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Social Work Degree

Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.)

Prepare to become a professional social worker through UND's top-ranked program.

UND's Social Work degree is flexible to meet your needs with online and on-campus course options. You'll graduate ready to serve vulnerable people and communities with a special focus on rural settings.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120
  • Requirements
  • Tuition & Aid
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Why earn a bachelor of Social Work degree?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

Professional Program Application Deadlines
Fall:
March 15* | June 15
Spring:
Oct. 15

Admitted UND students can apply to the social work degree program after meeting the admission criteria.

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

*priority deadline


Those who choose to become a social worker are passionate for improving the well-being of others. They work through advocacy, partnerships, research, and addressing social problems, all from a social justice perspective.

Social workers help people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges. Social workers may perform a variety of duties such as helping individuals and families access services, counseling clients with mental health issue or providing outreach and advocating for policy change. Clinical social workers diagnose and treat clients with mental and behavioral health concerns.

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Accredited Social Work Degree

UND's bachelor's in Social Work has been accredited since 1974, when undergraduate accreditation first began. The Department of Social Work was re-accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 2014. The department continues to update its curriculum to adhere to revised standards established by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education.

You'll graduate with a significant portion of the requirements needed to sit for the social work licensing exam in many states that license at the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.) level.

The program is 120 credits or less depending on number of credits completed prior to entering the program.

On-Campus or Online Social Work (B.S.S.W) Degree

  • Complete a field internship under the supervision of a licensed field instructor.

  • Get involved with our nationally-recognized award-winning student clubs, the Student Social Work Association or Phi Alpha, the social work honor society.

  • Graduate eligible to apply to take the social work licensing exam in many states that license at the B.S.S.W. level. You'll also be eligible to apply to Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) programs across the nation.

  • We provide financial support to qualified students who commit to working in an approved child welfare agency in North Dakota upon graduation.

  • UND is home to the Children & Family Services Training Center, providing research and training with a strong rural focus. The Center certifies all new child welfare workers and all North Dakota foster parents.

  • In addition to a social work major, our students often pursue minors in Gerontology or Chemical Dependency to specialize their skills.

What can you do with a bachelor of Social Work degree?

7%

Projected job outlook for social workers through 2033

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

60k

Average UND graduate starting salary

UND Career Services

An on campus or online Social Work degree offers graduates a wide range of career opportunities in various practice areas. Social work stands apart from other social science degrees in that most states license social workers at the bachelor's level. Only those who hold formal social work degrees can call themselves social workers.

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The career opportunities for social workers are endless, and may include:

  • Addiction/Chemical Dependency
  • Adoption and Foster Care
  • Advocacy, Consulting and Planning
  • Child Welfare Services
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Development Disabilities
  • Disaster Relief
  • Employee Assistance
  • Family Preservation Services
  • Gerontology
  • Homeless Family Assistance
  • Hospice and Palliative Care
  • Hospital Social Work
  • Institutional Care
  • International Social Work
  • Mental Health Clinics and Outpatient Facilities
  • Military Social Work
  • Private Practice
  • School Social Work

Social Work Degree Courses

SWK 481. Field Education I. 5 Credits.

Field Education provides learning opportunities in generalist social work practice using the problem-solving processes within the strengths and ecological systems perspectives. Field Education provides students the opportunity to integrate direct practice with acquired conceptional and theoretical knowledge and skills. Internships will be supervised by a social worker at an approved agency. Students completing their internship in one semester must enroll in SWK 481, SWK 482, SWK 483, and SWK 484. Students completing their internship over two semesters will enroll in SWK 481 and SWK 482 for their first semester in their internship and enroll in SWK 483 and SWK 484 during their second semester. Prerequisite: Admission to field program; to be taken after all other social work courses have been completed. Corequisite: SWK 482. S/U grading. F,S,SS.

SWK 424. Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families. 3 Credits.

This course is an introduction to knowledge, values, and skills related to practice with individuals and families. Students will learn and demonstrate engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation methodologies and strategies with individuals and families with a special emphasis on diverse populations and ethical social work practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the BSSW Program, SWK 317, and SWK 357. F,S.

SWK 357. Human Behavior and the Social Environment II. 3 Credits.

This course explores the application of social work theory and research across the life span, emphasizing social systems theory as the core conceptual framework. Students will examine the development of groups, communities, organizations, and society, expanding on prior knowledge of human behavior. Building on the micro system human behavior concepts taught in SWK 257 (Human Behavior in the Social Environment I), this course completes the theoretical foundation for generalist practice by incorporating macro systems content, along with material related to rural social work practice, cultural competence, and the strengths perspective across all levels of practice. Prerequisite: Admission in the BSSW Program. F,S.

SWK 442. Social Policy. 3 Credits.

This course equips students with the essential knowledge, values, and skills in social policy. Students will cultivate critical analysis abilities to promote economic and social justice, gaining insights into the interconnectedness of research, policy, and advocacy for practice with vulnerable populations. Prerequisite: Admission in the BSSW Program, SWK 317, and SWK 357. F,S.

SWK 317. Social Work Research. 3 Credits.

This course equips students with a foundational understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, emphasizing their application in enhancing social work practice. Students will explore the integration of research-informed practice and practice-informed research, developing critical thinking skills and ethical principles essential for conducting research in social work. With an emphasis on diversity and respect for clients with different cultures and values, the course covers key research methodologies, including study design, data analysis, and the evaluation of interventions and services. Students will learn to assess problems, critique existing literature, analyze and present data, and monitor and evaluate social work practices and outcomes. Prerequisite: Admission to the BSSW Program. Prerequisite or Corequisite: Statistics. F,S.

SWK 454. Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations. 3 Credits.

This course emphasizes the application of evidence-based interventions. Students will acquire essential skills in engaging with diverse groups, conducting thorough assessments, designing, and implementing effective interventions, and evaluating outcomes withing community and organizational context. The course highlights the importance of cultural competence, ethical practice, and the integration of social justice principles in working with varied populations. Students will explore strategies for advocacy and collaboration to promote systemic change. Prerequisite: Admission to the BSSW program, SWK 317, and SWK 357. F,S.

What can I expect from UND's online B.S.S.W degree?

Live Online Social Work Degree Courses

Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.

Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:

  • Listen to a lecture
  • Ask questions
  • Participate in class discussions
  • Conduct group activities
  • Participate in video-sharing
  • Have chat conversations
  • Use interactive whiteboards
  • Take live polls

You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.

 

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Local Social Work Field Placement

You'll participate in a 450-hour field placement to better serve your own community. The field placement can be taken part-time over two semesters.

Background checks are required prior to entry into field placements.

Best Online Social Work Degree

#1 EDsmart
#3 Nonprofit Colleges Online
#4 OnlineU
#5 BestColleges
#5 College Consensus
#5 Accredited Online Colleges
#12 Best Universities
#12 Social Work Degree Center
#15 Bachelors Degree Center
#15 College Values Online

UND is a top-ranked online bachelor's degree in Social Work in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana, with the most graduates in the region. Our high profile and exceptional reputation in the region makes us a great value.

Nationwide, UND consistently secures a place among the Top 15 online Social Work degree programs. Our program stands out for its unwavering commitment to educational quality, affordability, and exceptional career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

UND's Online Social Work Degree

+160

online graduate programs

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

Yes, individuals with a Social Work degree can become counselors and therapists, offering psychological and behavioral support and therapeutic interventions in various settings.

Social Work degrees available at UND are a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.) and a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.).

Yes, our B.S.S.W. program offers flexible scheduling of courses, including online formats, which enables students to pursue a B.S.S.W. degree while working full-time.

Yes, the B.S.S.W. program is offered online. Our students have the flexibility to change the modality of their program from an online to an on campus format. Some students have decided they prefer an in person experience and moved to campus, while vice versa some students find that the online format works better for them.

A B.S.S.W. degree generally takes four years or less to obtain. An M.S.W. degree typically takes 3 to 6 semesters post B.S.S.W.

Each state's licensing board determines requirements and degree for each licensure level. Common social work licenses include Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Leading with Compassion

In 2012, Chase faced a life-changing battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma. From it he decided to pursue a career in social work, helping patients leave the hospital prepared.

Read Chase's story

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