Admission to the BSW Program
Applications are accepted fall and spring semesters for the on-campus BSW program. Applications for the hybrid BSW program are accepted spring and summer semesters but prioritized during spring semester. Admission criteria and eligibility must be met prior to applying for BSW program admission.
Get in touch with us if you need help choosing the right track for you!
Admissions Deadlines
Applications are due at 8 a.m. on the due date.
| Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | October 7th, 2024 |
| Spring 2025 | February 10th, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | June 16th, 2025 |
Admissions Application
Applicants will need your Star ID login credentials to complete this application. If you do not have Star ID login credentials, please get in touch with us!
| Application Component | Instructions |
| BSW Program Application | Complete the BSW application after you have completed the personal essay, case study, ecomap and printed a PDF of your most recent Degree Audit Report (DAR). |
| Personal Essay | Complete the personal essay and upload it with the BSW application. |
| Case Study & Ecomap | Complete the case study and ecomap and upload them with the BSW application. |
| Bemidji State University Social Work Program Reference Form | One professional, volunteer or academic reference is required. Email the form to your reference. Your reference will email the completed form to SOWKAdmissions@electronic-fittings.com. (Completed references will not be accepted from students.) |
Contact us if you need help navigating the application process. There is also a video available that explains the admissions process in more detail.
BSW Admissions Forms
BSW Admissions Rubric
BSW Admissions Application Evaluation Rubric
Degree Audit Report Instructions
To print the most recent Degree Audit Report (DAR) from Bemidji State University:
- Open your DAR, select “Print”
- Print as .PDF
- Save to your computer as DAR FIRST NAME LAST NAME
Admission Criteria
To apply for the social work major, students must meet the following criteria:
| Admission Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Liberal Education Course Work | Successfully complete at least 30 semester hours (about two semesters). These liberal education courses count toward your Social Work degree: BIOL 1110 Human Biology, POL 1200 Introduction to American Politics, PSY 1100 Introductory Psychology, PSY 2217 Abnormal Psychology, SOWK 2110 Intercultural Communication, Statistics Elective (see course catalog) |
| Pre-Admission Social Work Courses | Enroll in these courses during semester of application or have them successfully completed: SOWK 2120 Introduction to Social Welfare, SOWK 2140 Field Experience in Social Work, Diversity Elective (see course catalog) |
| Overall GPA 2.00 and above | Overall GPA for all courses taken at BSU |
| Combined Social Work | Combined GPA of 2.50 and above for: SOWK 2110 Intercultural Communication, SOWK 2120 Introduction to Social Welfare, SOWK 2140 Field Experience in Social Work. GPA between 2.25-2.50 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
| Social Work Courses | Minimum grade of C for: SOWK 2110 Intercultural CommunicationSOWK 2120 Introduction to Social WelfareSOWK 2140 Field Experience in Social Work |