Q. What can I do with a Social Work degree
A. For more information please click on the link
Q. What is considered Social Work experience?
A. Experience working in the social work field, case management, health and human services, case management, and/or has been supervised by a credentialed social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Ph.D., or D.S.W.)
Q. Where can I volunteer to get more Social Work experience?
A. For more information please click on the link
Q. How can I find out more information about getting an LCSW?
A. For more information please click on the link www.bbs.ca.gov
Q. When is the deadline to apply to the Advanced Standing or Summer Block Program?
A. The deadline to apply to the Social Work Department as well as the University is March 1st.
Q. When is the deadline to apply to the Full Time and Part Time Program?
A. The deadline to apply to the Social Work Department as well as the University is the second Friday in April.
Q. When do you start accepting applications?
A. The Social Work Department will begin accepting applications for Fall 2008 after September 11, 2007. If you are an International student who received your degree from a university where English was not the primary language of instruction, you will also need to apply to the Center for International Education (CIE). The CIE will begin accepting applications for Fall 2008 between October 1st and November 30th.
Q. How long is my file kept on record with the department?
A. Once you have confirmed with the Social Work Admissions Office your intent to reapply to the MSW program within a year of submitting your application, your file is subsequently kept on record with the department for one year.
Q. What do I need to do in order to reapply for the next Admission cycle?
A. You will need to resubmit pages 1-6 of the MSW application as well as submit official transcripts for any new courses that you may have taken.
Q. Do you have Spring Admission?
A. No. The Admissions process takes places only during the Fall of each year. Students enter the MSW program in the summer and fall only. Summer admission applies only to those applicants admitted into the Summer Block and Advanced Standing programs.
Q. Do I need to mail my application or can I drop it off in person?
A. You can mail in your application or drop it off in person.
Q. When will I know the status of my application?
A. The Social Work Department has a rolling admissions process that allows for applications to be evaluated and decisions made once they are received.
Q. Do I have to have a B.A. degree?
A. Yes. You will need to submit official transcripts to verify that your Bachelor’s Degree has been conferred.
Q. Do I have to have a degree in Social Work in order to apply to the program?
A. No. As long as you hold a Bachelor’s Degree that is grounded in Liberal Arts from an accredited college or university.
Q. Is the GRE required?
A. No. The GRE is not required.
Q. Can I apply to the program with a low GPA?
A. No. The minimum GPA to apply is a 2.5 on the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units attempted.
Q. How do I calculate my GPA?
A. Instructions for computing one’s GPA can be found on page 10 of the MSW application.
Q. How can I increase my GPA?
A. The only way to increase your GPA for consideration into the MSW program is by taking upper division (300 or 400 level) courses in social work related areas (such as human behavior, health and human services, gerontology, anthropology, sociology, or psychology) through University Extension (562) 985-5561.
Q. How long does the Personal Statement have to be?
A. Instructions for writing the personal statement are on page 7 of the MSW application
Q. Do I have to have an Academic and a Professional reference?
A. Yes. In order to apply to the MSW program, you must have 3 references; one academic, one professional, and one either academic or professional. Personal references are not appropriate and will not be accepted.
Q. What are the prerequisites for the MSW program?
A. You must complete a prerequisite course in Elementary Statistics with a ‘C’ or better.
Q. How can I know if the statistics class I took is equivalent to the Elementary Statistics prerequisite?
A. Fax a copy of the description of the course in question to the Admissions Coordinator at (562) 985-5514 for review.
Q. Where can I take the Elementary Statistics class?
A. The list of equivalent courses that can be taken at a community college can be found on the department website at www.csulb.edu/depts/socialwk, click ‘BSW Application’ link, then click ‘Course Equivalencies’ link.
Q. Do I need official transcripts from all of the colleges that I’ve attended?A. Yes. All official transcripts must be submitted with application.
Q. Where do I need to send my transcripts?
A. California State University Long Beach
Department of Social Work-Admissions Office
1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-4602
Q. Can I send my transcripts and/or references separately?
A. No. All application materials must be sent together. Incomplete application will not be evaluated.
Q. What is the difference between the CYF and OAF concentrations?
A. The MSW program offers two areas of concentration: Children, Youth, & Families (CYF) or Older Adults and Families (OAF).
Q. What is the difference between the Advanced Standing, ,2, and 3 year programs?
A. The MSW program offers 3 program models: Advanced Standing (1 year), Full Time (2 years), Summer Block – Part Time (2 ½ years), and Part Time (3 years). Program model descriptions can be found on the department website at www.csulb.edu/depts/socialwk click ‘Course Description’ link, then click ‘SW_Grad_Programs’ link.
Q. What is the course schedule for each program?
A. Details regarding the program schedules can be found on the department website at www.csulb.edu/depts/socialwk click ‘Information Brochure’ link.
Q. What is the program cost?
A. For the Full Time CYF & OAF programs the cost is approx. $7000.00
For the Part Time CYF & OAF programs the cost is approx. $11,200.00
For the Advanced Standing CYF & OAF programs the cost is approx. $6200.00
For the Summer Block CYF program the cost is approx. $9500.00
