Social Work

About the Bachelor's Degree

Southwest Minnesota State University’s Social Work Program offers a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) for beginning generalist social work practice. A Bachelor of Social Work education combines liberal arts with a professional social work foundation to prepare students to work effectively with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations.

Mission Statement

The Southwest Minnesota State University Social Work Program's educational experience prepares professional liberal arts graduates to uphold social work values and ethics, to serve, honor, and empower the voices of diverse populations, and to promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice in a continually changing world.

Legal Regulation for Baccalaureate Social Workers

Through licensure, the State of Minnesota legally regulates baccalaureate social workers, requires minimum competency to protect the public, and regulates the use of the social work title and practice. Students who graduate from an accredited, undergraduate social work program, such as Southwest’s, are eligible to apply to take the social work licensure exam.

Accreditation

SMSU's Baccalaureate Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education's Board of Accreditation.

Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master's social work program by the Council on Social Work Education's Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds the criteria for assessing program quality through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance of the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from it.

Majors & Minors

Undergraduate Programs

• New - Bachelor of Science: Social Work Online Degree
  
  
• Bachelor of Science: Social Work Degree
  
  
• Minor: Human Services

Graduate Programs

• Coming Soon - Master of Science: Social Work Online Degree* 

Clubs & Organizations

• Student Social Work Association
  
  
• Find us on Facebook!

Social Work Faculty

Activities

Co-curricular activities are available, including the Student Social Work Association (SSWA), which sponsors speakers, field trips, social service projects and other activities. SSWA is a student organization based on the principles and practices of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the professional organization of social work practitioners. Students are encouraged to join NASW as student members early in their academic careers. The acclaimed Global Studies Program and other special projects provide additional opportunities for social work majors.

Facilities

Students will have access to both email and the internet via SMSU’s wi-fi system and computer labs. The online computer system is available for library research.

Preparation

The professional social worker must have a sound background in social sciences, including sociology, psychology, political science, economics, cultural studies, and history, as well as mathematics and biological sciences. BSW graduates are trained in assessment, interviewing, service planning, case management, crisis intervention, problem solving, program evaluation, community outreach, advocacy, and research.

Master of Social Work

SMSU to Launch Master of Social Work in 2027*

Southwest Minnesota State University is expanding its long-standing tradition in social work education with the launch of a new Master of Social Work (MSW) program, designed to meet rising needs for licensed mental health and social work professionals both in Minnesota and around the country. Building on the continued growth of SMSU’s accredited undergraduate Social Work program, the MSW will offer advanced training with clinical and leadership concentrations, preparing graduates to address critical workforce shortages. The program will be fully online to meet the needs of today’s professionals looking to grow their skills and credentials. The program will offer a Traditional Standing option for students with a bachelor’s degree in anything other than social work and an Advanced Standing option for students who have completed their undergraduate degree in a CSWE-accredited social work program. The SMSU Social Work program is seeking accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and does not have a status at this time. The program expects to begin the accreditation process in the spring of 2026. Questions can be sent to: OnlineLearning@SMSU.edu.

*Expected launch date is fall 2027, pending accreditation from CSWE.

Contact Information

Social Work Program - Office

CH 129, Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State St.
Marshall, MN 56258

• Telephone: (507) 537-6224
• Email: SocialScience@SMSU.edu

Internships

A field practicum is an integral component of the BSW curriculum. BSW students must have a minimum of 440 supervised hours of field experience in a social service agency. Through their field practicum, BSW students refine their professional social work skills and integrate classroom course content with on-the-job experience in service provision, outreach, networking, and resource development.