Program Details
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program's mission is to prepare graduate students for advanced, justice-informed, ethical and professional social work practice and licensure, emphasizing the commitment to the social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry.
Grounded in ecological systems theory, the program fosters an emergent social imaginary which engages clients and constituencies as experts in their own experiences. Integrating an exploration of the intersectionality of diversity and the theology of justice, students learn to practice advanced justice-informed social work in local and global contexts through scholarship, service, justice, and leadership.
Master of Social Work: Advanced Standing
The MSW advanced standing program is available to students who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution. The program prepares graduates for advanced ethical and professional social work practice and licensure, emphasizing commitment to service, social justice, integrity, competence, and scientific inquiry.
| Delivery | Online |
| Location | St. Paul |
| Credits | 35 |
| Tuition per Credit | $750 |
| Estimated Total Tuition | $26,250* |
Master of Social Work: Full Program
The MSW full program is available to students with a bachelor’s degree other than a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). The program prepares graduates for advanced ethical and professional social work practice and licensure, emphasizing commitment to service, social justice, integrity, competence, and scientific inquiry.
| Delivery | Online |
| Location | St. Paul |
| Credits | 56 |
| Tuition per Credit | $750 |
| Estimated Total Tuition | $42,000* |
* These program details and costs are estimated and subject to change. View our program details disclaimer for more information.
Accreditation Details
The Master of Social Work program at Bethel is a candidate for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education. Annual assessment data can be found below:
Per the Minnesota Board of Social Work, candidacy status ensures that graduates of the program are eligible for provisional LGSW licensure in Minnesota (as well as license-level equivalents in other states), granting them all of the privileges and responsibilities of LGSW licensure, but with annual (rather than biennial) renewal obligations.
A temporary LGSW license can be converted to a standard LGSW license once the program is fully accredited by CSWE. Supervised practice hours under a provisional LGSW license can be applied to LISW and LICSW licensure requirements.
CSWE accreditation is a 3+ year process involving a program’s completion and CSWE’s approval of three annual benchmarks. Please note that the program received formal COA approval of its Benchmark I documentation in February 2022 when it earned “candidacy” status and approval for its Benchmark II in February 2023. We are on course to receive full accreditation in February 2024. At that point, all of our graduates with provisional LGSW licensure may exchange their provisional licenses for non-provisional LGSW licenses.