Program Overview

Master of Social Work Program

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Oakland University is designed to provide students with the skills and expertise necessary to meet the growing demand for social work professionals. The program is the only MSW program in southeastern Michigan with an integrated "advanced generalist" curriculum, merging macro and clinical social work training to equip students to work toward social change.

Program Overview

The MSW program is open to students from all undergraduate backgrounds and provides a transformative approach to social work education. Students will acquire the proficiencies necessary to attain social work licensure, along with specialized skills and expertise that prepare them for social work with vulnerable and marginalized populations. The program's flexible formats can accommodate everyone from full-time students to working adults who seek a part-time MSW program.

MSW Degree: The Oakland University Advantage

The MSW program at Oakland University excels for its:

• Practical orientation: Students will acquire hundreds of hours of practical field experience in the MSW degree.
• Rigorous academics: The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and students will be trained in the latest evidence-based practice and theory, with specializations available in integrated health, community/organizational leadership, and school-based social work.
• Social justice orientation: The MSW degree prepares students to provide culturally responsive social services to diverse individuals, families, communities, and organizations in southeast Michigan.
• Hands-on faculty: Students will work with active practitioners in the MSW program, getting attentive mentorship and guidance from seasoned professionals.
• Flexible formats: The MSW degree is available in both full-time and part-time formats, with many classes available during evening and weekend hours to accommodate the needs of working adults.

What Can You Do With an MSW Degree?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects social work job opportunities to increase 13 percent between now and 2029, much faster than the overall workforce average. Social work employment growth is projected to be particularly strong in the areas of child, family, and school social work, as well as mental health and substance abuse. Upon completing the MSW degree, students will be qualified for social work careers in fields such as:

• Education
• Public health
• Housing
• Corrections
• Health care
• Family social work
• Substance abuse
• Mental health

MSW Degree Curriculum

The standard MSW degree at Oakland University requires 64 credits of graduate coursework, including:

• 24 foundational credits in social work practice and theory
• 20 core credits covering subjects such as:
  • Cultural competency
  • Social work research
  • Policy reform
  • Advanced social work practice with individuals and families
  • Advanced social work practice with organizations and communities
• Optional specialist tracks in three areas: community and organizational leadership, school-based social work, and integrated health
• More than 500 hours of supervised field work

MSW Program Resources

• Academic Requirements
• Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice
• College of Arts and Sciences

Programs Related to the MSW Degree

Students who are unsure if the Master of Social Work is right for them may also consider the following graduate degree programs at Oakland:

• Masters of Counseling
• Masters of Public Health
• Masters of Public Administration