Studying Social Work at Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor University appears in our ranking of the 35 Best Value Christian Colleges with CSWE-accredited Programs.
Spring Arbor University provides students with a nationally ranked social work degree program. U.S. News & World Report recognizes the program as one of its "best colleges." The program is available to both traditional and online students. Indeed, the entire Bachelor of Social Work degree is available online to students from all over the world. The program has twin foci: skill building and theory. Secondarily, the program invites students to research topics that interest them. Spring Arbor University also encourages students to mix Christian faith with both classwork and research.
About Spring Arbor University
Unlike many institutions or higher learning, Spring Arbor University began its existence as an elementary school. The year was 1873, and Edward Payson Hart and Martha Bishop Hart left Illinois for Michigan for a new beginning. They founded an elementary school based on their Christian faith and later expanded it to include secondary school grade levels. They were Free Methodist abolitionists and founded their school to reinforce those ideals.
The Harts also wanted their instruction to include Free Methodist teachings, so when they expanded further and included college classes, that expansion was to become a seminary. After World War I, the board voted to added a sectarian junior college to the seminary. They did, however, retain the Christian philosophy of instruction in that junior college.
Throughout the following decades, the university has added colleges of study and graduate programs to become one of the most respected Christian liberal arts colleges in the country.
Spring Arbor University Accreditation Details
Every one of the more than 70 graduate and undergraduate programs at Spring Arbor University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Other accreditations earned by the university include:
- Council on Social Work Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The university is also a member of the following approving bodies:
- Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
- Free Methodist Church of North America
Aside from the recognition of U.S. News & World Report, the university has earned awards of merit from the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, and Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency.
Spring Arbor University Application Requirements
Spring Arbor University has three separate processes for admission for incoming freshmen from American high schools, transfer students, and international students. The processes for online study are slightly different. The university also accepts students who have completed the GED instead of earning a high-school diploma. Students must also provide all transcripts, SAT and ACT scores, and letters of recommendation as part of the application process. All transcripts and test scores must be mailed from the testing agencies or schools attended. Students may not send their own information other than letters of recommendation.
Transfer students must have maintained at least a 2.0 GPA at their previous schools. Should these students have fewer than 26 credit hours on their transcript, they must then submit high-school transcripts and test scores as if they were a high-school student. As with high-school students, all relevant paperwork must be sent by schools or testing agencies.
International students must complete three stages of the application process. First, they must prove English language proficiency. Thereafter, they must fill out a questionnaire about their educational history in their home countries and also provide visa and passport information. International students must also provide a medical history and immunization record. They must also provide letters of recommendation from previous teachers or professors. They must have health insurance before admission.
For any homeschooled student, the parents must act as the school administrators and send relevant transcripts or narrative description of all college preparatory work. Of course, traditional transcripts are preferred. Test scores must still be submitted by the testing agencies.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition comes to $28,210 annually. Room and board cost $10,010. Assorted university fees amount to about $600. The total annual costs are $38,820. Online students in the social work program pay $587 per credit hour. The costs for other online programs are similar. Part-time students pay $660 per credit hour. International students should remember that these costs are in United States dollars. Certain programs also have additional fees that cover laboratory work, access to technology, research opportunity applications, and other items. Students who want a detailed breakdown should contact the university's bursar.
Spring Arbor University students may fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid if they need monetary help. Spring Arbor University allows submitted forms to be amended should a student's financial situation change unexpectedly. For example, if a student reports a family income of $40,000 annually, and the student's parents lose their jobs, bringing the family income to zero, the student may amend the FAFSA under the Financial Aid Adjusted for Loss of Income program. Students should be aware, however, that this program covers catastrophic loss of income and not small changes.
Students of all varieties may also earn scholarships through exceptional performance in academics, music, art, or athletics. They may also qualify for grants from either government institutions or private-sector entities. Not all students will qualify for all grants. Students also have the option of taking out student loans of various types to help pay for school. They should know the terms of their loans exactly, however, to avoid any surprises.
Work-study opportunities at Spring Arbor University are limited, and students should complete the necessary paperwork as early as possible. Even students who do not plan to work should file the paperwork just in case they decide to work at a later time. Waiting could result in a student not being able to work in a situation where it is necessary. To work either on campus or at one of the approved off-campus sites, students must be at least half-time.
International students are not eligible for work-study programs until after their paperwork is processed through the Student Employment Center. They also must wait until after starting classes to apply because their immigration documents must be in order.
All students wishing to work should familiarize themselves with the Student Employment Guidelines of Spring Arbor University.