Fact Sheets

Social Work @ MSUM

Social Work at MSUM

A major in social work at MSU Moorhead prepares students to understand the human resources and problems of society, and how to assist individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Social workers strive to restore the capacity of people for social functioning and create social conditions favorable to that goal. One of the most essential qualities a major in social work should possess is effective communication skills. They must value human dignity, accept human diversity and be interested in issues of social justice. A background in social sciences is necessary for social work. Social work students are required to complete a one semester, 480-hour internship. The department has a formal procedure for internship placement, directed by the field coordinator, who helps students plan internships to enhance their job-search skills. The department monitors internships through on-site professional field instructors.

Degree: Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
MSU Moorhead’s social work program leads to the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree. It is a multidisciplinary program. Approximately 250 students study core areas of social work such as social welfare, human behavior and the social environment, research in social work, social policy, and generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Successful completion of a licensure examination is required for professional practice in social work in Minnesota, North Dakota and other states. MSUM’s social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education(CSWE), the national accrediting body for all undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work. Graduation from an accredited program is necessary for social work licensure in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the area of social work is expected to grow 18-26 percent through the year 2014. A master’s degree in social work (M.S.W.) may be required for some of these areas, especially in supervisory positions. Some social work job descriptions include:

•Child welfare and family service social workers counsel children and youth who have problems and work with parents who are dealing with difficult issues including poverty, chemical addiction, abuse and neglect.

•Mental health social workers provide services for persons with mental or emotional problems, such as case management, individual and group therapy, outreach, crisis intervention, social rehabilitation and training in skills of everyday living.

•School social workers assess students’ problems and arrange needed services, counsel children who are in trouble, help integrate  students with special needs into the general school population, and serve as a liaison between the school and the family.

•Criminal justice social workers make recommendations to courts, prepare pre-sentencing assessments and provide services to prison inmates and their families.

•Gerontology social workers specialize in services to the aged.

•Policy practice social workers solve social problems and advance social justice through advocacy, analysis, formulation, and implementation of social policies.

Department Benefits
Students gain a wide range of learning from faculty who have diverse social work experience in the areas of child welfare, public welfare, minority concerns, family treatment, probation, mental health, domestic violence, chemical dependency, medical, psychiatric, and gerontological social work.

  • Upper-level courses are small, averaging 15-20 students, in order for students to interact with faculty and each other.
  • Dragons SOS (Dragons Society of Social Work) is the student organization that promotes leadership skills and gives social work students an opportunity to meet socially.  The club is committed to sponsoring workshops and volunteer activities, including work with many community service projects.
  • Phi Alpha is a national honorary social work society designed to support and encourage academic achievement.  Activities vary from providing educational presentations to being involved in activities that enhance the department of social work.
  • MSUM social work graduates have performed very well on the licensure examination, achieving a pass rate of 97 percent, well above the national pass rate of 84 percent.
  • Multiple scholarship opportunities exist for students interested in areas such as child welfare, social justice, community service and many others.

Admission to Social Work Program Requirements

  • GPA must be at least 2.5
  • 30 hours of volunteer or paid work experience in human services
  • Self-evaluation essay on interest, values, and skills in social work
  • A grade of “C” or better in all Social Work courses required for admission
  • Writing proficiency assignment 
  • Visit the Social Work department web site for more information