Social Work Bachelor of Science | COLLEGE FOR ADULTS About the program Do you have a passion for working with people and advancing social justice? Are you interested in preparing for one of the nation’s fastest growing careers? Consider a bachelor’s degree in social work. You’ll gain the skills and experience to empower and improve the lives of individuals, groups and families.
What can I do with a degree in Social Work? Social work is a licensed profession in which you may work, at many levels, to make our world a better place. You might work with individuals and families to meet their immediate needs. You may work with groups and organizations to build stronger communities. Or, as an advocate for regional, national, and global policies to advance human dignity and the common good. As a generalist social worker, you will be prepared for careers in: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Child, family and school social work Social work within hospitals and clinics Community organizing Work within social action organizations Gerontological social work Hospice and palliative care Justice and corrections Community mental health case management Social services administration Work with military, veterans, and their families Chemical dependency and substance abuse Crisis intervention
Social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States. The profession is expected to grow 16% between 2016 and 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2022, according to the BLS, the median annual earnings for social workers was $61,420.
What will I study? You will gain real-world work experience through 600 hours of fieldwork and graduate prepared to take the licensure exam required to practice social work in Minnesota.
In addition to prerequisite courses in psychology, sociology and biology, you’ll take social work coursework to develop knowledge and skills in: • • • • • • •
Social welfare policy and advocacy Community outreach Communication and interviewing skills Case management and basic counseling Social work research Group work Strengths-based intervention and support for individuals, families and communities
Graduate study: MSW program After completing your bachelor’s degree, consider pursuing the St. Kate’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Social work majors will follow an “advanced standing” track in the graduate degree.
Class scheduling / time to completion Major courses meet in an online, asynchronous format. In-person fieldwork requirements may be completed close to where you live or work. Remaining courses for the bachelor’s degree are available online with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous meetings. The Social Work major may be completed in 24 months. You may take longer to complete liberal arts and elective courses.
Admission process The social work program requires students to be formally admitted to the major. This process takes place in February of the junior year. Prospective majors must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 and must be interviewed by the Social Work faculty.
Program accreditation St. Kate’s bachelor’s and master’s programs in social work are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation. Learn more about our accreditation and assessment data.
Your program of study Major courses • SOWK 2810: Introduction to Social Work (4 credits) • SOWK 3400: Human Behavior and the Social Environment (4 credits) • SOWK 3550: Communication and Interviewing Skills (4 credits) • SOWK 3780: Junior Fieldwork in Social Work (4 credits) • SOWK 3800W: Social Work Research* (4 credits) • SOWK 3850: Group Work Skills (4 credits) • SOWK 3910: Social Policy for Social Change (4 credits) • SOWK 4010: Generalist Practice I: Small Client Systems (4 credits) • SOWK 4020: Generalist Practice II: Large Client Systems (4 credits) • SOWK 4050/4060: Senior Fieldwork in Social Work (8 credits) Supporting courses • BIOL 1120: Biology of Women (4 credits) • PSYC 1001: General Psychology (4 credits) • PSYC 2025: Lifespan Developmental Psych. (4 credits) • SOCI 1000: Principles and Concepts of Sociology (4 credits) Fieldwork experiences Through fieldwork experiences, you will gain hands-on, practical learning in social work agencies in the Twin Cities area. In your junior year, you will spend 200 hours in the field for the semester. In your senior year, you will spend 400 hours in the field for the year. Electives Take additional courses, as needed, to accumulate a minimum of 120 semester credits required for your bachelor’s degree. Recommended electives include: • WOST 2910: The Anatomy of Violence (4 credits) • CDC 3000 Chemical Dependency Assessment and Intervention (4 credits) • CDC 3050 Chemical Dependency: Families and Cultural Diversity (4 credits)
Core liberal arts courses • CORE 1000W: The Reflective Woman: The Reflective Practitioner (4 credits) • CORE 3990W: Global Search for Justice (4 credits) • Behavioral and Social Sciences: choose one from communication studies, economics, political science, psychology or sociology (except ECON 1080, 1090, or PSYC 1090) • Mathematics or Logical Reasoning: choose one from ECON 1080, ECON 1090, HLTH 1090, PSYC 1090, PHIL 2150, STAT 1089, STAT 1090, or any four-credit MATH course numbered 1000 or higher, except MATH 2500 and MATH 2510 • Natural Sciences: choose one course with a laboratory and/or field component in biology, chemistry, or physics • Arts and Humanities: choose two courses from different disciplines: philosophy (except PHIL 2150), literature, history, foreign language, studio art, art history, creative writing, classics. • Theology: choose one 1000 or any 2000-level theology course (except 2994 Topics) CORE course exemptions Students seeking a B.A., B.S. or B.S.N. degree who have completed a previous bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to enrollment at St. Catherine University are exempt from the LIFE core curriculum requirement. Students seeking a B.A., B.S. or B.S.N. degree who have completed an A.A. degree from a regionally accredited institution or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum can satisfy the LIFE core curriculum requirement by taking CORE 3990).
Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Sciences
Next steps:
Social Work is a major in the University’s Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Sciences, offering certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs through St. Kate’s College for Adults, College for Women and Graduate College.
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The information in this document applies to students entering the College for Adults in Fall 2023 or later. Provisions of this document are subject to change at any time. Consult the St. Catherine University Undergraduate Academic Catalog for official requirements.