Social Work Degrees in South Dakota – SD

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: September, 3 2010

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A social work degree in South Dakota can be pursued at the Associate, Bachelor and Master’s levels. Coursework provides students instruction in the social sciences, the humanities and research methods, and some programs offer the opportunity to acquire hands-on learning through a field practicum.

Students enrolled in Associate degree programs develop knowledge about advocacy, social problems and the goals and philosophies of social services. This degree can be easily transitioned into a Bachelor degree program.

The Bachelor degree program provides instruction in social justice, interviewing skills and professional ethics to prepare graduates for entry-level careers and for graduate studies if they opt to pursue advanced degrees. To complement classroom teaching, students take observational field trips and are expected to participate in a volunteer experience during their sophomore year.

In addition to the bachelor degree, there is also a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), which builds on the skills developed in the bachelor program and prepares students for autonomous social work practice through advanced classes such as pscyhopathology and policy analysis. The two-year graduate program is only offered full-time. Both the Bachelor and Master’s degree programs emphasize work within rural settings to ensure that students are equipped with skills necessary to work effectively with rural and indigenous populations in South Dakota.