Program Options

In addition to a Regular and an Advanced Standing program, we have other program options to meet the needs of different students.

Regular MSW Program

The Regular Program is for you if your undergraduate degree is not in Social Work or you received a BSW, but it was not from a CSWE accredited program, the degree was granted more than 6 years ago, or your undergraduate GPA is below 3.25.

Learn more about admission criteria to the Regular MSW Program.

Students in the Regular Program must complete a minimum of 57 credits through one of the following options. All students attend New Student Orientation in August on the Michigan State University Campus in East Lansing.
  • East Lansing (Michigan State University campus, East Lansing, MI)
  • Statewide Blended (Online option)
    • Part time (3 years)
    • Starts fall semester
    • Attend class one Saturday per month during the Fall and Spring semesters via Zoom videoconferencing software. Remaining coursework done independently online.
    • If out of state: to be eligible for this program, applicant must live within 50 miles of the Michigan border. Submission of verification is required prior to final admissions decision processing.
    • Statewide Blended OCL students are required to complete SW 865 and SW 866 in a blended format with the Weekend program. These courses consist of 4 face-to-face Saturday classes each semester at the Henry Center in Lansing, MI.
    • Learn more about this program and the curriculum requirements

Advanced Standing Program

The Advanced Standing Program is for you if you have a Bachelors of Social Work earned from a CSWE accredited university within the last 6 years and your undergraduate GPA is 3.25 or higher.

Students in the Advanced Standing Program must complete a minimum of 36 credits in one of the following formats:

  • East Lansing (Michigan State University campus, East Lansing, MI)
  • Statewide Blended (Online option)
    • Full-time (1 year) or Part-time (2 years)
    • Starts summer semester with online classes
    • Attend class one Saturday per month during the Fall and Spring via Zoom videoconferencing software. Remaining coursework done independently online. (For part-time students, Saturday sessions begin in the second year).
    • If out of state: to be eligible for this program, applicant must live within 50 miles of the Michigan border. Submission of verification is required prior to final admissions decision processing.
    • Statewide Blended OCL students are required to complete SW 865 and SW 866 in a blended format with the Weekend program. These courses consist of 4 face-to-face Saturday classes each semester at the Henry Center in Lansing, MI.
    • Learn more about this program and the curriculum requirements

Dual Degree Options

Students may pursue one of the following dual degree options:
  • Joint MSW/JD
    • Full-time for 4 years
    • JD classes meet on the MSU campus in East Lansing. Students in off-campus MSW program options must be willing to commute.
    • The admissions criteria for the MSW Program are the same as those for all MSW program options.
    • Students must apply separately and be accepted to the MSU College of Law's JD program
  • Joint MSW/MPH
    • MPH courses are fully online
    • The admissions criteria for the MSW Program are the same as those for all MSW program options
    • Students must apply separately and be accepted to the MSU College of Human Medicine's MPH program

Program Options