Master of Social Work: Full Program

The full MSW program is available to students holding a bachelor's degree in a field other than social work (BSW). Emphasizing a strong commitment to service, social justice, integrity, and scientific inquiry, this track prepares individuals of all academic backgrounds for advanced professional social work practice and licensure.

Total credits

56

Finish in as few as

21 months

Courses

• Human Behavior in the Social Environment (SOWK600)

  Analyzes individuals, families, and groups using systems, learning, and psychosocial theories. Examines lifespan milestones and social environmental influences on development. Applies social work principles and values to promote social and economic justice in diverse populations.

  4 credits

• Professional Practice with Individuals and Families (SOWK605)

  Introduces generalist social work practice with individuals and families. Applies engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, and termination phases using anti-racist, evidence-based methods. Develops rapport, interviewing, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making skills while practicing professional use of self in client relationships.

  4 credits

• Policy Practice and Social Change (SOWK610)

  Explores how social welfare history informs contemporary social work practice. Examines how American culture, structure, and values contribute to oppression and marginalization. Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of welfare policies and programs. Develops skills in policy analysis, formulation, and advocacy, and identifies social policy perspectives of diverse religious traditions.

  4 credits

• Field Seminar I (SOWK615)

  Introduction to the field experience in community-based practice setting. Integration of beginning knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical social work practice with an emphasis on the development of professional identity under supervision of a qualified field instructor. 200 field experience hours are expected in this course.

  2 credits

• Field Seminar II (SOWK620)

  Continuation of the field experience in a community-based practice setting. Application and integration of developing knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical generalist social work practice with an emphasis on diversity, human rights and justice under supervision of a qualified field instructor. SP: Students practice a minimum of 200 hours in the field.

  2 credits

• Professional Practice with Groups, Communities, & Organizations (SOWK630)

  Explains how diversity shapes human experience in organizations, groups, and communities. Analyzes how sociocultural structures create privilege and power. Applies theoretical models and social justice practices to reduce structural oppression. Investigates issues, needs, and resources in macro practice and interprets organizational and community data to guide evidence-informed interventions.

  4 credits

• Introduction to Advanced Justice-Informed Social Work Practice (SOWK703)

  An exploration of key critical and philosophical theories of justice and application to advanced social work practice. Special attention is given to concepts of human rights and autonomy, anti-oppressive and distributive justice frameworks, and social justice as an ethic of social work practice.

  2 credits

• Justice-Informed Clinical Intervention and Mental Health Diagnosis (SOWK707)

  Development of justice-informed assessment and diagnostic skills and clinical applications based on the DSM IV-TR. Formulate working engagement, assessment and intervention skills necessary for diagnosing clusters of mental health symptoms using recovery-oriented, evidence-based practices. Examination of clinical work through case consultation, review, and presentation.

  4 credits

• Justice-Informed Clinical Practice in Response to Crisis, Trauma, and Marginalization (SOWK709)

  Investigate the nature of trauma/crisis, differential diagnosis, current practice trends and related theories and interventions associated with conceptualizing trauma-informed practice.

  4 credits

• Researching Evidence-Based Models for Practice Intervention (SOWK713)

  Examination of diverse scholarship and literature related to evidenced-based models for practice interventions with a justice-informed perspective. Development of systematic review of literature to advance justice-informed social work practice and prepare for professional presentation.

  4 credits

• Theodicy, Theologies of Liberation, and Social Work Praxis (SOWK717)

  Explores theodicy and diverse theologies of liberation at the intersections of trauma, suffering, and clinical practice. Examines human suffering, Divine justice, and personal responsibility. Connects socio-economic factors with emerging liberation theologies. Recognizes theological approaches of marginalized groups. Develops active listening and gains insights for competent practice across diverse contexts.

  4 credits

• Advanced Field Seminar III (SOWK725)

  Continuation of the field experience in a community-based practice setting. Application and integration of advanced justice-informed knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical generalist social work practice with an emphasis diversity, human rights, and justice under supervision of a qualified field instructor.

  2 credits

• Advanced Social Policy, Community Health, and Environmental Justice (SOWK733)

  work practice. Analyzes complex ethical issues in local and global communities from environmental and community health perspectives. Identifies key health issues, social determinants, and disparities. Examines connections among social disparities, faith, power, health, and ethics in social work practice.

  4 credits

• Advanced Field Seminar IV (SOWK735)

  Continuation of the field experience in a community-based practice setting. Application and integration of advanced, justice-informed knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes for ethical generalist social work practice with an emphasis on diversity, human rights, and justice, in a supervised setting.

  2 credits

• Advanced Clinical Practice and Evidence-Based Interventions (SOWK737)

  Assesses diverse factors to make ethical, justice-informed practice decisions addressing complex personal and systemic injustices. Applies evidence-based social work theories and modalities, including Psychodynamic therapies, CBT, MI, and SFT. Considers psychopharmacological implications and develops advanced engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation skills across individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.

  4 credits

• Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Supervision (SOWK743)

  Exploration of diverse models and methods of social work supervision. Applying antiracism and inclusiveness through critical reflection and consciousness.

  2 credits

• Capstone Integrative Seminar (SOWK791)

  Integration of research and professional presentation skills to demonstrate readiness to practice professional, justice-informed social work practice at an advanced level. Preparation for professional licensure exam. Reflective integration of faith, social work practice and justice.

  4 credits

Professional Licensure

Bethel's MSW program ensures that students are well-prepared to take the professional licensure exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Field Work

Those enrolled in the full program will engage in four field seminars and 900 hours of field practicum work, providing students with practical experience and the opportunity to integrate skills and ethics essential to social work practice. Field practicum work is a comprehensive learning experience that includes:

• Immersion in a multi-service community-based agency, serving diverse populations, facilitating a firsthand understanding of the challenges and strengths within different communities.
• Emphasis on diversity, human rights, and justice, fostering a nuanced perspective and a commitment to upholding the principles of equality and fairness in social work practice.
• Development of a professional identity, encouraging students to explore and define their roles within the social work profession, aligning personal values with the ethical standards of the field.
• Social work experience in a professional setting, conducted under the supervision of a qualified field instructor, ensuring hands-on learning in a real-world context and providing valuable mentorship for professional growth.

Program Objectives

Graduates from Bethel University's justice-informed Master of Social Work program will be equipped to:

• Address social challenges, ranging from poverty, systemic violence, human neglect, trafficking, child welfare, trauma, mental health, and health disparities, to environmental racism and the reformation of social systems.
• Examine and engage with theological, racial, and equity concepts to address issues of social, economic, racial, and environmental injustice.
• Apply critical concepts related to trauma and mental health in social work practice, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and adept response to diverse individual and community needs.
• Apply acquired knowledge across all contexts, from micro to macro levels, demonstrating adaptability and skill in addressing social issues at various scales.
• Champion justice in innovative ways, actively participating in diverse professional field settings to bring about positive societal change.
• Utilize research and evidence-based practices in social work contexts and various community settings.
• Integrate inclusive and bias-free language into scholarly work and professional practice, promoting a culture of respect, diversity, and equity in social work.