Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Saginaw Valley State University

Change never unfolds when you sit idly back and wait. Instead, those who steadfastly fight on behalf of society’s most vulnerable—identifying, amplifying, and finding solutions to their plight—generate that forward-moving force that drives progress. You acknowledge that advocacy is the first step toward social and legislative transformation, and if you’re seeking to translate your intense motivation and desire to uplift others into a career, the Bachelor of Social Work degree program at Saginaw Valley State University encourages your passion while serving urban, rural, and suburban communities in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

SVSU first introduced social work courses in 1970 and achieved national accreditation in 1983. Continuously accredited since, our BSW degree trains driven, nurturing individuals to become change agents through a program blending the field’s historical teachings with a modern social justice and advocacy-aware mindset. Intended to help you work toward a Limited Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW) license in the state of Michigan, the format guides you toward your future calling via fieldwork, research and experiential opportunities, and mentorship from faculty in and outside of the classroom.

Through this combination, the BSW wholly embraces your unfaltering ambition: Prepare for entry-level generalist social work roles across a number of industries, or strive ahead toward a Master of Social Work (MSW). In both contexts, the quality of and preparedness imparted through SVSU’s BSW program are known throughout the state and equip you with the tools to make an impact in healthcare, mental health, school systems, residential settings, child welfare, government, and private organizations.