Bachelor's in Social Work
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
Four-Year Plan
Degrees Awarded
Accelerate Your Path to a Master’s Degree
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
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
Accelerate Your Path to a Master’s Degree
Accelerate Your Path to a Master’s Degree
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

Andy Qualy BSW ’16, MSW ’18

Kelsey DiBias, BSW ’19

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
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
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
Applied Research and Continuing Education

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.