Overview

The Social Work Program at Bethel University prepares students for professional generalist social work practice, equipping them to be advocates of hope and change. Students learn to practice in a diverse world through scholarship, service, justice, and leadership within the context of a Christian liberal arts learning community.

• Students will demonstrate a commitment to critical thinking, ethical social work practice, scientific inquiry, and lifelong learning.
• Students will acquire social work knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes that promote the well-being of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
• Students will integrate a faith and justice perspective that upholds the dignity and worth of all persons.
• Students will develop leadership abilities that promote human rights in a local and global context.

Accreditation

Bethel’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates are eligible to be licensed as social workers. While preparation for generalist-level professional practice is the program’s primary objective, academically qualified graduates are prepared to pursue graduate-level social work education. The students from Bethel’s social work program are eligible for advanced standing admission to CSWE-accredited graduate schools. The 64-credit major includes classroom and field courses, and select social, and behavioral science foundational support courses.

Program Outcomes

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior Reflecting a Justice Informed Perspective
2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic and Environmental Justice
3. Engage in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Practice
4. Engage Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
5. Engage in Policy Practice that is Justice Informed
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities

Progression and Graduation Requirements

To progress in the social work program and meet graduation requirements, students must meet set standards at various checkpoints throughout the program as laid out in the Social Work Policy Manual and Student Handbook.

Students must maintain a minimum 2.25 GPA in all required Social Work major courses.

Admission Requirements

The social work major will consider applicants who:

• Meet the general requirements for admission to the College of Adult & Professional Studies.
• Have a combined cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale on previous academic work.
• Have a transcript evaluation completed to determine which, if any, outstanding course requirements or needed credits must be fulfilled.

Students who have not achieved the minimum GPA, grade standards, or other assessment criteria may still apply to be considered for provisional acceptance. See Admission Categories.

Degree Requirements

B.A. in Social Work

The required curriculum for the social work major comprises a 64 semester credit sequence of courses to be taken consecutively throughout the calendar year. 

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Course must be taken for credit at Bethel.