Michigan · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Michigan
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Michigan, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
21 schools in Michigan offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Adrian College, Andrews University and Calvin University. 8 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Michigan public universities start at $12,240 a year (2023-24). Michigan licenses BSW graduates as the Limited Social Service Technician (Limited SST).
- First years: general education and intro coursesPsychology, sociology, human biology, intro to social work
- Apply to the social work majorUsually in the second year, with a GPA minimum
- Senior field practicumAt least 400 supervised hours in an agency
- License: Limited SST (none)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 21
- BSW options
- 23
- online options
- 8
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $12,240
- BSW license
- Limited SST
Does Michigan License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Limited Social Service Technician (Limited SST)
- License
- Limited Social Service Technician (Limited SST)
- Degree required
- 60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours from an accredited college, plus employment or an employment offer in human or social services
- Exam
- none
- License
- Social Service Technician (SST)
- Degree required
- 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
- Supervision
- 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
- License
- Limited Bachelor's Social Worker (Limited LBSW)
- Degree required
- Baccalaureate degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or one the board finds substantially equivalent)
- Exam
- none
- License
- Licensed Bachelor's Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Baccalaureate degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or one the board finds substantially equivalent)
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Supervision
- 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
From Michigan Board of Social Work, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing, reviewed 2026-09-30. Michigan board of social work · BSW license checker
Michigan BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity Center · Public | Campus | CSWE | $12,240$28,752 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $13,304$18,800 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids · Public | Campus, Online, Hybrid | CSWE | $13,630 | Yes | Yes |
| University of Michigan-FlintFlint · Public | Online | CSWE | $14,014$31,274 out-of-state | ||
| Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant · Public | Campus | CSWE | $14,190 | Yes | |
| Wayne State UniversityDetroit · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $14,297$30,419 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale · Public | Campus | CSWE | $14,628$20,820 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Oakland UniversityRochester Hills · Public | Campus | CSWE | $14,694$23,188 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo · Public | Campus | CSWE | $15,298$19,098 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti · Public | Campus | CSWE | $15,510 | Yes | |
| Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing · Public | Campus | CSWE | $15,988$43,372 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Kuyper CollegeGrand Rapids · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $26,390 | ||
| Madonna UniversityLivonia · Private nonprofit | Campus, Hybrid, Online | CSWE | $27,360 | Yes | Yes |
| Cornerstone UniversityGrand Rapids · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $29,100 | Yes | |
| University of Detroit MercyDetroit · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $32,300 | Yes | |
| Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $32,580 | Yes | |
| Andrews UniversityBerrien Springs · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $33,710 | Yes | |
| Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $38,670 | Yes | |
| Hope CollegeHolland · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $40,420 | ||
| Adrian CollegeAdrian · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $40,556 | ||
| The University of OlivetOlivet · Private nonprofit | Online | Candidacy | $33,076 | Yes |
Programs from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026; CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Tuition and fees are the federal figures for a full-time undergraduate year, 2023-24 (NCES College Navigator).
Every BSW Program in Michigan
23 programs in Michigan
Bachelor of Social Work at Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University school profile · AllendaleFormatOn campusTuition$16,520per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University school profile · YpsilantiFormatOn campusTuition$8,550per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus, Online460-hour practicumTuition$8,419per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$36,200per yearAccreditationCSWE
Social Work (BSW), Online and Virtual Classroom at Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor University school profile · Spring ArborFormatOnlineTuition$541per creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$575per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) at Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University school profile · KalamazooFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$15,298per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University school profile · University CenterFormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$14,280per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at Michigan State University
Michigan State University school profile · East LansingFormatOn campusTuition$8,828per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor's of Social Work (BSW) at Ferris State University
Ferris State University school profile · Big RapidsFormatOn campus, Online, HybridTuition$14,952per yearAccreditationCSWEBachelor's of Social Work, Traverse City Degree Completion at Ferris State University
Ferris State University school profile · Big RapidsFormatOn campus, Online, HybridTuition$13,630per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University school profile · Mount PleasantFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$519per creditAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University school profile · MarquetteFormatOn campus, OnlineTuition$7,618per term · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineTuition$619per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$46,450per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$42,120per yearAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University school profile · Grand RapidsFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$22,000per yearAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$40,556per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$32,300per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, Hybrid, Online400-hour practicumTuition$27,360per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$26,390per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Andrews University
Andrews University school profile · Berrien SpringsFormatOn campusTuition$33,710per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineTuition$450per creditAccreditationCandidacy
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. Tuition is the program's own published rate where the school states one; otherwise it's the school's federal undergraduate tuition and fees for a full-time year, 2023-24 (in-state at public universities), from NCES College Navigator. "Resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What a BSW Costs in Michigan
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Michigan's BSW schools run from $12,240 at Saginaw Valley State University to $40,556 at Adrian College; the Michigan median is $15,988, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 11 of 21 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Saginaw Valley State University tuitionPublic | $12,240 | $28,752 |
| Northern Michigan University tuitionPublic | $13,304 | $18,800 |
| Ferris State University tuitionPublic | $13,630 | $13,630 |
| University of Michigan-Flint tuitionPublic | $14,014 | $31,274 |
| Central Michigan University tuitionPublic | $14,190 | $14,190 |
| Wayne State University tuitionPublic | $14,297 | $30,419 |
| Grand Valley State University tuitionPublic | $14,628 | $20,820 |
| Oakland University tuitionPublic | $14,694 | $23,188 |
| Western Michigan University tuitionPublic | $15,298 | $19,098 |
| Eastern Michigan University tuitionPublic | $15,510 | $15,510 |
Full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees, 2023-24 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). Compare schools side by side with the BSW cost comparison.
From a BSW to an MSW in Michigan
11 Michigan schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Andrews University, Calvin University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Madonna University and Northern Michigan University and 5 more. Advanced standing is open to graduates of any CSWE BSW, so you can also move to another school.
How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works · Find a same-school MSW route
Largest BSW Programs in Michigan
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Grand Valley State University has Michigan's largest program, followed by Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Michigan Residents
Beyond Michigan's own schools, 124 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Michigan residents and arrange your field practicum in Michigan.
| Lowest published per-credit rates, same for every state | Per credit |
|---|---|
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS)Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS) · Puerto Rico | $207 |
| University of the Cumberlands: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), OnlineBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), Online · Kentucky | $220 |
| Avila University: Bachelor of Social Work OnlineBachelor of Social Work Online · Missouri | $300 |
| Charter Oak State College: Bachelor of Science in Social WorkBachelor of Science in Social Work · Connecticut | $329 |
| Briar Cliff University: Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion)Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion) · Iowa | $340 |
| Capella University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Minnesota | $350 |
Compare every option on the online BSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Pay for BSW Jobs in Michigan
| Occupation | Michigan median | U.S. median | Jobs in Michigan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,270 | $59,550 | 15,760 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $39,160 | $45,930 | 12,450 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $79,760 | $66,270 | 2,190 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $85,500 | $80,390 | 6,320 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with a BSW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Michigan?
21 schools in Michigan run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 23 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan Board of Social Work, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing issues the Limited Social Service Technician (Limited SST), which requires the none exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can Michigan Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 8 Michigan options are offered online, and 124 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Michigan residents and place you in a field practicum in Michigan. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Michigan?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Michigan public university with a CSWE BSW are at Saginaw Valley State University ($12,240), Northern Michigan University ($13,304) and Ferris State University ($13,630). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 21 Michigan schools listed, reviewed October 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: 2022-23 completions and 2023-24 tuition and fees
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025