School Social Workers
What Does a School Social Worker Do?
A Michigan school social worker helps remove barriers to learning by supporting students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs across home, school, and community. They provide individual and group counseling, respond to crises, and help students build coping skills and self-advocacy. They collaborate closely with families, special educators, and other school Partners to problem-solve student needs and strengthen school climate. School social workers often support multi-tiered systems of support, including early interventions and more intensive services. They may complete or contribute to evaluations, write reports, and participate on multidisciplinary teams that determine special education eligibility and services. They also help develop and support behavior plans, connect families to community resources, and coordinate services so students can access instruction and succeed in school.
A School Social Worker helps students overcome barriers to learning. They support social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs, provide counseling, respond to crises, connect families to resources, and work with school Partners.
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Explore Careers as a School Social Worker in Michigan
If you’re interested in supporting students with disabilities and building a meaningful career in education, becoming a school social worker may be a strong fit.
OPTIMISE connects individuals with information, resources, and pathways to explore special education careers across Michigan.
Skills and Qualities of an Effective School Social Worker
Here are skills and qualities that make for a great fit to be a school social worker:
- Builds strong, culturally responsive relationships with students and families through active listening and engagement
- Communicates and collaborates effectively with multidisciplinary teams to support student outcomes
- Uses data-informed problem-solving, consultation, and coaching to develop and implement behavioral supports
- Demonstrates empathy, ethical practice, and appropriate professional boundaries
- Responds effectively to crises using prevention, intervention, and safety planning strategies
- Maintains strong organization, case management, and documentation practices to ensure compliance and service delivery
Education and Training Requirements for School Social Workers
To become a school social worker in Michigan, individuals must earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) and complete a Michigan Department of Education (MDE)-approved school social worker preparation program. A list of approved programs can be found on the MDE website here:
Michigan.gov/mde/services/ed-serv/ed-cert/educator-preparation-providers/approved-advanced-programs
Completed a minimum of a 500-clock-hour supervised social worker direct practice with children and youth that supports Michigan Standards for the Preparation and Practice of School Social Workers, and
Obtain a Michigan Social Work License through LARA (must hold LLMSW or LMSW to qualify)
This certificate is valid for three (3) years, may be renewed only once. While under the Preliminary Certificate, must complete one (1) full school year as a school social worker providing social work services to students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) required those services under the supervision.
This certificate is valid for five (5) years and may be issued to applicants who:
- Hold a valid Master Social Worker License (LMSW) issued by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA),
- Hold a Michigan Preliminary School Social Worker Certificate, School Social Worker Full Approval, or School Social Worker Permit; and
- Completed one (1) full school year as a school social worker providing social work services to students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) required those services under the supervision of an individual who holds a valid Professional School Social Worker Certificate or a valid School Social Worker Full Approval.
Michigan Colleges that offer Social Worker Degrees
Click a orange pin to pursue an advanced career
Graduate Assistantships
Participating in a graduate assistantship is a great way to cover the financial costs of graduate school while gaining valuable experience in your field of education.
Financial Resources to Pursue a School Social Worker Degree
Michigan Scholarships & Grants
School Social Worker Tuition Reimbursement Grant
Tuition reimbursement is available for all social workers employed under a School Social Worker Permit effective July 1, 2024—September 30, 2027. This grant does not replace the School Social Worker Permit process; rather, it enhances it by making tuition reimbursement grant funds available.
Michigan Reconnect Program
Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays you to attend your in-district community college tuition free or pays up to the in-district rate if you attend a community college where you’re considered out-of-district. Applicants must be 25 years old to apply.
Michigan Promise Zones
Thirteen Promise Zones have already begun awarding scholarships. Educators, businesses, families and civic leaders are also striving to embed a pervasive culture of learning in these communities – an essential ingredient in any recipe for education success.Â
High School Graduate Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
Federal Scholarships & Grants
File Your FAFSA
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.You must apply for aid every year.
Federal Student Aid Estimator
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index to determine federal student aid eligibility.
Subsidized/Un-Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
Pell Grant
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness*
Amount: up to $17,500
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)*
If you’re employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the PSLF Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans
*Borrowers can’t receive credit toward TLF and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for the same period of service. That means, if you seek and receive TLF, the five-year period of service that supported your eligibility will NOT count toward PSLF. We recommend that you consider whether you’re interested in PSLF before deciding to pursue TLF, because we can’t make changes once you receive forgiveness.
Graduate or Professional Direct PLUS Loan
Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, administered directly by financial aid office at each participating school, not all schools participate
Federal Work-Study
part-time employment while enrolled in school, available to undergrad, grad, and professional students with financial need, available to full and part-time students, administered by participating schools, emphasizes employment in civic education and work related to course of study or civic education, on or off campus
Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona ESD
Kaitlynn, from the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona ESD, is helping children with disabilities, Birth to 26, excel in school!