Location:

Grand Forks, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Social Work

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Department of Social Work offers the following degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a Master of Social Work. The mission of the Department of Social Work at the University of North Dakota is to prepare entry-level and advanced generalist Social Workers within the region to advance practice knowledge, values and skills consistent with the highest ideals of the profession by: • empowering vulnerable, oppressed, disadvantaged, and rural populations; • maximizing opportunities for every individual to realize his or her highest potential; and • promoting respect, awareness, and appreciation for culture and social justice at every level of society. Graduates of the MSW program will: • Engage in advanced-level social work practice that is informed by the best available evidence. • Understand the impacts of culture, oppression, and human diversity in a multi-cultural society. • Apply social work ethical principles to guide their professional practice. • Advance social and economic well-being and deliver effective social work services through policy practice. • Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment to work with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. • Identify themselves as professional social workers and act accordingly. Social Work courses were first offered at the University of North Dakota in 1905; the Social Work program was formally established in 1939. The Council on Social Work Education (2002) states, “The purposes of social work education are to prepare competent and effective professionals, to develop social work knowledge, and to provide leadership in the development of service delivery systems. Social work education is grounded in the profession’s history, purposes, and philosophy and is based on a body of knowledge, values, and skills. Social work education enables students to integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession for competent practice.” The Master of Social Work program at the University of North Dakota is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. All MSW students must complete both Foundation and Advanced Generalist Concentration social work courses. Foundation courses are not offered through the Campus Program; instead, students who have a bachelor’s degree in a related field may apply to the Fast Track BSSW Program. Advanced Generalist Concentration courses may be completed through the Campus Program, or the part-time Distance Program. The Campus Program can be completed in three semesters, and the Distance Program can be completed in two years for students with a BSW, or as few as three years for students without a BSW. The University of North Dakota’s Master of Social Work Program provides broad access to quality graduate education that prepares versatile advanced generalist practitioners with the necessary knowledge, values, and skills to enhance human well- being, to meet basic human needs, and to serve as leaders in their communities in North Dakota, the region, and beyond. Program Goals • To prepare advanced generalist social work practitioners who: a. Have a strong identification with the social work profession, are committed to its highest ethical ideals, and inspire others to do the same. b. Continually strive to increase their cultural competence and understand and respect the inherent value of human diversity. c. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and advocate for social and economic justice. d. Synthesize and effectively apply a broad range of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary knowledge and skills across practice levels. e. Have a passion for critical inquiry and a commitment to lifelong learning. f. Embrace their roles as change agents and leaders. • The MSW Concentration builds on a generalist foundation curriculum to prepare advanced generalist practitioners who assess, intervene, and evaluate to promote human and social well-being, while advancing practice and the broader goals of the Social Work profession. Advanced practitioners can tailor actions to changing circumstances, and continually refine their own practice through experience and self-improvement. • All MSW students must complete Advanced Generalist Concentration social work courses. Advanced Generalist Concentration courses may be completed through the Campus Program, or the part-time Distance Program. The Campus Program may be completed in three semesters, and the Distance Program may be completed in two years for students with a BSW, or in as few as three years for students without a BSW.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. UND also holds many special accreditation's at the college, department, or program level.

Financial Aid:

No

Requirements:

Applicants who are seeking admission to Graduate School must meet all of the minimum general graduate school admission requirements identified in the Graduate School Catalog. In addition, the prospective students must fulfill the requirements for admission to the graduate program to which they are applying.

International Requirements:

All graduate applicants must demonstrate academic-level proficiency with the English language before they will be considered for admission. This requirement must be met by all applicants, regardless of citizenship, residency, or nation of birth. No applicants will be considered for admission until the English Language Proficiency is met. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for ways in which this requirement can be met.