7 Best Online Social Work Degrees in Michigan 2025

The top online bachelor's in social work are available through schools across the country, including some in Michigan. Students who can't make it on-campus to learn can also find excellent accredited social work degrees online.

Tuition can be expensive, so many students need affordable online social work degrees � and they can find these in Michigan as well. Keep reading to discover the best online social work degrees in Michigan.

Best Online Social Work Degree Programs in Michigan

There are several online social work degree programs in Michigan. We've highlighted the top choices below. All schools listed are regionally accredited, and all programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

1. Concordia University Ann Arbor

Concordia University Ann Arbor is a private Lutheran institution in Ann Arbor, MI. It offers both a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) online.

The BSW program covers child welfare, social welfare, and overall social work practice. It also requires a year-long supervised internship.

In the MSW program, students develop the skills necessary to become advanced generalist social workers. An accelerated advanced standing track is available to those who have already earned their BSW degree.

2. Northern Michigan University

At Northern Michigan University, students can earn an online BSW or MSW degree. NMU is a public institution in Marquette, MI.

In the BSW degree, students tackle human behavior, social welfare, and policy analysis and research. Two semester-long seminars and two semester-long field placements are required.

MSW students focus on advanced generalist social work topics, as well as elective coursework in various areas of clinical social work. Those with a BSW can take the advanced standing track.

3. Spring Arbor University

A Bachelor of Social Work is available online through Spring Arbor University. Coursework in this program covers subjects like racial and ethnic relations, psychopharmacology, and social welfare policies.

The program includes an optional 22-credit child welfare endorsement and a mandatory 400-hour internship. Spring Arbor University is a private Methodist school in Spring Arbor, MI.

4. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers an online Master of Social Work degree program. MSW students choose between two tracks:

• interpersonal practice in integrated health, mental health, and substance abuse
• welfare of children and families

According to the U.S. News and World Report, this is one of the best online masters in social work in the nation. The University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, MI, and is the flagship institution of the University of Michigan system.

5. University of Michigan-Flint

The University of Michigan-Flint is another member of the University of Michigan system. It offers a BSW and MSW online.

The BSW degree prepares students for social work careers through both asynchronous and synchronous courses administered via Zoom. While in-person internships are required, they can be done at a location in the student's community.

In the online MSW program, students choose between a generalist and a specialist track. Like the BSW, the program includes both synchronous and asynchronous courses and field experiences can be done at a nearby location.

6. University of Olivet

Students at the University of Olivet can earn a BSW degree online. This program includes courses on:

• case management
• community assessment
• social work practice
• social work policy

This private Christian college is based in Olivet, MI. The program prepares students to help meet the basic and complex needs of all people, with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living impoverished.

7. Wayne State University

A Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work are available online through Wayne State University. The public institution is located in Detroit.

The BSW offers full-time and part-time study options, with courses on human behavior, social justice, human services, and social welfare. The 460-hour field education can be done at a site near the student's home.

In the master's program, students can choose from numerous specialization areas. An advanced standing track is available to BSW graduates.

Our Selection Criteria

To choose the bachelor's and master's in social work programs listed above, we focused on:

• Location: All colleges above are located in Michigan.
• Regional Accreditation: Each college holds regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), meaning these are all online schools that accept FAFSA.
• Programmatic Accreditation: We only included CSWE-accredited programs.

Benefits of Online Programs in Social Work

Social work programs prepare students to work in human and social services through courses on social work practice as well as in-person work experience. Most of these programs are designed to qualify students for licensure in their state.

Many students aren't able to learn on campus for one reason or another. Online programs, even those that require synchronous classes, offer a much more flexible path to earning a degree.

Admission Requirements for Online Social Work Degrees

The specific admissions requirements and application process for online social work degrees may vary, so it's important to check with your academic advisor. However, for many bachelor's degrees, the primary requirement is that you're accepted to the university.

Again, admissions requirements can vary, but you'll generally need a high school diploma or equivalent. You may also need a minimum GPA, ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, or personal essays.

Some colleges and universities require a separate application for the school of social work. This may include more essays, letters of recommendation, or a minimum college GPA.

Master's programs have more requirements. You'll need a bachelor's degree; a BSW is generally not required, although you'll need one if you're pursuing the advanced standing track. You may also need a minimum undergraduate GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, or work experience in a related field.

FAQs About Online Social Work Degrees

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online social work degrees.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Social Worker in Michigan?

There are some roles in the social work field that you don't even need a degree for. However, to become a licensed social worker in Michigan, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree, which takes about four years of full-time study. However, some schools offer accelerated online social work degrees.

Michigan has several types of social work licenses, each with its own requirements. For example, a Bachelor's Social Work license requires a BSW, 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised work experience, and a passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor's exam. The Master's Social Work License is similar but requires an MSW and a passing score on the ASWB master's exam.

Is an MSW Worth It Financially?

Whether or not an MSW is worth it financially depends on several factors. Social workers are notoriously underpaid, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing the average median pay to be $58,380 per year. However, this number depends on where you work and the specific position you hold.

Many financial aid programs are available to help students pay for their MSW degrees. These include options that don't require the funds to be paid back, like grants and scholarships.

Students can also reduce the cost of their BSW through financial aid. Several public schools in Michigan, including the University of Michigan-Flint and Wayne State University, offer promise programs that cover full tuition costs for eligible Michigan residents.

What Can I Do With a Social Work Degree?

You can take on many roles with a social work degree. Some common options include:

• case manager
• child welfare specialist
• community services manager
• family social worker
• healthcare social worker
• mental health social worker
• school social worker
• substance abuse social worker

Note that some roles require state licensure and some may require an advanced degree.

Explore Online BSW and MSW Degrees Today

Start your journey toward a career in social work by exploring the accredited online social work degrees featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools for more information on admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.