Are you interested in learning more about social work degrees in Minnesota to jump-start your career in the rewarding helping profession and expand career options for working with diverse vulnerable populations overcoming adversity? Read on for the first half our list of accredited social work degrees in Minnesota.
Nicknamed the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," there are nearly as many top-notch educational opportunities for aspiring professional social workers in Minnesota as there are bodies of water.
Situated in the eastern half of the historic Minnesota Territory in the Great Lakes region as the 12th most extensive and 21st most populous state, it is no surprise that Minnesota serves as a major center of transportation, industry, business, government, forestry, mining, recreation, and education for the Midwest. For those interested in pursuing the plentiful career opportunities for serving the social needs of the diverse Midwestern region, the following is the first half (A-M) of the numerous social work degree programs given the stamp of approval by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) within Minnesota.
Online Social Work Programs For You
Augsburg College
Social Work Department
As the most diverse and only urban institution founded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), Augsburg College is strategically located on a 24-acre urban campus at the crossroads of the Twin Cities' most diverse neighborhoods. Serving the educational needs of over 3,700 traditional and non-traditional students, Augsburg is ranked as the 26th best college and 10th best university for veterans in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. Furthermore, the Social Work Department is acclaimed for offering the 104th best graduate social work program in the United States.
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)
Following the generalist approach to emphasize respect for client self-determination and use of client strengths with empowerment for serving individuals, families, groups, organizations, or whole communities, the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) program is designed to prepare entry-level social work practitioners to advocate for social change for the well-being of their culturally diverse clients. For a total of 120 semester units, the curriculum integrates professional practice methods, social work values, research skills, field practicum experience, and a liberal arts academic core to prepare graduates for practice in a wide variety of areas in social work services.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
With an emphasis on developing competence as a professional generalist social worker with advanced practice skills and leadership qualities, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program builds on the university's 140-year history of service to the community by helping graduate students connect their passions to the world's greatest needs. Designed to develop social workers for practice that promotes social justice and empowerment toward the well-being of people in a diverse global society, the program requires the completion of 66 semester credits and at least 920 clock hours of approved field practicum experience.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
2211 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612) 330-1725
schock@augsburg.edu
Program Website
Bemidji State University
Department of Social Work
Positioned on the western shore of Lake Bemidji on an 89-acre rural campus surrounded by pine trees, Bemidji State University is a comprehensive public student-centered institution within easy reach of Fargo, Grand Forks, Duluth, and the Twin Cities. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Bemidji is ranked as the 92nd best college and 32nd top public school in the Midwest with the 194th best online bachelor's programs in the nation. The Department of Social Work is committed to placing an emphasis on addressing the geo-political, social, and indigenous cultural uniqueness of northern Minnesota.
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)
Intended to prepare undergraduate students for generalist social work practice that is grounded in civic commitment and embraces cultural responsiveness in today's increasingly diverse global community, the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) program is available with a traditional on-campus track or a new blended track with both on-campus and online coursework. After completing a strong liberal arts foundation, students must successfully complete at least 72 credits in major core courses addressing the biological, psychological, and social aspects of human development and interactions. During the senior year, students are also expected to participate in a supervised internship at a Minnesota human service agency.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Hagg-Sauer Hall Room 379
1500 Birchmont Drive NE
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 755-2880
cbyers@bemidjistate.edu
Program Website
Bethel University
Department of Social Work
Based in the flourishing state capital of St. Paul with additional seminary locations on both coasts, Bethel University is a comprehensive private institution that is known as a leader in Christian higher education with more than 6,500 students nationwide. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Bethel is currently ranked as the 21st best college and 7th top university for military veterans in the Midwest. From a distinctively Christian worldview, the Department of Social Work is guided by ethical principles to prepare generalist social workers for promoting the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
As one of the few Christian social work programs in the five-state area that enables students to integrate their faith into their work serving others, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is focused on developing a range of prevention and intervention methods so that graduates can advocate for human rights and social justice with oppressed populations. Along with the completion of at least 122 semester credits in the four-year program, undergraduate students are required to complete two supervised field experiences for a total of 560 clock hours and are encouraged to study abroad during interim for further practical learning opportunities.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
3900 Bethel Drive
St. Paul, MN 55112
(651) 638-6443
amy-white@bethel.edu
Program Website
College of Saint Scholastica
School of Health Sciences
Located on a 186-acre suburban campus on a wooded ridge overlooking Lake Superior in Duluth, the College of Saint Scholastica is a private institution enriched by a strong Catholic Benedictine heritage and grounded in the liberal arts. As the only independent college in northeastern Minnesota, the College of Saint Scholastica is ranked as the 33rd best college and 13th top university for veterans in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Health Sciences is also widely recognized as a premier education of healthcare professionals with disciplinary excellence, multidisciplinary respect, and cultural competence.
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW)
Within the context of the college's Benedictine tradition, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program is designed to prepare ethical generalist social work practitioners to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty. Offered in an accelerated cohort-based learning model on-campus at the Duluth, Inver Grove Heights, Brainerd, and Cloquet locations, the degree can be finished in just two years with the seamless transfer program. The curriculum emphasizes professional documentation, ethics, evidence-based practice strategies, and supervised practicum for at least 570 hours of field experience.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Building on a strong generalist foundation to prepare graduate students for advanced clinical practice in a variety of settings, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program can be completed in one year for those with an accredited bachelor's degree in social work and two years for those with an unrelated undergraduate degree. Focused on advanced clinical practice, the curriculum emphasizes the skills for assessment, diagnosis, evidence-based intervention, treatment, and group therapy dynamics. After completing the required 900 hours of supervised field practicum, graduates are qualified for obtaining licensure as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811
(800) 447-5444
dgraff@css.edu
Program Website
Concordia College
Department of Social Work
With an enrollment of around 2,600 students in more than 72 pre-professional programs grounded in the liberal arts tradition, Concordia College is a private institution founded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church on a 113-acre suburban campus in Moorhead. Consistently recognized in the top 13 percent of colleges nationwide for graduates who go on to earn a doctoral degree, Concordia is ranked as the 138th best national liberal arts college by the U.S. News and World Report. The Department of Social Work is dedicated to fostering students' academic and social growth to build valuable experience in the many opportunities available in the social work profession.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Designed to prepare undergraduate students for a career as a licensed social worker while reaping the benefits of a well-rounded liberal arts education, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is focused on equipping graduates with the knowledge and experience needed to make a profound impact on the lives of vulnerable populations in need. By confronting disadvantage through a framework of scientific inquiry and human rights, the program prepares competent and effective social work practitioners to promote individual and community well-being. Throughout the 120-credit program, students are actively engaged in foundational academic curriculum, hands-on community service projects, and clinical field experiences with a culminating 480-hour senior internship.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
901 8th St. South
Moorhead, MN 56562
(218) 299-3558
sinclair@cord.edu
Program Website
Metropolitan State University
College of Health, Community, and Professional Studies
First established in 1971 as a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the only state university in the Twin Cities, Metropolitan State University is a comprehensive public urban institution that serves the educational needs of over 11,000 students in the 13-county metropolitan area. Known for quality and innovation through partnership, the College of Health, Community, and Professional Studies is committed to developing undergraduate and graduate programs in professional areas to meet the needs of the diverse Twin Cities.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
With the mission of helping undergraduate students build the values, knowledge, dispositions, and skills inherent in social work practice with individuals and families, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is focused on training generalist entry-level social work practitioners for meeting the needs of the increasingly racially diverse Twin Cities communities. In the four-year program, students are expected to complete coursework in social work practice, racial/ethnic analysis, social policy, social welfare, community research, advocacy, and human behavior. For acceptance into the major program, students must successfully pass a criminal background check and have significant prior work or volunteer experience with people of color.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
700 East Seventh St.
Saint Paul, MN 55106
(651) 793-1302
Maria.Lopez@metrostate.edu
Program Website
Minnesota State University Mankato
Department of Social Work
Conveniently situated less than 85 miles southwest of Minneapolis atop a 303-acre urban campus overlooking the Minnesota River Valley, Minnesota State University Mankato is a comprehensive public research institution with more than 15,400 students. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Minnesota State Mankato is currently ranked as the 75th best college and 24th top public school in the Midwest. Through an integration of community service and classroom learning, the Department of Social Work aims to prepare graduates for working directly with diverse clients in a rural context.
Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)
Building a professional curriculum on a strong liberal arts base, the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) program is focused on providing opportunities for undergraduate students to apply knowledge, skills, and values to tackle real-world problems impacting the vulnerable populations throughout the Midwest. With a generalist approach, the curriculum covers content on social work ethics, diversity, social justice, populations-at-risk, human behavior, social welfare policy, and social work research. As the capstone experience of the program, all students are required to complete a pre-professional internship of 150 hours plus a professional practicum experience of 440 hours in an approved local social service agency.
Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW)
Designed to prepare graduate students to work as professional advanced social workers in a variety of public and private social agencies with clients ranging from infants to senior citizens, the Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program is ideal for those who wish to work directly with clients in social work leadership roles as program directors, supervisors, and agency administrators. With a concentration emphasizing practice in small rural communities, the curriculum requires the completion of 59 credits spread over two calendar years for a total of six semesters of graduate study. Furthermore, students must successfully finish a minimum of 960 clock hours of advanced practicum experience for practical application of acquired skills.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
358 North Trafton Science Center
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 389-6504
social-work@mnsu.edu
Program Website
Minnesota State University Moorhead
School of Social Work
Within the Fargo-Moorhead hub for wholesale retail trade, communications, medical care, transportation, and industry in the Upper Midwest, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a comprehensive public institution located on a 119-acre campus in the rich farming land of the Red River Valley. Home to more than 8,900 students, Minnesota State Moorhead is ranked as the 108th best college and 39th top public school in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. Accredited by the prestigious Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the School of Social Work prides itself on having a long-lived regional reputation for excellence and leadership in undergraduate social work education to prepare competent graduates for regional service.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Intended to prepare undergraduate students with a deep knowledge base and skill set related to social welfare to advance social justice, economic justice, and human rights on a local to global scare, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program leads to state licensure in Minnesota, North Dakota, and elsewhere with an impressive examination pass rate of over 95%. Throughout the four-year 120-credit program, students obtain diverse social work experience in the areas of child welfare, medical or psychiatric social work, mental health, domestic violence, chemical dependency, public policy, and more. In addition to classroom study, students are required to acquire practical hands-on skills by completing two human service field experiences and a 480-hour internship in preparation for entry-level licensed generalist social work practice or graduate school admissions.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Lommen Hall Room 114
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563
(218) 477-2632
lisa.karch@mnstate.edu
Program Website
If you enjoy working with diverse populations to advance for human rights and social justice, it is highly recommended that you consider a career in social work. With an accredited degree in social work, you will gather the knowledge, values, and skills needed to pursue various social work positions in community centers, social service agencies, hospitals, correctional facilities, schools, mental health treatment facilities, and more. Whether you were born and raised or are considering moving to the "North Star State," be sure to check out these undergraduate and graduate social work degrees in Minnesota to get on the right track to a rewarding career.