Master of Social Work
Make a difference as a social worker with an affordable MSW from Spring Arbor University. This accredited MSW program prepares you to turn your empathy and compassion into a career or continue advancing in your current social work role. We offer five start dates a year to help you balance your studies with your personal and professional commitments.
Choose your unique path, and prepare to use your skills to help individuals, families, and small groups. As an MSW student, you’ll master the foundations of social work and gain practical experience in your specific area of interest through an internship. With a code of ethics and Christian values as your guide, you’ll learn to promote diversity, human and universal rights and social and economic justice for populations at risk.
Read more about our MSW learning outcomes.
The MSW at SAU is one of 10 programs in Michigan accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
Choose Your Learning Style
Career Opportunities
You’ll graduate eligible for licensure in any state as a Licensed Master Social Worker. Graduates work in adoption and foster care agencies, substance and alcohol addiction care, juvenile justice and correction, medical social work, domestic violence prevention, mental health agencies, refugee programs, residential geriatric facilities, youth/child support, health and wellness agencies, community development and family and child services.
Program Strengths and Emphases
Earn a highly recognized credential from a CSWE-accredited Christian institution. SAU’s MSW is one of only 10 programs in Michigan accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. If you’ve already earned an accredited Bachelor of Social work, you may qualify to complete your MSW in as little as 12 months!
Start Dates
Fall 2024
Start 1 – Week of July 9 (App deadline: June 1)
Start 2 – Week of September 3 (App deadline: August 1)
Start 3 – Week of October 29 Online Only (App deadline: October 1)
Start 4 – Week of January 14 (App deadline: December 1)
Start 5 – Week of March 11 (App deadline: February 1)
(Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis, and the earlier the better for internship assistance.)
Key Courses
SAU’s accredited MSW curriculum provides the knowledge, ethics and experiences students need to begin a career as generalist-level social worker or continue a career as specialized social worker. As a MSW student, you’ll take the following courses:
Generalist Courses (30 credit-hours)
- SWK 510 Social Welfare Policy & Services (3)
- SWK 511 SWK Practice and Diversity (3)
- SWK 514 Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Generalist (3)
- SWK 515 Culturally Responsive Social Work Practice (1)
- SWK 516 Cultural Humility (1)
- SWK 520 Social Work Practice I: Individuals & Families (3)
- SWK 521 Social Work Practice II: Groups, Communities & Organizations (3)
- SWK 525 Research in Social Work Practice (3)
- SWK 531 Social Work Ethics and Values (1)
- SWK 532 Christian Values and Social Work (1)
- SWK 560 Generalist Internship I (2)
- SWK 570 Generalist Internship II (4)
- SWK 580 Generalist Internship III (2)
*Students who graduated with a BSW may not need to take the generalist courses.
Specialized Courses (30 credit-hours)
- SWK 618 Psychopathology/Specialized Multi-Dimensional Assessment in Specialized Social Work Practice I (3)
- SWK 628 Psychopathology/Specialized Multi-Dimensional Assessment in Specialized Social Work Practice II (3)
- SWK 619 Clinical Social Work Practice and Theory: Psychodynamic Beginnings (3)
- SWK 629 Clinical Social Work Practice & Theory: Beyond Freud (3)
- SWK 621 Specialized Practice: Physical and Mental Health (Elective) (3)
- SWK 631 Strategic Social Work Supervision, Management, and Administration (Elective) (3)
- SWK 641 Laws and Policies for School Social Workers (Elective) (3)
- SWK 625 Clinical Social Work Practice & Theory with Families (3)
- SWK 617 Specialized Applied Social Policy (1)
- SWK 627 Specialized Applied Social Work Research (1)
- SWK 640 Specialized Internship I (2)
- SWK 650 Specialized Internship II (2)
- SWK 660 Specialized Internship III (2)
- SWK 670 Specialized Internship IV (2)
- SWK 680 Specialized Internship V (2)
1-2 Year Program
5 starts per year means beginning when it’s convenient for you!
Tuition is only $664/credit hour
Why Spring Arbor University
Since 1873, Spring Arbor University has been committed to providing students with an exceptional Christ-centered educational experience. Through the study of the liberal arts, our students cultivate critical thinking skills and make practical application of what they’re learning. Each of our adult and professional programs is designed to help students balance work, school, and life. We want the best for our students, and we want the best for you.