Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Social Work is proud to offer students the opportunity to pursue a first or second bachelor of science degree in Social Work or to earn an interdisciplinary minor in Gerontology or Substance Use and Addictions with an option to seek licensure through the Addiction Counselor Training Program.

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

The Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.) program has a history dating back to 1905 when social work courses were first offered at UND and the B.S.W. degree formally being offered beginning in 1939. The program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974, when undergraduate accreditation first began.

Social work stands apart from other social science degrees in that North Dakota licenses social workers at the bachelor's level, and only those who hold social work degrees can call themselves social workers. Social workers practice on the micro, mezzo, and macro planes to understand and intervene in individual-level and societal-level problems. Social work job opportunities are available at both the bachelor's and master's levels.

The University of North Dakota’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program provides accessible, affordable, and a high-quality undergraduate education that prepares competent and ethical generalist practitioners who embody professional social work values and serve as effective change agents in their communities in North Dakota, the region, and beyond.

B.S.S.W. Goals

• Build upon students’ liberal arts foundation to provide the knowledge, values, skills and cognitive and affective processes necessary for competent social work generalist practice.
• Prepare generalist social workers who are committed to the ethics and values of the profession.
• Prepare students for service and leadership within the community and the social work profession.
• Prepare culturally responsive generalist social workers to practice in the state, region and nation with an emphasis on rural communities.
• Develop a dedication to critical inquiry and a commitment to lifelong learning.

On Campus or Online - First or Second Degree

Freshmen or transfer students can pursue a traditional 4-year degree on campus or online. Students with a bachelor's degree in a related field can purse a B.S.S.W. in as little as one year on campus or online.

The application process is competitive. All factors including grade point average, strength of written materials, and volunteer experience will be given consideration in decision surrounding admission.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

B.S.S.W. Application Deadlines

Admitted UND students can apply to the social work degree program after meeting the admission criteria.

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

*priority deadline

B.S.S.W. Program Admission Criteria

• Completion of SWK 255 Introduction to Social Work and SWK 257 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I with a grade of C or higher.
• Overall GPA of at least 2.75 (includes all transfer work).
• Willingness to adhere to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and the UND Code of Student Life.
• Completion of 45 semester hours of coursework at the end of the term in which the application is submitted.

How to Apply to B.S.S.W. Program

B.S.S.W. Mission Statement

The University of North Dakota’s Bachelor of Social Work Program provides accessible, affordable, and high-quality undergraduate education that engages students in scholarly inquiry, preparing them for more advanced studies and for generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities both locally and globally.

Rooted in scientific inquiry, the liberal arts, the person-in-environment framework, and the strengths perspective, UND’s B.S.S.W. Program prepares students to:

• Serve ethically and competently as effective and adaptive leaders in their communities as they strive to enhance the quality of life for all persons.
• Promote human rights, social, economic and environmental justice.
• Honor human diversity.
• Eliminate poverty and the mechanisms of discrimination and oppression.
• Uphold the dignity and worth of all persons.