Michigan · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Michigan
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Michigan, and How Do You Get Licensed?
11 schools in Michigan offer 13 MSW programs we verified, including Andrews University, Calvin University and Ferris State University. 6 can be taken online and 13 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $20,910 to $79,856 before fees. After the MSW, Michigan's clinical license is the Licensed Master's Social Worker, Clinical Designation (LMSW (Clinical)).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB examFor the Limited LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hours4,000 hours of post-degree supervised work experience accrued over not…
- Earn the clinical license (LMSW (Clinical))Independent clinical practice
- programs in Michigan
- 13
- schools
- 11
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 10
- offer advanced standing
- 13
- online programs
- 6
The Michigan Social Work License Path
Michigan Social Work Licenses
Michigan Board of Social Work, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional LicensingLimited Social Service Technician
- Degree
- 60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours from an accredited college, plus employment or an employment offer in human or social services
- Exam
- none
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Social Service Technician
- Degree
- Associate degree in social work with supervised field experience; or 60 semester/90 quarter credit hours including 20 semester/30 quarter hours of human services coursework plus current social work employment; or 2,000 hours of social work experience while holding a limited SST registration
- Exam
- none
- Supervised experience
- One route: 2,000 hours of social work experience while holding a limited registration, with supervisory review at least 4 hours per month (at least 2 hours individual) and no more than 2,000 hours in any 12-month period
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Limited Bachelor's Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or one the board finds substantially equivalent)
- Exam
- none
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Bachelor's Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or one the board finds substantially equivalent)
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Supervised experience
- 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised work experience accrued over not less than 2 years, earned while holding the limited license, with supervisory review at least 4 hours per month (at least 2 hours individual), 16 to 40 hours per week and no more than 2,080 hours in any 12-month period
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Limited Master's Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or one the board finds substantially equivalent)
- Exam
- none
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master's Social Worker, Macro Designation
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or one the board finds substantially equivalent)
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist
- Supervised experience
- 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised work experience accrued over not less than 2 years, earned while holding the limited license, with supervisory review at least 4 hours per month (at least 2 hours individual), 16 to 40 hours per week and no more than 2,080 hours in any 12-month period, under a Michigan-licensed master's social worker holding a macro designation, in administration, community organizing, policy, research or other macro practice areas
- Independent practice
- Yes
Licensed Master's Social Worker, Clinical Designation
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or one the board finds substantially equivalent)
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised work experience accrued over not less than 2 years, earned while holding the limited license, with supervisory review at least 4 hours per month (at least 2 hours individual), 16 to 40 hours per week and no more than 2,080 hours in any 12-month period, under a Michigan-licensed master's social worker holding a clinical designation
- Independent practice
- Yes
From Michigan Board of Social Work, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing, reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Michigan Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrews UniversityBerrien Springs · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $79,856 |
| Wayne State UniversityDetroit · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $51,961 |
| Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $51,540 |
| Madonna UniversityLivonia · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $61,200 |
| Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $38,550 |
| Oakland UniversityRochester Hills · Public | 1 | CSWE | Yes | $60,896 | |
| Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center · Public | 1 | CSWE | Yes | $47,200 | |
| Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online, Campus | CSWE | Yes | $20,910 |
| Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online, Hybrid | Candidacy | Yes | $44,400 |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Michigan
13 programs in Michigan
- FormatOn campus450 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$51,961$866/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work Online (Interpersonal Practice Concentration) at Wayne State University
Wayne State University · DetroitFormatOnline450 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$51,961$866/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Advanced Generalist) at Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University · AllendaleFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$51,540$859/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline, On campusCredits30Est. tuition$20,910$697/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Advanced Generalist) at Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University · University CenterFormat–Credits59Est. tuition$47,200$800/creditAccreditationCSWESocial Work, M.S.W. at Oakland University
Oakland University · Rochester HillsFormat–900 field hoursCredits64Est. tuition$60,896$952/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits–Est. tuition$817per creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW), Traditional Campus and Global Campus at Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University · MarquetteFormatOn campus, Online900 field hoursCredits50Est. tuition$38,550$771/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus400 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$61,200$1,020/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits56Est. tuition$79,856$1,426/creditAccreditationCSWE
Online MSW at Andrews University
Andrews University · Berrien SpringsFormatOnlineCredits56Est. tuition$79,856$1,426/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids) at Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University · KalamazooFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$10,414per year · general rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline, Hybrid900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$44,400$740/creditAccreditationCandidacy
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Michigan
11 Michigan programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $20,910 at Spring Arbor University to $79,856 at Andrews University. The Michigan median is $51,961, against $40,180 nationally.
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Michigan
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Wayne State University has Michigan's largest program, followed by Grand Valley State University and Spring Arbor University. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online MSW Options for Michigan Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Michigan: 255 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Michigan residents online and arrange your field placement in Michigan.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Michigan
| Occupation | Michigan median | U.S. median | Jobs in Michigan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,270 | $59,550 | 15,760 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $67,600 | $67,880 | 4,860 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $60,830 | $60,280 | 4,620 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,140 | $71,900 | 1,700 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
MSW Programs Near Michigan Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Michigan?
We verified 13 MSW programs at 11 schools in Michigan; 10 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Michigan Issue?
Michigan's board (Michigan Board of Social Work, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing) issues Limited SST, SST, Limited LBSW, LBSW, Limited LMSW, LMSW (Macro) and LMSW (Clinical). Clinical practice requires the Licensed Master's Social Worker, Clinical Designation (LMSW (Clinical)), after 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised work experience accrued over not less than 2 years, earned while holding the limited license, with supervisory review at least 4 hours per month (at least 2 hours individual), 16 to 40 hours per week and no more than 2,080 hours in any 12-month period, under a Michigan-licensed master's social worker holding a clinical designation.
Can Michigan Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Michigan's own programs, 255 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Michigan residents and place you in a field practicum in Michigan. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Michigan?
Estimated tuition for Michigan programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $20,910 to $79,856 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 11 Michigan schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Michigan Board of Social Work, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025