NE North Dakota News

Minot State University will launch a fully accredited online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program in Summer 2025. This initiative aims to increase access to social work education for students in rural areas, tribal and community college graduates, and working professionals who require flexibility in completing their degrees.

Lacy Corneliusen, assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Criminal Justice, stated, "Social work isn’t just about knowledge. It’s about connection, resilience, and the ability to truly understand and support others." She emphasized that although the program is online, it remains committed to fostering relationships between faculty and students.

The new online BSW mirrors Minot State's existing in-person program by focusing on student success, cost-effective tuition, and skills-based content. Graduates will be eligible for the national bachelor’s-level social work licensure exam. The program offers concentrations in high-demand areas such as addiction studies, human trafficking awareness, and special education. Completing a concentration involves 12 elective credits specific to that area.

Nancy Gordon, assistant professor and program director, highlighted the flexibility of the program: "We designed this program to be flexible without sacrificing the quality of learning or the relationships that make social work education so impactful." She assured that faculty members bring real-world experience to support students throughout their educational journey.

A key feature of the BSW program is its experienced faculty who have backgrounds across various fields including clinical settings, child welfare, mental health services, policy development, crisis intervention, corrections, disability services, geriatrics, transplant/dialysis services, and medical social work.

For more details on Minot State University's programs or further information about social work opportunities at MSU can be found on their website.