Master of Social Work

Master of Social Work

Earn Your Online Master’s Degree in Social Work

Master of Social Work | Program Details

Northern Michigan University’s Master of Social Work program is an exciting opportunity for human services professionals to earn a graduate degree that will take their knowledge and careers to the next level. As a student you will be well prepared as an advanced practitioner through a commitment to higher learning and excellence in your professional social work career.

The program is built for your life so you can earn your degree with maximum flexibility without sacrificing quality. You’ll be aligned with a program that promotes service, social justice, human rights, dignity, worth, and well-being of individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities through specialized clinical and macro practice.

Flexible Curriculum

Affordable

Two Concentrations

Field Placement

Learn More About NMU’s Master of Social Work

What Will You Learn in NMU’s Online Master of Social Work?

As a student in NMU’s Master of Social Work program you’ll be prepared for an advanced career and have the ability to choose between two areas of study: Clinical or Advanced Generalist Concentration.

Learning areas include:

  • Advanced Foundation Courses in Clinical Methods, Indirect Practice Methods, Research Methods and Human Rights.

  • Clinical Concentration Topics Such as Clinical Methods with Individual or Family and Groups, Psychopathology and Evaluation Methods.

  • Advanced Generalist Topics Such as Clinical Methods with Individuals or Families and Groups, Policy and Program Planning, and Community Organizing.

Elective courses for both advanced standing and regular standing students offer a variety of topics that help students focus their education on their career goals. You’ll also take part in field placement courses.

How much does an online master’s degree in social work cost at NMU?

The full program costs vary depending on student status. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships based on eligibility. A financial aid representative can help you make decisions about how to pay for college.

Contact: Financial Aid Office: fao@nmu.edu or 906-227-2327

Social Work Career Opportunities with a Master’s Degree

Graduates of Northern’s Master of Social Work program are qualified to pursue advanced, rewarding careers within a growing job market. Social work graduates have the opportunity to perform work they are passionate about in a wide variety of settings.

Social Worker

$0
median pay

Social Workers in Michigan

$63,044 – $76,752

average salary

Social and Community
Service Manager

$0
median pay

Source: bls.gov & salary.com

Online Master of Social Work Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to a graduate level program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution or an equivalent foreign institution and satisfy the admission requirements listed below. The admission policies presented here are the minimum requirements.

Admission to graduate level coursework does not equate admission to candidacy for a graduate degree. For full degree requirements, please review the MSW Program in the Graduate Bulletin.

Students who have previously achieved a BSW from an accredited program and meet specified GPA requirements should apply for Advanced Standing. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree other than a BSW should apply for Regular Standing.

Master of Social Work Curriculum

The NMU MSW Program offers several curriculum options based on admission standing and chosen concentration. For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the Social Work department page.

Regular Standing Option = 50 credits

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a field other than social work should apply for regular standing.

Advanced Standing Option = 36 credits

Students who have completed a BSW from a CSWE accredited program should apply for advanced standing.

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 36 – 50 credits

Foundation Courses10 credits
SW 519Advanced Standing Clinical Methods3 credits
SW 529Advanced Standing Indirect Practice Methods3 credits
SW 549Advanced Standing Research Methods2 credits
SW 569Advanced Standing Human Rights2 credits
Concentration Courses (choose one)12 credits
Clinical Concentration
SW 611Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals3 credits
SW 612 Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups3 credits
SW 613 Psychopathology3 credits
SW 641 Clinical Evaluation Methods3 credits
Advanced Generalist Concentration
SW 611Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals3 credits
SW 612Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups3 credits
SW 621Policy and Program Planning3 credits
SW 622Community Organizing3 credits
Field Placement Courses8 credits
SW 681Concentration Field Placement I4 credits
SW 682Concentration Field Placement II4 credits
Electives*6 credits

Foundation Courses18 credits
SW 511Direct Methods with Individuals3 credits
SW 512Direct Practice Methods with Couples, Families and Groups3 credits
SW 521Leadership in Communities and Organizations3 credits
SW 541Social Work Research Methods3 credits
SW 551Policy Practice3 credits
SW 561Human Rights3 credits
Concentration Courses (choose one)12 credits
Clinical Concentration
SW 611Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals3 credits
SW 612 Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups3 credits
SW 613 Psychopathology3 credits
SW 641 Clinical Evaluation Methods3 credits
Advanced Generalist Concentration
SW 611 Advanced Clinical Methods with Individuals3 credits
SW 612Advanced Clinical Methods with Families and Groups3 credits
SW 621Policy and Program Planning3 credits
SW 622Community Organizing3 credits
Field Placement Courses14 credits
SW 581Field Placement I3 credits
SW 582Field Placement II3 credits
SW 681Concentration Field Placement I4 credits
SW 682Concentration Field Placement II4 credits
Electives*6 credits

AIS 535Using Scholarly Library Resources in Support of Graduate Research2 credits
ED 551Child Development and Learning: Birth through Kindergarten4 credits
ED 554Inclusive Learning Environments: Birth to Kindergarten4 credits
ED 562Introduction to Learning Disabilities3 credits
ED 566Classroom Management: Methods for Students with Learning Disabilities3 credits
NAS 404Research and Engagement in Native American Studies4 credits
NAS 484Inclusion in the Classroom4 credits
NAS 485Native American Education4 credits
NAS 488Native American Community Engagement4 credits
PA 516Organizational Theory4 credits
PA 521Grant Writing for Public Administrators2 credits
PA 526HRM in Public and Nonprofit Management4 credits
PA 562Program Evaluation for Public and Nonprofit Agencies2 credits
PSY 445Positive Psychology4 credits
PSY 453Affective Neuroscience4 credits
PSY 457Psychopharmacology4 credits
PSY 504Behavioral Neuroscience4 credits
PSY 541Advanced Developmental Psychology4 credits
PSY 561Cognition: Advanced Theory and Methods4 credits
SW 523Death, Dying and Grief4 credits
SW 531Clinical Trauma Methods3 credits
SW 536Prevention of Substance Use Disorders3 credits
SW 537Evaluation and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders3 credits
SW 595Special Topics in Social Work1-4 credits
SW 598Directed Study1-4 credits
 All 600 level SW prefix courses

Graduate courses in other disciplines may be accepted as meeting elective requirements as approved by the MSW Program Director or designee.

The Master of Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.

Get the support you need. Connect with an enrollment counselor.