BSW Program Candidacy Requirements
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at Grand Valley is a secondary admission program. Students must apply and be admitted before starting the social work program curriculum. The BSW program begins each fall semester, and students typically start after completing 55+ credit hours (junior standing).
Once the application is posted, it will be available on the School of Social Work website.
To be eligible for admission to the BSW program, students must satisfy all of the following requirements:
Earn a C (2.0) or higher in ALL of the following courses
- SW 150
- PSY 101
- SOC 101
- PLS 102
- BIO 104 (preferred) or BIO 120 or BMS 202
- PSY 303 or PSY 324
- SW 300
- Social Problems/Inequality Elective (choose 1)
- CJ 101/CJ 320/ECO 201/PH 222/SOC 105/SOC 252/SOC 286/SOC 315/SOC 381/WGS 320
You are allowed to repeat a candidacy course ONE (1) time.
Overall GPA of at least a 2.500
Must have the following foundational General Education Categories complete:
- Writing
- Life Science w/ lab (BIO 104/BMS 202/BIO 120)
- Physical Science
- Arts
- Philosophy and Literature
- Social Behavorial Sciences (SW 150/PSY 101)
- Historical Analysis
There are multiple ways to earn MTH 110 Proficiency:
- Pass GVSU's MTH 110 Proficiency Test
- Earned AP or dual enrollment math credits (check with your advisor)
- Complete MTH 110 at GVSU and earn a passing grade
- Complete MTH 108/109 at GVSU and earn a passing grade
All BSW Program candidates must submit an application.
- Applications for the program are due each Winter semester.
- The deadline for this upcoming cycle is Friday, February 5th at 5:00 PM
- The deadline for this upcoming cycle is Friday, February 5th at 5:00 PM
- You CAN submit an application while you are enrolled in and/or if plan to take candidacy courses over the summer.
- There will be an application info session on Wednesday, December 2nd at 1:00 PM in Kirkhof 2266.
You can RSVP to attend HERE
Checklist
Be sure to follow-up with your assigned academic advisor to create an academic plan to fit your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. You can choose to take candidacy courses at another institution. You still must earn a C (2.0) or higher in the course. You can use our Course Equivalency tool to see which courses will transfer back to GVSU as the correct candidacy course(s).
Please note that letter grades from other institutions will not be factored into your cumulative GPA.
You are allowed to retake a candidacy course up to ONE (1) time and still be considered for admission into the BSW Program.
Yes. As long as you plan to have your candidacy requirements satisfied by the start of the program in the Fall semester, you should submit an application.
Yes. You will need to indicate your intention to take a summer candidacy course on your Application into the BSW program.
If taking over the summer at another institution:
Once the course concludes over the summer, you MUST send Grand Valley an official transcript so we can ensure that you satisfied the grade requirements. Students can be denied entry into the program if they do not submit their final grades.
The BSW Program starts every Fall semester. If you are a full-time student, it typically takes 2 years to complete the program. Traditionally, students will start the program the Fall of their junior year. If you are on a less traditional advising plan, you can work with your academic advisor to ensure that you are starting the program at an appropriate time.
The BSW Program application is due each winter semester. Students should apply during the semester prior to their intended program start.
For current GVSU Students: Applications for a Fall 2027 program start will be due on Friday, February 5th at 5:00 PM.
Yes. Most, if not all, institutions offer equivalent courses to our candidacy requirements. You can use our course equivalency tool to see which courses will satisfy these requirements. You will want to ensure that the following academic requirements are completed prior to transferring to GVSU:
- Successful completion of all candidacy courses, with the exception of SW 300
- Completion of all foundational general education categories (The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) will satisfy this requirement)
- Proficient in at least MTH 110
Once admitted to GVSU, you will be encouraged to schedule your Transfer Orientation and Registration Session. At this time, your advisor will share application deadlines with you.
Meet with an Advisor
The CECI Undergraduate Advising Center provides academic advising support to students majoring in Social Work. Your academic advisor can support you to ensure that you have all candidacy requirements built into your advising plan.