Social Work
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Graduate Major
Grand Rapids • Face to face • 38 advanced; 60 standard Credits
Social work is a profession dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities enhance their well-being and address personal and social challenges through advocacy, support, and intervention.
Overview
The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program at Grand Valley is designed to prepare students for advanced professional practice in social work and equips students with the skills necessary to assume leadership roles in various social institutions, organizations, and communities. This program offers both full-time and part-time options, with a 60-credit hour curriculum for regular standing students and a 38-credit hour curriculum for those with advanced standing. A year-long internship is included, providing practical experience in the field.
The curriculum covers a wide range of topics essential for a comprehensive understanding of social work. Students will study substance abuse, human behavior, clinical diagnosis, social research and policy, and practice with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. The program also emphasizes community-based learning, including both global and domestic service learning opportunities.
The M.S.W. prepares students to become culturally competent practitioners capable of engaging in grassroots, political, and community organizing. Graduates are equipped to take on leadership and scholarly roles in various communities at regional, state, national, and global levels. Additionally, the program's emphasis on research and scholarly inquiry, supported by state-of-the-art technology, ensures that students contribute to the ongoing development of professional social work knowledge and practice.
The M.S.W. degree at Grand Valley State University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
School of Social Work
gvsu.edu/ssw
391C DeVos
Center
(616) 331-6550
Program Director
Robin Smith-Colton, Ph.D.
(616) 331-6595
Application Deadlines
February 1 (spring/summer start: advanced standing full time)
March 15 (fall start: advanced standing part time, regular standing full or part time)
October 15 (winter start: regular standing part time)
Career Opportunities
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.
Top skills- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 37,810.96 | 10% |
| $ 46,006.03 | 25% |
| $ 57,217.47 | 50% |
| $ 67,347.90 | 75% |
| $ 75,317.01 | 90% |
Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
Top skills- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 36,906.90 | 10% |
| $ 45,518.71 | 25% |
| $ 57,449.23 | 50% |
| $ 65,874.91 | 75% |
| $ 80,311.22 | 90% |
Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
Top skills- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
| Annual Earnings | Percentile |
|---|---|
| $ 45,717.46 | 10% |
| $ 52,133.79 | 25% |
| $ 62,862.95 | 50% |
| $ 74,658.76 | 75% |
| $ 81,752.36 | 90% |
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Accreditation
The M.S.W. degree at Grand Valley State University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
School Social Work Certification
A School Social Work Certification or one-year waiver + Master in Social Work are required to practice school social work in a public or private school in the State of Michigan. GVSU School of Social Work offers pathways for current students and graduates to obtain a certification.
M.S.W. + M.P.A. Program
The GVSU College of Education and Community Innovation, through its Schools of Social Work (SSW) and School of Community Leadership and Development (SCLD), offer prospective students the option to receive both graduate degrees (MSW and MPA) offered by these units.
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