Social Work Career Outlook 2010-2011
Social Work Programs Available at Bemidji State University:
Major: Social Work (B.S.)
Minor: Chemical Dependency; Certificate for Licensure in Chemical Dependency
Licensure: School Social Work Preparation and Licensure
Department Website: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/social_work
Major Highlights:
The social work profession is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals, groups, and communities. It
addresses a variety of human needs in the context of complex personal and social situations, and promotes the positive use
of resources. Social work settings include rural, suburban, and urban communities in public or private social service
agencies, such as county social service agencies, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, residential youth programs, domestic
abuse and sexual assault programs, adult day care, hospice, chemical dependency agencies, mental health organizations,
family counseling programs, correctional programs, adoption and foster care agencies, and community outreach and social
justice programs. The Social Work program emphasizes culturally responsive generalist social work practice and
promotes an understanding of human interactions within the social environment. Content areas include social work values
and ethics, diversity, promotion of social and economic justice, populations-at-risk, human behavior in the social
environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, research, field placements, and an international
perspective. Graduates of the program are prepared for entry-level social work practice and for graduate study. The Social
Work program offers a number of special activities and opportunities, including the following:
B.S.W. Child Welfare Project -- stipends
Chemical Dependency Certificate and Minor
Family Child Welfare Resource Center
Mexico Consortium -- Social Work in a Latin American Context
Social Work Program Field Expeditions
As a result of the Social Work program’s accreditation by the Council of Social Work Education, graduates of the
program are often eligible for advanced standing status in graduate social work programs AND are eligible to apply for
social work licensure in Minnesota and other states. Successful application for social work licensure in Minnesota enables
graduates to apply for school social work licensure in the state as well.
Chemical Dependency: The Social Work program offers both a minor and a certificate in Chemical Dependency. The 18credit minor provides students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge in chemical dependency, but does not
prepare students for educational eligibility for alcohol and Drug Counselor licensure (LADC) application. The certificate
in Chemical Dependency requires a four-year degree, 270 hour classroom training, and an 880 hour internship required
for LADC application.
Licensure Options:
Social Work (Minnesota Board of Social Work)
School Social Work (Minnesota Board of Teaching)
Alcohol and Drug Counselor (Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy)
Employment Areas:
The "Occupational Outlook Handbook" reports that social workers held about 642,000 jobs, in 2008. About 54 percent
jobs were in healthcare and social assistance industries, and 31 percent were employed by government agencies. Although
most social workers are employed in cities or suburbs, some work in rural areas. Employment by type of social worker, in
2008, included: Child, family and school social workers—292,600; Medical and public health social workers—138,700;
Mental health and substance abuse social workers—137,300 and Social workers, all other—73,400.
Employment Areas (Continued):
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, “2010-2011 Occupation Outlook Handbook,” social work employment is
expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2018, with a 16% increase projection. Licensed
social workers have a broad array of career options: County human services - child welfare, adults, elderly; Community
nonprofit organizations – youth, families, women, ethnic groups, elderly; Schools – special education, chemical
dependency, mental health counseling; Medical – hospitals, hospice, clinics, long term care; Criminal justice – probation,
juvenile centers, truancy intervention; Elderly – nursing homes, adult day centers, senior centers; Chemical dependency –
in-patient, out-patient, half-way houses, prevention; Mental health centers – in-home, counseling, case management;
Tribal social services; Social justice and action; Services for the developmentally disabled.
Projected Demand for Social Work Majors in Minnesota:
MnCareers reports that the outlook for social workers is fair, with 10,380 social workers currently employed in Minnesota
and an average salary of $24.90 per hour.
Projected Demand for Social Work Majors Nationwide:
The DISCOVER guidance system reports that the national demand for social workers is growing moderately, with a 1.7%
expected growth rate per year. It also reports a starting annual salary of $37,500. According to the National Association
of Colleges and Employers, average salaries offered beginning social workers with a bachelor's degree were $40,600 per
year in 2010-2011. Employment growth will result from an aging population that will drive increasing demand for social
services. Competition for jobs is expected in cities, but prospects should be good in rural area. According to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics, between 2006-2016 social work employment will witness a 16% increase in new positions, a rate
faster than average for all other occupations.
Placement Information for Social Work Graduates:
There are many career opportunities for Bemidji State University social work graduates. Of the Bemidji State University
2009-2010 social work graduates, 83.3% reported obtaining related employment within one year of graduation. This does
not include students who were not seeking employment, furthering their education, unavailable, or had unknown status.
A Partial List of Employers Who Have Hired BSU Social Work Graduates:
Access North
ACR Homes
ADAPT of MN
Anishinabee Comm. Counseling Services
Anoka County Corrections Department
ARC Organization
Augsburg College
Augustana Health Systems
Beltrami Area Services Collaborative
Beltrami County Sheriff's Department
Bemidji School District
Bethany Good Samaritan Village
Brainerd Regional Human Services Center
Cass County
Catholic Charities
Center for Independent Living
Children's Mental Health Services/REACH
Clearwater County Department of Human Services
Concordia Creative Learning Academy
Crow River Special Education Cooperative
Douglas County Social Services
Eveleth Senior Living Community
Evergreen House Crisis Shelter
Evergreen House Crisis Shelter
Evergreen Terrace Nursing Home
Fair Meadow Nursing Home
Social Worker
Residential Supervisor
Social Worker
Community Support Worker
Probation Officer
Founder / Executive Director
Intl Resident Advisor & Teaching Assistant
Social Worker
Home Room Coordinator
Corrections Officer
Early Childhood Social Worker
Licensed Social Worker
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Social Worker
In-Home Counselor
Disability Linkage Line Coordinator
Case Manager
Office Support Specialist
School Social Worker
School Social Worker
Social Worker
Social Worker
Off-Site Care Manager
Youth Counselor
Social Worker
Social Worker
Hibbing, MN
Roseville, MN
Brainerd, MN
Fort Frances, ON
Lino Lakes, MN
Bemidji, MN
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Minneapolis, MN
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
Brainerd, MN
Brainerd, MN
Walker, MN
Backus, MN
Bemidji, MN
Grand Rapids, MN
Bagley, MN
St. Paul, MN
Hutchinson, MN
Alexandria, MN
Eveleth, MN
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
Grand Rapids, MN
Fertile, MN
A Partial List of Employers Who Have Hired BSU Social Work Graduates (Continued):
First Care Medical Services
Fraser Child and Family Center
Glenmore Recovery Center
Golden Living Center
Grand Village Nursing Home
Grygla High School
Heartland Kids
Hennepin County
Innovative Property Management
Inter-County Community Council
Isanti County
ISD #2
Itasca County
Itasca Medical Center
Koochiching County Community Services
Lac qui Parle Valley High School
Lake of the Woods County Social Services
Laporte School
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Human Services Division
Leech Lake Child Protection Services
Leisure Hills Health & Rehab
Lutheran Social Services
Lutheran Social Services
Lutheran Social Services
Lutheran Social Services
McLeod Treatment Center
Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Minnesota Valley Action Council
Minute Clinic
Neilson Place
Nile Health Care Center
North Homes, Inc.
North Homes, Inc.
Northern Pines Mental Health Center
Northland Recovery Center
Northome Healthcare Center
Northwest Mental Health Center, Inc.
Northwest Minnesota Juvenile Center
Northwest Minnesota Juvenile Center
Northwestern Mental Health Center
Northwood Children's Services
Ottertail County
Outreach Services of MN
PATH
PATH
Pennington County Social Services
Pennington County Social Services
People Incorporated
Permanent Family Resource Center
Pine River DAC
Pine River Group Home
Planned Parenthood
Range Mental Health
Range Mental Health Center
Red Lake Family and Children Services
Red Lake Health Services
Rise, Inc.
Social Services Director
Mental Health Practitioner
In-Patient Primary Counselor
Social Worker, LSW
Social Worker
School Social Worker
Mental Health Behavioral Aid
Case Manager
Owner/Manager
Family Service Coordinator
Child Protection/Adoption Worker
School Social Worker
Foster Care Licenser
Social Work Case Aide
Social Worker
School Social Worker
Social Worker
School Social Worker
Social Worker
Social Worker
Licensed Social Worker
Director Support Professional
Guardian
Mental Health Practitioner
Youth Worker
Counselor-Behavior Health
I & A Specialist
Case Manager
Family Resource Coordinator
Executive Assistant
Social Service Coordinator
Social Worker for the Elderly
Case Manager
Foster Care Case Manager
In-Home Skills Worker
Counselor
Social Worker
Community Mental Health Specialist
Corrections
Child Care Worker
School Based Practitioner
Counselor-EBD Children
Social Worker
SSI Advocate
Family Outreach Facilitator
Mental Health Practitioner
Chemical Dependency Assessment Coord
Social Worker
Crisis/Mental Health Worker
Adoption Worker
Job Coach
Resident Counselor
Program Manager
Mental Health Practitioner
Employment Specialist
Social Worker
Licensed Social Worker
Employment Specialist
Fosston, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Thief River Falls, MN
St. Louis Park, MN
Grand Rapids, MN
Grygla, MN
Hibbing, MN
Golden Valley, MN
Grand Rapids, MN
Oklee, MN
Cambridge, MN
Hill City, MN
Grand Rapids, MN
Grand Rapids, MN
International Falls, MN
Madison, MN
Baudette, MN
Laporte, MN
Cass Lake, MN
Cass Lake, MN
Grand Rapids, MN
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
Sauk Rapids, MN
Virginia, MN
Hutchinson, MN
St. Paul, MN
Onamia, MN
Blue Earth, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Bemidji, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Grand Rapids, MN
Brainerd, MN
Walker, MN
Grand Rapids, MN
Northome, MN
Crookston, MN
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
Crookston, MN
Duluth, MN
Fergus Falls, MN
Minneapolis, MN
Perham, MN
Bemidji, MN
Thief River Falls, MN
Thief River Falls, MN
St. Paul, MN
Fergus Falls, MN
Pine River, MN
Pine River, MN
Brainerd, MN
Virginia, MN
Hibbing, MN
Bemidji, MN
Red Lake, MN
Spring Lake Park, MN
A Partial List of Employers Who Have Hired BSU Social Work Graduates (Continued):
Riverplace Counseling Center
Rochester School District
Runestone Area Education District
Rural MN CEP
Sanford Health
Senior Housing Partners
Social Security Administration
Spruce Wood Apartments
St. Cloud Children's Home
St. Louis County
St. William's Living Center
State of Minnesota
Stellher Counseling Services
Stellher Counseling Services
Stille Havn Hus Inc.
SWPA Area Agency on Aging
TBI Residential & Community Services
Tomorrow's Bread Today
UMMHC/Home-Based Program
Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center
Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center
Wadena County Social Services
Winona ORC
Winthrop Good Samaritan Center
Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center
Social Worker
School Readiness Family Advocate
School Social Worker
Job Counselor
Medical Social Worker
Housing Counselor
Claims Representative
Mental Health Counselor
Youth Counselor II
Social Worker
Social Services Director
Human Service Technician
Suicide Prevention
Counselor
Day Program Director
Social Worker
Behavioral Aide
Social Worker
Home-Based Counselor
Adult Mental Health
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Social Worker
Job Coach for Mentally Disabled
Social Services-Social Worker
Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Anoka, MN
Rochester, MN
Alexandria, MN
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
Roseville, MN
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
St. Cloud, MN
Hibbing, MN
Parkers Prairie, MN
Biwabik, MN
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
Walker, MN
Charleroi, MN
Duluth, MN
Houston, TX
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
Bemidji, MN
Wadena, MN
Winona, MN
Winthrop, MN
Rochester, MN
Colleges and Universities Where BSU Social Work Graduates Have Gone to Continue Their
Education:
St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth, MN
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
Note 1: Some of the above job/career titles require advanced degrees or specialized training.
Note 2: Degrees alone do not get students jobs. Internships, summer jobs, volunteer work, part-time jobs, work-study
positions, and active participation in student organizations on campus are all ways to become more competitive in a
tight job market.
Note 3: Personal Competencies: it is also recommended that individuals be competent in a variety of communication
methods, and computer skills are a must.
Bibliography:
Annual Graduate Follow-Up Study 1997-2010. Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN (2011)
Bemidji State University Undergraduate Catalog 2011-2012. Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN (2011)
DISCOVER. The American Testing Program, Educational Technology Center, Hunt Valley, MD (2011)
MnCareers/iSeek. Research and Statistics Office, MN Dept. of Economic Security, St. Paul, MN (2011)
Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Dept. of Labor, JIST Publishing Inc., Indianapolis, IN (2010)
For more information, please contact the Career Services Office in 102 Sanford Hall
or call us at 218-755-2038 or toll free at 800-657-3726.