Pre-Social Work

Recommended Course of Study

A.S.

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Goal Area course choices, please visit the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) page.

2024-2025 Required Courses

Semester 1

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
  HSER 1100
Introduction to Social Work
Course required for major
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
Provides an introduction to the field of Social Work and Social Welfare. Course describes history, worker roles, and current career trends in the field. Students are required to participate in hands-on experience through service learning. This course is appropriate for anyone who might be interested in the helping profession.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites:

  • HSER 1106 Basic Counseling Skills

Future Offering:
  • Spring 2025

  SOC 1100
Introduction to Sociology
Course required for major. Goal 5, 9
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 09
Emphasizes methods, basic concepts, terminology, and perspectives used by sociologists in analysis of social relationships. Sociological analysis will focus on American government, family, education, religion, and the economy.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

  MATH 1103
Introduction to Statistics
Course required for major. Goal 4
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 04
Presents basic statistics which includes descriptive and graphical statistics, basic probability, probability distributions, sampling distributions, confidence intervals and hypotheses testing for one or two populations, linear regression, chi-square tests, and ANOVA. Professional statistical software, such as Minitab, will be integrated throughout the class. Graphing calculator required for the course. Recommendation based on the results of the Inver Hills Assessment Test or grade of "C" or higher in MATH 0820 or 0840 within the last 2 years.

Prerequisites:


Corequisites:
  • MATH 0103 Statistics Support

Future Offering:
  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

  ENG 1108
Writing And Research Skills
Goal 1, 2
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Provides instruction and practice in reading, researching, and writing for college.

Prerequisites:


Corequisites:
  • ENG 0108 Workshop for Writing and Research Skills

Future Offering:
  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

Total Credits in Semester 1 15

Semester 2

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
Human Services Elective(s)
Course required for major
3



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

  ENG 1111
  ENG 1114
  ENG 1130
Research Writing    OR

The Research Paper    OR

Writing and Research For the Professions
2-3

Research Writing
Course Outline
Credits: 2
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Students will analyze primary and secondary sources and develop formal research writing in students' academic and/or professional disciplines including EMS, Paralegal, and Criminal Justice. Prerequisites: ENG 1108 or equivalent, with grade of C or better.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG 0101 Composition I: Expository Writing
  • ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

The Research Paper
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Emphasizes critical analysis of fiction or nonfiction texts, at least one book-length, resulting in a research paper that reflects analysis and synthesis of multiple sources. Prereq: Grade of C or higher in ENG 1108.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG 0101 Composition I: Expository Writing
  • ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

Writing and Research For the Professions
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Emphasizes critical audience analysis of professional texts across the disciplines, at least one book length, resulting in a professional research proposal, feasibility study, or report that reflects analysis and synthesis of multiple sources, persuasion, and students' mastery of professional and audience analysis, business writing, researching, and evaluative skills. Prerequisites: ENG 1108 or equivalent, with grade of C or better.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2025

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6a)
2-3



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

  COMM 1100
  COMM 1110
  COMM 2230
Interpersonal Communication    OR

Public Speaking    OR

Small Group Communication
3

Interpersonal Communication
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 07
Is a course that helps students recognize that we live and work in relationship with others and must communicate effectively with them to achieve our goals. This class helps students acquire the skills to effectively communicate with family members, intimate others, co-workers, friends, and acquaintances. After reviewing relevant interpersonal theory, students will examine and identify their own communication attitudes and behaviors. Students will also learn and apply techniques for improving communication in their relationships through active practice. Students will participate in multiple activities, both in and outside the classroom setting, to build their interpersonal communication skills. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 7, Standard 6C, D, F, & G.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

Public Speaking
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Is the introductory study of the theory and practice of public speaking. Public presentation skills are required for individuals to be successful in our workplaces, communities and many other contexts in today's society. Students will learn about the different types of public speeches commonly encountered and learn how to research, organize and write their ideas into clear and understandable forms of public communication. Students will also practice the delivery skills needed to present ideas effectively. Students will be required to speak and participate often and will also be required to present their speeches in a classroom setting with an audience of their peers and an instructor.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

Small Group Communication
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Introduces students to the practice and theory of communicating in small group settings. Working in groups is an integral part of living in today's society. Community and workplace situations require us to be able to lead, participate, and follow effectively. Participating in this course will assist students in developing the leadership, conflict management, problem solving and discussion skills necessary to function in group settings. Students will apply small group communication theory in small, task-oriented groups and develop presentation skills to showcase their understanding of what it means to be an effective group member. Evaluating the effectiveness of their own and others' group communication behaviors is also required.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2025

  PSYC 1101
Introduction to Psychology
Course required for major. Goal 2, 5
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 05
Presents a survey of the science of psychology including theoretical and experimental findings and applications. Topics include research methodology, the nervous system, perception, cognition, learning, memory, human development, emotions, motivation, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, attitudes, social influence and growth processes. This course may not be taken for credit if you have already earned credit for Introduction to Psychology with Lab (PSYC 1201). Prereq: Placement into ENG 1108 or successful completion (grade of C or above) of ENG 99/Read 93

Prerequisites:


Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

Total Credits in Semester 2 15

Semester 3

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
Human Services Elective(s)
Course required for major
3



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

  PSYC 1210
Lifespan Development
Course required for major. Goal 5, 7
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07
Presents an introduction to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of development across the lifespan. Explores the research and theories relevant to the psychological study of human development from conception to death. Applies these issues to general and clinical populations. PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1201 recommended.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

  BIOL 1114
Critical Issues In Human Biology
Course required for major. Goal 3a
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 09
Intended for majors and non-majors interested in critical and ethical issues related to human biology. Ethical decision-making surrounding current biological issues will be examined. Topics such as evolution, human research subjects, biotechnology, antibiotic resistance, or other emerging science issues may be examined. Students will understand the process of science, be able to distinguish science from non-science, and critically analyze claims. Students desiring a traditional lab may take BIOL 1110 concurrently or following completion of BIOL 1114.

Prerequisites:


Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

  BIOL 1110
Human Biology Laboratory
Human Biology Lab & Goal 3b/10 elective without lab OR Goal 3b/10 elective with lab
4

Course Outline
Credits: 1
MNTC Goal Areas: 03
Provides an optional lab with hands on experience for the lecture sections of 1114 (Critical Issues in Human Biology) and 1107 (Biology of Women). The lab covers microscopy, scientific method, study of the cell, genetics, mitosis and meiosis, aspects of human anatomy and physiology. Topics covered may also include current issues in human health. This course may be paired with BIOL 1107 or 1114 to fulfill a lab science requirement.

Prerequisites:

  • BIOL 1107 Biology of Women
  • BIOL 1114 Critical Issues in Human Biology (Nonlab)
  • BIOL 1114 Critical Issues In Human Biology

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2025

Total Credits in Semester 3 15

Semester 4

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
  HSER 1179
Human Services Seminar
Course required for major
1

Course Outline
Credits: 1
Provides an opportunity for human services students to create and implement projects for the development of personal knowledge and skill. Provides students the opportunity to receive support on internship progress. This course must be taken concurrently with HSER 1189 - Internship. The course may be repeated once.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2025

  HSER 1189
Internship
Course required for major
3

Course Outline
Offers work experience in a human service agency, providing an opportunity to further develop skills. Through work experience, students will gain additional knowledge of human services practices and concepts. This course must be taken concurrently with HSER 1179 - Human Services Seminar. May be taken as two 3-credit courses or one 6-credit course.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2025

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6b)
3



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6a)    OR

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6b)    OR

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 8)
3

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6a)


Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6b)


Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 8)


Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

  POLS 1111
Introduction to U.S. Politics
Course required for major
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 09
Analyzes United States national government, political parties, campaigns and elections, public opinion, interest groups, media coverage and current political issues. The course will also examine principles of the Constitution, and the structure and behavior of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. In your exploration of contemporary U.S. domestic and foreign policy issues, you will critically examine your own political values, experiences and behaviors.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2025

  SOC 1127
Social Inequalities: Race, Class, & Gender
Course required for major
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07
Describes and analyzes selected inequality relationships in the United States. Topic areas will include economic inequality-poverty; ethnic inequality-racism; and gender inequality-sexism. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard 12a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2025
  • Summer 2025

Total Credits in Semester 4 15
Total Credits: 60
‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.