Frequently Asked Questions: MSU Social Work Program
Q: Can I get an MSW through MSU?
A: No - MSU only offers a BSW (4 year CSWE accredited Bachelor’s Degree Program)
Q: Is the program offered online?
A: Yes – the BSW degree is offered as an online program option.
Q: Where can I take MSU Social Work classes in person (face to face modality)?
A: MSU has three program option locations: Minot, Bismarck, and Fargo.
The Fargo program is a dual degree program (Human Development & Family Sciences/Social Work). You must be admitted and enrolled at both NDSU and MSU to complete this program. Courses are completed on the NDSU campus and there is no requirement to travel to Minot to complete classes.
Bismarck students transfer from BSC into MSU with a two year Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree and complete the face to face courses (through MSU) on the BSC campus. There is no requirement to travel to Minot to complete classes.
Q: How long will it take me to go through the program?
A: It typically takes four years to get a BSW degree and this is inclusive of general education classes. Most students take a course load of 15 credits each semester. If you are transferring in an Associate of Arts or Science degree it will take you approximately two years to complete the BSW.
Q: Are summer courses offered?
A: Some program requirements may be taken in the summer if the department providing them offers a summer course section. Summer course availability varies and students need to work with their advisors to establish summer schedules.
Q: When is the admission application due?
A: The Social Work program admission application is typically submitted through either the (MSU) SWK 250 course or the SWK 330 course. Transfer students need to submit a Minot State University Admissions application first before the program application is provided. After admission to MSU, transfer students are assigned to an advisor. The advisor will provide information and guidance regarding the program application.
Q: Do I need to do a 25 hour volunteer requirement pre-admission?
A: Yes -This admission requirement is embedded in the SWK 250 interpersonal skills course. It is completed concurrently with this course that is a prerequisite program requirement.
Q: Do I need to submit a background check prior to program admission?
A: Yes – The MSU Social Work program requires background checks through BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) for ND residents and a Castlebranch background check for out of state residents and/or international residents.
Q: What are the course prerequisites for program admission?
A: The following courses need to be successfully completed when you apply for the program.
- ENGL 110 & ENGL 120 (Composition I & II)
- COMM 110 (Fundamentals of Communication)
- MATH 210 (Elementary Statistics) or PSYC 241 (Statistics)
- PHIL 210 (Ethics) or PHIL 215 (Contemporary Moral Issues)
- PSYC 111 (Introduction to Psychology)
- SOC 110 (Introduction to Sociology)
- POLS 115 (American Government)
- SWK 256 (Development of Social Welfare)
- SWK 250 (Interpersonal Skills) (Includes 25 Hour Volunteer Experience)
Q: What are the GPA Requirements for program admission?
A: Social Work GPA of 3.0 and a cumulative GPA of 2.5. The SWK GPA is calculated based on SWK 250, 256, and any other SWK courses that have been taken prior to program admission.
Q: What are the credit requirements for program admission?
A: 32 credits or sophomore standing
Q: Can I get academic credit for previous life experience/internships or volunteer hours?
A: No – We do not give credit for previous experience.
Q: Can I take any Social Work classes before I am admitted to the program?
A: Yes! The following courses may be taken prior to admission:
- SWK 101 Human Trafficking Awareness
- SWK 225 Self-Care for the Helping Professions
- SWK 250 Interpersonal Skills
- SWK 256 Development of Social Welfare
- SWK 330 Human Behavior & the Social Environment
- SWK 331 Family Dynamics
- SWK 340 Social Welfare Policy
- SWK 402 Native American Children & Adolescents
- SWK 428 Crisis Intervention
- SWK 430 Diversity, Oppression & Social Change
Q: How many field education hours do I need to complete for the BSW degree?
A: The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires a 400 hour field experience. This is completed in SWK 490 Field Education offered in the final Spring Semester. All CSWE accredited Social Work programs require students to complete 400 hours.
Q: Can I complete field hours outside of North Dakota?
A: Yes – we allow students to complete field education in other states as long as the agency hosting the student has the ability to meet the requirements of the field education course.
Q: Does the MSU Social Work program assign me a field placement?
A: No – All students in the MSU Social Work program find their own field placements with minimal assistance from the Social Work program.
Q: Am I able to complete the 400 hour field experience at my current place of employment?
A: Maybe. The placement must guarantee the student will complete the 400 hours outside of their current role at the agency. This means you must cross-train in a different role than your job title.
Q: Am I allowed to have a paid Social Work field placement?
A: Yes – you are allowed to be paid while you are in a field placement. This is up to the agency and is not the norm. MSU does not provide a list of agencies that offer paid field placements.
Q: Am I required to have a field instructor that is a Social Worker at my field agency?
A: No – The Social Work program encourages students to follow a licensed Social Worker as a field instructor. If you have a field instructor from a discipline outside of Social Work you will be required to register for SWK 492 Field Supervision – a one credit class.
