BSU Catalog Home | Social Work Program | Social Work Course Descriptions

Social Work Areas of Study

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Admission to Social Work Program

Students who wish to major in Social Work must satisfy specific standards and complete a formal admission process. The process includes the completion of certain introductory courses with a 2.50 GPA, submission of admission materials, and an interview with a review committee. For an explanation of the standards and details of the admission process, see the Social Work Student Guide (available in the University Bookstore) or contact the Social Work Program Director.

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Social Work Major, B.S.

Note: Asterisked (*) courses have prerequisites not included in this major or require consent of instructor.

I. Required Core Courses

*SOC 3001 Social Statistics (3 credits)
SOC 3002 Quantitative Research Methods (3 credits)
SOWK 2120 Introduction to Social Welfare (3 credits)
SOWK 2140 Field Experience in Social Work (3 credits)
SOWK 2160 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3 credits)
SOWK 3160 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3 credits)
SOWK 3201 Family: Dynamics and Intervention (3 credits)
SOWK 3260 Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)
SOWK 3551 Generalist Practice 1 (3 credits)
SOWK 3552 Generalist Practice 2 (3 credits)
SOWK 3553 Generalist Practice 3 (3 credits)
SOWK 4450 Social Work Research Seminar (3 credits)
SOWK 4880 Internship Orientation (1 credit)
SOWK 4970 Internship: Social Work (12 credits)

Subtotal 49 Credits

II. Required Supporting Foundation Courses

BIOL 1110 Human Biology (4 credits)
POL 1200 Introduction to American Politics (3 credits)
PSY 1100 Introductory Psychology (4 credits)
PSY 2217 Abnormal Psychology (4 credits)
SOWK 2110 Intercultural Communication (3 credits)
SOWK 2130 Interpersonal Relations (2 credits)

Subtotal 20 Credits

III. Diversity Requirement

Select one of the following:

ANTH 1110 Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
HST 2700 World Religions (3 credits)
INST 1107 Introduction to Indian Studies (3 credits)
*SOC 2230 Ethnic and Minority Group Relations (3 credits)
SOWK 2310 The American Indian: Social Welfare Perspective (3 credits)

Subtotal 3 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major 72 Credits

A Total of 128 Semester Credits is Required for a Bachelor's Degree

SUGGESTED SEMESTER SCHEDULE FOR SOCIAL WORK MAJOR, B.S.

The following is a list of courses for the Social Work Major, B.S. arranged by year. This schedule is intended to help students plan their courses in a sequential fashion.

A. For Students Entering as Freshmen

Freshman

BIOL 1110 Human Biology
POL 1200 Introduction to American Politics
PSY 1100 Introductory Psychology
SOWK 2110 Intercultural Communication
SOWK 2120 Introduction to Social Welfare
Apply for admission to Social Work major
Liberal Education requirements

Sophomore

PSY 2217 Abnormal Psychology
SOWK 2130 Interpersonal Relations
SOWK 2140 Field Experience in Social Work
SOWK 2160 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
SOWK 3160 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
Social Work Diversity Requirement
Liberal Education requirements

Junior

SOC 3001 Social Statistics
or STATS 3660 Statistics for the Health Sciences
SOC 3002 Quantitative Research Methods
SOWK 3201 Family: Dynamics and Intervention
SOWK 3260 Social Welfare Policy
SOWK 3551 Generalist Practice 1
SOWK 3552 Generalist Practice 2
Social Work elective

Senior

SOWK 3553 Generalist Practice 3
SOWK 4450 Social Work Research Seminar
SOWK 4880 Internship Orientation
SOWK 4970 Internship: Social Work

B. For Transfer Students Entering with an A.A.

Note: It is possible for transfer students to access courses in the Supporting Foundation Courses area at their community college. These courses may include those marked with an asterisk (*) below. For more information check the Social Work Web site or the Social Work Student Guide, or contact the Social Work Program Director.

First Year

BIOL 1110 Human Biology*
POL 1200 Introduction to American Politics*
PSY 1100 Introductory Psychology*
PSY 2217 Abnormal Psychology*
SOC 3001 Social Statistics
or STATS 3660 Statistics for the Health Sciences
SOWK 2110 Intercultural Communication
SOWK 2120 Introduction to Social Welfare
SOWK 2130 Interpersonal Relations
SOWK 3551 Generalist Practice 1

Second Year

SOC 3002 Quantitative Research Methods
SOWK 2160 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
SOWK 3160 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
SOWK 3201 Family: Dynamics and Intervention
SOWK 3260 Social Welfare Policy
SOWK 3552 Generalist Practice 2
SOWK 3553 Generalist Practice 3
SOWK 4450 Social Work Research Seminar
SOWK 4880 Internship Orientation
Social Work Diversity Requirement*

Third Year

SOWK 4970 Internship: Social Work

Chemical Dependency Minor

The Chemical Dependency minor is primarily a pre-service, occupation-oriented program for students majoring in the human services (Education, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, and Psychology). While the requirements to some extent parallel those required for the Chemical Dependency certificate (LADC), the minor does not prepare students to make application for the LADC.

For information about the course requirements for the Chemical Dependency minor, contact the Social Work Program Director.

Required Courses

Note: Asterisked (*) courses have prerequisites not included in this minor.

CHEM 2130 Chemistry of Drugs (3 credits)
PSY 1100 Introductory Psychology (4 credits)
SOWK 2030 Chemical Dependency Theories and Assessment (3 credits)
*SOWK 3201 Family: Dynamics and Intervention (3 credits)
SOWK 3320 Cultural Diversity and Chemical Dependency (2 credits)
SOWK 3330 Chemical Dependency: Prevention and Intervention (3 credits)

Total Semester Credits Required for Minor 18 Credits

Chemical Dependency Certificate

The Chemical Dependency certificate (LADC) is a more extensive program that does prepare students to submit application for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor licensure in Minnesota. Educational eligibility for LADC as of July 2003 requires an A.A. degree, 270 hours of classroom training, and an 880-hour internship.

For information about the course requirements for the Chemical Dependency certificate, contact the Social Work Program Director.

For more specific information about the State of Minnesota licensing process, contact

Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
2829 University Ave., Suite 210
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-617-2192
www.bbht.state.mn.us

Required Courses

Note: Asterisked (*) courses have prerequisites not included in this certificate or require consent of instructor.

CHEM 2130 Chemistry of Drugs (3 credits)
PSY 1100 Introductory Psychology (4 credits)
SOWK 2030 Chemical Dependency Theories and Assessment (3 credits)
SOWK 3201 Family: Dynamics and Intervention (3 credits)
SOWK 3320 Cultural Diversity and Chemical Dependency (2 credits)
SOWK 3330 Chemical Dependency: Prevention and Intervention (3 credits)
SOWK 3551 Generalist Practice 1 (3 credits)
or *PSY 4332 Counseling and Crisis Interventions (4 credits)
SOWK 3552 Generalist Practice 2 (3 credits)
or *PSY 3337 Group Processes (3 credits)
SOWK 4880 Internship Orientation: Chemical Dependency (1 credit)
SOWK 4970 Internship: Chemical Dependency (24 credits)

Total Semester Credits Required for Certificate 49-50 Credits

School Social Work Preparation and Licensure

Minnesota recognizes the bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution (the BSU Social Work program is accredited by CSWE through 2008) as preparation for school social work licensure by the Department of Education (Board of Teaching).

The requirements to practice school social work licensure in Minnesota are:

1. A baccalaureate degree or a master’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program;
2. Licensure from the Minnesota Board of Social Work;
3. Licensure from the Department of Education as a Teacher/Related Service.

Social Work students should contact the Records Office at BSU during their senior year for a Board of Teaching licensure application. This application should be completed and submitted with the graduation plans to the Records Office.

The Social Work faculty encourages students to take additional courses in education along with SOWK 3790 Social Work in the School System to be well prepared for school social work practice.

For information about the Board of Teaching application for school social work licensure, contact Mr. David Carlson, Records Office, BSU: Phone: 218-755-2020; Email: dcarlson@bemidjistate.edu

For information about school social work licensure, contact

Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, Minnesota 55113-4266
Phone: 651-582-8691; Fax: 651-582-8809
Email: Personnel.Licensing@state.mn.us