Social Work Student Organizations

Student Social Work Association

The primary goal of the association is to enhance the learning experience of those students with an interest in the social work profession, through workshops, guest speakers, and networking. The secondary aim is to provide information and support for one another and the community, through membership and community projects. Meetings are held regularly throughout the school year. For more information, visit the SSWA website on Engage Central.

​Requirements for membership

  • Members must have a genuine interest in social work.
  • Members must maintain regular attendance at weekly meetings.
  • No more than three unexcused absences will be permitted.
  • Members must attend a minimum of volunteering activities, fundraiser events and socials as are determined each semester by the Executive Board. 
  • Membership dues are: $25.00 a year or $15.00 a semester.
  • Membership dues must be paid by the date specified each semester.

Examples of possible activities

  • Attend scheduled meetings.
  • Host films series which address important social issues.
  • Take field trips.
  • Complete service projects.
  • Host guest speakers from various fields of social work.
  • Contribute to the community of Mt. Pleasant by volunteering.
  • Host fundraisers.
  • Travel to conferences.
  • Host resume workshops.
  • Keep files of volunteer opportunities.
  • Keep files of social work graduate programs.
  • Act as liaison with Social Work Faculty.
  • Make great friendships and have fun, fun, fun.

Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work

​Students of CMU's social work program can become involved in one of the most honored, nationally-recognized, college-based social work organizations in the country: Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work. Phi Alpha recognizes high achievement, commitment to community-based volunteer work, and a strong passion for social justice among its members. Membership of this organization is held in high esteem amongst graduate schools of social work as well as employers.

The concept of a national social work honor society came from a group of undergraduate social work students at Michigan State University in 1960. The constitution and formal organization were completed in 1962, and six chapters qualified to become "charter chapters." Over 450 chapters are now in existence, and the addition of new chapters is continuing.

The Sigma Psi chapter of Phi Alpha was chartered at Central Michigan University in July of 2011 by six seniors. They felt the social work environment on campus could support the addition of an organization which recognized social work students not only for their service to the social work community, but also for their dedication in the classroom and to provide them with networking opportunities for their future.

Membership benefits of Phi Alpha include recognition of academic excellence, individual scholarship opportunities, monetary recognition for scholarly efforts, promotion of humanitarian goals and ideas, and much more.

​Requirements for membership

​An undergraduate student is eligible for active membership after achieving the following​​ international minimum requirements and meeting local chapter requirements:

  • Must be and remain a declared social work major.
  • Must have achieved sophomore status (26-55 semester hours of credit).
  • Must have completed 8 semester hours of required social work courses.
  • Must have achieved an overall grade point average of 3.0 at Central Michigan University.
  • Must have achieved a 3.25 grade point average in required social work courses.

To be considered for membership, all applicants must submit an application by the stated deadline. Applications are available in the Social Work office in AN 034. For more information, visit the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work website on Engage Central.