Fort Hays State University MSW
Ferris State University’s Master of Social Work program is essential to clinical social work education in Michigan. The program has achieved a 93% career placement rate, which shows how well it prepares graduates for their careers. With 72 students, it stands as the university’s largest master’s degree program in credit hours.
The program’s unique strength lies in its trauma-informed practice approach. While other MSW programs typically offer just one trauma-focused class, Ferris weaves trauma-informed treatment frameworks into every part of its curriculum. This detailed approach acknowledges that clients often carry trauma, which requires a specialized treatment perspective.
Small class sizes of about 15 students create an intimate learning environment that boosts skill development and individual attention. Credentialed professionals with exceptional career experience in social work teach all courses.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredited the program after a thorough three-year process in 2016. This accreditation will give graduates the ability to become licensed therapists and counselors – a must-have for clinical practice.
The program has six full-time faculty members (five female, one male) who specialize in historical trauma, simulations, online therapy, incarcerated mothers, and international social work. While maintaining high standards, the program stays available to qualified candidates. Data shows that out of 50 applicants, 41 received acceptance letters and 28 enrolled.
The student body is 91% White, with other groups represented as follows: Hispanic/Latino (2.78%), Black or African American (1.39%), American Indian or Alaska Native (2.78%), Asian (1.39%), and students identifying with two or more races (4.17%).
Students interested in school-based practice can take advantage of a specialized school social worker track. They can become fully approved Michigan Department of Education School Social Workers by completing an extra class on school social work, taking a second clinical class, and interning in a school setting.
The program attracts students mainly from central and northern areas of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Students from the Detroit metro area have started joining the program, which shows the program’s efforts to vary its student population.
Programs offered
Ferris State University’s MSW program provides multiple paths based on your education background and career goals. The program features two main tracks: Traditional MSW and Advanced Standing MSW. Both options focus heavily on clinical practice to prepare you for working directly with individuals, families, and communities.
Students without a bachelor’s degree in social work can choose the Traditional MSW path. This detailed program helps you build basic knowledge before you advance to specialized clinical training. The Advanced Standing track offers a faster route if you already have a BSW degree. You can skip the foundation courses and start your advanced clinical studies right away.
The program at Ferris State University is changing by a lot. By fall 2025, students can complete their entire program online. This transformation from the current hybrid format, which started during COVID-19, will let Michigan residents earn their MSW from home. The university plans to expand this opportunity nationwide soon.
Students can balance their schedule through a mix of self-paced and live online sessions. This approach will give a meaningful way to connect with professors and classmates in the virtual environment. The program gives you access to important campus resources like the Personal Counseling Center, Writing Center, and academic support services.
The program stands out with its school social worker specialization. You can become a fully approved Michigan Department of Education School Social Worker. This requires just one extra class (Introduction to School Social Work), a second clinical class, and an internship in a school setting.
Evidence-based practices and trauma-informed care are the foundations of all courses. The program includes vital courses like Policy Analysis and Advocacy, Generalist Macro Practice, Human Behavior and Social Environment, Research Methods, and specialized clinical courses such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis.
Field practicums happen in person to give you real-life clinical experience. You can work in schools, hospitals, behavioral health agencies, child welfare organizations, and substance abuse treatment facilities. Program advisors help match your internship with your career interests, and they can help find opportunities in other states as the program grows.
After finishing your MSW, you’ll be ready for Michigan licensure. This lets you provide clinical services in settings of all types. The program’s strong clinical focus will give you the skills to help individuals and communities while building your career in this rewarding field.
About the online program
The online format of Ferris State University’s MSW program lets you learn with complete flexibility. Students who choose this option take all their courses through digital platforms instead of traditional face-to-face classes. The program currently runs in a hybrid format but will become fully online by fall 2025.
Students can choose from three different online class formats at Ferris State University. Some classes meet weekly on Zoom, which lets you interact with professors and classmates in real time. Others combine scheduled Zoom sessions with work you can do on your own time through a virtual-hybrid approach. The third option is self-paced coursework without any scheduled meetings. You can pick the style that works best with your life and work schedule.
While you’ll take your classes online, field placement still happens in person. Online students need to complete face-to-face field practice. These placements happen in a variety of settings like schools, hospitals, behavioral health agencies, child welfare organizations, and substance abuse treatment facilities. This hands-on experience helps you build practical clinical skills.
Students in the online program get the same quality education as those on campus. Studies show that online MSW programs achieve the same educational outcomes as traditional campus programs. The curriculum focuses on trauma-informed practice in every course, which prepares you for modern clinical work.
Program advisors help you find field opportunities that align with your career goals. They also help students outside Michigan find suitable placements in their home states.
The university’s resources remain available to online students. You can access the Personal Counseling Center, Writing Center, and academic support services. This means you get complete support even if you’re far from campus.
Small class sizes taught by experienced clinical and research practitioners make learning more personal. Students build meaningful connections in these virtual environments. The program creates a strong sense of community through its mix of live and self-paced components.
Making the program fully online shows Ferris State’s dedication to making education accessible by removing location barriers for qualified students who want to earn their MSW degree.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a vital credential that proves the quality of any MSW program. It guarantees educational excellence and professional viability. The Ferris State University MSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation confirms that your education meets professional standards.
The program earned this credential through a rigorous review process. The program went through a detailed four-year experience starting in 2013 to achieve full accreditation status. During this time, the MSW program submitted detailed self-studies and showed evidence of growth to the CSWE. Council representatives made regular site visits to get a full picture of the program. They looked at the curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes.
This detailed evaluation ended in 2016 when the CSWE granted full accreditation. This achievement significantly boosts your career prospects. CSWE accreditation will give a clear path to becoming a licensed therapist or counselor after graduation. This qualification is crucial for clinical practice and directly affects your job opportunities.
The CSWE uses Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) to review master’s-level social work programs. These standards set benchmarks for professional competence. They create a balance between program consistency and institutional uniqueness. The standards make sure your education meets industry needs without forcing programs into a similar template.
Michigan’s higher education scene values accreditation highly. Eight out of nine MSW programs in the state have CSWE accreditation. Ferris State University ranks among the top providers in the region.
The Council on Social Work Education offers several accreditation levels. These include: Fully Accredited; Accredited (Conditional) for programs that need to fix compliance issues within a year; Accredited (Withdrawal in Progress) for programs planning to close; Candidacy for programs with at least one year in the process; and Pre-Candidacy for programs with draft-approved standards.
Ferris State University shows its dedication to quality education beyond the MSW program. The university’s Bachelor of Social Work program has managed to keep CSWE accreditation since 1989. This 34-year old track record proves their commitment to meeting professional standards in social work education.
Admission Requirements
The Ferris State University MSW program accepts about half of its applicants. Recent numbers show they accepted 41 out of 50 applications, and 28 students ended up enrolling.
The Traditional Program has specific entry requirements. Students need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution that has a Liberal Arts foundation with Social Sciences, Political Science, Humanities, and Sciences coursework. Good grades matter – you need a 3.00 overall undergraduate GPA on a 4.00 scale.
Advanced Standing candidates must meet higher standards. A BSW from a CSWE-accredited program with a 3.20 overall GPA and a 3.50 GPA in Social Work courses is required. Students must also provide copies of all BSW Field Evaluations.
Every applicant, whether Traditional or Advanced Standing, needs to submit:
- A completed application for admission
- Official transcripts (Ferris graduates don’t need to submit Ferris transcripts)
- A current professional resume or curriculum vitae
- Three professional references (at least one academic reference)
- A candidate statement that answers specific questions
Your candidate statement plays a vital role in the application process. This three-page, double-spaced document must follow APA citation format and cover three areas: your professional goals and their link to social justice issues, an assessment of your ability to complete the program with examples of professional failures and successes, and your thoughts on NASW Core Values.
The timing of your application matters. December 1 marks the early decision deadline, while March 15 is the final review deadline. The admissions committee reviews applications as they arrive until they fill all spots. Early applications have better chances.
The admission committee takes an all-encompassing approach to assess applications. They look at academic preparation, writing skills, motivation, self-evaluation abilities, commitment to social work values, and critical thinking. Students who can’t show clear commitment to the NASW Code of Ethics won’t get accepted.
International students need to meet extra requirements, including TOEFL or IELTS scores. Sometimes, the committee asks selected applicants for formal interviews before making their final choice.
A well-prepared application that shows your commitment to social work values and academic readiness will boost your chances in this competitive program.
Tuition
Smart financial planning plays a crucial role in your education investment. The MSW program at Ferris State University charges tuition rates that are a match for other Michigan programs. This makes it an affordable choice for many students.
Graduate tuition at Ferris State University will cost $797.00 per credit hour for U.S. residents and Canadians during the 2025-2026 academic year. International students will pay $1,202.00 per credit hour. Ferris ranks among Michigan’s more budget-friendly graduate programs, with yearly tuition and fees adding up to about $7,908.00.
Your chosen pathway determines the total program cost. U.S. residents and Canadians enrolled in the Traditional MSW program need 48 credits, bringing the total tuition to approximately $36,960.00. Qualified BSW graduates can choose the Advanced Standing track, which needs fewer credits and costs less.
Other Michigan MSW programs typically cost between $40,000.00 and $80,000.00. Wayne State University charges $42,671.00, Michigan State costs $37,056.00, and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor runs $66,872.00.
Students at Ferris State University can choose from several payment options. The university offers semester-based installment plans. Eligible students can access federal loan programs and employer tuition reimbursement opportunities.
The Social Work department secured a $167,000.00 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. This grant provides five Advanced Standing MSW students with $30,000.00 stipends each. These stipends help reduce student debt and offset tuition costs.
The university’s financial aid office provides a Net Price Calculator tool that helps you estimate costs and potential financial aid. This tool proves valuable since you’ll need to weigh your educational investment against Michigan’s average social worker salary of $F66,473.00.
The university’s financial aid office can provide specific guidance about your individual cost situation. Reaching out to them directly will give you the most accurate information.
Additional Information
The Ferris State University MSW program goes beyond classroom learning to provide excellent professional development opportunities. Students can join several organizations such as Phi Alpha (Social Work National Honor Society), the Ferris Theta Eta chapter, and the Ferris Social Work Association (SWA). These groups help build professional networks and create growth opportunities.
The program secured a major $2.40 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources Service Administration to establish the “Empowering Northern Michigan” fellowship. This project aims to enhance behavioral healthcare in rural Northern Michigan’s underserved areas. The initiative will distribute individual stipends of $25,000 to 52 full-time advanced standing MSW students over four years, using more than half of the grant money.
The Social Work Program actively engages in campus life through various activities. Students participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations that run for a full week. These events showcase presentations that highlight minority groups’ challenges and experiences.
Strong ties with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) benefit the program. Students who graduate join a dynamic Ferris Alumni Community that continues to provide professional guidance.
MSW students have access to essential campus resources including academic advising, writing center support, health services, and recreational facilities. These support services help maintain the program’s strong 93% career placement rate.