Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) Admissions

The BASW program offers the opportunity for students to study in a daytime or evening program model. Classes are usually scheduled at the times indicated below but are subject to change (depending on University restrictions and classroom availability):

• Daytime Program classes: Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
• Evening Program classes: Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7:00 – 9:45 p.m.

Fieldwork is an integral part of the BASW curriculum, providing an opportunity for students to apply social work knowledge and practice skills in an agency based, educationally focused field setting.

• BASW students in their junior year must complete an 80-hour practicum at a community agency (8 hours per week for 10 weeks).
• BASW students in their senior year must complete 450 hours of fieldwork throughout the academic year, as well as attend a weekly seminar. Students must complete 16 hours per week in an assigned field agency setting, which must include either two 8-hour weekdays, or one 8-hour and two 4-hour weekdays.

There is an application process to enter the BASW program (major) at CSULB. The School of Social Work admits students for the fall semester, the application period opens October 1st each year.  Students who are interested in applying to the BASW program are encouraged to attend one of our information meetings to learn more about the program and the application process.

• Social Work Degree Information Sheet - What can I do with a Social Work degree? (PDF)

If you are interested in the BASW program (major) at CSULB, we encourage you to attend an Information Meeting to learn more about the BASW program and the application process. The School of Social Work will start accepting applications for the BASW program on October 1, 2023. Please review the information below for your classification.

Continuing (Current) CSULB Students

There is an application process for current CSULB students to enter the BASW program (major).

Eligibility Criteria

Students must complete a minimum of 60 semester units (including the three prerequisites listed below) by the end of the spring semester prior to their first year in the BASW program. In addition, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all three prerequisite courses and a grade of "C" or better for each prerequisite course.

Prerequisite Courses

• Human Biology (BIOL 205) OR Human Anatomy (BIOL 208) & Human Physiology (BIOL 207)
• General Psychology (PSY 100)
• Elementary Statistics (in any subject area: STAT 108, STAT 118, CLA 150 , HDEV 190, PSY 110, SOC 170)

Application Procedure

All applicants are required to submit a supplemental BASW application packet to the School of Social Work Admissions Office by March 1, 2024. In addition, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be submitted directly to University Enrollment Services by March 1st.

Transfer Applicants 

Eligibility Criteria

Transfer Applicants must meet the University requirements for Admission Eligibility in order to apply to the BASW program at CSULB. In addition to the University requirements for Transfer admission, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all three prerequisite courses and earn a grade of "C" or better for each prerequisite course by the spring semester/quarter prior to the fall semester for which they are applying.

Prerequisite Courses

Have taken prerequisite courses equivalent to the following courses at CSULB:

• Human Biology (BIOL 205) OR Human Anatomy (BIOL 208) & Human Physiology (BIOL 207)
• General Psychology (PSY 100)
• Elementary Statistics (in any subject area: STAT 108, STAT 118, CLA 150 , HDEV 190, PSY 110, SOC 170)

Application Procedures

Application to the CSULB BASW program is a four-part process for Transfer Applicants.

1. First, Transfer Applicants must apply to the University online via Cal State Apply. The online University application will be available on October 1, 2023. The deadline to apply to the University is November 30, 2023.
2. Second, if the Transfer Applicant is deemed eligible, a second CSULB–specific application will be required. Applicants will be contacted by University Enrollment Services (UES) regarding this step via the email address they provided for the Cal State Apply application.
3. Third, Transfer Applicants must submit a supplemental BASW application packet to the School of Social Work by March 1, 2024.
4. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be submitted directly to University Enrollment Services by their deadline.

International Students

If you are an international student and you hold a non-immigrant (student or exchange) visa, contact the Center for Professional and International Education (CPIE) at CIE-Admission@csulb.edu or call at (562) 985-5555 for information on additional requirements. This is a critical step in the admission process.

CSULB BASW Program Course Equivalencies (PDF)

CSULB BASW Program Application Process (PDF)

Social Work Experience Questions

Q. What can I do with a Social Work degree?
A. For more information, please see "What can I do with a Social Work degree? (PDF)".

Q. What is considered Social Work experience?
A. Experience working in the social work field, health and human services, case management, or other work 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. We don't keep a list of local agencies looking for staff or volunteers. You can search online for agencies that interest you and contact them for more information. Check out the VolunteerMatch website to get started!

Q. How can I find out more information about getting an MSW degree?
A.  For more information, please review the information posted on our Master of Social Work (MSW) webpage.

Q. How can I find out more information about getting an LCSW?
A.  For more information, please review the information posted on the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) website.

BASW Program Questions

Q.What program options does the School of Social Work offer in the BASW Program?
A. We offer two full-time options: a daytime program and an evening program. Classes are usually scheduled at the times indicated below but are subject to change (depending on University restrictions and classroom availability):

• Classes for the daytime program are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 12:15 pm and from 2:00 - 4:45 pm. 
• Classes for the evening program are held on Mondays and Wednesdays evenings (5:30 - 9:45 pm) and Tuesday evenings (7:00 - 9:45 pm).

Q. Can I switch programs after I am admitted?
A. Once admitted students are not allowed to switch from daytime to evening courses or vice versa, except with the permission of the BASW Undergraduate Program Director.

Q.What are the Fieldwork requirements?
A. Fieldwork is an integral part of the BASW curriculum. It provides an opportunity for students to apply social work knowledge and practice skills in an agency-based, educationally-focused field setting.

BASW students in their junior year must complete an 80-hour practicum at a community agency (8 hours per week for 10 weeks). BASW students in their senior year must complete 450 hours of fieldwork throughout the academic year, as well as attend a weekly seminar. Students must complete 16 hours per week in an assigned field agency setting, which must include either two 8-hour weekdays, or one 8-hour and two 4-hour weekdays.

The School of Social Work determines the fieldwork agencies to which students will be assigned, and the majority of fieldwork agencies are located in low income, urban areas.  If admitted to the BASW program, the student agrees to accept the fieldwork placement assigned by the field faculty of the School.

Application Process Questions

Q. I am already a current CSULB student, what do I need to do to apply to the BASW Program?
A. Continuing (current) CSULB students should submit the supplemental application packet to the School of Social Work in their sophomore year after completing a minimum of sixty (60) units including the three (3) prerequisite courses. Applicants must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for these three prerequisite courses and a grade of "C" or better in each prerequisite course.

Q. I am a Transfer Applicant, what do I need to do to apply to the BASW Program?
A. Transfer Applicants (i.e. new to CSULB) should first apply online to the University through Cal State Apply, complete the CSULB supplemental application sent via email and then submit the BASW supplemental application packet to the School of Social Work after completing a minimum of sixty (60) semester units, including University general education requirements and the three (3) prerequisite courses. Applicants must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for these three prerequisite courses and a grade of "C" or better in each prerequisite course.

Q. When is the deadline to apply to the BASW Program?
A. The deadline for transfer applicants to apply to the University is November 30, 2023. The deadline for all applicants to submit their supplemental application packets to the School of Social Work is March 1, 2024.

Q. When do you start accepting applications?
A. The School of Social Work will begin accepting applications for Fall 2024 on October 1, 2023.

Q. Do you have Spring admissions?
A. No.  We only admit students for the fall semester.

Q. Do I need to mail my application or can I drop it off in person?
A. You can mail your application or drop it off in person.  Our office is located in the Social Sciences/Public Affairs (SS/PA) building, room 161.  Mailed applications must be postmarked by March 1st.  

Q. When will I know the status of my application?
A. Applications will be processed as they are received, but they will be evaluated after the deadline. Applicants will receive an email confirmation once the documents have been received by the Admissions office then decisions will be sent after they are made.

Once the School of Social Work has evaluated your supplemental application packet, they will notify University Enrollment Services. The University has rolling admissions decisions from mid-February through April and applicants will be notified after the School of Social Work reviews its supplemental application packets. Admission is contingent on the successful completion of units and courses in progress.

GPA Questions

Q. What is the minimum GPA required to apply?
A. The cumulative GPA required for the BASW Program varies year-to-year, depending on the applicant pool.  Transfer students will have to meet the cumulative GPA set by CSULB. In addition, all applicants must complete the three prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better by the spring term prior to entering the program and must have a cumulative GPA for the three prerequisite courses of 2.5 or higher. 

GPA Calculator

BASW Program Prerequisite Questions

Q. What are the prerequisites for the BASW program?
A. The following three prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better (no later than the spring semester/quarter prior to entering the program) and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all three prerequisites:

• Human Biology (BIOL 205) OR Human Anatomy (BIOL 208) & Human Physiology (BIOL 207)
• General Psychology (PSY 100)
• Elementary Statistics (STAT 108, STAT 118, HDEV 190, PSY 110, SOC 170)

The course numbers listed above are CSULB courses. Other courses might be equivalent to these courses. Applicants can check the School of Social Work Course Equivalency (PDF) document or visit Assist to verify whether there are articulation agreements between junior/community colleges and CSULB. Assist.org is only for community and junior colleges within California. For out-of-state schools or if your school is not listed, please contact the School of Social Work’s Admissions Office for guidance.

Reference and Recommendation Questions

Q. Do I have to have an Academic and a Professional reference?
A. Yes. In order to apply to the BASW program, you must have two (2) references: one academic and one professional.  Personal references are not appropriate and will not be accepted.

Autobiographical Statement Questions

Q. How long does the Autobiographical Statement have to be?
A. Instructions for writing the Autobiographical Statement are included in the BASW Admission Application packet.

Transcript Questions

Q. Do I need official transcripts from all of the colleges that I’ve attended?
A. CSULB University Enrollment Services requires official transcripts from all colleges/universities that the applicant has attended.

Are you interested in the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program at CSULB? Plan to attend a BASW Information Meeting before you apply!

• Information meetings are offered in the fall and spring semesters.
• For on-campus Information Meetings, no RSVP is required to attend.  
• This is an opportunity to learn more about the program and the application process, ask questions, meet others who are interested in the social work field and assess the educational opportunities provided by the BASW program at CSULB. 

For current parking information, please contact the CSULB Parking & Transportation website.  Additionally, maps of the CSULB campus can be found on the website. 

BASW Information Meetings will be offered on the following dates and times, all virtual except the hybrid meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023:

• Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - 6pm to 7:30pm
• Hybrid Session - Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - 12pm to 1:30pm, Zoom Registration or in-person in SS/PA-258A
• Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 12pm to 1:30pm
• Wednesday, October 18, 2023 - 6pm to 7:30pm
• Saturday, October 21, 2023 - 12pm to 1:30pm
• Saturday, November 18, 2023 - 12pm to 1:30pm 
• Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 6pm to 7:30pm
• Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - 6pm to 7:30pm 

Registration for these sessions will be limited if the sessions are held virtually, once dates are announced registration links will be provided.   After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

All applicants are required to submit a supplemental BASW application packet to the CSULB School of Social Work Admissions Office by the deadline of Friday, March 1, 2024.  Applicants should read the entire application carefully for full instructions as they are expected to provide complete and accurate information.

The supplemental BASW application packet must include the following:

• A completed 2024 BASW Admission Application, signed and dated.
• An autobiographical statement, the prompt is included in the application packet. 

In addition to the application packet, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be sent directly to CSULB University Enrollment Services.

Deadline

The CSULB School of Social Work BASW Supplemental application packet deadline is Friday, March 1st. 

• Mail: Applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2024.
• Hand-Delivered:  Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday, March 1, 2024.

Application Documents

For full functionality of documents, please do the following: download the application and reference form, open and complete the documents using Adobe Acrobat.  Submit the documents using the methods outlined above.  Using other methods, like Adobe Online, may result in issues with the form fields and signature fields.

For more information, please direct questions to the following Email Address: CHHS-SW@csulb.edu