Organization & Community Leadership (MSW) (Master's) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The Organization and Community Leadership major of the MSW focuses on macro social work: programs, policies, communities, laws and institutions. Practice includes program and policy analysis and development, advocacy, fund raising, grant-writing, research and program evaluation. Only Plan B (without thesis) is offered.

Faculty: College of Social Science | Department: School of Social Work | Duration: 57 credits (36 credits for Advanced Standing); one year of residence over two consecutive semesters | Intake: Fall (Advanced Standing begins in summer) | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

The 57-credit programme includes 48 required credits such as SW 844 Essential Theories in Organizations and Communities Social Work Practice, SW 865 Social Work Leadership in Organizations, SW 866 Social Work Leadership in Communities and macro practice field education (SW 894G, 894I), plus 6 credits of electives and 3 credits from a pre-approved list. Advanced Standing students complete 36 credits.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Social Work MSW (School of Social Work): applicants need a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized institution (Bachelor of Applied Science degrees are not accepted) and a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study or in 14 or more credits of graduate study, with the last 60 undergraduate credits primarily considered. Applicants must show personal qualities important for social work through an applicant statement and letters of reference, and may be asked to interview. An undergraduate major in the social sciences or social work is helpful but not required. Statewide Blended applicants must live in Michigan (or within 50 miles of the Michigan border) and have regular high-speed internet access. Advanced Standing applicants need a CSWE-accredited bachelor's degree in social work granted within the last six years, a GPA of at least 3.25, and the same statement and reference evidence.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants can start in fall (late August), spring (January) or summer (May) in the MPH programme; intake terms for other graduate programmes are set by each department or program.

The graduate application fee is $75 for domestic and international applicants, with one fee per application; applicants may submit up to two applications to different graduate majors per semester. Applications are reviewed by the department or program, which sets its own deadlines.

MPH application deadlines (SOPHAS completion): fall May 18, spring October 18, summer February 15; MSU supplemental application: fall June 1, spring November 1, summer March 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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