Social Work

About the Program

Southwest Minnesota State University’s Social Work Program offers a Bachelor of Science: Social Work degree (BSSW) in beginning generalist social work practice. A Bachelor of Social Work education combines liberal arts with professional social work foundation content to prepare to work effectively with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations.

Mission Statement

The Southwest Minnesota State  University Social Work Program's educational experience prepares professional liberal arts graduates to uphold social work values and ethics to serve, honor and empower the voices of diverse populations while promoting social, racial, economic and environmental justice in a continually changing world.

Legal Regulation for Baccalaureate Social Workers

Through licensure, the State of Minnesota legally regulates baccalaureate social workers and requires minimum competency to protect the public and regulates the use of the social work title and practice. Students who graduate from an accredited, undergraduate social work program, such as Southwest’s, are eligible to apply to take the social work licensure exam.

Accreditation

Southwest Minnesota State University's Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education's Board of Accreditation.

Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master's social work program by the Council on Social Work Education's Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

Majors & Minors

• NEW - Bachelor of Science: Social Work Online Degree
• Major - Bachelor of Science: Social Work
• Minor - Minor: Human Services

Clubs & Organizations

• Student Social Work Association
• Find us on Facebook!

Activities

Co-curricular activities are available including the Student Social Work Association (SSWA) which sponsors speakers, field trips, social service projects and other activities. SSWA is a student organization based on the principles and practices of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the professional organization of social work practitioners. Students are encouraged to join NASW as a student member early in their academic career. The acclaimed Global Studies Program and other special projects provide additional opportunities for social work majors.

Facilities

Students will have access to both email and the internet via SMSU’s wi-fi system and computer labs. The online computer system is available for library research.

Preparation

The professional social worker must have a sound background in social sciences, including sociology, psychology, political science, economics, cultural studies, and history, as well as mathematics and biological sciences. BSW graduates are trained in assessment, interviewing, service planning, case management, crisis intervention, problem solving, program evaluation, community outreach, advocacy, and research.

Contact Information

Social Work Program - Office

CH 129, Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State St.
Marshall, MN 56258

• Telephone: 507-537-6224
• Email: socialscience@smsu.edu

Internships

A field practicum is an integral component of the BSW curriculum. BSW students must have a minimum of 440 supervised hours of field experience in a social service agency. Through their field practicum, BSW students refine their professional social work skills, and integrate classroom course content with on-the-job experience in service provision, outreach, networking, and resource development.