Major in Social Work (B.A.)
SOW 200ZIntroduction to Social Work4
SOW 250Social Welfare History3
SOW 304Social Work Practice I3
SOW 305Social Policy Practice4
SOW 313Social Work Practice II3
SOW 327GSocial Perspective, Human Worth, and Social Action3
SOW 330Social Work Field Experience I2
SOW 331Social Work Field Experience II2
SOW 351Methods of Applied Social Research4
SOW 405Social Work Practice III4
SOW 432Social Work Field Instruction I3
SOW 433Social Work Field Instruction II3
SOW 434Social Work Field Instruction III3
SOW 499Senior Integrative Seminar3
BIO 104
& BIO 104D
Human Biology
and Human Biology Lab		4
ECO 200Economics of Public Policy Analysis3
POS 100American Politics and Government3
PSY 100Introduction to Psychology3
PSY 203Lifespan Development3
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology3
Major *63
General Education49-50
Electives9-10
Total Credits122

Students planning on graduate school should choose  or  to satisfy the mathematics (M) course requirement.

Application for Candidacy for the Social Work Program

Candidacy indicates intention to apply for full admission to the program the fall of a student’s junior year. To progress in the program, a student must meet the departmental and Bethel University requirements for academic progress.

  1. At the time of application for candidacy, the student must:
    1. Have second semester sophomore standing;
    2. Be enrolled in or have completed SOW 200Z, with a grade of C or better;
    3. Provide a copy of unofficial transcript that documents a current GPA of 2.25 or greater;
    4. Provide summary of progress toward 50 hours experience in a community agency, school, hospital, or other social service organization;
    5. Sign the Statement of Understanding and Agreement form after thoroughly examining all listed documents, including the Code of Ethics and the Social Work Program Field and Policy Manual;
    6. Examine and agree to adhere to the Standards for Academic and Professional Performance; and
    7. Meet with instructor of SOW 200Z to review and complete Standards for Academic and Professional Performance Checklist. This signed form will be placed in student candidacy file.
  2. The social work department gives written notification to the applicant concerning candidacy status.

Application for Full Admission to the Social Work Program

The following are minimum threshold requirements to be considered for admission into the social work program. Space is limited, however, and not all qualified applicants are guaranteed admission.

  1. At the time of application for full admission, the student must:
    1. Have completed SOW 200Z, with a grade of C or better;
    2. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 at time of admission to the program;
    3. Have his or her candidacy application accepted;
    4. Give evidence of ability to meet Standards for Academic and Professional Performance (critical thinking and decision-making, interpersonal relationship skills, professional values and ethics, communication skills, responsible conduct, professional readiness, and self-awareness.) These standards are consistent with the role and responsibilities of the social work professional (note: a criminal history may preclude one’s ability to become licensed as a social worker upon graduation);
    5. Complete an application for admission to the Social Work Program that includes the following steps:

      1. Document at least 50 hours of experience in a community agency, school, hospital, or other social service organization;

      2. Write admission narratives on five topics addressing your interest in the social work profession;

      3. Complete a self-assessment of your readiness for social work practice;

      4. Provide two letters of reference from qualified individuals to assess applicant’s aptitude to pursue social work as a profession; 

      5. Submit a resume; and

      6. Submit copy of transcript from BLink.

    6. Interview with social work faculty to discuss application and readiness to enter Social Work Program.
  2. The full-time faculty will assess the application. Written notification of decision will be given to the applicant.

Standards for Continuance and Graduation

In order to remain in the program, student must:

  1. Earn a grade of C or better in each social work course (courses with a grade of C- or lower must be repeated);
  2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25;
  3. Demonstrate understanding of the NASW Code of Ethics and a commitment to ethical practice in accordance with this code;
  4. Obtain an evaluation from junior-level (SOW 331) field instructor and faculty liaison confirming that satisfactory progress is evident and the student is ready for senior-level field practice (SOW 432, SOW 433, SOW 434). Application process, field expectations, and standards are detailed in the Social Work Program Field and Policy Manual;
  5. Obtain evaluations during senior-level field practicum (SOW 432, SOW 433, SOW 434) from the field instructor and the faculty liaison confirming that satisfactory progress is being made toward competent, ethical, and professional social work practice. Application process, field expectations, and standards are detailed in the Social Work Program Field and Policy Manual;
  6. Obtain a final (SOW 432, SOW 433, SOW 434) evaluation from the field instructor and the faculty liaison confirming that the student is adequately prepared to graduate as a professional social worker. Application process, field expectations, and standards are detailed in the Social Work Program Field and Policy Manual;
  7. Maintain ongoing evidence of meeting standards of professional conduct and emotional maturity requisite for professional practice as outlined in the Standards for Academic and Professional Performance, which includes: critical thinking and decision-making, interpersonal relationship skills, professional values and ethics, communication skills, responsible conduct, professional readiness, and self-awareness; and
  8. Demonstrate continued development of professional knowledge, values, skills, ethics, and conduct expected of a generalist social work practitioner as presented throughout the Social Work Program.


Note: Students who request to resume their involvement with the Social Work Program after dropping out of the program or withdrawing from Bethel University for any reason must apply for readmission into the program. Issues that led to the decision to drop out (whether voluntary or involuntary) must be addressed prior to being readmitted to the Social Work Program. Being readmitted to Bethel University does not constitute readmission into the Social Work Program.

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B.A. in Social Work 2018-2019: Option 1 - CWILT

First Year
FallCreditsInterimCreditsSpringCredits
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology3GES 160 Inquiry Seminar3POS 100 American Politics and Government3
GES 130 Christianity Western Culture4 SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology3
BIB 101 Introduction to the Bible3 GES 125 Introduction to the Creative Arts4
BIO 104 Human Biology3 GES 140 Introduction to Wellbeing3
BIO 104D Human Biology Lab1  
 14 3 13
Second Year
FallCreditsInterimCreditsSpringCredits
SOW 200Z Introduction to Social Work4THE 201 Christian Theology3ECO 200 Economics of Public Policy Analysis3
PSY 203 Lifespan Development3 SOW 250 Social Welfare History3
Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course 3 Mathematics (M) course 3
Second Language (S) course 4 Leisure and Lifetime Sports (Q) course 1
  Second Language course (as necessary) 3
 14 3 13
Third Year
FallCreditsInterimCreditsSpringCredits
SOW 3301 Social Work Field Experience I2Science, Technology and Society (K) course 3SOW 305 Social Policy Practice4
SOW 304 Social Work Practice I3 SOW 3311 Social Work Field Experience II2
SOW 313 Social Work Practice II3 SOW 327G Social Perspective, Human Worth, and Social Action3
SOW 351 Methods of Applied Social Research4 Interpreting Biblical Themes (J) course 3
World cultures (U) course 3 Elective 4
 15 3 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsInterimCreditsSpringCredits
SOW 405 Social Work Practice III4Interim Off SOW 4332 Social Work Field Instruction II3
SOW 4322 Social Work Field Instruction I3 SOW 4342 Social Work Field Instruction III3
Contemporary Christian Issues (P) course 3 SOW 499 Senior Integrative Seminar3
Cross-cultural Experience (Z0 course 0-3 Artistic Experience (A) course 0-3
Elective 3 Electives 6
 13-16 0 15-18
Total Credits 122-128

All Social Work courses must be taken in sequence.

Students planning on graduate school should choose PSY230M Introduction to Statistical Methods and Experimental Design or MAT207M Statistical Analysis to satisfy the Mathematics (M) course requirement.

BIO 104 /BIO 104D is a required course for Social Work. It may also meet the general education Laboratory Science requirement. 

Students are expected to meet with their financial aid counselor to determine number of required credits for each semester. 

B.A. in Social Work 2018-2019: Option 2 - Humanities

First Year
FallCreditsInterimCreditsSpringCredits
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology3GES 147 Humanities II: Renaissance and Reformation4POS 100 American Politics and Government3
GES 145 Humanities I: Greco-Roman through Middle Ages4 SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology3
BIO 104 Human Biology3 GES 244 Humanities III: European Enlightenment and American Culture to 18774
BIO 104D Human Biology Lab1 GES 140 Introduction to Wellbeing3
BIB 101 Introduction to the Bible3  
 14 4 13
Second Year
FallCreditsInterimCreditsSpringCredits
SOW 200Z Introduction to Social Work4Elective 4ECO 200 Economics of Public Policy Analysis3
PSY 203 Lifespan Development3 SOW 250 Social Welfare History3
GES 246 Humanities IV: Modern and Contemporary Western Culture4 Mathematics (M) course 3
Second Language (S) course1 4 Leisure and Lifetime Sports (Q) course 1
  Electives 4
  Second Language course (as necessary)
 15 4 14
Third Year
FallCreditsInterimCreditsSpringCredits
SOW 3301 Social Work Field Experience I2Science, Technology and Society (K) course 3SOW 305 Social Policy Practice4
SOW 304 Social Work Practice I3 SOW 3311 Social Work Field Experience II2
SOW 313 Social Work Practice II3 SOW 327G Social Perspective, Human Worth, and Social Action3
SOW 351 Methods of Applied Social Research4 Interpreting Biblical themes (J) course 3
World Cultures (U) course 3 Elective 3
 15 3 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsInterimCreditsSpringCredits
SOW 405 Social Work Practice III4Interim Off SOW 4332 Social Work Field Instruction II3
SOW 4322 Social Work Field Instruction I3 SOW 4342 Social Work Field Instruction III3
Contemporary Christian Issues (P) course 3 SOW 499 Senior Integrative Seminar3
Elective 3 Elective 3
Cross-cultural Experience (Z) course 0-3 Artistic Experience (A) course 0-3
 13-16 0 12-15
Total Credits 122-128

All Social Work courses must be taken in sequence.

Students planning on graduate school should choose PSY230M Introduction to Statistical Methods and Experimental Design or MAT207M Statistical Analysis to satisfy the Mathematics (M) course requirement.

BIO 104 /BIO 104D is a required course for Social Work. It may also meet the general education Laboratory Science requirement. 

Students are expected to meet with their financial aid counselor to determine number of required credits for each semester. 

SOW 200Z • Introduction to Social Work 4 Credits.

Overview of social work mission, core values, history, and fields of practice. Understanding dimensions of diversity, cultures, and structures that may oppress and marginalize people groups. Significant cross-cultural, community-based service learning in which students communicate and collaborate with diverse individuals. Consideration of social work as career choice.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; major in social work or consent of instructor. Offered: Fall, spring

SOW 250 • Social Welfare History 3 Credits.

Examines the historical movements of social welfare responses to the poor and oppressed from the colonial period to the present, with emphasis on economic, demographic, cultural, and political forces. Historical documents representing significant turning points in society are presented to gain appreciation of the linkage among past, present, and future reforms.
Offered: Spring.

SOW 304 • Social Work Practice I 3 Credits.

Generalist social work theory and practice with organizations and communities. Application of human behavior in the social environment. Research-based knowledge emphasized. Assignments in community settings focus on engagement and assessment; dimensions of diversity; interaction of social systems; and strategies to promote human and civil rights.
Prerequisites: SOW 200Z; major in Social Work. Offered: Fall.

SOW 305 • Social Policy Practice 4 Credits.

Interrelationship of social problems, social welfare policies, and service delivery from historical, economic, political, and program perspectives. Social systems content applied to social policy analysis. Students develop, analyze, advocate, and provide leadership for policy and service delivery that promote economic and social justice through community-based projects.
Prerequisites: Major in social work. (Non-majors may take course only with consent of instructor.) Offered: Spring

SOW 307Z • Intentional Urban Living I 2 Credits.

Intensive urban learning opportunity involving exploration and analysis of urban community, urban neighborhood social and political structures, and theological issues that arise in an urban context. Involves living in an urban neighborhood in Minneapolis or St. Paul and substantial interaction in the neighborhood.
Offered: Fall.

SOW 308Z • Intentional Urban Living II 2 Credits.

Intensive urban learning opportunity involving exploration and analysis of urban community, urban neighborhood social and political structures, and theological issues that arise in an urban context. Involves living in an urban neighborhood in Minneapolis or St. Paul and substantial interaction in the neighborhood. Involves an individualized research project and/or action project focused on a change initiative.
Offered: Spring.

SOW 313 • Social Work Practice II 3 Credits.

Generalist social work theory and practice with individuals and families. Beginning professional development, critical thinking, effective communication, Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE), ethical and evidenced-based practice is emphasized. Simulated case assignments provide student development of knowledge and skills of social work practice: engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and termination.
Prerequisites: SOW 200Z; major in social work. Offered: Fall

SOW 326 • Restorative Justice 3 Credits.

Examines and analyzes the philosophy and principles of restorative justice, including its historical and theological roots by comparing and contrasting retributive and restorative paradigms. Applications of restorative justice examined from the perspective of victim-offender dialogue and the use of restorative justice principles in offender reintegration.
Prerequisites: SOC 324. Offered: Spring, odd # years.

SOW 327G • Social Perspective, Human Worth, and Social Action 3 Credits.

Examines historical and current societal conditions and their impact on individuals and communities. Culture, power, oppression, exclusion, and the impact of diverse realities in the U.S. are explored. Engages students in a comparative examination through the synthesis of contemporary writings, social theory, and diverse voices. Experiential learning and dialogue promotes deepened understanding, justice seeking strategies, and social action.
Prerequisites: [GES 130; GES 160; Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course; World Cultures (U) course] or [GES 244; World Cultures (U) course]. Offered: Spring

SOW 330 • Social Work Field Experience I 2 Credits.

Provides an introductory field experience in a multi-service community-based agency serving an ethnically diverse population. Students apply and integrate beginning knowledge, values, skills, and ethics for social work practice with an emphasis on developing a professional identity. Weekly on-campus field seminar supports this integration while students work a minimum of 80 hours in a field setting under agency supervision.
Prerequisites: SOW 200Z; consent of instructor; major in Social Work. Corequisites: Must be taken concurrently with SOW 304; SOW 313. Offered: Fall

SOW 331 • Social Work Field Experience II 2 Credits.

Field experience in which students apply and integrate beginning knowledge, values, skills, and ethics for social work practice with an emphasis on diversity, human rights and justice, and professional generalist practice. Weekly on-campus field seminar supports integration while students work a minimum of 100 hours in field setting under agency supervision.
Prerequisites: SOW 304; SOW 313; SOW 330; major in social work; admission to the Social Work Program; admission to the Social Work Field Program. Offered: Spring

SOW 351 • Methods of Applied Social Research 4 Credits.

Social research methods, including an emphasis on becoming proficient and critical consumers of research-based data, for the purposes of knowledge advancement, informed practice, and program and practice effectiveness evaluation.
Prerequisites: SOW 200Z; Mathematics (M) course; introductory course in the social and behavioral sciences. PSY 230M recommended. Offered: Fall.

SOW 405 • Social Work Practice III 4 Credits.

Generalist social work theory applied to integrated practice within client systems. Emphasis is on families and groups and on the planned change process. Student development of a group work project and case study review promote application of critical thinking, research-informed practice and culture competence.
Prerequisites: SOW 200Z; SOW 304; SOW 313; SOW 330; SOW 331; admission to the Social Work program. Offered: Fall.

SOW 431 • Conversations about End of Life 1 Credit.

Development of advance care planning (ACP) facilitation skills in the context of faith, cultural, healthcare system, and societal perspectives. A First Steps ACP Facilitator Certificate is available for students who successfully complete ACP Facilitator requirements.
Prerequisites: Senior standing in nursing or social work, or consent of instructor. Offered: Spring. Special Notes: Carries cross-credit in nursing.

SOW 432 • Social Work Field Instruction I 3 Credits.

Field practicum in a practice setting in which students perform the role of a professional social worker under supervision of a qualified field instructor. Weekly on-campus field seminar, facilitated by social work faculty, supports integration of theory with social work practice. Students work a minimum of 135 hours in field. A structured learning contract provides application of social work knowledge, values, and skills.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor; Admission to the Social Work Program; admission to the Social Work Field Program. Corequisites: Must be taken concurrently with SOW 405. Offered: Fall.

SOW 433 • Social Work Field Instruction II 3 Credits.

A continuation of SOW 432. Time involvement must total a minimum of 135 hours in the field. Satisfactory progress must be made toward competence in professional social work practice.
Prerequisites: SOW 432. Offered: Spring

SOW 434 • Social Work Field Instruction III 3 Credits.

A continuation of SOW 433. Time involvement must total a minimum of 135 hours in the field. Satisfactory progress in SOW 432/433/434 on field assignments, learning contract, and 400 hours of supervised practice indicate student’s readiness to perform the role of a generalist social work practitioner.
Prerequisites: SOW 432. Corequisites: Must be taken concurrently with SOW 433; SOW 499. Offered: Spring

SOW 499 • Senior Integrative Seminar 3 Credits.

Integration of generalist social work knowledge, values, and skills through ethics-based case studies and completion of practice/program evaluation research applied to field practicum setting. Critical thinking, leadership, and scholarship emphasized.
Prerequisites: SOW 405; SOW 432. Corequisites: Must be taken concurrently with SOW 433/434. Offered: Spring

Overview

The Ministry Scholars program is Bethel University's 5-year Bachelor's Degree and Master of Arts in Ministry program that reduces cost and time-to-completion by streamlining undergraduate and graduate education. Graduates receive a Bachelor's degree from Bethel University's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and a Master of Arts in Ministry from Bethel Seminary. This program is well suited for a variety of majors who want to become equipped to lead churches, parachurch organizations, and other ministries. It is also a good fit for ministry-minded students who want to pursue bi-vocational ministry or work outside of professional ministry. Students learn from successful ministry leaders and experts in Biblical and Theological Studies, Spiritual and Personal Formation, and Transformational Leadership. This program offers supplemental training resources, cohort-based activities, and mentorship opportunities to prepare ministry-minded students for effective ministry leadership. Students also gain valuable field experience in local churches and ministry settings.

The objectives of the program are that graduates will demonstrate age-appropriate growth and ultimately ministry leadership preparedness in the following domains:

  1. Spiritual life: Students will grow spiritually, deepening their love for, commitment to, and dependence on God, and develop an instinct to trust in God and to connect intimately with God.
  2. Discernment of call: They will clarify and reaffirm their sense of calling to glorify God, to work in Christ’s church and to serve humanity sacrificially.
  3. Emotional maturity: They will become emotionally mature adults, possessing the ability to sense and manage emotions, to see others’ perspectives, to sympathize and empathize, to follow and lead as appropriate and to foster healthy relationships.
  4. Cultural competence: They will become culturally aware, gaining a perspective that all cultures possess strengths and vulnerabilities, an ability to work across cultural lines and an appreciation that diverse teams are stronger teams.
  5. Bible knowledge: They will gain a clear understanding of the Bible’s content and a deep and abiding passion for the truth of the Gospel.
  6. Spiritual wisdom: They will grow in wisdom, possessing a capacity to apply the Bible so that others are inspired by their teaching and preaching to live out biblical truth and experience human flourishing.
  7. Intellectual virtues: They will develop virtues such as critical thinking, respect for data, intellectual humility, and thirst for learning, combined with the skill to interpret and teach the Bible accurately.
  8. Leadership capacity: They will learn to follow leaders and to lead followers—enlisting people, building teams, leading change and achieving results.
  9. Godly character: They will become virtuous people—individuals who love others, speak truth, live humbly, sacrifice their own interests, live justly, express joy and show compassion.

What is Bethel looking for in a Ministry Scholar?

  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA (cumulative college grade point average or unweighted high school GPA if the student has less than one year of college experience), and maintenance of 3.0 minimum GPA throughout the duration of the Ministry Scholars program while enrolled at CAS and Seminary.

  • Able to provide a pastoral or ministry leader reference that speaks to the student’s character and call to ministry.

  • Committed to prioritizing activities and retreats offered for Ministry Scholars, enabling the individual to develop a strong sense of community.

Click here for more information on the Ministry Scholars program at Bethel University

College of Arts Sciences