The school's history dates to an undergraduate courses in social work that was begun at Detroit City College in the 1920s.

[2] In 1936, Wayne University established a School of Public Affairs and Social Work.

[5] In 1950, the public affairs program was moved to a new Department of Public Administration within the College of Liberal Arts, and the current School of Social Work emerged as a stand-alone school focused on social work.

[8] In March 1981, the School celebrated the golden jubilee of social work education at Wayne State.

[2] In 1990, the School of Social Work purchased the Thompson Home for Old Ladies, a landmark building located at the corner of Cass and Hancock in Detroit.