Curriculum

Course Requirements

Social Work Program Director: John Yoakam
Social Work Faculty: John Yoakam, Janelle Hinchley, Rena Sespene-Hinz, Kerby Plante 

The principle educational objective of the social work program is to provide students with a knowledge base and a set of skills and professional values necessary for beginning generalist practice in a wide variety of settings. The Council on Social Work Education has awarded this program full baccalaureate level accreditation. Graduating from this program allows students to sit for the state of Minnesota Social Work Licensing Exam, baccalaureate level (Licensed Social Worker). The program also offers the course of study leading to the Minnesota Department of Education School Social Worker I credential.

To be a school social worker in Minnesota requires licensure by two different regulating boards. One license is granted by the Board of Social Work and the other is granted through the State Department of Children, Families, and Learning. The College of St. Benedict and St. John's University is an approved program for school social work certification.

Graduates of the social work program are given as much as one year's credit toward a master's degree when accepted to a graduate social work program.  The social work department is accredited by the National Council on Social Work Education through 2006.

Major (69 Credits)

Sample Four-Year Plan

Required Courses:

• Human Biology (112);
• Intro to Psychology (111);
• Intro to Sociology (111);
• Intro to Social Work (230);
• Human Behavior in the Social Environment I and II (250, 251)

Coursework Upon Acceptance to the Major

• Practice Sequence: Social Work Generalist Practice I, II, III (343,344,345)
• Policy Sequence: American Social Policy (347)
• Research Sequence: Social Statistics (201); Research and Evaluation (340)
• Field Sequence: Junior Field Practicum (349); Ethics and Social Work Practice (390); Pre-Internship Lab (396); Senior Field Practicum (397)

Admission Procedure

During the first two years pre-social work students enroll in core courses and prerequisite courses necessary for admission to the major. Students apply to admission to the social work major in the spring of the sophomore year.

Requirement for Admission to the Major

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
• Two page essay outlining life experiences pertaining to social work
• Completion of program application
• Provide an official transcript