School of Social Work
Lommen 114, (218) 477-2632
Chair: Lisa Karch
Program Director: Tracy Clark
Faculty: Jeremy Carney, Shawn Ginther, Danelle Klaman, Janelle Miedema

The Minnesota State University Moorhead Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The principle educational objective of the social work major is to prepare students for beginning professional generalist social work practice. This course of study also prepares students for graduate education. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is awarded upon completion of all university and social work major requirements both within the department and in related areas.

Transfer students with an AA or BA degree from another college or university are exempt from Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirement. However, social work majors who are transfer students entering under the Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements must have the equivalent of one course from Area 7, Human Diversity and one course from Area 8, Global Perspective.

Admission to the Major
Students who wish to major in social work must complete a formal application, approved by a faculty advisor and submitted by the deadline the semester they are enrolled in SW 330, Human Behavior and the Social Environment (exceptions may be made for transfer students).

Criteria for Admission to Social Work

• The student must obtain a grade of “C-” or above in all required social work courses and related requirements
• The student must have an overall MSUM GPA of 2.5 or higher at the time of application for admission
• The student must have completed or be enrolled in SW 250 and SW 330, or their approved equivalents at other colleges or universities
• The student must complete a self-evaluation essay
• The student must apply for and prove student membership in NASW
• The student must complete a minimum of 15 hours of supervised human service experience (volunteer or paid) prior to the application for admission to the program.

Current major requirements are available in the department. A grade of “C-” or higher must be earned in all Social Work courses. A MSUM GPA of 2.5 must be in place prior to internship and at the time of graduation. Students are encouraged to contact the department chair or program director for further information or clarification.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
• Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
• Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
• Engage diversity and differences in practice.
• Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
• Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
• Respond to contexts that shape practice.
• Engage, assess, intervene and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.