Bethel University MSW Programs

Bethel University’s Master of Social Work program builds on justice and liberation principles that shape modern social work practice and theory. The program will give you the knowledge and skills through hands-on opportunities that prepare you for successful careers in clinical and community social work practice.

Bethel’s MSW program in St. Paul, Minnesota stands out with its comprehensive approach to social work education. The program combines core values with scholarship, service, justice, and leadership to prepare you to tackle social issues and create positive change in communities and beyond.

Students in Bethel’s MSW program study ecological systems theory to advance human rights along with social, economic, and environmental justice. You’ll learn evidence-based models for clinical interventions that prepare you to handle crisis, trauma, and marginalization in clinical settings.

The program curriculum covers all clinical content required by the Minnesota Board of Social Work for clinical licensure. Students learn differential diagnosis, clinical treatment planning, intervention methods, evaluation methodologies, social work values, and ethics with emphasis on cultural diversity. The program also takes a close look at culturally specific assessment and intervention techniques to give a full picture of the training.

Bethel University ranks among the top 20 online social work master’s programs nationwide according to various ranking sites. The university’s excellence goes beyond rankings through its core team who offer personal support and guidance as you balance work, family, and community commitments with your education.

Bethel’s unique strength lies in how it merges faith with professional practice. Graduates of this program become influential agents of change with:

• A strong foundation in direct clinical practice
• Steadfast dedication to advancing universal human rights
• Commitment to solidarity and justice principles
• Professional preparation that lines up with licensing requirements

Field seminars provide practical experience where students learn to combine knowledge, skills, values, critical thinking, and applied ethics for effective social work practice. This hands-on approach helps develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills.

Bethel University has managed to keep continuous accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission since 1959, showing its dedication to quality educational standards. The Master of Social Work program also has specific accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation, which confirms it meets professional standards in social work education.

Programs offered

Bethel University’s Master of Social Work program features two educational paths. Each path maintains a strong clinical focus while accommodating students with different academic backgrounds.

Students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work can choose the Full Program Option. This detailed 56-credit program takes as few as 21 months to complete and needs 900 hours of field placement. Students learn foundational social work knowledge first and then progress to advanced clinical skills within a justice-informed framework.

The Advanced Standing Option welcomes students who earned their BSW from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited institution in the last seven years. Students can finish this accelerated 36-credit track in as few as 12 months. The track includes 500 hours of field practicum. Both paths help students meet Minnesota’s licensure requirements.

Students can complete over 80% of their coursework online, with classes based in St. Paul. The program welcomes new cohorts in Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026. This schedule gives students flexibility in planning their education.

Both tracks share a justice-informed curriculum that gives you skills to:

• Help with social challenges like poverty, systemic violence, human trafficking, trauma, mental health issues, and environmental racism
• Apply critical concepts about trauma and mental health in a variety of contexts
• Use research and evidence-based practices in community settings
• Support justice through innovative approaches in professional settings

Field practicum experiences connect theory with practice naturally. Students apply their classroom knowledge in real-life settings under qualified supervision. This hands-on experience helps develop their professional identity.

The program’s core values blend with scholarship, service, justice, and leadership. Students learn everything they need for licensure and practice. Bethel’s MSW program meets Minnesota Board of Social Work’s requirements for clinical content. The program prepares students for both clinical practice and community-based work.

Students learn to support justice in marginalized communities through compassionate, evidence-based social work practice. This approach makes Bethel’s program unique and effective.

About the online program

Bethel’s MSW program offers a flexible and thorough online learning experience that works perfectly for busy professionals. You’ll complete over 80% of your coursework online. This setup helps you balance your studies with work and personal life. Students get the best of both worlds – convenient remote learning and hands-on experience to build clinical expertise.

The program fits different learning styles through a well-planned sequence of concepts, techniques, and assignments that match your growth as a social work student. While most coursework happens online, field work plays a vital role in getting you ready for clinical licensure by providing real-world experience.

Your field requirements depend on your program track. Advanced standing concentration students need to complete 500 practicum hours with two seminars. Students in the full program take part in four field seminars and complete 900 hours of field practicum work. These experiences connect theory with practice and create learning opportunities beyond traditional classroom settings.

Your field placement will help you:

• Work in different social work settings and see how fair approaches help solve society’s issues
• Build your professional identity with expert supervision
• Use classroom knowledge in community agencies that serve diverse groups
• Learn skills and ethics that make social work practice effective

The program gets you ready for professional licensure through Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exams. Our curriculum meets Minnesota Board of Social Work’s clinical content requirements in six key areas needed for ASWB clinical licensure examination. You’ll also get a two-credit supervision course that meets Minnesota Board of Social Work’s supervision requirement.

The program stays true to Bethel’s focus on ecological systems theory while promoting human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. Students learn about complex trauma’s widespread effects and how to practice trauma-informed clinical care while working to change policies and systems.

You can start your educational experience in Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026. This well-crafted program gives you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need for successful social work practice and licensure in a flexible, accessible format.

Accreditation

Bethel University’s MSW program achieved its most important educational milestone recently when it received full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) on March 11, 2024. This accomplishment came after a three-and-a-half-year trip that included detailed peer review, planning, research, data collection, approvals, and alignment with CSWE standards.

The program submitted over 4,500 pages of documentation to CSWE during this thorough accreditation process. The evaluation started with original research in the 2016-2017 academic year and moved through several phases until final approval. This detailed review process will give students the highest educational standards in social work education.

CSWE accreditation offers these key assurances to future students:

• The program meets or goes beyond quality standards set through peer review
• The program has enough resources to achieve its mission and goals
• All sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) are met
• Quality is consistent across program options, locations, and delivery methods
• Graduates demonstrate required competence

Eydie Shypulski, chair of the Department of Social Work and MSW program director, explains: “Obtaining full accreditation through the Council of Social Work Education is the pinnacle for social work programs in higher education. This means any student interested in our program can trust our curriculum, faculty, and mission. It also means employers and the public can trust our graduates to provide ethical and effective social work practice that honors the dignity and worth of all people”.

The university has had its Higher Learning Commission accreditation since 1959. This regional accreditation, which the United States Department of Education recognizes, confirms that the university delivers quality education.

Students pursuing licensure benefit directly from the MSW program’s accreditation status. The curriculum meets all ASWB clinical licensure exam requirements and satisfies Minnesota Board of Social Work’s clinical content standards in six key areas. Graduates can pursue licensure confidently, knowing licensing boards nationwide will accept their educational credentials.

This CSWE accreditation is proof of the program’s commitment to excellence, accountability, transparency, and the highest educational standards in social work education.

Admission Requirements

Bethel University’s MSW program has specific academic standards and document requirements for admission. You need a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

The application process starts with Bethel’s free online application. The admissions team will review your materials after submission. Your complete application package should have:

• Official college transcript(s)
• Current resume
• Admission essay
• Three professional references (your references must submit forms)
• Interview (by invitation only)

Your chosen track determines the admission essay requirements. The full program needs a personal statement of up to 1,500 words that answers five questions:

1. Your reasons to pursue social work and interest in Bethel’s program
2. Your strengths and areas for growth
3. A social issue of concern and its systemic effects
4. Your understanding of diversity in society
5. Your point of view on two core social work concepts

The program track also determines reference requirements. Advanced standing students must provide one professional reference, one social work-related reference, and one field experience reference. Full program students need two professional references and one social work-related reference.

International students whose primary language isn’t English must submit English proficiency scores from one of these tests:

• TOEFL (minimum score of 80 on Internet-based test or 8 on Essentials test)
• IELTS (minimum score of 6.5)
• PTE Academic (minimum score of 55)
• Duolingo English Test (minimum score of 110)

After acceptance, your enrollment counselor will help you complete any remaining requirements before classes begin.

Bethel’s selective admissions process shows its steadfast dedication to high educational standards. The program looks for candidates who share social work values, which helps maintain classroom excellence and quality field placements.

Enrollment counselors are ready to help and answer questions throughout your application experience. They work hard to make your path toward advanced social work education smooth and successful.

Tuition

The cost of graduate education plays a crucial role in planning your academic experience. Bethel University’s MSW program tuition costs $780 per credit for the 2025-26 academic year.

Students in the full 56-credit program track can expect to pay about $43,680 in total tuition. The advanced standing 35-credit option costs around $27,300. All the same, Bethel University adjusts these rates periodically.

Your educational experience comes with some additional program fees:

• Professional and diversity training fees totaling $150
• SWEAP assessment fees ranging from $15 to $25
• Capstone research fee of $60
• ASWB practice exam fee of $30

Smart budgeting should factor in these extra costs along with your tuition.

Bethel’s financial aid options can help reduce your expenses significantly. Students who work in Minnesota schools providing social work services for at least one year can receive scholarships up to $25,000. Spring and Summer 2025 cohorts can apply for these scholarship opportunities.

Bethel University believes in clear communication about educational costs to help you plan your degree effectively. The financial aid team stands ready to walk you through scholarships, grants, and other funding sources.

Bethel’s tuition structure sets itself apart by covering required textbooks, course materials, and tutorial support in select graduate programs. This all-encompassing approach gives you a clear picture of your educational investment.

Additional Information

Bethel’s MSW program gives you the tools to tackle complex social issues. These range from poverty and systemic violence to human trafficking, trauma, mental health challenges, and environmental racism. The program’s success shows in its numbers – only 2.1% of recent graduates are unemployed.

MSW graduates find meaningful work in many settings:

• Public schools and health systems
• Hospice and trauma centers
• Domestic violence shelters and adoption agencies
• Child/adult protection services
• Agencies that help refugees, homeless individuals, and youth

Our graduates take on diverse roles as substance use counselors, mental health practitioners, family therapists, social service managers, policy analysts, and social work supporters. The program has a valuable two-credit supervision course that meets Minnesota Board of Social Work’s requirements.

Students can receive scholarships up to $25,000 if they commit to providing social work services in Minnesota schools for at least one year after graduation. These scholarships are open to Spring and Summer cohorts. Applications must be submitted by December 1.

Bethel’s career development services help students succeed. Dedicated specialists from Bethel’s Christ-centered community guide students through career options, interview preparation, and job searches.

The curriculum focuses on understanding complex trauma’s widespread effects. Students learn trauma-informed clinical practice and ways to create system-wide change. This approach helps graduates influence social work at both policy and organizational levels.

The Council on Social Work Education recognized Bethel’s excellence with their 2024 Field Innovation/Practicum Excellence and Innovation Award. This award confirms the program’s role in preparing skilled professionals who meet critical community needs through justice-informed social work practice.