Direct/Early Admissions for Students With an Interest in the Health Professions

Qualifications to Apply:

• Minimum 3.50 cumulative high school GPA.
• Minimum 1200 SAT or 26 ACT test score.
• Be an incoming high school senior.
• Interest in the nursing profession.

*The Nursing Direct Admit deadline for the Fall 2026 class is August 29, 2026.

How does the direct admission program work?

• High school seniors who are admitted to SVSU with a declared pre-nursing major will be invited to be a part of a group of students who have demonstrated academic achievement.
• Based on a competitive admission process, a limited number of first semester freshman students are accepted into nursing through the Freshman Direct Admit process.
• If selected as a direct admit, students will begin professional nursing courses the semester after they complete their prerequisite courses at SVSU (no wait list). Students must maintain a cumulative college GPA of 3.3 or better and, specifically, obtain a 2.7 GPA or better in each anatomy and physiology course. They must also meet all other nursing program selection criteria. Direct admission students do not compete for a seat in the nursing program but they must submit an application to notify the department when they are ready to begin their professional nursing courses.

Highlights of the SVSU Nursing Program

• Clinical experiences start at the beginning of the program and are integrated into learning;
• Students work in small groups and present outcomes of their work.
• Faculty-led study abroad programs offer nursing students an opportunity to study global health;
• Faculty have clinical experience which is incorporated into classroom teaching.
• Faculty are involved in scholarship and research, often including students in their work.
• At every level, students are engaged in lab work that includes demonstrations, skill-testing and simulation.
• Located in a regional healthcare hub, SVSU works collaboratively with a wide range of community partners.

Who can I contact for more information about this program?

• Reach out to our nursing advisors at nursing@svsu.edu.
• Explore our nursing program online.

What are my next steps to apply for this program?

• The Nursing Direct Admit deadline for the Fall 2026 class is August 29, 2026.
• Submit your application for admission, test score and high school transcripts to the SVSU Office of Admissions on or before August 25, 2025. No application fee! 
• Select Nursing as your declared major of interest on your application for admission.
• Once admitted to SVSU with the above qualifications, you will receive an invitation to participate in the Nursing Freshman Direct Admit Program.

SVSU offers freshman direct admission to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program for driven students who have demonstrated strong academic credentials and a clear commitment to the social work profession. This program allows incoming freshmen to begin their path toward the BSW from day one, with a streamlined path into the professional program after completing required prerequisite coursework.

Qualifications to Apply

• Minimum 3.50 cumulative high school GPA.
• Be an incoming freshman directly from high school (transfer students from a community college or other institution are not eligible for this program).
• Declared Pre-Social Work major.

How does the direct admission program work?

• High school seniors who are admitted to SVSU with a declared Pre-Social Work major will be invited to be a part of a group of students who have demonstrated academic achievement.
• Students who qualify will be admitted into the Social Work Freshman Direct Admit Program.
• Students who maintain all eligibility requirements listed below need only submit an application to the BSW program the semester after completing their prerequisites — they will bypass the writing sample and letters of recommendation otherwise required of applicants.
• Students who do not meet these requirements will need to complete the standard admission-to-major process, including the writing sample and letters of recommendation.

Maintaining Direct Admit Eligibility

To keep your Direct Admit status and continue on your path to the BSW degree, you will need to do the following:

• Grade of A in SW215 (Introduction to Social Work).
• Maintain a cumulative college GPA of 3.50 or better.
• Complete at least 40 college credits.
• Grade of B or better in all required CI (writing intensive) courses.

Highlights of the SVSU BSW Program

• Volunteer work is incorporated into SW215, providing students with real-world experience working in the profession.
• Practicum experiences integrate real-world practice with classroom learning, beginning in the professional phase of the program.
• Students develop generalist practice competencies across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work.
• Faculty bring direct practice experience into the classroom and actively engage students in scholarship and community-engaged work.
• Located in the Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU partners with a wide range of social service agencies, healthcare systems, K-12 schools, and community organizations to support student learning.
• The BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), qualifying graduates for advanced standing in all MSW programs.

Who can I contact for more information about this program?

• Reach out to the Department of Social Work & Youth Services at bswprogram@svsu.edu.
• Explore the BSW program online at svsu.edu/socialwork.

What are my next steps to apply for this program?

Submit your application for admission and high school transcripts to the SVSU Office of Admissions. No application fee!

• Select Pre-Social Work as your declared major of interest on your application for admission.
• Once admitted to SVSU with the qualifications listed above, you will receive an invitation to participate in the Social Work Freshman Direct Admit Program.

Note: Students who do not meet eligibility maintenance requirements will be advised on alternative pathways to the BSW program.

Qualifications to Apply:

• Minimum 3.50 cumulative high school GPA.
• Be an incoming high school senior
• Interest in the occupational therapy profession

*The OT deadline for the Fall class is March 1st of the following year.

How does the direct admission program work?

• High school seniors who are admitted to SVSU with a declared occupational therapy major will be invited to be a part of a group of students who have demonstrated academic achievement.
• Based on a competitive admission process that may include an interview and/or timed essay, a limited number of first semester freshman students are accepted into the Master of Science Occupational Therapy (MSOT) through the Freshman Direct Admit process.
• If selected, students will automatically begin professional occupational therapy courses the semester after they complete their prerequisite courses at SVSU (no wait list), based on maintaining a cumulative college GPA of 3.3 or better. Selected students will need to fill out MSOT application.

Highlights of the SVSU MSOT Program

• 100% National Board testing pass rate.
• Community-based learning experiences start at the beginning of the program and are integrated into learning.
• Students work in small teams and present outcomes of their work.
• Study abroad programs that include domestic and international travel experiences.
• Faculty have clinical expertise and experience which is incorporated into classroom teaching.
• Guided by faculty, students are involved in scholarship and research, often publishing and presenting at national and international levels.
• At every level, students are engaged in lab work that includes demonstrations, skill-testing and simulation.
• Located in a regional healthcare hub, SVSU works collaboratively with a wide range of community partners.
• Engage in field experiences founded on physical health, mental health and community wellbeing.

Who can I contact for more information about this program?

• Reach out to our Freshman Direct Admit Coordinator & Program Director, Aricka Schweitzer, at aabartle@svsu.edu or (989) 964-2930.
• Explore our occupational therapy program.

What are my next steps to apply for this program?

• Submit your application for admission and high school transcripts to the SVSU Office of Admissions. No application fee!
• The OT deadline for the Fall class is March 1st of the following year.
• Select Occupational Therapy as your declared major of interest on your application for admission.
• Once admitted to SVSU with the above qualifications, you will automatically receive a mailed application to apply for the Occupational Therapy Freshman Direct Admit Program.