MSW Curriculum Pathways

You should visit your faculty advisor to discuss your program of study before you first register. (Consult Banner to identify your advisor.) Return visits are encouraged, as updating your plan will likely be desirable as you progress through the program.   

  • All M.S.W. Social Work classes, other than virtual classes, are held on the Pew Campus in Grand Rapids, Mi. with convenient student parking available.

  • Currently, GVSU does not offer an MSW degree that is fully virtual. In-person graduate classes typically meet 3:00-5:50pm and 6:00-8:50pm Mondays- Thursdays. 

  • Information Sessions are held regularly (see the GVSU M.S.W. Admissions page) and are held virtually for convenient connections.


The Regular Standing program status is available to all majors who meet admission requirements.

The M.S.W. degree consists of a minimum of 60 credit hours.


The GVSU Advanced Standing program status is only available to graduates from an accredited B.S.W. program who meet Advanced Standing admission requirements.

Advanced standing students are exempted from 22 hours of first-year core or foundation courses and the first semester of field education and may therefore accelerate their graduate study by completing only the remaining 38 hours of degree requirements in one calendar year. Specific courses exempted are: SW 600, SW 601, SW 603, SW 610, SW 620 and SW 650/651. 


Students in the M.S.W. program that want a career in an education environment can add a School Social Work Certification. Those that want a career in management of human service organizations can apply to add a second Master's degree in Public Administration. 



Page last modified January 10, 2024