This page provides information about social work schools in Michigan. There are many Michigan social work programs offering Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees throughout the state. An accredited social work degree is needed to seek employment as a social worker in the state, so the type of social work degree and the area of specialization you choose will determine what type of social work jobs you will be eligible for in the future and is an important decision.
Quick Facts
- 31 schools offering social work programs in Michigan are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Michigan, 8 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 23 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 11 offer a master’s or advanced degree1
- 2 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2
- 7 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs 3
- No schools ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs in 4
- Across 22 schools, 33 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Michigan are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)5
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in Michigan
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- Michigan State University (#40 in-state, #81 out-of-state)
- University of Michigan (#4 in-state, #15 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- University of Michigan-?Ann Arbor (#1)
- Michigan State University (#34 tie)
- Wayne State University (#34 tie)
- Western Michigan University (#75 tie)
- Eastern Michigan University (#105 tie)
- Grand Valley State University (#147 tie)
- Ferris State University (#220 tie)
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Adrian College
- Andrews University
- Calvin College
- Central Michigan University
- Cornerstone University
- Eastern Michigan University
- Ferris State University
- Grand Valley State University
- Hope College
- Kuyper College
- Madonna University
- Marygrove College
- Michigan State University
- Northern Michigan University
- Oakland University
- Saginaw Valley State University
- Siena Heights University
- Spring Arbor University
- University of Detroit Mercy
- University of Michigan
- University of Michigan-Flint
- Wayne State University
Schools in Michigan with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University offers a CSWE-accredited BSW degree with a range of course and field education options. In 2016, it was ranked the #3 top public school and the #14 best value university in the Midwest by US News & World Report. The GVSU School of Social Work’s BSW program is designed to prepare students for entry-level social work jobs in many different practice settings, such as child welfare, healthcare, and addictions. The program is competitive; all students must take courses from the core liberal arts program in the first two years of study and then apply to the School of Social Work to complete the final two years of study in social work. In the final year of the program, all students complete both a field education placement and a capstone learning project to apply theoretical learning to practical situations. The school’s faculty has diverse research and practice interests, providing a rich learning environment for students. The school also offers a CSWE-accredited MSW degree as well.
University of Detroit Mercy
The University of Detroit Mercy is a private Catholic university with a history of community engagement. It was recently ranked #23 among regional universities in the Midwest by US News & Work Report. It offers a four-year liberal arts-based, CSWE-accredited BSW program that prepares students for generalist social work practice through courses in social work theory, ethics, human behavior, and psychology. The school is committed to teaching students about key social work values, such as cultural sensitivity, diversity, and social justice. All students must also take courses on statistics and economics. Degree holders will be well prepared to work with individuals, groups, communities, and community organizations. The BSW program also prepares students to continue further education in social work practice or research. In the final year of the program, students complete a minimum of 400 supervised hours of generalist social work practice in a social service field placement in the Detroit area.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a highly-ranked public institution with several campuses across the state. The Ann Arbor campus is the #1 social work graduate school in the US according to US News & World Report, though all University of Michigan campuses offer CSWE-accredited MSW programs. There are many ways to customize the MSW experience. All students at the School of Social Work choose a practice method concentration that helps develop skills at a particular level; offered concentrations include interpersonal practice, community organization, management in the human services, and social policy and evaluation. Students also choose a practice area such as aging in families and society, children and youth in families and society, community and social systems, health, and mental health. The degree can be completed in 12, 16, or 20 months through intensive or full-time study or longer through part-time study. BSW degree holders may be eligible for advanced standing, which allows students to waive the first year of the program. It is also possible to complete additional certifications in child welfare, global social work, human services management, school social work, or aging.
Michigan State University
With the main campus located in East Lansing, Michigan State University is one of the largest universities in the country and has other campuses located across the state. It was ranked #75 among all national universities in 2016 by US News & World Report. The CSWE-accredited MSW program at MSU’s School of Social Work is available either face-to-face, online, or in a blended format either full-time or part-time at most campuses. The MSW prepares students for advanced social work practice through two practice concentrations: Clinical Social Work or Organization and Community Leadership. Both concentrations include courses in human behavior, social policy, research, and practice. Advanced standing admission, which allows students with a BSW to proceed directly to the second year of the program, is available. All students must complete a field education placement; advanced standing students must complete at least 600 hours, while all other students must complete 960 hours. Field placements are available throughout Michigan in a variety of practice areas.
Accreditation Information for Michigan Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accred.5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian College | 57% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $21,962 |
| Alpena Community College | 35% | 18% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $3,626 |
| Andrews University | 59% | 22% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $23,620 |
| Calvin College | 74% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $25,994 |
| Central Michigan University | 56% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $13,580 |
| Cornerstone University | 45% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $19,534 |
| Delta College | 12% | 22% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $4,061 |
| Eastern Michigan University | 37% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #105 tie | $13,040 |
| Ferris State University | 43% | 31% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #220 tie | $12,602 |
| Gogebic Community College | 34% | 25% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $7,627 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | 13% | 24% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $4,272 |
| Grand Valley State University | 65% | 13% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #147 tie | $16,370 |
| Hope College | 80% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $25,770 |
| Kellogg Community College | 14% | 15% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $4,785 |
| Kuyper College | 66% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $18,990 |
| Lake Superior State University | 46% | 18% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $10,356 |
| Macomb Community College | 12% | 26% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $6,704 |
| Madonna University | 50% | 30% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $13,738 |
| Marygrove College | 18% | 50% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $13,077 |
| Michigan State University | 79% | 13% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #34 tie | $14,791 |
| Muskegon Community College | 18% | 30% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $4,384 |
| Northern Michigan University | 48% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $12,258 |
| Oakland University | 46% | 1% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $13,043 |
| Saginaw Valley State University | 40% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $13,269 |
| Siena Heights University | 51% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $18,911 |
| Southwestern Michigan College | 20% | 25% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $8,490 |
| Spring Arbor University | 54% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $17,753 |
| University of Detroit Mercy | 54% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $23,462 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 91% | N/A | No | No | Yes | Yes | #1 | $15,850 |
| University of Michigan-Flint | 34% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $11,657 |
| Wayne County Community College District | 10% | 23% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $5,701 |
| Wayne State University | 34% | 39% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #34 tie | $12,095 |
| Western Michigan University | 54% | 32% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #75 tie | $15,464 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Directory of Michigan Social Work School Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Adrian College*
110 S Madison St
Adrian, MI 49221-2575
(517) 265-5161
http://www.adrian.edu
Alpena Community College
665 Johnson St
Alpena, MI 49707
(989) 356-9021
http://www.alpenacc.edu
Andrews University*
4150 Administration Dr
Berrien Springs, MI 49104
(800) 253-2874
http://www.andrews.edu
Calvin College*
3201 Burton St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 526-6000
http://www.calvin.edu
Central Michigan University*
106 Warriner Hall
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
(989) 774-4000
http://www.cmich.edu
Cornerstone University*
1001 E Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525-5897
(616) 949-5300
http://www.cornerstone.edu
Delta College
1961 Delta Rd
University Center, MI 48710
(989) 686-9000
http://www.delta.edu
Eastern Michigan University*
202 Welch Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-1849
http://www.emich.edu
Ferris State University*
1201 S State St
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2251
(231) 591-2000
http://www.ferris.edu
Gogebic Community College
E-4946 Jackson Rd
Ironwood, MI 49938
(906) 932-4231
http://www.gogebic.edu
Grand Rapids Community College
143 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295
(616) 234-4000
http://www.grcc.edu
Grand Valley State University*
1 Campus Dr
Allendale, MI 49401-9403
(616) 331-2020
http://www.gvsu.edu
Hope College*
100 E 8th St Ste 260
Holland, MI 49422-9000
(616) 395-7000
http://www.hope.edu
Kellogg Community College
450 North Ave
Battle Creek, MI 49017-3397
(269) 965-3931
http://www.kellogg.edu
Kuyper College*
3333 East Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525-9781
(616) 222-3000
http://www.kuyper.edu
Lake Superior State University
650 W Easterday Ave
Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783
(906) 632-6841
http://www.lssu.edu
Macomb Community College
14500 E Twelve Mile Rd
Warren, MI 48088-3896
(586) 445-7999
http://www.macomb.edu
Madonna University*
36600 Schoolcraft Rd
Livonia, MI 48150-1176
(734) 432-5300
http://www.madonna.edu
Marygrove College*
8425 W McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48221-2599
(313) 927-1200
http://www.marygrove.edu
Michigan State University*
220 Trowbridge Rd
East Lansing, MI 48824-1046
(517) 355-1855
https://msu.edu
Student Review: “The advisers in MSU’s social work program are some of the best throughout all majors at the University. They truly cared about your success not only as a student, but also cared about your growth as a person. The student body was also incredibly close-knit. One area that could use improvement is how the field placements were handled. The person in charge of field placements was disorganized and not readily available to answer the needs of students when problems arose. Another aspect I feel was lacking is in job placement post-graduation. Little to no attention was paid/resources were given regarding employment after graduation.” – Student at Michigan State University
Muskegon Community College
221 S Quarterline Rd
Muskegon, MI 49442-1432
(231) 773-9131
http://www.muskegoncc.edu
Northern Michigan University*
1401 Presque Isle Ave
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 227-2650
http://www.nmu.edu
Oakland University*
2200 North Squirrel Rd
Rochester Hills, MI 48309-4401
(248) 370-2100
http://www.oakland.edu
Saginaw Valley State University*
7400 Bay Rd
University Center, MI 48710
(989) 964-4000
http://www.svsu.edu
Siena Heights University*
1247 E Siena Heights Dr
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 263-0731
http://www.sienaheights.edu
Southwestern Michigan College
58900 Cherry Grove Rd
Dowagiac, MI 49047-9793
(269) 782-1000
http://www.swmich.edu
Spring Arbor University*
106 E Main St
Spring Arbor, MI 49283-9799
(517) 750-1200
http://www.arbor.edu
University of Detroit Mercy*
4001 W McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48221-3038
(313) 993-1000
http://www.udmercy.edu
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor*
503 Thompson St
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-1817
http://www.umich.edu
University of Michigan-Flint*
303 E Kearsley St
Flint, MI 48502-1950
(810) 762-3000
http://www.umflint.edu
Wayne County Community College District
801 W Fort St
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 496-2600
http://www.wcccd.edu
Wayne State University*
656 W Kirby St
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-2424
https://wayne.edu
Student Review: “I really had an amazing time in the BSW program at Wayne State University. We were pushed to our limits almost every semester with the amount of papers, projects, reading, volunteer work, and interning that was required of us. However, I do believe that this made me and the other students in my program more prepared for the careers that we had ahead of us. Our professors were, for the most part, experienced, professional, and genuinely caring individuals. There were definitely a few times when I felt like just giving up because the program was SO strenuous, but I never did. I realized that that was part of going to an amazing school and being part of a nationally recognized social work program. I really think that the only criticism that I have for this program is that very few options are available for when/where the program’s classes are held. Having more online options would be greatly beneficial, especially to non-traditional (older) students in the program.” – Student at Wayne State University
Student Review: “I attended Wayne State University’s Master of Social Work program. I completed it in three years as I was working full-time and going to school. I found the program ideal for my lifestyle. Evening and weekend classes were offered so I could go to work and school. Also, I had to do internships and my advisors were flexible and helpful in finding me internships that I could go to on evenings. The professors at Wayne State in the Social Work program are fantastic. They are knowledgeable and realistic in their teachings. They have experiences in many fields and many walks of life which makes them valuable to one’s education. The mid-town location is perfect as it provides realistic opportunities to live and work within our chosen careers. I highly recommend WSU and I am proud to have completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees there.” – Student at Wayne State University
Western Michigan University*
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5200
(269) 387-1000
http://www.wmich.edu/
Student Review: “Western Michigan University has been an outstanding place to study and receive a Master of Social Work Degree. The experience that I’ve gained through my internships and classes is essential to my future career goals.” – Student at Western Michigan University
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4.
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx