Social Work

About Us

Western Michigan University has a long-term investment in social work education through its undergraduate program, which began in the 1940s with social work courses offered through the WMU Department of Sociology. WMU's School of Social Work was formally established in 1969 when new faculty were hired, new courses developed, and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees were offered to provide students with the appropriate credentials to practice in the field of social work. The School of Social Work now offers accredited programs leading to the bachelor of social work (B.S.W.) degree, a social work undergraduate minor, and the master of social work (M.S.W.) degree. The master of social work program was first accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in 1969 and is currently accredited through 2008. The bachelor of social work program was first accredited in 1975 and is accredited through 2008. In 1976, the university added the College of Health and Human Services to its administrative roster, of which the school became a member, to recognize the integral relationship between physical and mental and emotional health and well-being.

Special features:

The School is large enough to ensure richness and diversity in most learning experiences, yet small enough to allow students and faculty to get to know each other;
Classes are typically of small size and taught with maximum student participation;
An advanced-standing option is available to qualified B.S.W. applicants. The Advanced-standing M.S.W. degree may be earned in 39 credit hours;
The Extended-study program is designed for students who wish to continue full-time employment so classes are offered during evening hours;
Adjunct instructors are leaders in their community or field. They offer a unique blend of theory and practical experiences;
The choice of interpersonal practice or policy, planning, and administration concentrations offers students the opportunity to specialize in their areas of practice;
Unique certificate programs offer the opportunity to build practical skills beyond those offered in the M.S.W. curriculum;
Two separate field placements offer the opportunity to develop foundation and specialized skills;
The School of Social Work is now located in a new state of the art building along with all other programs offered by the College of Health and Human Services.

Mission

Our core purpose:

Western Michigan University School of Social Work educates social workers to advocate for social and economic justice and personal well being for all people. The faculty provides leadership on a local, national, and international level through research, scholarship, community service and partnerships, and other creative activities relevant to the profession.

Vision

We seek to be a school that:

strengthens students' critical thinking skills, helps them formulate a vision of a just society, and enables them to move towards the realization of their vision
prepares ethical, competent, reflective practitioners to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and institutions within a global and changing environment
fosters sensitivity to diversity, cultural competence, and practice effectiveness
is a nurturing, respectful, inclusive environment that maximizes the contributions and development of students, faculty, and staff

Guiding Principles

We believe in:

facilitating excellence in professional education
integrating theory and practice
conducting research on best practices that foster solutions to community needs
participating and seeking out mutually collaborative relationships
ensuring professional competence through gate-keeping and bridge-building activities
understanding and intervening within a person-centered ecological model
evaluating educational outcomes, skills, knowledge, and values
creating a student-centered educational environment
maintaining a commitment to life-long professional learning for faculty, staff, and alumni
preparing social workers to advocate for social justice