Admissions

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About the BASW Program:

Our Upper-Level Application will open on January 13th, 2025.

Social Work students are enrolled in the University at two levels:

  1. Social Work Preference Students:
    • This category includes new freshmen, transfer students, or students who declare social work as their preferred major during their freshman or sophomore years (before earning 56 credits).
  2. Social Work Major Admits:
    • These are students who have completed all required social work prerequisites and have been officially admitted into the School of Social Work as juniors.
    • Admission as a social work major allows you to enroll in upper-level social work courses required for the BASW degree (300- and 400-level classes).

Prerequisite Coursework:

  • You must complete seven prerequisite courses to start the program. These courses must be finished by the end of summer session B before the program begins in the fall. While prerequisites don’t need to be complete at the time of your application, your course plan must show a clear path to finishing them before the fall semester of when you plan to start the program.
  • Full details about academic requirements and the seven prerequisite courses can be found on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

When to Apply:

If you are on a typical four-year graduation plan, you should apply to the upper-level program in the spring of your sophomore year.

  • The goal is for your junior and senior years to include upper-level social work courses required for the BASW degree.
  • You should plan to have 60 credits and junior standing when you begin the program.

Important Note:

Admission to the upper-level BASW program is competitive. Being a social work preference student does not guarantee acceptance into the program as a social work major.

Need Help?

Not sure when to apply or how your current courses fit into the program? Contact BASW Academic Advisor Jamie Griggs at griggsj5@msu.edu to review your course plan. 

Questions about the program and/or application process? Contact the BASW Student Support Coordinator Emily Langhart at halling3@msu.edu 

Application Information and Materials

Use the drop down menu below to find appplication instructions and materials and more.

  • Application Instructions and Materials

    Video

    Please be sure to watch this recorded information session from Emily Langhart (Student Support Coordinator) which includes helpful information and instructions for your application

     

    Required Materials

    To be considered for admission you will need to complete five admission documents.


    1. Academic Readiness Check Sheet
    2. Admission Essay Directions
    3. Social Work Professionalism and Ethics Agreement
    4. Criminal Background Statement of Understanding
    5. Application Resume Instructions

    The pdf files above must be downloaded (right click and select "Save Link As") and opened with Adobe Acrobat (other software may not allow you to fill in the fields electronically) to fill them in electronically. You can also download all the files in a zip file. Double click the zip file to extract and then double click each file to open in Adobe Acrobat.

    You must fill in these documents and save them using Adobe Acrobat. Using Preview on a Mac (and possibly others) will result in incomplete data and we will be unable to process your application.


    Application Dates and Process

    Applications for the BASW Program will be reviewed on a rolling basis through the end of the spring semester (May 2nd). To ensure you can enroll in your fall upper-level social work classes, it is strongly recommended that you apply as early as possible.

    If you are a transfer student, we understand your timeline may differ. To support you, we will reserve spots for transfer students who apply during the summer. See more information specifically for transfer students below.

    Submit your application early to secure your place in the program and start planning for your next year as an upper-level Social Work student! Preference will be given to students who have their application submitted by Monday, March 10th.

    How to Submit

    Please check back here for more information when our application process opens on January 13th, 2025. 

  • Application Drop-In Sessions

    Emily Langhart, our Student Support Coordinator, will be hosting drop-in sessions to answer all of your admissions and application questions. Please be sure to watch the Admissions Information Video before attending these sessions.

    Drop-In Session Dates:

    • January 15th, 1pm-2pm
    • January 29th, 12pm-1pm
    • February 10th, 12pm-1pm
    • March 21, 12pm-1pm
    • April 10th, 1pm-2pm

    All drop-in sessions will be held via Zoom. 

    Zoom Meeting Link: https://msu.zoom.us/j/99836675847 

  • Admissions & Application Questions

    General Questions:

    Visit our BASW FAQs for answers to common questions.


    Form or Submission Issues:

    Email us at baswinfo@ssc.msu.edu for help with forms or application submissions.


    Admissions, Essays, or Career Guidance:

    Have questions about admissions, need help with your essay or resume, or want to explore social work careers and professional development? Contact our BASW Student Support Coordinator, Emily Langhart, at halling3@msu.edu  or schedule a Zoom appointment here.


    Transfer Students:

    Transfer students must apply to MSU before applying to the BASW Program.

    For information on transferring to MSU, visit the Admissions Office. If you have questions, contact Monaca Eaton at eatonmon@msu.edu 

  • Admission Information for Transfer Students

    A number of upper-division transfer students will be admitted into Social Work on a competitive basis. Students enrolled in other colleges or universities normally transfer at the end of their sophomore year. Transfer students must apply for admission to Michigan State University before they can apply to the School of Social Work. Applications for admission to the University should be submitted in the spring semester of their sophomore year.


    You will work with the MSU Admissions Office to apply as a transfer student to MSU. Information on transferring to MSU can be found on the Admissions website. You are strongly encouraged to visit campus for a transfer student program prior to applying for admission. Transfer student programs are conducted daily, M-F and will include information about the admissions process, transferring credit, academic programs, student life, university housing, and career services and placement. You can reserve a seat for this program on the Admissions website.


    Once a transfer student has been accepted by MSU, the University Admissions Office will send the supplemental application for the School of Social Work. Admitted students should plan to begin their Social Work studies in the Fall semester. If you are applying to MSU as a transfer student interested in social work, please email Monaca Eaton at eatonmon@msu.edu for assistance

Michigan State University's Master of Social Work (MSW) programs and its Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and designed to meet the State of Michigan's social work licensing criteria. However, MSU cannot confirm whether these programs meet licensure requirements in states other than Michigan. Students who may be seeking professional licensure elsewhere will need to check with the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the program meets the requirement for licensure.

Each state's social work licensing requirements can be found HERE.

Undergraduate