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Social Work Program Details

Bachelor of Arts

Bethel’s Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates are eligible to be licensed as social workers. While preparation for generalist-level professional practice is the program’s primary objective, academically qualified graduates are prepared to pursue graduate-level social work education. The students from Bethel’s social work program are eligible for advanced standing admission to CSWE accredited graduate schools. The 60-credit major includes classroom and field courses, and select biological, social, and behavioral science foundational support courses.

To earn an undergraduate degree from Bethel, you will need a total of 122 credits. The listed number of required credits is based on a minimum of 60 transfer credits from previous professional, military, or educational experiences.

If you are applying with fewer credits, your enrollment counselor can help explore options for obtaining additional credits.

Online

Fully Online

You'll complete 100% of your coursework online.

Location: Online

Start Dates: Courses start every 6 weeks. Contact your enrollment counselor for details.

Total Credits

72

Finish in as Few as

30 months

Academic Plans and Course Catalog

See plans

Courses

  • Examining Crucial Questions (CORE330H)

    Summary of the Christian biblical narrative. Identification of the roles of scripture, history, experience, and reason, as they form convictions related to social and ethical issues. Examination of selected theological concepts using the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, as well as the application of those concepts to real life situations.

    4 credits

  • American Government and Politics (POLS100)

    Examination of essential concepts, ideas, and facts from American politics and the discipline of political science. Development of connections between concepts and their relation to political phenomena. Recognition of the role of Christianity in American politics. Employment of political science methods of analysis rather than ideological opinions to explain institutions and behavior. Foster a thoughtful and civil approach to political engagement.

    4 credits

  • Introduction to Psychology (PSYC100)

    Description of key concepts, principles and overarching themes in psychology. Application of psychological principles to personal, social, and communal issues. Evaluation of methods used in the science of psychology. Application of an understanding of the scientific process and experimental design to a critique of scientific journal articles. Identification of ways that psychology and personal faith can be integrated.

    2 credits

  • Introduction to Sociology (SOCS101)

    Major concepts, theories, methodologies, findings, controversies, and history of sociology. Contributions of sociology to Christian life and thought.

    4 credits

  • Human Behavior in the Social Environment (SOWK180)

    Analysis of individuals, families, and groups utilizing systems theory, learning theories and psychosocial frameworks as part of 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, cultural diversity and the promotion of social justice.

    4 credits

  • Introduction to Social Work (SOWK210)

    Understanding of social work mission, core values, history, and field of practice overview. Recognition of the dimensions of diversity, cultures, and structures that may oppress and marginalize people groups. Communication and collaboration with diverse individuals with community-based, cross-cultural service learning. Consideration of social work as career choice.

    4 credits

  • Socioeconomic Impact on Justice (SOWK240)

    Critical evaluation of how market economies operate, their broad socioeconomic consequences, and their impact on the lives of socially disadvantaged people. Evaluation of global and local processes and mechanisms. Analysis of theories and approaches to social justice that advocate and promote social and economic justice, and human rights.

    2 credits

  • Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities (SOWK304)

    Description of how cultural structures and values affect privilege and power. Identification of practices that ensure that rights and responsibilities are distributed equitably. Analysis of strength-based assets and community empowerment. Application of self-awareness and self-regulation, relationship building and interprofessional collaboration strategies, multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks, and intervention strategies based on assessment, research, values, and preferences of clients.

    2 credits

  • History of Social Change Through Policy (SOWK312)

    Historical and critical examination of the interrelationship of social welfare history, social problems, social welfare policies, and service delivery from historical, economic, political, and program perspectives. Social systems content applied to social policy analysis. Students develop, analyze, advocate, and provide leadership for policy and service delivery that promote social, racial, economic and environmental justice.

    4 credits

  • Social Work Practice with Individuals (SOWK313)

    Introduction to generalist social work theory and practice with individuals and families. Application of professional development, critical thinking, effective communication, Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE), and ethical and evidence-based practice. Development of knowledge and skills of social work practice: engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and termination.

    4 credits

  • Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Experience I (SOWK320)

    Integration of anti-racism and anti-oppressive and justice-informed theories and practice to social work experience. Understanding of how one’s own cultural identity impacts engagement and assessment with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. Application of interpersonal skills within a multi-service community based agency setting.

    2 credits

  • Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Experience II (SOWK325)

    Apply and integrate beginning knowledge, values, skills, and ethics for social work practice with an emphasis on diversity, human rights and justice, and professional generalist practice. Weekly field seminar supports integration while students work a minimum of 100 hours in field setting under agency supervision.

    2 credits

  • Identity, Diversity, and Social Justice (SOWK327)

    Exploration of historical factors to understand how systems of oppression and racism affect present-day individuals, families, and communities. Examination of societal concepts and terms to understand diverse social realities and intergroup relations. Consideration of cultural structures, social systems, and values to reveal how they oppose or enhance privilege and power. Development of antiracist and anti-oppressive counter-storytelling practices. Synthesis of diverse perspectives in response to social issues. Understanding how identity influences perspective.

    4 credits

  • Environmental Justice and Health Disparities (SOWK340)

    Examination of policies established to address the inequitable distribution of environmental risks. Explanation of theories and history of environmental justice. Analysis of environmental justice and health disparities in racial groups and communities. Identification of strategies to reduce environmental injustices and health disparities.

    2 credits

  • Social Work Practice with Families and Groups (SOWK405)

    Application of generalist social work theory to integrated practice within client systems. Emphasis on families/groups and on the planned change process. Application of critical thinking, research-informed practice and culture competence. Evaluation of assessment and intervention strategies applicable to a specific population.

    4 credits

  • Social Work Field Instruction I (SOWK420)

    Field Practicum in which students perform the role of a professional social worker under the supervision of a qualified field instructor. A synchronous field seminar supports integration of theory with social work practice. Minimum of 200 hours in the field. A structured learning contract applies social work knowledge, values and skills.

    4 credits

  • Social Work Field Instruction II (SOWK425)

    Demonstration of ethical and professional behavior. Engagement in Antiracist, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI), practice-informed research, research-informed practice, and policy practice. Advancement of human rights and social, economic, racial and environmental justice. Engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

    4 credits

  • Abuse and Trauma and Mental Health in Social Work Practice (SOWK450)

    Presentation of the characteristics and consequences of family violence, intimate partner abuse and child and elder abuse. Identification of theoretical frameworks for assessment and intervention with survivors. Exploration of the role of racism and oppression in addressing abuse and trauma. Application of the DSM in case plans for client vignettes.

    4 credits

  • Research for Social Work Practice (SOWK451)

    Analysis of research methods, with an emphasis on becoming proficient and critical consumers of research-based data, for the purposes of knowledge advancement, informed practice, and program and practice effectiveness evaluation.

    4 credits

  • Senior Integrative Seminar (SOWK499)

    Examination of social work’s most monumental and systemic challenges as a final Integration of generalist social work knowledge, values, and skills. Review ethics-based case studies to demonstrate competence in professional and ethical practice. Professional licensure examination preparation. Advanced exploration of the ethical integration of faith and professional social work practice prior to graduation and licensure.

    4 credits

  • CORE Courses

    A distinctive feature of Bethel's programs is our commitment to the development of the whole person. In addition to courses within a program, students explore personal values and faith formation in a hospitable environment that respects learning from one another's perspectives. Rather than teaching students what to think about Christianity, we teach students how to think about the Bible, Christian history, and personal faith.

    • Community, Self and Formation (CORE300)

      An exploration of self in the world, based on personal experience and classical spiritual practices. Students are challenged to think systemically about contexts of family, faith community, workplace and broader culture as they plan for lifelong formation and contribution to the well-being of others.

      4 credits