.S.W. program will assign applicants eligible for Conditional Admission two GVSU M.S.W. classes. Successful completion of the assigned classes is met by attaining a B or better in each class, at which time the student is granted regular admission. Successfully completed class credits are recognized as part of degree completion.

ADVANCED STANDING M.S.W. DEGREE (For applicants with a B.S.W.)

The School of Social Work recognizes strong academic and professional performance by students who have graduated from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate social work program within eight years (preferred) prior to enrollment in the M.S.W. program and have met specified admissions criteria. Advanced Standing students are exempt from the 22 credit hours of foundation courses and may accelerate their graduate study by completing the remaining 38 credit hours of M.S.W. course requirements. The Advanced Standing M.S.W. program can be completed full-time (three semesters) or part-time (five semesters).

The School of Social Work recognizes strong academic and professional performance by students who have graduated from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited undergraduate social work program within eight years prior to enrollment in the M.S.W. program. Advanced Standing students are exempt from the 22 hours of foundation courses and may accelerate their graduate study by completing the remaining 38 credit hours of M.S.W. course requirements. Specific courses which are exempt include SW 600, SW 601, SW 603, SW 610, SW 620, SW690, SW 650, and SW 651.

Advanced Standing admission is awarded only to graduates holding degrees from baccalaureate degree social work programs that are

  • accredited by Council of Social Work Education (CSWE); or
  • recognized by its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service; or
  • covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.

The M.S.W. Advanced Standing program has six requirements that all applicants must meet to be granted admission. These are:

  • Submit a completed M.S.W. program application and a current resume.

Provide official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution previously attended, including the transcript reflecting the award of a B.S.W. degree from a CSWE-accredited baccalaureate social work program.

  • Three professional recommendations using the electronic GVSU M.S.W. Admission Recommendation Form (sent to references by GVSU) from professionals (including academics) familiar with their qualifications for pursuing a graduate social work degree. One of the recommendations should be the applicants B.S.W. field supervisor or faculty field liaison.
  • An overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in their undergraduate coursework. The university calculates the relevant GPA based on the applicants last 60 credits.
  • Demonstrate a 3.0* (on a 4-point scale) in each social work course or a 3.5 GPA or better in social work courses overall with no major academic or behavioral concerns cited.
  • Write an essay answering the questions below. Typed response (limited to five pages or less than 2,500 words).
  • What motivates you to pursue a master's degree in social work at this time?
  • The profession of social work is committed to social, political, and economic justice, the alleviation of poverty and oppression, and the reduction of social problems. Address a social problem about which you are particularly concerned. Concisely discuss your understanding of social, political, and economic justice. How do you think that you can advance the aforementioned? What experiences or factors have shaped your interest in advancing justice?
  • Describe some of your experiences and achievements in school, work (volunteering or employment), and in your personal life. Include a description of any barriers you have encountered in pursuing your education, work, or personal goals. Indicate the steps and strategies you have used, or are using, to overcome these barriers.
  • Describe examples and experiences that demonstrate you can work effectively with individuals and communities that represent diverse populations (including, but not limited to, people and communities reflecting diverse ethnicities, racial identities, abilities, socio-economic class, gender, or sexual orientations). Describe any difficulties you have encountered when working with any of the diverse groups previously mentioned.
  • Please describe your plans for completing the M.S.W. program if you are admitted. For example, how do you plan to balance your work, education, and personal life? What supports are in place for you when you enter field placement?

*Advanced Standing admission is NOT guaranteed based on GPA or course grades. Applicants will not be considered for Advanced Standing status if their final 60 credit hour GPA (social work AND non-social work classes) is below 3.0 OR they do not meet the social work GPA requirement options previously noted. The final decision on Advanced Standing admission also includes faculty review and evaluation of the quality of the essay response and professional recommendations. The university, college or school may, additionally, impose limitations in the number of available seats for incoming Advanced Standing students, or higher eligibility standards for Advanced Standing based upon a need to balance enrollment or other external factors.

APPLICANTS WHO HAVE A B.S.W. BUT WHO DO NOT MEET ADVANCED STANDING REQUIREMENTS

Applicants who have a B.S.W. but do not meet the requirements for the Advanced Standing program receive a waiver for equivalent generalist courses completed in their B.S.W. program in which the student has earned a B+ or better and, in the case of field education and seminar, earned credit.

The generalist courses are:

This equivalency is determined through transcript, course description, and syllabus review, completed by the M.S.W. director, upon admission. When two or more courses equate to the M.S.W. generalist course, the grades achieved in those courses will be averaged and the average must be a B+ or better to waive the associated generalist course. The M.S.W. course will be waived; however, the credits required for graduation will not be waived, meaning the student must fulfill the 60 M.S.W. credits required for the Regular Standing admission.

M.S.W. and M.P.A. DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Schools of Social Work and the School of Community Leadership and Development offer prospective students the option to simultaneously pursue both graduate degrees offered by these units (Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration). This entails taking coursework in both disciplines in order to be well-prepared to seek middle and upper-level management positions in either public or private human service organizations. Those earning the two degrees will attain the knowledge, skills, and values of the social work profession with the advanced administrative and technical expertise developed through the study of public administration to become leaders in their organizations and communities. Currently, Grand Valley State University policies enable a student to pursue the M.S.W degree as the first master's degree and the M.P.A degree as a second master's degree by completing 21 credits in the M.P.A program.

Applicants must complete a graduate application for admission to both the M.S.W program and M.P.A program, following each programs admission policies outlined in the catalog.

No further action on candidacy will be taken until all requested materials have been received by the Admissions and Recruitment Office. Applications may be obtained through the university or either school. Completed application files will be reviewed by faculty members of the M.S.W program and the M.P.A program. Students must meet the basic requirements for graduate study as defined by each school. Either program may also request additional information from an applicant before granting full admissions status and a personal interview may be required.

M.S.W. AND M.P.A. REQUIREMENTS

For students who are not seeking or do not qualify for Advanced Standing, 78 credit hours of study are required. For Advanced Standing students, 59 credits are required. Students must be willing to take a minimum of two courses per semester, including spring/summer, and are expected to complete coursework within four calendar years. A three-semester field education practicum is required (two semesters for advanced standing) in which students will spend at least 400 hours applying the knowledge learned in the classroom regarding administrative or macro practice. Students must complete a minimum of 21 credits of public administration courses along with the courses necessary to earn the M.S.W. degree.

Organizations

Master of Social Work Student Organization

This organization is committed to providing both volunteer opportunities and social activities for all social work students. The organization's goals include:

  • Enrichment of professional identity
  • Advocacy for M.S.W. students
  • Becoming a viable source for GVSU
  • Increase positive recognition of GVSU in the surrounding area
  • Enhancement of organizational skills through participation in group process
  • Encouragement of awareness of the various social issues that impact our profession and communities.

Phi Alpha National Honor Society for Social Work Students

  • Phi Alpha Honor Society is a national social work academic honor society that is dedicated to high standards of scholarship and distinctive achievements within social work.
  • The purposes of Phi Alpha Honor Society are to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Find more information on the national website at phialpha.org. Phi Alpha Chi Epsilon, the Grand Valley State University chapter, offers membership to B.S.W. and M.S.W. students to be inducted based on your academic achievement and credit hours spent within the social work program.

Course Delivery

The Master of Social Work program is accredited as an in-person program which means that the majority of classes are in-person and face-to-face. Classes are typically offered in the late afternoon and evening. Some courses are offered on Saturdays. However, many courses are offered online asynchronous, online synchronous, or in hybrid formats. See M.S.W. course delivery options.

Requirements

The M.S.W. degree consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours. Those with a B.S.W. accepted into the regular standing program must still gain 60 credit hours but may have courses waived for which they received a B+ or better.

The M.S.W. advanced standing degree consists of a minimum of 38 credit hours.

Primary Foundation (all required for regular standing students)

**Test-out exam available.

Advanced Generalist Concentration (all required)

Advanced Policy

Choose one of three:

SW 630 or SW 631 may be selected as a substitute to SW 613 when the human rights/advanced policy assignment and required readings are completed as part of the service-learning coursework.

Practicum Education Practice (all required)

Practicum placements are individually arranged through the social work practicum office to accommodate specific circumstances and advance career goals.

*SW 650 and SW 651 are waived for students with Advanced Standing status.

Advanced Micro-core

Choose one:

Advanced Macro-core

Choose two of six:

Electives

Choose one course of at least three credits.

Any course from previous list not taken to satisfy requirements or from the following:

M.S.W and M.P.A Degree

Modifications to M.S.W.

Practicum Education Practice

Practicum placements are individually arranged through the social work practicum office. Students pursuing both degrees are required to complete a macro-focused placement.

Advanced Macro

Students pursuing both degrees must take the three courses listed as follows and may not select from other advanced macro options. One of the courses will serve as the social work elective.

Social Work Program Description

Click here for the program description.


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