University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Reviews of Master's in Social Work

"University of Michigan is wonderful! I wish I could stay there forever"

"Exceptional campus and educational institution"

"There were a lot of opportunities to get involved in the community. Professors were very knowledgeable and accessible. There were a lot of opportunities to explore different career interests throughout the program. It was challenging and prepared me thoroughly for my future."

"I had an unforgettable experience at the UM SSW. I engaged with amazing faculty, met students from all over the world, and was exposed to plethora of resources and experiences that I previously been exposed. The racial/ethnicity diversity of the program was in need of some work, but some of that was contributed to the State of Michigan's earlier ruling that barred race-based admissions decisions. The school is expensive, so please heavily consider that when applying to the SW program. There are many other social work programs that may be financially reasonable, particularly because social worker's don't get paid that much"

"The diversity of the program needs to be improved. Some of the teaching is great but some is not. Rely on students who have already taken courses to let you know who are the best teachers. I enjoyed the hands on nature of the program and the real experience I received through my field placement. This is the number one social work program in the country."

"The School of Social work is awesome and supportive. The Ann Arbor campus is gorgeous and located near several areas with restaurants and acitivty. It also hosts a yearly Arts Festival that is HUGE."

"It is a wonderful program filled with incredible, intelligent, and diverse faculty and students. However, Ann Arbor and tuition for the program are both very expensive!"

"The UM SSW is one of the few schools of social work that has a few macro tracks in the country. The internships are great."

"Although listed as the number one school for social work, I wished I would have chosen another university. The courses are centered around research instead of application. Also, it is very unlikely to receive one of your top five choices for an internship, even though the school claims almost every student will intern at one of their top three choices. I felt the school was more concerned with their status and ranking than for the success of their current students."

"The MSW program at the University of Michigan is exceptional for many reasons. The faculty are beyond accredited and seem to truly care about the topics they are teaching. The courses I have been enrolled in thus far are very captivating; I have never looked forward to attending class until beginning this program. The School of Social Work building itself is always clean, the technology available to students is up-to-date and the staff in the many offices throughout are always helpful. I have very few negative things to say about the MSW program as a whole, however there are a couple cons about the overall UofM experience. The financial aid and scholarship availability could be much greater. Secondly, the cost of living in Ann Arbor is tremendously high for a decent place. Overall, I am beyond happy with my graduate program!"

"Fantastic program. Really hands on with a variety of great opportunities. Also Ann Arbor is a fantastic city."

"University of Michigan's SSW program is rated the best in the nation. It lives up to this through the esteemed faculty, hands-on experiences in the field, and career support. You will be challenged, and it will be worthwhile."

"The pros of my program include the radical thinking of some professors, students and faculty, the plethora of resources available to students at the school and in Ann Arbor, and a diverse program layout allowing for valuable field experience and the integration of what is being learned in the classroom to professional and self development. Cons surround the cost of tuition, limited available scholarships and funding opportunities (including travel and conference funding), a lack of mobilizing radical thinking into radical action, and a perspective that our school is #1 which clouds our infinite room for growth."

"University of Michigan - Ann Arbor's MSW program is number one in the nation according to US News & World Report. I love that this graduate program offers many international experiences in both its faculty and various programs offered, such as the Peace Corps Master’s International program. There are nine concentrations to choose from, and offers dual degree programs too, so it is easier to take a route that suits your aspirations. I will be going into my first year of the program this fall, so I do not have many cons as of now (my ratings above were based on my undergraduate experience here). All I can say for now is that the communication with incoming students is lacking. I feel a bit left in the dark about what my next steps are before the semester begins."

"This is a tough program, but I've learned a lot and had a great field placement."

"The School of Social Work provides exceptional learning skills to improve the lives of individuals and communities."

"The school itself is fantastic, the faculty are helpful accessible and knowledgeable, and the location is convenient. Most everything is in walking distance and public transportation is easily accessible for those things that aren't. I feel very informed about additional events and lectures that occur on or around campus as well. The only downside is that I do not feel as challenged as I would have hoped for the #1 School of Social Work in the country. The work load is high, yet tolerable, but the content of the material is not as in-depth or challenging as I had anticipated. The instructors are all very knowledgeable but it seems their expectations are not as high for students as would be expected, either. The MSW program has been tailored for students to come in from all other areas of study and receive a masters degree, which broadens the diversity of the student population but isn't as helpful for students who already come from social work backgrounds."

"This program is top notch and so far I have received so much assistance. I never feel in the dark and can always call the school of social work to get any help I need."

"Ann Arbor is a fantastic area, and the school is beautiful. The cost of living is high and the cost of school is extreme. Overall, I love the school and I think the expense will be worth it in the end."

"The school of social work is a great educational institution. In my first semester, I have met many great professors and peers. Being ranked #1 in the nation for social work, it is competitive to gain admissions. The university does come at a high price. At just under $20,000 per semester for tuition, the stress of loans becomes haunting at times."