ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Msw Student Intern Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

All JobsMsw Student Intern JobsMsw Student Intern Jobs in Michigan

Msw Student Intern information

See Michigan salary details

$8

$16

$29

How much do msw student intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for msw student intern in Michigan is $16.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.55 and $16.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an MSW student intern?

MSW student interns are individuals currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree who are completing a supervised field placement as part of their educational requirements. These internships provide hands-on experience in various social work settings, such as schools, hospitals, community organizations, or government agencies. The goal is to help students apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations, develop professional skills, and meet licensing or graduation requirements. MSW student interns work under the supervision of licensed social workers and are typically unpaid.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an MSW student intern?

To thrive as an MSW Student Intern, you need foundational knowledge of social work principles, basic counseling skills, and enrollment in a Master of Social Work program. Familiarity with case management software, documentation standards, and relevant ethical guidelines is important. Strong interpersonal communication, cultural competence, and adaptability help interns build trust and effectively support diverse clients. These skills and qualities are essential for providing effective client services and gaining valuable hands-on experience in the field.

What types of supervision and mentorship can MSW student interns expect during their field placement?

MSW student interns typically receive regular supervision from a licensed social worker, often on a weekly basis. This supervision provides guidance on case management, ethical dilemmas, and professional development, ensuring interns gain valuable hands-on experience while maintaining client safety. Interns are often included in team meetings and may have opportunities for additional mentorship from staff with different specializations, fostering both learning and collaboration. The structure is designed to support growth, build confidence, and prepare interns for professional social work roles.

What is the difference between Msw Student Intern vs Social Work Assistant?

AspectMsw Student InternSocial Work Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled in MSW program, some fieldwork experienceHigh school diploma or bachelor's degree, some social work training
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, clinics, community agenciesSupport roles in social service agencies, offices
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, non-profits, government agenciesSocial service organizations, healthcare facilities

While both roles involve supporting social work services, Msw Student Interns are typically graduate students gaining practical experience during their studies, whereas Social Work Assistants are support staff with less formal education, often working in similar environments. The internship provides educational credit and supervised training, while the assistant role focuses on assisting professionals with client support and administrative tasks.

Are most MSW student internships paid?

Most MSW student internships are unpaid or offer stipends, especially those required for academic credit. However, some internships in government agencies, non-profits, or healthcare organizations may be paid or provide hourly wages, depending on the organization and funding sources.

What jobs can I get as an MSW student intern?

MSW student interns typically work in social service agencies, healthcare settings, or community organizations, providing support such as case management, counseling, and advocacy. These roles help develop skills in client assessment, intervention, and documentation, often under supervision, and may lead to full-time social work positions upon graduation.

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Msw Student Intern jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Msw Student Intern job openings:

Msw Student Intern jobs near you

Master's Level Internship - Macro MSW Leadership (Winter 2027 - Summer 2027)

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

Grand Rapids, MI

$16.25 - $21.25/hr

Part-time

Posted 24 days ago

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Cost Center

158 Case Management

Scheduled Weekly Hours

12

Work Shift

First Shift (United States of America)

Shift & Status

Who Are We?

We at Pine Rest believe in the power of healing and that everyone in our community has the right to expert care for mental health and substance use disorders. We are much more than just the third largest non-profit behavioral health system in the country, our 220-acre main campus, and our network of clinical sites across Michigan. We are a tight-knit community of healers who witness the impact of our life-changing work each day.

Each day, we are closing the gaps in access to care. We are innovating through leading-edge research, testing, programs, and treatment modalities that others replicate across the country. Our services include a state-of-the-art psychiatric urgent care center and a soon-to-be-built pediatric behavioral health center, outpatient, inpatient, partial hospitalization (day programs), assessment and testing, residential, addiction treatment and specialty services such as crisis response, employee assistance programs, forensic psychiatry and psychology, and neuromodulation. On-the-job educational programs for nurses, psychologists, advanced practice providers, psychiatrists, and chaplains are equipping the next generation of care providers.

We are passionate about serving and are honored to be a part of this incredible work.

What Will you Do?

The Intern - Macro Master of Social Work (MSW) Leadership partners with clinical leadership to gain advanced experience in behavioral healthcare administration, program development, quality improvement, staff development, strategic planning, and systems-level social work practice. Under the supervision of hospital leadership, the intern participates in projects that improve patient care, staff effectiveness, operational efficiency, and organizational outcomes while integrating social work values, ethics, and evidence-based leadership practices.

The internship is designed to prepare graduate social work students for future leadership positions in behavioral health administration.

By completion of the internship, the student will be able to:

  • Understand behavioral healthcare operations within an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

  • Apply macro social work principles to organizational systems.

  • Participate in quality improvement and performance improvement initiatives.

  • Analyze healthcare data to support operational decision-making.

  • Develop policies, procedures, and clinical workflows.

  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary leaders.

  • Gain experience with budgeting, staffing, strategic planning, and program evaluation.

  • Demonstrate leadership, professional communication, and project management skills.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership & Administration

Shadow department leadership in daily operational activities.

Observe management meetings and leadership rounds.

Assist in planning departmental initiatives.

Participate in strategic planning discussions.

Learn principles of staffing, scheduling, and workforce planning.

Observe hiring, onboarding, and performance management processes as appropriate.

Assist with development of departmental goals and action plans.

Quality Improvement

Participate in Quality Improvement (QI) projects.

Assist with collecting, organizing, and analyzing outcome data.

Help develop dashboards and reports.

Participate in Root Cause Analyses and Performance Improvement teams when appropriate.

Assist with monitoring quality metrics.

Program Development

Assist with development of new clinical programming.

Research evidence-based practices.

Help design workflows and implementation plans.

Participate in program evaluations.

Assist with grant or project development when available.

Policy & Procedure Development

Review existing policies.

Assist in drafting or revising departmental procedures.

Compare policies with regulatory standards and best practices.

Participate in survey readiness activities.

Staff Development

Assist with development of staff education materials.

Observe clinical supervision.

Help coordinate orientation materials.

Participate in training development.

Support competency tracking projects.

Organizational Collaboration

Attend interdisciplinary meetings.

Collaborate with nursing, physicians, psychology, case management, utilization management, peer support, and ancillary departments.

Participate in community partnership meetings when appropriate.

Observe leadership communication strategies.

Data & Analytics

Assist leadership with:

Data collection

Program metrics

Patient satisfaction trends

Readmission analysis

Throughput analysis

Utilization reports

Performance dashboards

Presentation development

Leadership Project

Complete one or more major macro projects such as:

Program implementation plan

Quality Improvement initiative

Policy development

Staff training curriculum

Clinical workflow redesign

Program evaluation

Strategic plan

Community needs assessment

Financial or operational analysis

Present findings to hospital leadership at the conclusion of the internship.

Professional Development

Participate in reflective supervision.

Complete assigned leadership readings.

Attend leadership meetings.

Participate in ethics discussions.

Demonstrate professional communication and leadership behaviors.

Maintain confidentiality and comply with organizational policies.

What Does the Role Require?

  • Enrolled in a CSWE accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

  • Completion of foundation-level coursework.

  • Eligible for advanced field placement (preferred).

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  • Interest in healthcare administration, leadership, and behavioral health systems.

Notice:

Pine Rest provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

All new employees are subject to a criminal background check and education verification which may include sending a copy of your high school diploma, GED, or college transcripts.

NOTICE: Successful completion of a drug screen prior to employment is also part of our background process.

What Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply