Degrees Offered
The School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) welcomes your interest in the programs we offer. We are pleased you are considering a career in social work, a profession dedicated to the development of a just society.
General Information
The School of Social Work offers a two-year professional program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) degree. Our BASW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The goals of the BASW program are to prepare students for entry level, professional, generalist social work practice and for graduate social work education including advanced standing. Students learn to practice as professional social workers with persons and groups representing the range of human diversity and with all size systems (individuals, families, groups, institutions and communities). Please review the BASW Program Flyer for more details.
Program Schedule
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.
Field Education Requirements:
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.
Admission
There is an application process to enter the BASW program (major) at CSULB. We will begin accepting applications on October 1. Please review the links in the yellow box for more information. 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.
We look forward to meeting you at an information meeting! Go Beach!
Fall 2019 Applications will be available by October 1, 2018!
The CSULB School of Social Work welcomes your interest in our Master of Social Work (MSW) program. We are pleased you are committed to a career in social work, a profession dedicated to the development of a just society.
General Information
Our MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)and prepares students for advanced generalist social work practice. Graduates are prepared to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in government agencies, non-profit organizations, schools and other settings. In addition, students are prepared for advanced practice in one of the following areas of specialization: Child and Family Wellbeing, Adulthood and Aging, or Integrated Health.
Our MSW degree requires the completion of 60 semester units over the course of a 2-year or 3-year program plan. We also offer an Advanced Standing option for applicants with an undergraduate degree in social work. Field education is an integral part of the MSW curriculum, providing students the opportunity to apply their knowledge, social work practice and intervention skills in a community agency setting under the supervision of qualified field instructors during two 500-hour placements.
Admission
Applicants are admitted to our MSW program for the fall semester only. Application to the MSW program is a TWO-STEP process: applicants must first apply to the University (CSULB) and then submit a supplemental MSW application packet directly to the School of Social Work. The application period is October 1 through January 15. Review the links in the yellow box for more information.
Learn More
Please review the links in the yellow box for more information. We encourage prospective applicants to attend one of our information meetings to learn more about the program and the application process.
We look forward to meeting you at an information meeting! Go Beach!
Full-Time Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Course Sequence
Fall Semester:
SW 220 Introduction to Social Welfare (3)
SW 221 Introduction to Social Welfare Practicum (3)
SW 330 Human Behavior and Social Environment: Birth through Adolescence (3)
SW 351 Social Policy: Formulation and Analysis (3)
Spring Semester:
SW 331 Human Behavior and Social Environment: Young Adulthood through Old Age (3)
SW 340 Generalist Social Work Practice (3)
SW 341 Social Work Practicum (3)*
SW 350 Law, Court Decisions, and Policy Practice(3)
Senior Year
Fall Semester:
SW 440 Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups (3)
SW 442 Generalist Social Work Practice Individuals and Families (3)
SW 495A Field Experience in Social Work (3)**
Spring Semester:
SW 441 Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities & Institutions (3)
SW 465 Research Methods in Social Work (3)
SW 495B Field Experience in Social Work (3)**
The Master of Social Work degree offers opportunity for study in one of three areas of specialization:
- Child and Family Wellbeing
- Adulthood and Aging
- Integrated Health
Students rank their choice of specialization in the first semester of the foundation year. The second-year courses and field placement will be determined by this choice of specialization. While students are not required to designate a specialization, program stipend recipients and students who choose to complete the Pupil Personnel Services Credential are required to choose a specific specialization.
Child and Family Wellbeing Specialization
The Child and Family Wellbeing specialization prepares students to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches to promote positive child and family functioning across diverse populations. Through coursework and field placements, students will acquire and enhance their skills to effectively engage, assess and intervene with children and families both preventively and with those experiencing challenges. Students will also gain knowledge of the policies most salient to the lives of children and families and skills to effectively influence such policies. This specialization provides a solid framework for students interested in working in child protective services, schools and other public agencies or community-based non-profits.
Adulthood and Aging Specialization
The Adulthood and Aging specialization prepares students to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches to promote positive adult, older adult, and family functioning across diverse populations. Through coursework and field placements, students will acquire and enhance their skills to effectively engage, assess, and intervene with adults and older adults. Students will gain knowledge of the unique psychosocial needs facing adults, older adults, and their families. Students will examine adulthood and the aging processes from multiple perspectives: biomedical, psychological, socioeconomic, spiritual and cultural while examining contemporary trends that are shaping aging policy, practice, and theory. This specialization provides a solid framework for students interested in working in the areas of adult protective services, supportive services for family caregivers, Alzheimer’s and dementia care services, hospice services, the prison system and community corrections, promotion of healthy aging, long-term care, and health care collaborations.
Integrated Health Specialization
The Integrated Health specialization prepares students to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches to meeting the changing needs of people from diverse populations with physical, behavioral health, and substance use challenges. Through coursework and field placements, students will acquire and enhance their skills to effectively engage, assess, and intervene with individuals who face chronic diseases and co-occuring conditions of mental health challenges and/or substance use. Students will learn to utilize prevention and brief intervention models critical to integrated care and how to work effectively on an interdisciplinary team. Students will learn how evidence-based practice, along with recovery-oriented and strengths-based care philosophies, can foster changes in practice settings and policies. This specialization provides a solid framework for students interested in working to deliver services in outpatient or primary care facilities, community-based behavioral health agencies, hospitals, and acute, chronic and long-term care settings.
