Michigan Social Work License Requirements and Programs: Become a Social Worker in MI
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Written by Janice Monti | Edited by Victoria Hudgeons
Updated July 2024
According to the Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index, Michigan faces workforce shortages in nearly all healthcare occupations including social work. Currently, the state employs over 30,000 licensed social workers and enrolls 6,500 students across 21 bachelor’s programs and 13 master’s programs in social work.
If you are considering a career in social work, explore this guide for up-to-date information on Michigan’s social work licensure requirements, BSW and MSW programs, and employment and salary outlook.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Michigan Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Michigan Board of Social Workers issues two limited licenses for gaining field experience and two full licenses: the limited licensed bachelor social workers (L-LBSW), limited licensed master social workers (L-LMSW), licensed bachelor social workers (LBSW) and licensed master social workers (LMSW).
Aspiring social workers in Michigan must hold a BSW or MSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and apply for limited licenses to fulfill field experience requirements before they can obtain full licensure.
Limited Bachelor Social Worker
To become fully licensed as an LBSW in MIchigan, you need to apply for the limited bachelor social worker (L-LBSW) credential. This limited license allows you to gain supervised work experience hours and take the ASWB Bachelor’s exam, which is required for the next licensure level, the full LBSW. Issued initially for one year, you may renew the limited license up to 6 times.
Michigan licensure requirements for limited BSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker
Once you have the L-LBSW, you can apply for Michigan’s next level of licensure, the LBSW license. With an LBSW, you can practice social work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, social work agencies, and schools. Typical responsibilities for this level of licensure include case management, assessment, treatment, referrals, and advocacy.
Michigan licensure requirements for LBSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
- At least 4,000 hours of post-degree work experience, supervised by an MSW
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelors exam
Limited Master Social Worker
With a L-LMSW, you can earn the required amount of supervised work experience hours to qualify for Michigan’s highest licensure level, the LMSW. You must complete your field experiences in a setting and under the supervision of an LMSW corresponding to your intended license, either clinical, macro, or both. You may fulfill your field requirements through volunteer or paid work.
Michigan licensure requirements for L-LMSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
Licensed Master Social Worker
The highest level of social work licensure in Michigan leads to careers in advanced case management, mediation, social services administration, and policy analysis and research.
The LMSW offers either a macro designation, which prepares you for administrative roles, or a clinical designation that trains you to deliver direct client services including psychotherapy and diagnosis. Once you obtain your LMSW in one of the two branches, you can apply for a second designation after completing an additional year of supervised field experience.
Michigan licensure requirements for LMSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
- At least 4,000 hours of post-degree work experience, supervised by an MSW
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelors exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Michigan
Michigan does not maintain social work license reciprocity with any other state. However, Michigan provides pathways for social workers who hold current and valid licenses in other states to apply for licensure by endorsement.
Applications from both LBSWs and LMSWs who have held an active license for more than 10 years generally meet the requirements for licensure by endorsement established by the Michigan Board of Social Workers. Those who have been licensed for less than 10 years must submit documentation of 4,000 hours of supervised work experience.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Michigan
Your LBSW or LMSW license must be renewed every three years. Michigan requires you to complete 45 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, of which half must be earned in person or through live synchronous formats.
The 45 hours must include five hours in ethics, one hour in pain and pain symptom management, and two in human trafficking. You may earn 10 hours of credit if you have published an article or chapter on some aspect of social work practice in a peer-reviewed journal or textbook.
BSW Programs Available in Michigan
- Adrian College — Adrian (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $40,262 per year (full time)
- Andrews University — Berrien Springs (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $16,848 per semester
- Calvin University — Grand Rapids (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $39,350 per academic year (full time), $940-$1,465 per credit hour (part time)
- Central Michigan University — Mt. Pleasant (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,724-$6,300 per semester full time
- Cornerstone University — Grand Rapids (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $22,000 per year
- Eastern Michigan University — Ypsilanti (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $7,960 per semester full time, $668 per credit hour (part time)
- Ferris State University — Big Rapids (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $500-546 per credit hour
- Grand Valley State University — Grand Rapids (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $7,570-$7,932 per semester
- Hope College — Holland (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $41,500 per semester
- Kuyper College — Grand Rapids (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $27,660 per semester
- Madonna University — Livonia (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $14,220 per semester in state
- Michigan State University — East Lansing (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $538-$616 per credit hour in state (part time), $8,059-$9,243 per semester in state (full time)
- Northern Michigan University — Marquette (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $453-$571 per credit hour in state (part time), $6,945-$7,275 per semester in state (full time)
- Oakland University — Rochester (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $529-$616 per credit hour in state, $796-$853 per credit hour out of state
- Saginaw Valley State University — University Center (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $437 per credit hour in state, $1,015 per credit hour out of state
- Siena Heights University — Adrian (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $28,500
- Spring Arbor University — (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $33,344
- University of Detroit Mercy — Detroit (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $1,234 per credit hour (part time), $16,473 per semester (full time)
- University of Michigan-Flint — Flint (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $562-$568 per credit hour in state, $1,122-$1,137 per credit hour out of state
- Wayne State University — Detroit (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $6,528-$7,747 per semester in state, $14,951-$17,814 per semester out of state
- Western Michigan University — Kalamazoo (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $631-$692 per credit hour in state, $788-$864 per credit hour out of state
MSW Programs Available in Michigan
- Andrews University — Berrien Springs (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,318 per credit hour
- Eastern Michigan University — Ypsilanti (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Children, Youth, and Families, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $986 per credit hour in state, $1,709 per credit hour out of state
- Ferris State University — Big Rapids and Traverse City (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, School Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $770 per credit hour
- Grand Valley State University — Grand Rapids (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist, School Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $789-$863 per credit hour
- Madonna University — Livonia (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Children,Youth, and Families, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,000 per credit hour
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, Flint, Rochester, and Clio (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $16,947 per semester in state, $27,098 per semester out of state
- Northern Michigan University — Marquette (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist, Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $703 per credit hour in state, $919 per credit hour out of state
- Oakland University — Rochester (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist, School Social Work, Behavioral Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $915 per credit hour in state, $1,027 per credit hour out of state
- Saginaw University — University Center (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist, School Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $722 per credit hour
- Spring Arbor University — Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Toledo/Lambertville, Spring Arbor, Kalamazoo, Petoskey, and Lansing (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Mental Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $664 per credit hour
- University of Michigan — Ann Arbor (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, International Social Work, Management or Administration, Program Evaluation, Research, School Social Work, Social Policy, Aging and Gerontological Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $16,947 per semester in state, $27,098 per semester out of state
- Wayne State University — Detroit (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Social Policy, Integrated Practice, Leadership
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $797 per credit hour in state, $1,726 per credit hour out of state
- Western Michigan University — Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Addictions, Gerontology, School Social Work, Trauma, Clinical Social Work, Macro Social Work Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $798 per credit hour in state, $1,197 per credit hour out of state
Michigan Social Worker Career and Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for U.S. social workers in May 2023 was $58,389. The BLS projects a 7% increase in social work jobs by 2032, compared to 3% for all occupations. However, social worker salaries vary considerably by location and type of license and specialization.
Although Michigan lags behind the national average for salaries, the employment prospects for social workers are promising. According to Projections Central, social work positions in Michigan are projected to increase between 4.1% and 8.2% by 2032 with the greatest growth expected in healthcare and mental health and substance use specializations.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,760 | $27.29 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $57,340 | $27.57 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
Social Work Associations in Michigan
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Michigan Chapter: With more than 5,000 members, NASW’s Michigan chapter promotes the social work profession and lobbies to expand educational and career opportunities for behavioral health workers in the state.
- Michigan Association of School Social Workers: MASSW supports the professional development of school social workers and advocates for legislation that improves school social work services. The organization provides continuing education workshops, annual conferences, and a job center.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Michigan?
Michigan offers three levels of social work credentials, with limited licensure and full licensure designations for each level. With a bachelor’s degree, you can apply for a bachelor social worker license. You need an MSW to qualify for Michigan’s highest level of licensure, the master social worker license.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Michigan?
The Michigan Board of Social Workers administers all social work licenses in the state. Each licensure level requires specific educational and experience requirements and a passing score on the appropriate ASWB exam for your intended license level.
How much do social workers in Michigan make?
Compensation for Michigan’s social workers depends on several factors, including type of license, specialization, and years of experience. Average annual salaries for the most common social work specializations range from $56,000 to $67,000.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Michigan?
The length of time you need to become a social worker depends on your intended license level. A bachelor’s degree, required for the LBSW license, takes four years. An MSW that qualifies you for the LMSW license takes approximately two years. You also need to complete 4,000 supervised experience hours over two years and pass the ASWB exam for your licensure level.
