2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Social Work
Website: gvsu.edu/ssw
The Grand Valley State University School of Social Work trains competent social workers at the B.S.W. and M.S.W. levels. We partner actively, consistently, and intentionally with constituents to provide rigorous, ethical coursework and field experiences consistent with the 2015 Council on Social Work Education Standards (EPAS). These standards require that social work students at the foundation and advanced levels to competently demonstrate the nine CSWE core competencies and their associated dimensions and observable behaviors. The B.S.W. and M.S.W. curricula combine with our ongoing, dynamic assessment process to assure that our graduates are competent, by CSWE standards, and in the contexts in which they practice. Our model is one of comprehensiveness, as we employ the Generalist and Advanced Generalist models. These assure that social workers trained at GVSU are prepared to practice across contexts, within multiple systems simultaneously, and maintain a developmental, inclusive, and ecological stance. Our faculty and staff are committed to a learning environment that continuously challenges each of us to uphold the ethics of our profession, promotes diversity of all forms, incites a spirit of inquiry, and an environment of student mentoring and support. Our policies are designed to be in service to our profession and our constituents in an effort to assure a competently trained workforce. The Master of Social Work and the Bachelor of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
The School of Social Work B.S.W. and M.S.W. programs do not award academic credit for students' life experiences or previous work experiences.
Students enrolled in the School of Social Work curriculum must be cognizant of the fact that past or future criminal conduct may limit or prevent placement in a field practice agency. Because field practice is a B.S.W. and an M.S.W. curriculum imperative, the social work degree is awarded only after successful completion of all requirements. Furthermore, past or present criminal conduct may render an individual ineligible to secure a state license and the privilege to practice social work.
Honors Organization
Phi Alpha Honor Society is a national social work academic honor society that is dedicated to high standards of scholarship and distinctive achievements within social work. Find more information on the National website at phialpha.org.
The purposes of Phi Alpha Honor Society are to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha Chi Epsilon, the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) chapter, offers membership to B.S.W. and M.S.W. students to be inducted based on your academic achievement and credit hours spent within the social work program.
Program Requirements
The following programs are available: