The Social Work Program is accredited at the baccalaureate level by the Council on Social Work Education and leads to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. The program is organized and implemented without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, creed, caste, ethnic or national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. The program engages in specific and continuous efforts within the curriculum to address anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Social Work Program does not give academic credit for life or work experience; or allow such experience to be substituted for the field practicum, volunteer experience, or the required core courses. Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in all courses with an SWK prefix and maintain a Social Work program GPA of at least 3.0 in order to receive the BSW degree.
Social Work Program Mission
The Minot State University Social Work Program, using a person-in-environment framework and a strengths-based approach, integrates essential social work values, knowledge, and skills to prepare compassionate and competent generalist social workers. Our mission is to empower baccalaureate students to promote human and community well-being, including human rights and advocacy for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice on both local and global scales.
Throughout its four program options in rural North Dakota, Minot State University Social Work students actively engage with the values of the profession. Our implicit and explicit curriculum fosters scientific inquiry, service, social justice, the dignity and worth of each person, and the importance of human relationships. Emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, faculty and students are committed to anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices that address poverty, uphold human rights, and celebrate diversity. Prepared to lead with integrity and competence, our graduates facilitate conditions that enhance life for all people, while advancing human well-being and justice in any community they serve.
Admission Requirements
Students are required to submit an application for admission to the Social Work program that is separate from the University admissions application. Program admission criteria includes the following:
- Successful completion of two Social Work courses or their transfer equivalent: SWK 256 Development of Social Welfare and SWK 250 Interpersonal Skills. The combined GPA for these two courses must be 3.00 or higher for admission into the program.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- Successful completion of the following prerequisite courses or their transfer equivalent: ENGL 110 College Composition I, ENGL 120 College Composition II, COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking, SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology, PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology, POLS 115 American Government, PHIL 210 Ethics or MHA 338 Professional Relations and Ethics and MATH 210 Elementary Statistics or PSY 241 Introduction to Statistics or DATA 211 Applied Statistics and Data Visualization.
- Documentation of a 25-hour volunteer human service experience concurrent with SWK 250 Interpersonal Skills. Documentation requirements include: Volunteer Hour Time Sheet reflecting all 25 hours, Student Self-Evaluation, and positive Supervisor Evaluation. Students who do not submit the volunteer paperwork, submit an incomplete volunteer experience, or submit an experience that is considered by program faculty to be deficient, will be required to take a one credit course to complete a satisfactory supervised volunteer experience. Previously completed internship, life, or field experiences will not be accepted in place of the 25-hour volunteer requirement.
- Second semester sophomore standing or higher with a minimum of 32 successfully completed credits.
- Submission of the Non-Criminal Justice Request for Criminal History Record Information through BCI (ND Residents) or a Castlebranch background check for out of state applicants.
- Successful set-up and registration with IPT Software used to process admission documents. Instructions on how to establish an IPT account will be emailed to students upon receipt and evaluation of the required background check.
- Social Work students must agree to read and abide by the NASW Code of Ethics and the MSU Student Code of Conduct. They must complete the following: Statement of Understanding, Student Admissions Contract and Code of Conduct, and the Commitment to Ethical Practice and Service to All People.
- Typed Admission Application and Personal statement.
- Unofficial transcripts from all Colleges and Universities previously attended.
- Successful completion of an APA tutorial and submission of a Certificate of Completion.
- Successful completion of a plagiarism tutorial and submission of a Certificate of Completion.
- Students may be asked to submit references and/or interview with program option faculty if clarification is needed on admission criteria.
Students may not take SWK 335 Social Work Methods I, SWK 426 Social Work Methods II, SWK 427 Social Work Methods III, SWK 490 Field Education, or SWK 491 Senior Seminar until they have been formally accepted into the Social Work program.
Students must submit a Field Education Admissions application prior to enrollment in SWK 490 Field Education and the application must be approved by the Field Director. The Field Application requires a Castlebranch background check and a Child Abuse/Neglect screen. Arrests, charges, convictions, or other criminal offenses may limit field opportunities, prohibit a student from entering field, and may prevent the student from achieving professional licensure.
Social Work majors must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 and a Social Work GPA of 3.0. in order to graduate with the BSW degree. Any Social Work course (SWK) graded below a C needs to be repeated. A course with an SWK prefix can only be repeated one time to achieve the C grade. Students will be terminated from the program if after the second attempt they do not successfully achieve a C grade.
Almost all Social Work program requirements need to be completed prior to enrollment in SWK 490 Field Education and any courses taken concurrently with SWK 490 Field Education other than SWK 491 Senior Seminar and SWK 492 Field Supervision, need to be approved by the Social Work Program Director.
The baccalaureate Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of this program are eligible to take the ASWB licensure exam and may be eligible for advanced standing status in MSW programs.
