100%
of social work majors gain real-world practice experience during 600 hours of field education (internships).
Bachelor's in Social Work (BSW)
At the University of St. Thomas, social work is seen as a critical part of health & well-being for individuals, communities and society. Social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the U.S. We prepare you to become a licensed professional, equipped to work in direct practice with children or adults, groups and organizations, or as an advocate for policies to advance the common good. Our graduates are committed to social justice and to helping people make positive changes in their lives.
Why Study Social Work at St. Thomas?
With an increase in jobs estimated at 16 percent or higher in the field over the next decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), social work offers vast career opportunities. Health care social work, along with mental health and substance abuse social work are among the fastest growing areas, while opportunities to work with children, families and schools are also growing faster than average. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, you can begin work upon graduation or enter a master of social work (MSW) program as an “advanced standing” student, and save a year of time and investment achieving your MSW.
With our bachelor’s degree in social work, you’ll be prepared to work with diverse populations across a wide variety of settings such as schools, health systems, correction centers and social services agencies including child welfare agencies. You will gain real-world practice experience during 600 hours of fieldwork (internships), and graduate prepared to take the bachelors-level social work licensure exam in any state.
Program Overview
Course Requirements
You will integrate theory, research and fieldwork to prepare for generalist social work practice. The major consists of 12 courses (44 credits) along with four supporting courses (16 credits) in psychology, sociology and biology. Through coursework, you will develop knowledge and skills in social welfare policy and advocacy, community outreach, communication and interviewing, group work skills, case management and basic counseling, research, and strengths-based intervention and support for individuals, families and communities.
Four-Year Plan
Social work faculty will work with you to plan a program that meets your needs and allows you to explore your interests. Early advising is especially important if you are considering a co-major degree, a minor, or a study abroad experience. Our four-year degree planning guide provides an overview of course sequencing. You will take some social work courses prior to admission to the major in the spring of your junior year.
Degrees Awarded
Accelerate Your Path to a Master’s Degree
Bachelor of social work graduates interested in advanced social work practice, including providing mental health counseling, clinical services, program management and public policy, can earn a master’s degree in one year instead of two by entering most master of social work (MSW) degree programs with “advanced standing.” High-achieving juniors interested in clinical social work can apply for accelerated admission to the St. Thomas MSW and enjoy a seamless transition to graduate school.
Scholarships Overview
There is a strong need for social workers equipped to work with our increasingly diverse, aging, and undeserved communities throughout our region. The following financial resources are available to qualifying social work students:
- Minority Scholarship: The School of Social Work is committed to diversifying the profession and offers Social Work Minority Undergraduate Student Scholarships to qualifying social work majors.
- State and federal loan forgiveness/repayment programs: Some social work careers qualify for federal and state loan forgiveness and repayment programs for public service or health service professionals.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
You will integrate theory, research and fieldwork to prepare for generalist social work practice. The major consists of 12 courses (44 credits) along with four supporting courses (16 credits) in psychology, sociology and biology. Through coursework, you will develop knowledge and skills in social welfare policy and advocacy, community outreach, communication and interviewing, group work skills, case management and basic counseling, research, and strengths-based intervention and support for individuals, families and communities.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
Social work faculty will work with you to plan a program that meets your needs and allows you to explore your interests. Early advising is especially important if you are considering a co-major degree, a minor, or a study abroad experience. Our four-year degree planning guide provides an overview of course sequencing. You will take some social work courses prior to admission to the major in the spring of your junior year.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
Accelerate Your Path to a Master’s Degree
Accelerate Your Path to a Master’s Degree
Bachelor of social work graduates interested in advanced social work practice, including providing mental health counseling, clinical services, program management and public policy, can earn a master’s degree in one year instead of two by entering most master of social work (MSW) degree programs with “advanced standing.” High-achieving juniors interested in clinical social work can apply for accelerated admission to the St. Thomas MSW and enjoy a seamless transition to graduate school.
Scholarships Overview
Scholarships Overview
There is a strong need for social workers equipped to work with our increasingly diverse, aging, and undeserved communities throughout our region. The following financial resources are available to qualifying social work students:
- Minority Scholarship: The School of Social Work is committed to diversifying the profession and offers Social Work Minority Undergraduate Student Scholarships to qualifying social work majors.
- State and federal loan forgiveness/repayment programs: Some social work careers qualify for federal and state loan forgiveness and repayment programs for public service or health service professionals.
Advocates for Change: Social Workers change lives and change the world…one person, one family, one community at a time
Melissa Lundquist, MSW, PhD, LGSW -Expanding Study Abroad Opportunities
Dr. Melissa Lundquist believes a global, cross-cultural perspective is extremely valuable in the social work field because it teaches students to navigate a world different from their own. Recently she traveled the globe in search of study abroad opportunities to benefit our social work students. As a result, St. Thomas soon will spearhead two opportunities for social work majors with the University of Botswana and the University of Cape Town in South Africa.
Andy Qualy BSW ’16, MSW ’18
As an bachelor of social work (BSW) student, U.S. Army veteran Andy Qualy called on his passion for ice hockey to help disabled veterans make the transition back to civilian life, founding the Minnesota Warriors hockey team (spring 2016 Perspectives magazine). After earning his BSW, Andy joined the MSW Area of Emphasis in Military Practice scholars program and presented his research,"The Impact of Minnesota Warriors Hockey on Post-Military Service Reintegration: A Pilot Study,"at the 2018 Military Social Work Conference.
Kelsey DiBias, BSW ’19
In the fall of 2018, Kelsey DiBias joined Dr. Katharine Hill’s Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) as a volunteer fellow to help encourage young people to vote. DiBias worked with Hill and CEEP fellow Sofia Leyva throughout the semester to get students registered to vote, and to provide sample ballots, candidate guides and information on how to vote in line with your values. “Turning up to vote, especially as a young person, is critical,” DiBias said. “The political climate could easily be changed if young people showed up to vote for what we believe in.”
Career Paths
- Child welfare and family social work
- Healthcare and medical social work
- Gero-social work (practice with older adults)
- Mental & behavioral health
- Addiction and recovery
- School social work
- Advocacy, community organizing and social administration
- Mental health counseling or therapy (requires master’s degree)
Quick Facts
90+%
Our graduates' average pass rate on the state licensing exam
18+%
higher median earnings can be expected in the Twin Cities metro area than the national average.
(EMSI Q2 2017 data)
Faculty With Real Experience
Katharine Hill, BSW Program Director
Dr. Hill’s current research focuses “voting as social work,” for which she’s received national recognition and numerous grants.
Ande Nesmith, Associate Professor
Dr. Nesmith received a Fulbright grant in 2018 to expand her research on outcomes for adolescents in foster care to the Czech Republic.
Eva Solomonson, BSW Field Director
Eva Solomonson’s practice and research involves serving refugees and immigrants, providing cross-cultural care, and working with trauma.
Field Education: Real-World Experience
Gaining Work Experience
As a BSW, you’ll complete two field placements (internships) while in the program including 200 hours during your junior year and 400 hours during your senior year providing you with the relevant work experience employers and graduate programs are looking for.
Click through tabs to see BSW Field Education experience examples.
School Social Work
Students interested in practice with children and families regularly intern with school social workers in providing counseling and support for students with issues such as grief and loss, friendship, family change, anger and anxiety.
Community Practice
Students interested in systems-level change may intern in a government agency or in community education and organizing, such as the students who worked to pass Minnesota’s minimum wage legislation with the organization, A Minnesota Without Poverty. They raised awareness with a flash mob at the State Capitol titled, Ketchup to the Cost of Living.
Patient Advocate
Social workers in healthcare settings assist patients and their families in navigating their medical care and ensuring their voices are heard within the healthcare team. Interns may perform intake assessments, manage discharge services, educate patients and their families on medical issues, and provide coping support to individuals or groups.
Making Connections
Interns providing case management at St. Thomas’ Interprofessional Center work with vulnerable clients, including those without insurance, seeking asylum and suffering from mental illness. They help clients achieve their goals and increase their quality of life.
The Grounding of the Social Work Profession
Social Justice
Social justice is written into the code of ethics of the profession. View our school’s Social Work for Social Justice Ten Principles.
Liberal Arts
A liberal arts focus on critical inquiry, problem solving and communication skills are essential elements of the social work curriculum. Prerequisites include coursework in sociology, psychology, and human biology.
Applied Research and Continuing Education
Grounded in applied research and continuing education, Social work is not a static discipline. You will participate in continuing education throughout your career to maintain professional licensure.
Make a Difference in Others' Lives
BSW students are prepared for licensure and equipped for generalist social work practice to restore and enhance the social functioning of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; and to promote a more just society. Field education in agency settings is a critical component of your social work education.