Start Your Social Work Career: Best BSW Programs Around Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University's Social Work BSW program offers a specialized concentration in Native Americans, delivered in a hybrid format. This CSWE-accredited program requires 120 credits and emphasizes multicultural competence and generalist practice skills. Students complete field practicums in communities of color, gaining hands-on experience. Admission requires 60 general education credits, prerequisite coursework, a statistics course before senior year, and a demonstrated commitment to serving Native American or communities of color populations. As a bachelor's program, it does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams.

• Accredited by CSWE.
• 120 credits required.
• Focus on Native Americans.
• Hybrid program type.
• Field practicum included.
• Multicultural competence focus.
• Admission requires 60 credits.
• Statistics course prerequisite.
• Commitment to service required.
• Generalist social work practice.

The Social Work BSW program at Metropolitan State University focuses on multicultural competence and generalist practice, preparing students for licensure as Licensed Social Workers (LSW). This hybrid, CSWE-accredited program spans 120 credits and includes field practicums and seminars in diverse communities. Admission prerequisites include specific coursework, a statistics requirement before senior year, and a commitment to serving communities of color. No ACT or SAT entrance exams are required for this bachelor's-level program.

• Accredited by CSWE.
• Focus on multicultural competence.
• Hybrid program format.
• 120 credits required.
• Field practicums included.
• Prepares for LSW licensure.
• Emphasis on serving diverse communities.
• Requires statistics course.
• Admission requires specific prerequisites.
• Includes community learning center practicum.

Metropolitan State University's Social Work BSW with a Public Child Welfare concentration is a hybrid program that prepares students for careers in child welfare agencies. It emphasizes multicultural competence and offers tuition stipends and practicum placements in public settings. The program enhances employment readiness and supports graduate education goals, requiring a commitment to child welfare practice for admission. As a bachelor's program, it does not mandate ACT or SAT entrance exams.

• Hybrid program format
• Focus on Public Child Welfare
• Multicultural competence training
• Tuition stipends available
• Practicum in public agencies
• Prepares for graduate education
• Enhances employment readiness
• Commitment to diverse communities

St. Catherine University's campus-based Bachelor of Social Work program emphasizes values, diversity, and social justice through a generalist practice curriculum covering human behavior, social policy, and hands-on fieldwork. Students can pursue minors in Social Welfare and Chemical Dependency Counseling, plus a Child Advocacy Studies certificate, preparing for immediate employment or advanced studies. Admission requires meeting undergraduate criteria, but no specific ACT or SAT requirement is mentioned. The program focuses on experiential learning and ethical practice in social work.

• BSW and MSW programs available.
• Focus on diversity and social justice.
• Hands-on fieldwork experience.
• Minors in Social Welfare.
• Chemical Dependency Counseling minor.
• Child Advocacy Studies certificate.
• Generalist social work practice.
• Human behavior and social environment.
• Social policy for social change.
• Field placement and seminar.

St. Catherine University's online Bachelor of Social Work program, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, prepares students for Minnesota licensure with a focus on human rights and anti-racist practice. It includes 400 hours of field education with licensed professionals and offers specializations in child welfare, along with an accelerated MSW option. Admission requires meeting undergraduate criteria, with no ACT or SAT exam specified as required. The program builds cross-cultural skills for advocating equity and social justice.

• Accredited by CSWE.
• Focus on social justice.
• 400 hours field placement.
• Prepares for licensure.
• Expert faculty.
• Hands-on learning.
• Diverse practice areas.
• Accelerated MSW option.
• On-campus program.
• Cross-cultural skills.

St. Olaf College's Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1990, prepares students for generalist practice with a strong emphasis on social justice and ethical service. The curriculum covers human behavior, social policy, and research methods, while a 400-hour field practicum provides hands-on experience in diverse settings. This program requires prerequisite courses in sociology, psychology, and human biology for admission, but does not mandate ACT or SAT entrance exams. Graduates are well-prepared for BSW licensure and can pursue advanced standing in MSW programs.

• Accredited by CSWE.
• 400-hour field practicum.
• Prepares for BSW licensure.
• Eligible for advanced MSW standing.
• Focus on social justice.
• Covers human behavior.
• Includes social policy.
• Teaches research methods.
• Sequential coursework.
• Hands-on experience.

Bethel University's B.A. in Social Work is a nationally accredited, Christ-centered program that prepares students for professional practice through over 600 hours of hands-on fieldwork in diverse settings. Emphasizing advocacy, justice, and ethical decision-making, it integrates faith with social work principles to serve individuals, families, and communities. The program offers seamless transition to MSW advanced standing, with close faculty mentorship and cultural competence training. As a bachelor's-level program, it requires ACT or SAT entrance exams. Transparent tuition and financial aid options support students in this Baptist-affiliated, military-friendly institution.

• Nationally accredited program.
• Christ-centered learning community.
• 600+ hours of fieldwork.
• Prepares for MSW advanced standing.
• Faith-fueled learning approach.
• Close faculty mentorship.
• Focus on advocacy and justice.
• Hands-on practical experience.
• Diverse social work settings.
• Seamless grad school transition.

The University of St. Thomas' Bachelor's in Social Work program prepares students for licensure through a comprehensive curriculum emphasizing social justice. Students complete over 450 hours of fieldwork, gaining practical experience in advocacy, community outreach, and counseling. The program offers a seamless transition to an MSW with advanced standing and includes scholarship opportunities. As a bachelor's program, it may require ACT or SAT scores for admission, though specific requirements should be verified directly with the institution. This Roman Catholic-affiliated program combines theoretical foundations with real-world practice to equip graduates for diverse social work careers.

• 12 courses (44 credits).
• 450+ fieldwork hours.
• Prepares for licensure.
• Advanced standing MSW option.
• Focus on social justice.
• Scholarships available.
• Real-world practice experience.
• Liberal arts foundation.
• Diverse career paths.
• Supportive faculty.