University of Mary Expands Access to Bachelor of Social Work with New Online Program
Rooted in Christian, Catholic and Benedictine tradition, the new program forms servant leaders ready to meet urgent community needs wherever they are called to serve
BISMARCK, N.D. — For University of Mary social work leader Katie Krukenberg, the launch of the university’s new online Bachelor of Social Work program is more than an academic milestone — it’s deeply personal. Growing up in Beach, North Dakota, Krukenberg watched her father pursue his social work degree in the 1990s through the University of Mary, a path that required him to spend weekdays in Bismarck while his wife and three young daughters remained at home.
Today, she is helping lead a program designed so other families won’t have to make the same sacrifice.
Beginning in Fall 2026, pending approval from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the University of Mary will offer its Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) fully online — bringing a values-driven, professionally rigorous education directly to students wherever they live, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Meeting Students Where They Are
The online BSW program is designed with flexibility at its core, offering primarily asynchronous coursework that allows students to balance their studies with work, family, and community responsibilities. Whether full time or part time, students can complete the same high-quality curriculum as the university’s seated program without relocating.
With tuition rates lower than many private universities and competitive with regional public colleges, the online program also reflects the University of Mary’s commitment to affordable, accessible education — ensuring that cost and geography are not barriers to a quality degree.
“This program is ideal for individuals who feel called to serve others and make a meaningful difference in their communities but require flexibility to pursue their education,” said Katie Krukenberg, associate professor and social work program director at the University of Mary. “It’s designed to meet students where they are and is especially well-suited for those in rural and geographically underserved areas, including working adults and parents.”
That accessibility is critical in states like North Dakota, where geographic distance has long been a barrier to higher education and where workforce shortages in social work remain especially acute.
Answering a Critical Workforce Need
Demand for trained social workers continues to grow nationwide, with particularly urgent needs in rural regions. North Dakota and surrounding areas face shortages in child welfare, behavioral health, healthcare, and school-based services.
By delivering its BSW program online, the University of Mary is expanding access to education while strengthening the very communities its students call home.
Students complete two supervised field placements within their own communities, gaining hands-on experience while building local professional networks. This approach allows communities to retain talent and develop a pipeline of qualified social workers already invested in serving their neighbors.
“By offering the BSW online, the University is not only increasing access to education but also investing in the development of a workforce that is deeply rooted in service, ethics, and community impact,” Krukenberg said. “Rather than drawing people away, this helps communities grow their own.”
A Distinctively Faith-Based Approach
While many universities offer online social work degrees, the University of Mary’s program is distinguished by its integration of Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine values throughout the student experience. Grounded in principles such as respect, hospitality, service, and community, the program emphasizes not only professional competence but also personal formation — preparing graduates to approach their work as a vocation centered on human dignity and the common good.
“This program is about more than earning a degree—it’s about becoming the kind of person who can make a lasting difference in the lives of others,” Krukenberg said.
Forming Professionals for the Future
Graduates will be prepared for entry-level roles across a wide range of settings, including child welfare, healthcare, mental health services, schools, and nonprofit organizations. The degree also provides a pathway to advanced standing in Master of Social Work programs, opening doors to leadership and clinical practice.
With demand for social workers expected to grow dramatically in the coming decade, the new program equips graduates with the skills, field experience, and credentials to step into one of the most in-demand careers of the next decade.
A Substantive Change Proposal to offer the program online has been submitted to CSWE and is under review, ensuring the online format meets the same rigorous standards as the university’s accredited program.
Coming Full Circle
For Krukenberg, the launch represents both innovation and fulfillment. Decades after her father made weekly sacrifices to earn his degree, she now helps lead a program that removes those barriers entirely — allowing students to pursue the same calling without leaving their families behind.
It is especially meaningful to Krukenberg that, thanks to today’s technology and expanded access, families no longer have to endure the same hardships her own did in order to pursue a degree in social work.