Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Social Work is proud to offer students the opportunity to purse a first or second bachelor of science degree in Social Work or to earn an interdisciplinary minor 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 B.S.S.W. Program provides students with knowledge, values, and skills for generalist social work, with an emphasis on culturally responsive practice in rural communities.

Program Goals

  • Build upon students' liberal arts foundation to provide the knowledge, values and skills necessary for competent social work generalist practice.
  • Prepare students for culturally responsive practice in rural communities.
  • Prepare students for service and leadership within the community and the social work profession.
  • Prepare students for continued professional development opportunities.

On Campus or Online - First or Second Degree

Students interested in pursuing a social work education have options! 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.

Students meet initially with the Director of the B.S.S.W. Program, who will work with the student to create a plan of study that meets the student's objectives. Students are then assigned an advisor, who will work with the student throughout the remainder of their career at the University of North Dakota. 

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

  • SWK 255 - Introduction to Social Work - 4 Credits
  • SWK 257 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I - 3 Credits
  • SWK 317 - Social Work Research - 3 Credits
  • SWK 357 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II - 3 Credits
  • SWK 424 - Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals & Families - 3 Credits
  • SWK 434 - Generalist Social Work Practice with Task & Treatment Groups - 3 Credits
  • SWK 442 - Social Policy - 3 Credits
  • SWK 454 - Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations - 3 Credits
  • 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
  • SWK elective - 2-3 Credits
  • Psyc 111 - Introduction to Psychology  - 3 Credits
  • Soc 110 - Introduction to Sociology - 3 Credits
  • Pols 115 - American Government I - 3 Credits
  • Advanced Social Sciences Courses - 15 Credits
  • Statistics - 3 Credits
  • Global Diversity or United States Diversity (Cannot double count for Essential Studies Requirements) - 6 Credits

Sample Curriculum Plans

B.S.S.W. Four Year Plan

Online BSSW Program course schedules

**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

  • 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)
  • 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.)

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 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)
  • 4-day campus visit required during the summer; room and board not included in tuition.

First Fall

  • 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

Second 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)
  • (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. 

Application Information

Admission Requirements

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

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Admission: Apply by March 15 or June 15
  • Spring Admission: Apply by October 15