If you're considering higher education in a field that is both service-oriented and economy-proof, consider some of the following social work degrees in North Dakota. Social workers find rewarding careers in government, education, law, and healthcare–all areas that are relatively immune to fluctuations in the economy or demographics of any given state or area. Throughout the state, North Dakota has also shown itself to be fairly resilient in handling economic ups and downs, with a fairly consistent unemployment rate that tends to remain well below the national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Minot State University
College of Education & Health Sciences, Department of Addiction Studies, Psychology, & Social Work
Minot State University is a regional, public university that values a multicultural and global setting in an environment where students are encouraged to develop a lifelong love of learning, critical thinking, and creativity. The College of Education & Health Sciences strives to prepare its students for professional careers, meeting the needs of others in an ever-changing society. With small class sizes, state-of-the-art technology, and a mix of classroom and practical experiences, students are well-prepared for their professional post-graduation career choices and are highly sought after by employees regionally, nationally, and globally.
Bachelor of Social Work
Like most baccalaureate degrees, the Bachelor of Social Work degree at Minot State University requires completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Of these, general education requirements make up 38 credit hours and include specific courses that are required for social work majors. These courses include introductory courses in philosophy, sociology, and psychology, and a course in biology concepts. Beyond these initial courses, the major requires core courses totaling 41 credit hours and support courses totaling 30 credit hours. The remaining 11 credits come from social work electives. Required core courses provide knowledge of the methods, theories, and policies for the various areas of social work, while support courses provide knowledge on related areas of economics, statistics, government, ethics and cultural diversity, and health care. Students graduating with this degree will be prepared to enter social work positions in both the private and public sector and within a specific niche of their choosing.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Commission on Accreditation
Contact Information
Minot State University Social Work Program
500 University Ave West Memorial 230Q
Minot, ND 58707
701-858-3814 or 800-777-0750
Program Website
University of Mary
School of Education & Behavioral Sciences
The University of Mary is a private, catholic university that offers a strong liberal arts-based education in preparing its students for professional careers and graduate work. This school offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, 10 Masters degree programs, and one doctorate program. The Social Work program housed in the School of Education & Behavioral Sciences emphasizes service and leadership while preparing students for generalist work in the field. Lifelong learning is valued and also emphasized throughout the program. While the university strives to prepare students for generalist practice in the northwestern United States in particular, the skills and knowledge gained can be applied to social work positions anywhere.
Bachelor of Social Work
This particular baccalaureate degree requires completion of 128 credit hours over a four-year period. General education requirements emphasize liberal arts and sciences and also include at least one theology course, at least one ethics course, and a freshman seminar. The major coursework provides foundational knowledge in social work across the various platforms that students may find themselves working in after graduation. Courses include information on social welfare policies, social work with families, and research techniques specific for social work. In addition, courses include practical experience by offering a field experience course, a seminar series and a generalist course in practice with organizations and communities. While this particular school does not offer a graduate program in social work, students would nonetheless be prepared to continue into a graduate program of their choice elsewhere if they so chose.
Resource: Top 25 Most Affordable Master's in Social Work Programs
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Commission on Accreditation
Contact Information
University of Mary
Social Work Program
School of Education and Behavioral Sciences
7500 University Drive
Bismarck, ND 58504
701-355-8030
[email protected]
Program Website
University of North Dakota
College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines
The University of North Dakota is the state's largest and oldest university, offering 225 programs of study to more than 15,000 students. The Department of Social Work is located within the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines and values diversity and advancing the well-being and quality of life of diverse populations throughout the state and the world. The Department of Social Work oversees both accredited social work degrees described below and seeks to prepare its graduates for work in all areas of social work, helping vulnerable populations within the immediate area and beyond and promoting social justice in every field where students find careers.
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Students wishing to major in social work at the University of North Dakota must first meet with the director of this baccalaureate program and create a personalized plan of study. Students are also assigned an advisor who will work with them throughout the remainder of their time in completing the degree requirements. Once admitted to the major program, students must maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher and complete all requirements for the four-year degree, which in this case requires a minimum of 125 credit hours total. 40 of these credit hours are taken up by social work courses, 36 of which are at the 300 level or above as also required by the degree. The courses cover both theory and practice in subjects such as human behavior and research and analysis procedures. In addition, students have 10 of the 40 credits in classes on field instruction and seminars, providing practical experience prior to graduation.
Master of Social Work
The University of North Dakota offers a choice of three Masters degree programs in social work, two of them through distance learning and one on-campus. The on-campus and one of the distance learning programs are concentration programs open to students with a Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited program, while the second distance learning program is open to students with a Bachelor degree that is not in social work but rather in a related subject. For those students with an undergraduate degree in social work, requirements for the Masters degree include completion of 36 credit hours, 24 of which must be completed at the University of North Dakota. Students may also choose a thesis or non-thesis option, with the latter requiring a final comprehensive exam taken during the last semester of the program. Students with an undergraduate degree in a different field than social work have the same requirements, with the addition of 24 credits in foundation courses.
Accreditations
- Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE)
Commission on Accreditation
Contact Information
University of North Dakota
Department of Social Work
Gillette Hall, Room 302
225 Centennial Drive, Stop 7135
Grand Forks, ND 58202-7135
701-777-2669
[email protected]
Program Website
Social work can be a highly rewarding career field for students seeking to serve others and help to improve lives in the communities in which they live and work. By seeking one of these social work degrees in North Dakota, you can be on your way to making a difference for those who need it most.