Wayne State University - School of Social Work

What Wayne State University - School of Social Work does

Wayne State University School of Social Work, founded in 1935 and operating as a public school within Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, delivers accredited undergraduate (BSW) and graduate (MSW) social work education, with the MSW program ranked in the Top 50 by U.S. News & World Report in 2024. The school offers two MSW concentrations — Interpersonal Practice and Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership — delivered through on-campus, part-time, accelerated, and fully online modalities (the latter being Michigan's first fully asynchronous online MSW). Its technology stack is essentially an academic platform anchored by interprofessional training programs (IMH-DT, CHIP, IPTV, Mi-ELSiS, SMART) that integrate social work with medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, and dental disciplines, plus a Continuing Education platform offering licensure exam preparation and professional development.

The school's research enterprise organizes over $32 million in funded research across its Research Centers, with the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice housing more than $2.5 million of that total at the intersection of behavioral health and criminal/legal systems. Revenue is generated through a mix of tuition and fees (in-state and out-of-state differentiated), federal and state grants (NIMH, NSF, NIDA, NIJ, Department of Education, MDHHS, MDOC), private foundation funding (Robert Wood Johnson, Skillman, Flinn), Title IV-E child welfare training dollars, donations and endowed scholarships, and continuing education subscriptions.

The school's go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer enrollment through the university application portal and information sessions, an event-driven model built around 200+ practicum agency partnerships producing 200,000+ internship hours annually, and community-led recruitment via alumni storytelling, a Board of Visitors, and the Handshake career platform. Its customer base spans prospective BSW and MSW students, current students in specialized fellowship tracks (e.g., $6,500/semester Title IV-E stipends), 200+ community partner agencies, alumni, and practicing social workers seeking continuing education credits. CSWE accreditation is the regulatory gating asset that enables the entire offering.

Name

Wayne State University - School of Social Work

Legal name

Wayne State University - School of Social Work

Website

https://socialwork.wayne.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Wayne State University School of Social Work, founded in 1935 in Detroit, delivers CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW degree programs, specialized interprofessional training, and over $32 million in funded research, serving students, the urban Detroit community, and a 200+ agency practicum network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Social Work

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

School-Based Mental Health Therapy (Licensed Clinicians) (EDAKAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Family Engagement & Caregiver Support Programs (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAK)

Keywords

• Social work education
• Graduate social work programs
• Social work practicum training
• Behavioral health research
• Continuing education social work

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Graduate and undergraduate tuition revenue from MSW and BSW programs. Tuition rates vary by residency status (in-state vs out-of-state). Core MSW requires 60 credits; Advanced Standing requires 36 credits.
2. Federal and State Grants: Research funding from federal agencies (NIMH, NSF, NIDA, Department of Education) and state agencies (MDHHS, MDOC) supporting faculty research, training programs, and community initiatives.
3. Private Foundation Funding: Grants from foundations including Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Skillman, and Flinn supporting specific programs and research initiatives.
4. Title IV-E Child Welfare Training: Federal Title IV-E funding supporting child welfare workforce training with $6,500 per semester stipends for MSW students committing to child welfare employment.
5. Donations and Endowed Scholarships: Philanthropic contributions from alumni and donors establishing endowed scholarships and supporting school operations. Includes largest-ever donation from Betty and Horst Appich.
6. Continuing Education Programs: Revenue from professional development courses, licensure exam preparation, and continuing education offerings for social workers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Wayne State University School of Social Work delivers accredited undergraduate (BSW) and graduate (MSW) social work education, plus specialized practicum training programs (Infant Mental Health, Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship, Interprofessional Team Home Visit, Community Homeless Interprofessional Program, Mi-ELSiS, SMART), continuing education, and licensure exam preparation. The school anchors its offerings in Detroit's urban environment with interprofessional training integrated with medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, and dental disciplines, plus the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice research enterprise.

Product overview

Wayne State University School of Social Work offers a comprehensive portfolio of social work education programs, from undergraduate (BSW) to graduate (MSW) levels, along with specialized training programs and continuing education. The Master of Social Work program provides two concentration paths (Interpersonal Practice or Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership) with flexible delivery options including on-campus, online, and accelerated pathways. Student practicum training programs include specialized initiatives like the Infant Mental Health Dual-Title Program, Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship, Community Homeless Interprofessional Program (CHIP), and Interprofessional Team Home Visit Program. The school also supports the Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative addressing 13 social problems, and provides continuing education including licensure exam preparation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Two-year accredited Master of Social Work degree program preparing students for advanced practice through two concentrations: Interpersonal Practice, or Innovation in Community, Policy and Leadership. Offered full-time, part-time, on-campus, and fully online (Michigan's first fully asynchronous online MSW, Interprofessional concentration only). Core MSW requires 60 credits; Advanced Standing requires 36 credits.
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program Accredited undergraduate social work degree program providing foundational knowledge and preparing students for entry-level social work practice or graduate study. CSWE-accredited.
• Infant Mental Health Dual-Title Program (IMH-DT) Dual-title program offered across Social Work, Nursing, and Psychology that prepares students for specialized work with young children, families, and caregivers, focusing on early relational health and positive child development. Integrates clinical and macro practice with infant mental health focus.
• Michigan Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship Federal Title IV-E-funded fellowship providing resources and support to MSW students committed to working in Michigan's Child Welfare System. Includes coursework, practicum education, and $6,500 per semester stipends (up to 4 semesters Core / 3 semesters Advanced Standing) in exchange for post-graduation child welfare employment.
• Accelerated Master's Pathway (AMP) Program option allowing Wayne State undergraduate students to begin taking select MSW graduate-level courses while paying undergraduate tuition, providing cost savings and a lighter course load.
• Social Work Licensure Practice Exam 90-day practice test subscription offered by the school's Continuing Education Office to help graduates prepare for social work licensure examinations. Includes two four-hour timed clinical exams and a mini-clinical exam test, each available up to three times. Delivered online.
• Continuing Education (CE) Virtual continuing education courses and professional development opportunities for social work practitioners, including licensure exam preparation, workshops, and online training modules supporting license maintenance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200,000 internship hours contributed to Detroit community annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wayne State University School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022School of Medicine contracted to run Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office, partnering with SSW to place social workers and student interns at the MEO.
• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2020Hosting virtual information sessions for students about employment opportunities with MDHHS, including CPS/Foster Care positions.
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)coreOthersAccrediting body for social work education programs. The school maintains full CSWE accreditation for its BSW and MSW programs.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) - Michigan ChaptercoreOthersProfessional association partnership supporting student membership, licensure resources, and professional development for social workers.
• HandshakecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCareer services platform partner for job postings, employer connections, and student-alumni career networking. School transitioned all job openings to Handshake by August 2023.
• Cathedral Church of St. PaulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly student-run clinic partner for CHIP program providing education and resources to people without housing in Detroit.
• University of Detroit Mercy DentalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDental students participate in Interprofessional Team Home Visit Program alongside social work students caring for older adults.
• Michigan Child Welfare AgenciescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSoutheast Michigan child welfare agencies partnering for student practicum placements and employment pipeline for Title IV-E fellowship graduates.
• Metro Detroit Healthcare SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partners including pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and therapy disciplines for interprofessional education and training.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Minnesota School of Social Work: Public Big Ten MSW program with strong research and child welfare training infrastructure. Comparable as a public university MSW program operating Title IV-E child welfare training and competing for similar federal research funding.
• Boston University School of Social Work: Top-10 ranked MSW program with strong online and on-campus options. Comparable as a top-50-ranked MSW program investing in online delivery and continuing education — a model WSU is beginning to emulate with its asynchronous online MSW.
• Columbia University School of Social Work: Top-ranked private MSW program with extensive research portfolio and urban field placement network. Comparable as a top-50-ranked MSW program with research-driven specialization and a wide range of continuing education offerings.
• University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work: Public research university MSW program with strong behavioral health research. Comparable as a public university MSW program with federally funded research portfolio and specialization in behavioral health and criminal justice.
• University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice: Leading urban-focused MSW program with strong research and policy orientation. Comparable to WSU's urban Detroit mission and research-driven approach, operating in a major U.S. city with similar underserved-population focus.
• University of Michigan School of Social Work: Top-tier research-oriented MSW program at Michigan's flagship public university, located in Ann Arbor. Directly comparable as a Michigan-based CSWE-accredited MSW program competing for the same in-state student pool and faculty talent, with substantially higher national rankings.
• New York University Silver School of Social Work: Top-ranked private MSW program located in New York City. Comparable as an urban-anchored MSW program with strong research portfolio, diverse student body, and specialization in behavioral health and criminal-legal system intersection work.
• Michigan State University School of Social Work: Public university MSW program in East Lansing with strong research portfolio and statewide partnerships. Closely comparable as a fellow Big Ten Michigan public university social work school offering BSW/MSW and competing for Title IV-E-funded child welfare training placements.
• Howard University School of Social Work: Historically Black university MSW program with strong urban mission and diverse student body. Comparable to WSU's diversity-focused urban mission and its focus on serving underserved communities in a major U.S. city.
• University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work: Nation's largest MSW program with a leading online MSW offering. Comparable as a top-50-ranked MSW program with extensive online delivery, multiple concentration options, and a robust continuing education and licensure prep business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WSU_Social_Work
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WSUSocialWork
• Facebookfacebook.com/WSUSocialWork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/wayne-state-university-school-of-social-work
• Instagraminstagram.com/waynestatesocialwork

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wayne State University - School of Social Work