Department Description: The Pre-Social Work Pathway AS provides students with the option to complete an AS degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Social Work bachelor's degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum will allow students to complete a pathway degree and transfer to one of the seven Minnesota State universities with junior-year status. All courses within the Pre-Social Work Transfer Pathway associates degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor's degree programs.

Career Description: Social work is an appropriate background for the professional practice of social welfare administration and counseling, with focus on the study of organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups. Social workers have varied career paths and often work in settings such as hospitals, schools, outpatient and inpatient mental health facilities, education and substance abuse programs. Career titles may include: Child, Family, and School Social Workers, College Social Work Teachers, Health Care Social Workers, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, Probation Officers, and Correctional Treatment Specialists.

Program Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of humans and their environment, genetics, and evolution;
• Interpret and analyze data and sample populations;
• Examine and analyze the complexity of the structures and dynamics of society;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of psychology, as well as the ethical issues involved in the student of behavior and mental processes;
• Demonstrate an understanding of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development in infancy, early childhood, childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, midlife, and late adulthood;
• Articulate an understanding how diversity and difference characterize and shape the human experience; and
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of social welfare as a global social institution linked to the workings of other institutions and shaped by the intersection of politics, economics, social circumstances and value systems which impact different people in different ways.

Transfer Opportunities: The Pre-social Work Pathway AS curriculum has been designed to transfer directly to social work major programs at the following universities within Minnesota State. It is advised that students contact the transfer institution(s) for the most current information. • Bemidji State University: BSW Social Work • Metropolitan State University: BSW Social Work • Minnesota State University, Mankato: BS Social Work • Minnesota State University, Moorhead: BSW Social Work • Southwest Minnesota State University: BSSW Social Work • St. Cloud State University: BS Social Work • Winona State University: BSW Social Work

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