Social Work

Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to help improve people’s lives. Social workers help people cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems.

Some social workers help clients who face a disability or a life-threatening disease or a social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment or substance abuse. Social workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse.

Some social workers conduct research, advocate for improved services, engage in systems design or are involved in planning or policy development. Many social workers specialize in serving a particular population or working in a specific setting, such as a school, hospital, mental health facility or private practice.

Social Work is a licensed profession, when you begin your social work program at NMC by the time you reach your Associates degree you will have completed approximately 50% of your Bachelors degree in Social Work. NMC’s program is specifically designed to transfer to the bachelor’s degree program offered by Ferris State University at NMC’s University Center. Through your coursework at NMC you will learn about general practice, client assessment building skills, training opportunities, beginning counseling & interviewing skills,and a basic understanding of policy practice. In addition, you will have the opportunity to complete a Social Work internship which will be a bridge between your coursework and real life practice.

Job outlook

Overall employment of Social Workers is projected to grow 22 percent between 2020 and 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 78,300 openings for Social Workers are projected each year, on average over the decade.

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Course Descriptions

Program Requirements

NMC Code 723

The social work courses are designed to transfer to other four-year schools with certified social work programs. It is specifically designed to fit into the Ferris State University Social Work bachelor's degree program at the University Center in Traverse City and on the Ferris main campus in Big Rapids.

When choosing this program of study, it is highly recommended to meet with the social work coordinator. This will assist you in building a program that will transfer smoothly. Social work is a rapidly growing field that employs people in many different areas of work and requires very specific training and course work.

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Tuition and Fees

General Academic Programs
Residency Status	Tuition Rate
In-District ( Grand Traverse County residents) Tuition	$126.00 per contact hour
In-State ( other Michigan counties) Tuition	$269.00 per contact hour
Out-of-state Tuition	$350.00 per contact hour
International Tuition	$394.00 per contact hour
General Fee for all residencies: Other fee of $34.00 per contact hour is a general fee covering a portion of costs for technology, orientation, placement, career testing, Student Government Association, and other student service activities.	$34.00 per contact hour

Cost of Attendance

General Academic Programs Annual (Fall/Spring) Cost
Costs	In-District	In-State	Out-of-State	International
Tuition and Fees	$ 5,860	$10,722	$13,476	$14,972
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment	$300	$300	$300	$300
Living Expenses: On-Campus Housing and Food	$10,600	$10,600	$10,600	$10,600
Transportation	$1,000	$2,000	$3,000	$3,000
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$500	$500	$500	$500
Federal Student Loan Fees	$120	$120	$120	$120
	$18,380	$24,242	$27,996	$29,492

Note: For more information on how COA component estimates are calculated, see the bottom of the Tuition and Fees page.

Enrolled students can find their own calculated Cost of Attendance in NMC Self-Service under Financial Aid. Others can use the Net Price Calculator to estimate the total annual cost of attending NMC based on their program and enrollment plans, along with financial aid eligibility.