Supporting Master of Social Work
Welcome!
Welcome to the GVSU Master of Social Work program! We are thrilled to have you. This page was created for you -- to introduce you to our expectations, your responsibilities, and the resources available to you to support your individual success.
Academic Advising for MSW
What is Academic Advising for MSW?
When you get admitted to the Master of Social Work program at GVSU, you are assigned an Academic Advisor. This assignment aligns with your status as either Advanced Standing or Regular Standing. Your advisor will support you in the following ways:
Orientation
Meeting you and introducing you to the program. Orientation will allow a general overview of the program, the requirements, the expectations, and the resources available at GVSU to help you.
Registration
Signing up for classes in a timely manner and meeting the deadlines for registration and changes.
Continued Support
Offering referrals to experts, checking your curriculum pathway, registration status, and class schedule so that you stay on track to graduate when you intend.
Who is my Academic Advisor?
The CECI Undergraduate Advising Center employ two professional academic advisors to provide advising support to students in the GVSU Master of Social Work Program.
Laura Flagler (she/her), Professional Academic Advisor
Originally from the metro Detroit area, Laura is a graduate of Grand Valley’s College Student Affairs Leadership Program. While at GV, she was a graduate assistant in the LAKER Academic Success Center where she advised student-athletes and coordinated the tutoring program. She also has professional experience in admissions and enrollment, academic advising, and career coaching.
Strengths: Empathy, Communication, Activator, Positivity, Harmony
Advising Area: MSW Advanced Standing, MSW School Social Work, MSW Regular Standing (admitted prior to March 2024), and BSW students
Melanie Rabine-Johnson (she/her), Professional Academic Advisor
As a Laker for Life, Melanie (she/her) is no stranger to Grand Valley. She earned her BA and M.Ed. at GVSU in 2012 and 2015, respectively. She has worked in student mentorship for over 10 years, and has developed a passion for reaching students on an individual level by building connections through conversation, collaboration, and curiosity. Through her work in writing centers and libraries in higher education, she has been able to support students in a variety of ways and is excited about discovering what new innovative solutions students are looking for now.
Clifton Strengths® : Intellection, Individualization, Achiever, Relator, Input
Pondera® : Strategist, Relator
Advising Area: MSW Regular Standing (admitted after March 2024)
Key People in the School of Social Work
Curriculum Pathways
What track do I follow?
Based on your admitted status, you will be assigned as "Regular Standing" or "Advanced Standing." Your curriculum, the classes you are required to take and the credits you are required to achieve, are different depending on your standing. Also, you may be interested in pursuing our School Social Work Certification, which also has a specific set of requirements.
Regular Standing
The Regular Standing program status is available to all majors who meet admission requirements
Advanced Standing
The Advanced Standing program status is only available to graduates from an accredited B.S.W. program who meet Advanced Standing admission requirements.
School Social Work Certification
Students in the M.S.W. program that want a career in an education environment can add a School Social Work Certification.
**Following this track requires a mandatory advising meeting with your Academic Advisor to complete the SSW Consent Form**
Advising Guides, Planned Schedules by Semester
Use the following guides to get a picture of what each of your semesters would look like according to your standing (Regular, Advanced, with School Social Work, Full-time, and/or Part-time)
MSW Regular Standing Full Time, 5 Semesters
MSW Regular Standing Fall Part-Time, 8 Semesters
MSW Regular Standing Fall Part-Time, 9 Semesters
MSW Regular Standing Winter Part-Time, 7 Semesters
MSW Regular Standing Full-Time With Schools
MSW Regular Standing Fall Part-Time With Schools
MSW Regular Standing Winter Part-Time With Schools
MSW Advanced Standing Curriculum Chart - Full Time
MSW Advanced Standing Curriculum Chart - Part Time
Program Overview and Requirements
The Master of Social Work program is accredited as an in-person program which means that the majority of classes are in-person and face-to-face. Classes are typically offered in the late afternoon and evening. Some courses are offered on Saturdays. However, many courses are offered online asynchronous, online synchronous, or in hybrid formats.
The M.S.W. degree consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours. Those with a B.S.W. accepted into the regular standing program must still gain 60 credit hours but may have courses waived for which they received a B+ or better. The M.S.W. advanced standing degree consists of a minimum of 38 credit hours.
Course Registration
When you understand what pathway you're on, you'll be responsible for registering for your own courses in Banner.
How to Register for Classes
You can register for classes anytime after you've been admitted to the Master of Social Work program. Once accepted, you can register for your Fall (Sep-Dec) and Winter (Jan-April) semesters in one session!
When it's time to register for next semesters, you'll be able to register in March. You'll be informed of the date courses will open via your student email. At that time, you can register for your Summer (May-July), Fall (Sep-Dec), and Winter (Jan-April) semesters.
Using myPath to Keep Track
myPath is a tool designed to assist students in preparing for and tracking their progress toward graduation. It encompasses both a degree analysis audit and an educational planner.
How to Navigate myPath
myPath keeps track of all your required credits and courses you'll need to complete in order to graduate. While working with your Advisor is sometimes the best way to know you're on track, this tool helps you see it anytime on your own. Be sure to ask your Advisor about how to make the most of this amazing tool.
Resources for Master of Social Work Students
Roadmap to Success
We care about your goals, sense of belonging, and self-empowerment. Use the following steps below to connect with the Graduate School, Campus Resources, and those who can address your specific needs as you build a person plan for success.
Getting Started
Congratulations on your acceptance and enrollment into a graduate program at Grand Valley State University! You are about to embark on an exciting academic journey that will give you the experiences and connections for success in your chosen field.
Here are a few things you'll want to do before the first day of class:
Financial Support for Graduate Students
Grand Valley prides itself on providing an exceptional education at an affordable cost. Click an option below to learn more about ways to finance your graduate education. In addition, be sure to consult your academic advisor and review your graduate program's webpage for program-specific funding opportunities.
Graduate Student Housing
A variety of housing options are available for graduate students. Learn more about:
Graduate Student Resources
There are many manuals, services, supporters, and departments that specialize in supporting your academic needs. Learn more about:
Graduate Student Life
A critical component of a truly impactful graduate experience is getting involved in student life outside of the classroom. The following are just a few ways to get engaged in your program.