St. Olaf’s baccalaureate social work program was founded in 1977 and has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1990. Graduates in good standing are eligible to take the ASWB social work licensure exam at the baccalaureate level.
The social work program is committed to their Mission and Goals and the Competencies.
Social work is a growing profession, with social workers holding about 682,100 jobs in 2016. U.S. News & World Report, Money Magazine, and Working Woman have listed social work as one of the 25 best jobs for the future. Employment of social workers is expected to grow by 16 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will be due to an increase in demand for health care and social services but will vary by specialty.
https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/article/social-workers.htm
Definition of Generalist Practice
Generalist practice is multilevel intervention with clients (individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities) of diverse backgrounds. It uses the social systems framework, planned change process, empowerment perspective and strengths-based approach to practice. It is grounded in the liberal arts, scientifically informed and ethical.
Advising
High-quality individualized advising is a strength of the program. Any student interested in working with people in relation to their social environment is welcome to talk with faculty about course and career options. Liberal education is at the heart of the Social Work major, and all courses available at St. Olaf can contribute to the preparation of excellent social workers and other professionals.
Admission to the Program
To prepare for social work, students take courses in psychology, sociology, and biology. Study of social and cultural diversity, especially relative to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, and geographic location, is required. Students in good standing who have completed prerequisite courses make application to the program and are formally notified of admission during the junior year (see the St. Olaf College Academic Catalog and Social Work Program Manual Student Handbook). The program welcomes transfer students who come into the program prior to the beginning of the junior year and is pleased to include non-traditional students returning to college. Students are expected to maintain a G.P.A. of 2.0 and receive grades of “C” or higher in major courses to remain in the program.
Practicum Education
A required practicum (400 hours minimum) is completed in one full-time block placement in the fall semester of the senior year. This valuable preparatory experience with clients may be in the Twin Cities, other communities close to campus, or at a greater distance by individual arrangement.
Celebration of Diversity
Social workers are diverse themselves and serve diverse clients, so the program actively seeks and encourages students from diverse backgrounds to consider a Social Work major. Social Work faculty and staff encourage diversity at St. Olaf and in the program by working with Admissions, Student Support Services, Upward Bound, Multicultural Affairs, Gay, Lesbian, or Whatever (GLOW!), and the International and Off-Campus Studies department. The program does not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
International Study Opportunities
Diverse global traditions, histories, and methods of helping are increasingly crucial for social workers to understand and apply. Graduates from the St. Olaf Social Work Program work both domestically and internationally with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Content on international social welfare and social work is integrated throughout the social work courses. In order to study abroad for a semester, students need to plan early and carefully. Of particular interest to majors with Spanish language is the spring semester program Social Work in a Latin American Context which meets junior level requirements for the social work major. Students can arrange for independent study or academic internships abroad with sufficient planning.
Special Student Scholarships, Awards, and Activities
Social Work students are eligible to apply for two scholarships. The Amy Jahren Scholarship is provided to a candidate who “demonstrates through course selection, internship choices, participation in off-campus study, independent study, research or tutorial topics, and/or volunteer work an interest in and dedication to a career of serving others.” The Amanda Kimer Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate particular interest in working with oppressed communities, especially communities of color. These awards are part of the financial aid package for the students selected.
The Amanda Kimer Award for Excellence in Social Work is given yearly to a senior major who best exemplifies the hard work, passion to serve others, and sense of humor possessed by Amanda Kimer, a Social Work major who died during her junior year in 1996.
Social Work and the Greater Good (SWAGG) is the student organization for majors and others interested in social work and family studies. The club sponsors volunteer activities and programs of general interest during the school year.
Each year, students have the opportunity to attend the Day at the Capitol, an advocacy and education day sponsored by NASW Minnesota Chapter.
Social work seniors participate in a Senior Reflection Retreat each Spring, planned by social work faculty, with funding from the Kimer Endowment.
Closely Related Areas of Interdisciplinary Study
Asian Studies
Business and Management Studies
Family Studies
Gender and Sexuality Studies
Latin American Studies
Race and Ethnic Studies
Where Graduates are Working and Studying
- schools
- hospitals, hospices, nursing homes
- domestic violence programs
- community based agencies
- homeless shelters
- family service and adoption agencies
- senior centers
- public financial and social services
- residential care centers
They are employed as case managers, program directors, supervisors, and child care specialists. They also enter voluntary service programs — the Peace Corps, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, and AmeriCorps are common choices.
Approximately 25% of students attend graduate school within three years of graduation. These include programs in social work, ministry, public policy, special education, and law. Those with a B.A. in social work and a G.P.A. of 3.0 are generally eligible to apply for advanced standing in graduate schools of social work.
Educational requirements for social work licensure in the United States
Effective July 1, 2020, U. S. Dept of Education federal regulations require all higher education institutions receiving federal financial aid to disclose information about degree programs and students’ eligibility for professional licensure. Programs accredited by Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) are likely to meet the educational requirements for social work licensure, as most states identify CSWE degree programs as meeting social work licensure education requirements. The social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education through October of 2031. Additional information about each state and territory in the US can be found at the Association of Social Work Boards website self-service resources to educational programs: educational requirements for each category of licensure and licensing and regulations database by state.