Master of Social Work (MSW)
Centered around the advancement of human rights, Bethel’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program seeks to promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and empower graduates to work toward systemic change, impacting the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. With a strong clinical focus, students learn advanced clinical skills through a justice-informed and rights-based lens, equipping them with the unique clinical skillset to have a profound impact on the communities they will serve. The natural intersection of faith and justice is emphasized, as students consider the integration of theologies of justice with their learning and professional clinical practice experience. The program is academically rigorous and research-based, with opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research for publication and presentation both locally and nationally. Additionally, the MSW program fulfills the requirements necessary for graduates to sit for the state clinical licensure exam and obtain professional clinical social work credentials. The justice-informed clinical content required to sit for the ASWB exam is covered in year two of the program and meets the Minnesota Board of Social Work's requirements for the six clinical content areas outlined on the Minnesota Board of Social Work's website https://mn.gov/boards/social-work/licensees/.
Accreditation
Bethel University's MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). For more information about social work accreditation, visit the CSWE website. Or contact accreditation.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate Justice-informed ethical and professional social work practice.
- Advance human rights, social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in justice-informed practice.
- Engage in Justice-informed research and research-informed just practice.
- Engage in justice-informed policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through justice-informed practice.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through justice-informed practice.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through justice-informed practice.
- Evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through justice-informed practice.
MSW: Full Program
The justice-informed MSW Full Program option is for students who have completed undergraduate or graduate degrees in fields other than social work. The MSW full program option is 56-credits and can be completed in 21 months. Students will complete 900 hours in a field placement in order to meet graduation requirements. Employment-based field placements may be considered to meet the learning objectives for the field program.
MSW: Advanced Standing
The justice-informed MSW Advanced Standing Program option is for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in social work (BSW) from a CSWE -accredited institution within the past seven years. The 36-credit option can be completed in 12 months. Students will complete 500 hours in a field placement in order to meet graduation requirements. Employment-based field placements may be considered to meet the learning objectives for the field program.
Courses
SOWK 579PT • Portfolio in Social Work 0.5-6 Credits
Portfolio course of preselected topics within an existing course in the field of Social Work.
Special Notes: Portfolio courses are created upon request with permission by an overseeing Program Director.
SOWK 600 • Human Behavior in the Social Environment 4 Credits
Analysis of individuals, families and groups utilizing systems theory, learning theories and psychosocial frameworks as part of the human behavior in the social environment perspective. Appraisal of important lifespan milestones and the influence of social environment on human development. Application of information and theories consistent with social work values and the promotion of social and economic justice.
$15 SWEAP FCAI (pre) fee.
SOWK 605 • Professional Practice with Individuals and Families 4 Credits
Introduction to generalist social work practice with individuals and families. Understanding of the theoretical framework of the phases of social work practice including engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, and termination. Emphasis placed on anti-racist, evidence-based intervention skills in the areas of rapport building, interviewing, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. Practicing of social work skills related to the use of the professional self in relationships with clients.
$50 professional training fee.
SOWK 610 • Policy Practice and Social Change 4 Credits
Exploration of how social welfare history informs the development of social workers’ skills in contemporary society. Exploration of the ways the developing American societal culture, structure and values contributed to oppression and marginalization. Identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the American welfare state. Analysis of the major social policies and programs that exist. Development of the skills of policy analysis, formulation and advocacy. Identification of social policy positions of diverse religious traditions.
$15 SWEAP post-FCAI fee.
SOWK 615 • Field Seminar I 2 Credits
Introduction to the field experience in community-based practice setting. Integration of beginning knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical social work practice with an emphasis on the development of professional identity under supervision of a qualified field instructor.
SWEAP FPPAI fee: $25. Special Notes: Students must also purchase Tevera software for all field tracking.
SOWK 620 • Field Seminar II 2 Credits
Continuation of the field experience in a community-based practice setting. Application and integration of developing knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical generalist social work practice with an emphasis on diversity, human rights and justice under supervision of a qualified field instructor.
Prerequisites: SOWK 615. $25 SWEAP FPPAI professional assessment fee.
SOWK 630 • Professional Practice with Groups, Communities, & Organizations 4 Credits
Explanation of how diversity shapes the human experience in the context of organizations, groups and communities. Analysis of the extent to which sociocultural structures create privilege and power. Application of theoretical models incorporating social justice practices in macro practice. Application of practices reducing oppressive structural barriers. Application of multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks. Investigation of the issues, problems, needs, resources in macro practice. Interpretation of organizational and community data to inform effective evidence informed intervention strategies.
$50 Professional training fee.
SOWK 703 • Introduction to Advanced Justice-Informed Social Work Practice 2 Credits
An exploration of key critical and philosophical theories of justice and application to advanced social work practice. Special attention is given to concepts of human rights and autonomy, anti-oppressive and distributive justice frameworks, and social justice as an ethic of social work practice.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 630, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620. Special Notes: Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course. Total fees: $115 ($100 Diversity training fee, $15 SWEAP FCAI fee).
SOWK 707 • Justice-Informed Clinical Intervention and Mental Health Diagnosis 4 Credits
Development of justice-informed assessment and diagnostic skills and clinical applications based on the DSM IV-TR. Formulate working engagement, assessment and intervention skills necessary for diagnosing clusters of mental health symptoms using recovery-oriented, evidence-based practices. Examination of clinical work through case consultation, review, and presentation.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630. Special Notes: Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course. Total fees: $150 ($100 diversity training fee, $50 Professional training fee).
SOWK 709 • Justice-Informed Clinical Practice in Response to Crisis, Trauma, and Marginalization 4 Credits
Investigate the nature of trauma/crisis, differential diagnosis, current practice trends and related theories and interventions associated with conceptualizing trauma-informed practice.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630. Special Notes: Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course. $150 professional and diversity training fee.
SOWK 713 • Researching Evidence-Based Models for Practice Intervention 4 Credits
Examination of diverse scholarship and literature related to evidenced-based models for practice interventions with a justice-informed perspective. Development of systematic review of literature to advance justice-informed social work practice and prepare for professional presentation.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630. Special Notes: Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course.
SOWK 717 • Theodicy, Theologies of Liberation, and Social Work Praxis 4 Credits
An exploration of theodicy and diverse theologies of liberation at the intersections of trauma, suffering, and professional clinical practice. Delve into questions of human suffering, Divine justice, and personal responsibility. Uncover connections between socio-economic factors and emerging liberation theologies. Recognize unique theological approaches of marginalized groups. Develop active listening skills for intergroup dialogue. Gain key insights for competent practice across diverse contexts.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630. Special Notes: Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course.
SOWK 725 • Advanced Field Seminar III 2 Credits
Continuation of the field experience in a community-based practice setting. Application and integration of advanced justice-informed knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical generalist social work practice with an emphasis diversity, human rights, and justice under supervision of a qualified field instructor.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630. Special Notes: Students in the Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course. SWEAP FPPAI professional assessment fee: $25; advanced standing students must also purchase Tevera software for all field tracking.
SOWK 733 • Advanced Social Policy, Community Health, and Environmental Justice 4 Credits
Evaluation of a critical, decolonizing, anti-oppressive and ecological framework in social work practice. Analysis of complex ethical issues facing local and global communities from an environmental and community health perspective. Identification of key issues about health, social determinants for health, and disparities in health across marginalized communities. Analysis of connections among social disparities, faith perspectives, power, health and ethics related to assumptions and actions in social work practice.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630. Special Notes: Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course.
SOWK 735 • Advanced Field Seminar IV 2 Credits
Continuation of the field experience in a community-based practice setting. Application and integration of advanced, justice-informed knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical generalist social work practice with an emphasis on diversity, human rights, and justice, under the supervision of a qualified field instructor. Students practice a minimum of 250 hours in field.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630, SOWK 725. Special Notes: Students in the Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course, with the exception of SOWK 725. Total fees: $75 ($25 SWEAP FPPAI professional assessment fee, $50 professional training fee).
SOWK 737 • Advanced Clinical Practice and Evidence-Based Interventions 4 Credits
Assessment of diverse factors when making ethical, justice-informed practice decisions to attend to complex personal and systemic injustice factors which impact well-being. Application of evidenced-based, justice-informed social work theories and modalities including Psychodynamic therapies, CBT, MI, SFT. Consideration of psychopharmacological implications in clinical practice. Development of advanced engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation skills with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations with application of justice promoting practices.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630. Special Notes: Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course.
SOWK 743 • Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Supervision 2 Credits
Exploration of diverse models and methods of social work supervision. Applying antiracism and inclusiveness through critical reflection and consciousness.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630. Special Notes: Advanced Standing MSW program have already met the prerequisite requirements for this course.
SOWK 760 • Directed Study 1-6 Credits
Directed study experience under the guidance of a faculty member.
Repeatable course: This course may be repeated with different learning objectives for credit.
SOWK 791 • Capstone Integrative Seminar 4 Credits
Integration of research and professional presentation skills to demonstrate readiness to practice professional, justice-informed social work practice at an advanced level. Preparation for professional licensure exam. Reflective integration of faith, social work practice and justice.
Prerequisites: SOWK 600, SOWK 605, SOWK 610, SOWK 615, SOWK 620, SOWK 630, SOWK 703, SOWK 707, SOWK 709, SOWK 713, SOWK 717, SOWK 725, SOWK 733, SOWK 735, SOWK 737, SOWK 743. Can be taken concurrently. Total fees: $120 (Capstone Research fee: $60, ASWB practice exam fee: $30, SWEAP post-FCAI fee: $15, SWEAP exit fee: $15).