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 Chemical Dependency 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
Freshman 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.
Application Deadlines
- Fall:
- Mar. 15* | June 15
- Spring:
- Oct. 15
Admitted UND students can apply to the social work degree program after meeting admission criteria.
*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
Sample Curriculum Plans
Classes will typically be offered weeknights from 6:00-8:30pm CST
Fall Admission Course Schedule
First Fall
- SWK 255 Intro to Social Work (4 credits)
- SWK 257 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 credits)
First Spring (**Pending Admission**)
- SWK 317 Social Work Research Methods (3 credits)
- SWK 357 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 credits)
First Summer
- SWK 424 Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3 credits)
- SWK 434 Generalist Social Work Practice with Task and Treatment Groups (3 credits)
- NOTE: 4-day campus visit required during the summer; room and board not included in tuition.
Second Fall
- SWK 442 Social Policy (3 credits)
- SWK 454 Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (3 credits)
- Social Work Elective (2 credits)—will require some Wednesday evenings
Second Spring
- SWK 481 Field Instruction I (5 credits), SWK 482 Field Instruction Seminar I (1 credit)
- SWK 483 Field Instruction II (5 credits), SWK 484 Field Instruction Seminar II (1 credit)
- Note: this is a 40-hour a week field placement. It can be taken part time over two semesters.
Classes will typically be offered weeknights from 6:00-8:30pm CST
Spring Admission Course Schedule
First Spring
- SWK 255 Intro to Social Work (4 credits)
- SWK 257 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 credits)
First Fall (**Pending Admission**)
- SWK 317 Social Work Research Methods (3 credits)
- SWK 357 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 credits)
Second Spring
- SWK 442 Social Policy (3 credits)
- SWK 454 Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (3 credits)
- Social Work Elective (2 credits)—will require some Wednesday evenings
First Summer
- SWK 424 Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3 credits)
- SWK 434 Generalist Social Work Practice with Task and Treatment Groups (3 credits)
- Note: 4-day campus visit required during the summer; room and board not included in tuition.
Second Fall
- SWK 481 Field Instruction I (5 credits), SWK 482 Field Instruction Seminar I (1 credit)
- SWK 483 Field Instruction II (5 credits), SWK 484 Field Instruction Seminar II (1 credit)
- Note: this is a 40-hour a week field placement. It can be taken part time over two semesters.
Classes will typically be offered weeknights from 6:00-8:30pm CST
Summer Admission Course Schedule
First Summer
- SWK 255 Intro to Social Work (4 credits)
- SWK 257 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 credits)
First Fall (**Pending Admission)
- SWK 317 Social Work Research Methods (3 credits)
- SWK 357 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 credits)
First Spring
- SWK 442 Social Policy (3 credits)
- SWK 454 Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (3 credits)
- Social Work Elective (2 credits)
Second Summer
- SWK 424 Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3 credits)
- SWK 434 Generalist Social Work Practice with Task and Treatment Groups (3 credits)
- Note: 4-day campus visit required during the summer; room and board not included in tuition
Second Fall
- SWK 481 Field Instruction I (5 credits), SWK 482 Field Instruction Seminar I (1 credit)
- SWK 483 Field Instruction II (5 credits), SWK 484 Field Instruction Seminar II (1 credit)
- Note: this is a 40-hour a week field placement. It can be taken part time over two semesters.
Sample of a Full-Time Second Degree Schedule for B.S.S.W. (39 hours) - Campus Option Only*
Fall
- SWK 255 Introduction to Social Work (4 credits)
- SWK 257 HBSE I (3 credits)
- SWK 317 Social Work Research (3 credits)
- SWK 424 Generalist SWK Individuals and Families (3 credits)
- SWK Elective (2 credits)
- Total: 15 credit hours
Spring
- SWK 357 HBSE II (3 credits)
- SWK 434 Generalist SWK Task and Treatment Groups (3 credits)
- SWK 442 Social Policy (3 credits)
- SWK 454 Generalist SWK Communities and Organizations (3 credits)
- Total: 12 credit hours
Summer
- SWK 481 Field Instruction I (5 credits)
- SWK 482 Field Instruction Seminar I (1 credit)
- SWK 483 Field Instruction II (5 credits)
- SWK 484 Field Instruction Seminar II (1 credit)
- Total: 12 credit hours
*Students needing to fulfill the University of North Dakota's Essential Studies requirements may require a longer period to complete the Second Degree Program.
*Students may also enroll in the Second Degree Program on a part-time basis.
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.