Becoming a Social Worker at Bethel University
This school appears on our ranking of 20 High-value BSW Degrees in Metro Areas with Top Salaries for Social Workers.
The College of Arts & Sciences takes a whole-person approach to its Bachelor of Arts in Social Work that turns Bethel University undergrads into active social justice advocates. Since 1982, the 63-credit, liberal arts-based major has nurtured professional generalist skills for addressing human torment from a Baptist worldview. Chaired by Dr. Eydie Shypulski, the degree immerses Christ-followers in St. Paul courses like Social Action, Public Policy Analysis, Lifespan Development, and Child Welfare Practice. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio allows close mentoring interaction as students fulfill Minnesota LSW licensure and Advanced Standing MSW qualifications. Available curriculum add-ons include the Reconciliation Studies Minor, Pre-Medicine Track, and Online Addiction Studies Certificate.
Beyond the classroom, the CSWE-accredited B.A. allows Bethel majors develop field confidence with a 180-hour junior practicum and 400-hour senior internship. Placements are at 100+ Metro agencies, including Alexandra House, Anoka County Probation, Guild Incorporated, Catholic Charities, Pinnacle Services, Family Alternatives, Lewis Home, and St. Stephens Housing Service. Bethel University's own Twin Cities Outreach teams spread God's love in the Urban Homeworks and Jeremiah Programs. From January to May, BASW students can take the Guatemala Term or Uganda Studies Semester for global studies. Undergrads engage in the Social Work Association, Better Together Club, Disability Awareness Group, Model UN, and 30 other organizations. Others may also present research at the Annual MSSA Conference & Expo.
About Bethel University
Bethel University was established by Captain John Alexis Edgren in 1871 as an all-male, Baptist seminary for Swedes fleeing persecution. Still sponsored by Converge, Bethel had evolved into a coeducational, four-year liberal arts academy by 1947. Budgeting $145.3 million, Bethel University belongs to the CCCU and Minnesota Intercollegiate Conference to educate 6,532 Royals, including B.A. in Social Work majors, of 48 denominations who sign the Covenant for Life Together. Adjacent to Valentine Lake, Bethel University occupies a 247-acre, wooded Arden Hills campus around Brushaber Commons in Forbes' fifth most affordable city. Linked to 22,956 LinkedIn alumni, Bethel has trained Linda Runbeck, Ron Tschetter, Harvey L. Wollman, Pam Wolf, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Bethel University the 11th best Midwestern college, ninth most veteran-friendly campus, and 27th top value. On Niche, Bethel was America's 68th most conservative school and 290th best campus with the 127th best dorms. Forbes recognized Bethel University for the 239th top private education, 320th most satisfied alumni, and 260th best buy. Money magazine declared Bethel the country's 280th best value with median debt at $19,500. In Washington Monthly, Bethel was noticed for the 92nd highest Ph.D. completion, 194th biggest Peace Corps, and 440th best graduation rates nationwide. According to College Factual, Bethel University is the 94th top social work school with the 192nd highest paid graduates.
Bethel University Accreditation Details
In April 2009, Bethel University had its regional accreditation renewed for 10 additional years by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) under president James H. Barnes III. This institutional approval ensures Federal Title-IV eligibility from the U.S. Department of Education for all 73 bachelor's, 20 master's, and four doctoral programs at each location from Brooklyn Park to Pine City. Bethel's curriculum is authorized by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has also extended BSW programmatic accreditation through June 2021.
Bethel University Application Requirements
Entering the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Bethel University isn't effortless with a "more selective" acceptance rate of 82 percent in Fall 2016. First-year Royals must have graduated from an accredited high school or finished their GED. Academic rigor is judged by 16-unit, college-prep curricula that includes four years of English and AP/IB credits. Accepted undergrads rank in the top one-fourth of their class with a mean GPA of 3.5. Bethel has minimum testing benchmarks of 21 for the ACT and 920 for the New SAT Reading & Math. Non-U.S. citizens must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language for an iBT score of 80 or pBT score of 550. Joining Bethel's 3,000 transfers requires a cumulative GPA above 2.5 in courses equivalent to the Minnesota General Education curriculum.
Bethel University has rolling admission kicking off September 1st to receive admission decisions within two weeks year-round. Please note that international students can only apply until May 1st for Fall starts though. Prospective BASW majors create login accounts to complete the free online application. Extra materials might be emailed to [email protected] or physically sent to 3900 Bethel Drive in St. Paul, MN 55112. The College of Arts & Sciences requests attaching the following:
- Secondary education records
- Official college transcripts
- Certification of finances form
- Standardized test reports
- One to three reference letters
- Typed, 300-word faith statement
Bethel University Tuition and Financial Aid
For the 2018-19 academic year, Bethel University will bill B.A. in Social Work students $37,140 for full-time enrollment. Studying part-time costs $1,550 per credit taken. Summer sessions are discounted to $516 per credit. Additional charges include the $160 student activity fee, $200 parking fee, and $1,575 health insurance fee. Living in the Arden Hills campus' dorms like Getsch Hall or North Village adds $5,830 for room and $4,690 for board annually. Total yearly cost of attendance is roughly $50,350 for residents and $41,600 for commuters.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 88 percent of full-time Bethel Royals share $44.6 million with annual financial aid packages averaging $17,126. Social work majors submitting the FAFSA form by code 002338 might earn Federal Pell Grants or FSEOG Grants. The Bethel Opportunity Grants gifts up to $8,000 based on expected family contribution. Hockey State natives could collect the Minnesota State Grant or Minnesota Indian Scholarship. Federal Work-Study jobs generally provide $1,300 to $2,500 from campus employment. Military benefits like the Federal Tuition Assistance and Minnesota Tuition Reimbursement are validated. Undergrads can take out Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and private loans. The Business Partnership Program presents $1,200 discounts to certain corporate employees. Bethel University also provides institutional aid, such as the Royal Merit Scholarship, Forensics Performance Scholarship, Returning Student Scholarship, Anderson-McJunkin Family Scholarship, Arlander Memorial Scholarship, and Gordon Bear Memorial Scholarship.
Learn more about Bethel University at the Department of Social Work website.