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

Social Work Areas of Study

• Bachelor of Science in Social Work
  • Suggested Schedule
• Minor in Chemical Dependency
• Licensure in School Social Work

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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, 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 (a supplement to the catalog) or contact the Social Work coordinator.

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School Social Work Licensure

Students who wish to qualify for licensure as a School Social Worker I in the State of Minnesota must complete the course requirements in the Social Work major including a Social Work internship (SOWK 497) in a school setting, and complete all of the following courses:

• SOWK 220 Chemical Use, Abuse, and Dependency
• SOWK 379 Social Work in the School System
• ED 300 Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience
• ED 310 Foundations of Public Education
• ED 371 The Study of the Exceptional Learner

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Social Work Major, B.S.

As part of their Liberal Education curriculum, majors are advised to select BIOL 111, 112, 113 General Biology, PSY 201 and 202 General Psychology I and II, and SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology, SOC 112 Contemporary Social Problems, CS 114 Introduction to Computers and Programming, and THSP Basics of Speech Communication.

I.Required Courses (Professional Social Work Foundation)

• SOC 240 Social Statistics (4 credits)
• SOC 250 Methods of Social Research (4 credits)
• SOC 403 Social Research Practicum (4 credits)
• SOWK 214 Introduction to Social Welfare (4 credits)
• SOWK 216 Field Experience in Social Work (3 credits)
• SOWK 217 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (4 credits)
• SOWK 262 Social Welfare Policy (4 credits)
• SOWK 304 Family: Dynamics and Intervention (4 credits)
• SOWK 305 Family: Policy Initiatives and Intervention (4 credits)
• SOWK 350 Social Work Practice I (4 credits)
• SOWK 351 Social Work Practice II (4 credits)
• SOWK 352 Social Work Practice III (4 credits)
• SOWK 400 Pre-Internship Research Seminar (4 credits)
• SOWK 484 Internship Orientation (1 credit)
• SOWK 497 Internship in Social Work (16 credits)

Subtotal: 68 credits

II. Additional Required Courses (Supporting Foundation)

• BIOL 113 General Biology III (4 credits)
• ECON 201 Principles of Economics I (4 credits)
• POL 240 Introduction to Political Science (4 credits)
• PSY 230 Abnormal Psychology (4 credits)
• SOC 223 Ethnic and Minority Group Relations (4 credits)
• SOWK 201 Intercultural Communication (4 credits)
• SOWK 215 Interpersonal Relations (4 credits)

Subtotal: 28 credits

III. Required Elective

Complete one of the following:

• SOWK 219 the American Indian: Social Welfare Perspectives (4 credits)
• SOWK 220 Chemical Use, Abuse, and Dependency (4 credits)
• SOWK 303 Family Violence (4 credits)
• SOWK 320 Chemical Dependency: Prevention and Intervention (4 credits)
• SOWK 376 Mental Health and Social Work (3 credits)
• SOWK 378 Family and Child Welfare (3 credits)
• SOWK 379 Social Work in the School System (3 credits)
• SOWK 380 Social Work in the Health Care System (3 credits)
• SOWK 383 Social Work with the Elderly (4 credits)

Subtotal: 3-4 credits

TOTAL QUARTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR MAJOR: 99-100 CREDITS

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Suggested Schedule For Social Work Major

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

Freshman

• BIOL 111, 112, 113 General Biology
• PSY 201, 202 General Psychology I, II
• SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology
• SOWK 214 Introduction to Social Welfare
• Liberal Education requirements

Sophomore

• ECON 201 Principles of Economics
• POL 240 Introduction to Political Science
• SOC 223 Ethnic and Minority Group Relations
• SOWK 201 Intercultural Communication
• SOWK 215 Interpersonal Relations
• SOWK 216 Field Experience in Social Work
• SOWK 217 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• SOWK 262 Social Welfare Policy
• Electives
• Complete Liberal Education requirements

Junior/Senior

• PSY 230 Abnormal Psychology
• SOC 240 Social Statistics
• SOC 250 Methods of Social Research
• SOC 403 Social Research Practicum
• SOWK 304 Family: Dynamics and Intervention
• SOWK 305 Family: Policy Initiatives and Intervention
• SOWK 350 Social Work Practice I
• SOWK 351 Social Work Practice II
• SOWK 352 Social Work Practice III
• SOWK 400 Pre-Internship Research Seminar
• SOWK 484 Internship Orientation
• SOWK 497 Internship in Social Work

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Chemical Dependency Minor

Dr. Egley (Coordinator)

The chemical dependency minor is primarily a pre-service, occupation-oriented program directed to students majoring in the human services (i.e., education, criminal justice, applied psychology, social work, sociology, or psychology). It is also designed for students who intend to pursue further study and/or a career in chemical dependency counseling.

The following courses are required for the program:

SOWK 214 Introduction to Social Welfare (4 credits)

SOWK 215 Interpersonal Relations
or PSY 235 Interpersonal Skills (4 credits)

SOWK 217 Human Behavior and the Social Environment (4 credits)

SOWK 220 Chemical Use, Abuse, and Dependency (4 credits)

SOWK 320 Chemical Dependency: Prevention and Intervention (4 credits)

SOWK 350 Social Practice Work I
or PSY 381 Basic Counseling Techniques (4 credits)

SOWK 497 Internship (16 credits)

TOTAL QUARTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR MINOR: 40 CREDITS

Under some circumstances, students majoring in criminal justice and applied psychology may use their major internship to meet the internship required for the chemical dependency minor. Such an arrangement must be discussed and approved by the student's major advisor and the chemical dependency coordinator. For the most educationally beneficial experience, it is recommended that two separate internships be arranged. Social work majors are required to do two separate internships. Internship requirements are subject to change; consult with coordinator.