Skip to main content

Advising

MSW advising

Support for your academic and professional path.

MSW advisors help students register for classes, create a program plan and understand the requirements that shape their path through the program.

Your advisor can help you decide on a concentration, explain program requirements, assist with elective selection and connect you with resources that support your academic and professional goals.

Advising team

Connect with MSW advising.

Important dates

Keep upcoming deadlines in view.

Use the MSW advising calendar to follow program reminders, registration dates and other important milestones.

Registration information

Plan and register with confidence.

If you have questions about your schedule, please contact your advisor.

To identify the courses and sections for which you should register, review your program option’s schedule and the Current Courses PDFs. The Current Courses documents also show which electives are being offered by the School of Social Work.

If a required course section is full, begin by contacting your advisor. If an override is approved, complete the Student Request Form. The Graduate Office will review the submission and enroll you in the requested course or courses when appropriate. Multiple course overrides may be requested on one submission. Some 400-level courses may also require an override.

Review program schedules View current courses Submit a student request Get SIS enrollment help

Clinical versus OCL

Choose the concentration that fits your goals.

Students sometimes struggle to decide between the Clinical and Organization and Community Leadership concentrations. These resources explain each option and the difference between micro and macro social work.

Your concentration does not determine which social work license you may apply for. Contact your advisor to discuss how either concentration may support your goals.

Student resources

University support beyond the advising office.

Michigan State University offers resources to support students throughout their academic journey. Contact your advisor if you need help accessing a resource or locating a service.

SIS Enrollment Support

This site provides step-by-step instructions with screenshots for enrolling in classes, dropping classes, swapping classes and other enrollment tasks. It also includes contact information for the SIS Support Line.

Visit SIS Enrollment Support
D2L

D2L is the website used to access your classes. Each instructor may use D2L differently, so become familiar with each class page during the first week and contact your instructor with questions. MSU also offers a student D2L training course with documentation, video tutorials, success tips and practice activities.

Open D2L
Explore student D2L training
GradPlan Instructions

Use these instructions for step-by-step guidance on completing your GradPlan and troubleshooting common issues.

Download GradPlan instructions
Learn more about GradPlan
Technology Support

The MSU IT Service Desk provides primary technology support for the MSU community and manages service requests for MSU Information Technology. Contact the Service Desk for technology-related issues.

Contact MSU Technology Support
The Writing Center

The Writing Center offers one-on-one peer writing consultations, writing workshops, and graduate and creative writing groups.

Visit the Writing Center
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities

The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities offers support, opportunities, resources and services for students with disabilities. This includes Verified Individualized Services and Accommodations documentation that enables students to receive approved classroom accommodations.

Visit the RCPD
MSU Libraries

Students have access to library collections, material delivery, research consultations, streaming media and reliable information in social work. Social sciences librarian Carin Graves is also available to support students with research questions.

Explore MSU Libraries
Connect with Carin Graves
School of Social Work Directory

Use the directory to locate contact information for School of Social Work faculty and staff.

Open the School directory
Certificate Programs

Explore certificate programs offered through the School of Social Work. Each certificate page includes required classes, program benefits and contact information for the certificate coordinator.

Explore certificate programs
School of Social Work Scholarships

The School of Social Work offers scholarships for MSW students. Review the scholarship page for current opportunities, eligibility information and application details.

View School of Social Work scholarships
Office of the University Ombudsperson

The Office of the University Ombudsperson offers a confidential and impartial place to discuss academic and nonacademic concerns related to MSU. The office explains university policies and procedures, operates outside formal university processes and does not take sides in disputes.

Visit the Office of the University Ombudsperson

Professional licensure

Resources for the next stage of practice.

Licensure may be part of your professional journey. These resources provide information about Michigan licensing, the ASWB examination and post-degree supervision.

How to obtain your social work license in Michigan

Duane Breijak, LMSW-Macro, Executive Director of NASW-Michigan, provides an overview of Michigan’s licensure process, supervision requirements and career advancement.

Watch the Michigan licensure overview
An introduction to the ASWB exam

This NASW-Michigan webinar, presented by Dawn Apgar, PhD, LSW, ACSW, provides an overview of the ASWB exam and answers frequently asked questions.

Watch the ASWB exam overview
Michigan Board of Social Work

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs oversees professional licensing and provides applications, forms, guides and Board information for social work.

Visit the Michigan Board of Social Work
LARA MiPLUS

The Michigan Professional Licensing User System is LARA’s online licensing and regulatory database for health and occupational professionals.

Access MiPLUS assistance
Association of Social Work Boards

ASWB supports the social work regulatory community and develops resources related to licensing examinations, regulation and ethical professional practice.

Visit ASWB
NASW-Michigan Supervision Registry and Resources

The Supervision Registry helps NASW-Michigan members locate qualified supervisors while completing the hours required for independent licensure. Participating supervisors are listed by county and meet the registry’s experience and training requirements.

Explore the Supervision Registry

Always confirm current requirements with the licensing authority for the state or jurisdiction where you intend to practice.

Advising updates

News and reminders from the advising team.

The advising team sends periodic updates about registration, graduation, programming and university resources. Review the most recent updates or open the archive below.

Previous advising updates

MSW