Michigan · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Sterling Heights, MI (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Sterling Heights, Michigan (population 133,306) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 5 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 7 Michigan programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Michigan licensure.
Best MSW programs in Sterling Heights, MI
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Sterling Heights, MI. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Sterling Heights, MI
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Sterling Heights, MI, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Detroit · ~14 mi National #10 Online #10
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI, MI · CSWE-accredited since 1942 · Online or On-Campus
9.5
5 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
Wayne State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1942, 84 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Detroit, MI). It records 5 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems; Social Policy; and more). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 dual-degree options and 4 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Social Policy, Integrated Practice, Leadership
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 Ann Arbor · ~41 mi
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI, MI · CSWE-accredited since 1922 · Online or On-Campus
8.7
11 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
University of Michigan has held CSWE accreditation since 1922, 104 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Ann Arbor, MI). It records 11 concentrations (Children, Youth, and Families; Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems; and more). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 7 dual-degree options and 2 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, International Social Work, Management or Administration, Other, Program Evaluation, Research, School Social Work, Social Policy, Aging and Gerontological Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #3 Ypsilanti · ~38 mi
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI, MI · CSWE-accredited since 1994 · On-Campus
7.2
3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Eastern Michigan University has held CSWE accreditation since 1994, 32 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Ypsilanti, MI). It records 3 concentrations (Children, Youth, and Families; Mental Health; Aging and Gerontological Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 4 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #4 Livonia · ~22 mi
Madonna University
Livonia, MI, MI · CSWE-accredited since 2016 · On-Campus
5.4
3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Madonna University has held CSWE accreditation since 2016, 10 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Livonia, MI). It records 3 concentrations (Children, Youth, and Families; Mental Health; Aging and Gerontological Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. The program runs on a full-time plan of study. The program also offers 3 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 9.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
- #5 Rochester · ~9 mi
Oakland University
Rochester, MI, MI · CSWE-accredited since 2021 · On-Campus
5.0
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Oakland University has held CSWE accreditation since 2021, 5 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Rochester, MI). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 2.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.3
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Sterling Heights, MI residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University | 1952 | Yes | #7 |
| Wayne State University | 1942 | Yes | #10 |
| University of Michigan | 1922 | Yes | #31 |
| Andrews University | 1997 | Yes | #88 |
| Ferris State University | 2014 | Yes | #161 |
| Northern Michigan University | 2019 | Yes | #242 |
| Spring Arbor University | 2013 | Yes | #257 |
How much do social workers make in Sterling Heights, MI in 2026?
Sterling Heights, Michigan sits within the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 10,690 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $73,600 median. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program (May 2025).
| Occupation | Employed | Median wage | Typical range (10th–90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare social workers | 1,860 | $73,600 | $48,630 – $92,400 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 1,780 | $59,520 | $41,310 – $82,100 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 6,540 | $59,270 | $40,640 – $82,200 |
| Social workers, all other | 510 | $68,630 | $43,700 – $110,090 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 2,230 | $86,450 | $55,880 – $127,840 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Sterling Heights, MI earn a median of $59,270 versus $59,270 statewide in Michigan and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Michigan median.
Where do social workers work in Sterling Heights, MI in 2026?
Sterling Heights, Michigan sits in Macomb County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Macomb County Community Mental Health
- Henry Ford Health and Ascension Michigan
- Utica Community Schools
- Easterseals MORC
- Macomb County Department of Health and Human Services
Representative local employers known to operate in the area; illustrative, not an exhaustive or BLS-sourced list.
Nationally, BLS projects social worker employment to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, driven by demand in healthcare and mental-health settings. Macro roles such as social and community service managers are projected to grow alongside them. See pay by role in our career guides.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Sterling Heights, MI?
After an MSW from Sterling Heights, MI or anywhere, these are the Michigan social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | 4000 hours | Bachelors |
| Licensed Master Social Worker - Macro (LMSW-M) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 4000 hours | Advanced Generalist |
| Licensed Master Social Worker-Clinical (LMSW-C) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 4000 hours | Clinical |
| Limited Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | Two years required number of hours not specified | Exam Not Required |
| Limited License Master\'s Social Worker (LLMSW) | Master of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
| Limited Social Service Technician (LSST) | 2 Years of College | — | Exam Not Required |
| Social Service Technician 1 (SST1) | Associate Degree in Social Work | 350 hours | Exam Not Required |
| Social Service Technician 2 (SST2) | 2 years of college with 4 courses in human services or HS Diploma | 2000 hours | Exam Not Required |
| Social Service Technician 3 (SST3) | High School Diploma | 2000 hours | Exam Not Required |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Michigan state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Sterling Heights, MI?
How much do social workers earn in Sterling Heights, MI?
Can I earn an MSW online from Sterling Heights, MI?
What license do MSW graduates need in Michigan?
MSW programs in other Michigan cities
Sources
- CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs for program accreditation, campuses, and structure.
- U.S. Census Bureau 2023 Gazetteer (city coordinates) and Population Estimates Program (population).
- ASWB social work licensure database for Michigan license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.