Social Work, B.A.

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The Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work enables students to explore and develop values, knowledge and generalist skills essential to the practice of social work in a multiethnic environment. The goals of the program include: providing continuing education for persons already employed in the field of social work or related human services; preparing students for professional entry-level positions in social work; and preparing students for further study in graduate schools of social work or related human services.

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work is 120, of which 72 units are in the major, including 45 units in required upper division courses in social work; 6 units of prerequisite courses; 6 units of elective courses in social work; and 15 units of free electives. Consult with an advisor for the specific number of units required in all areas of the degree including GE and free electives. See the Undergraduate Studies: General Information section for details about General Education and other requirements that constitute the units outside the major.

School of Social Work Regulations

Students in the Social Work major must earn grades of C or higher in the following social work courses: SW 3700 , SW 3010 , SW 3720 , SW 4740 , SW 4750 , SW 4780 , SW 3820 , SW 4951 and SW 4952 .
Students who are placed on academic notice are not permitted to enroll in a social work course until an academic adviser from the School of Social Work approves a revised academic plan. The plan will provide students with guidelines to support their academic success.
Students are required to complete a criminal clearance check, prior to entering a field placement. Some field agencies will not accept students who cannot pass the criminal background clearance. Please note that difficulty or the inability to place a student in a required field practicum may delay or prevent the completion of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work degree.

Sequence Requirements

Upper division status is required for all social work courses.
Admission to the SW Major is a prerequisite for SW 3010 , SW 3700 , and SW 3711 .
SW 3711 is prerequisite to SW 3712 .
Admission to the SW Major and SW 3700 are prerequisites to SW 3720 .
Admission to the SW Major, SW 3700 and SW 3720 are prerequisites to SW 4740 , and SW 4750 .
SW 3700 , SW 3010 , SW 3711 , SW 3712 , and SW 3720 plus 90 units or more are prerequisites to SW 4951 .
Admission to the SW Major and SW 4951 are prerequisites to SW 4952 .
SW 4951 and SW 4952 must be taken in the last two semesters of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work program.

Admission Criteria Learning Outcomes Roadmap

Requirements for the Major (72 or 73 units)

Core Requirements (51 or 52 units)

Prerequisite Courses (6 or 7 units)

The following courses must be completed before taking any SW courses in the major.
A grade of C or higher is required.

Select one:
PSY 1500 - Introductory Psychology [3]
SOC 2010 - Introduction to Sociology [3]
Select one:
EDFN 3520 - Applied Statistics [3]
HHS 4000 - Statistics in Health and Human Services [1-3]
MATH 1090 - Quantitative Reasoning with Statistics, with Lab [4]

Upper Division Core Courses (45 units)

Select one course:
SW 3761 - Child Welfare [3]
SW 3762 - Cross Cultural Practice with Older Adults [3]
SW 3763 - Forensic Social Work Practice [3]
And complete the following courses:
SW 3010 - Writing and Computers in Social Work [3]
SW 3700 - Field of Social Work [3]
SW 3710 - Culturally Competent Social Work Practice [3]
SW 3711 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I : Prenatal Through Early Adolescence [3]
SW 3712 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment II: Late Adolescence Through Old Age [3]
SW 3720 - Interviewing Skills for Social Work Practice [3]
SW 3820 - Community Organizing [3]
SW 3910 - Social Work Research Methods [3]
SW 4630 - Diversity and Intersectionality in Social Work [3]
SW 4740 - Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families [3]
SW 4750 - Social Work Practice with Groups [3]
SW 4780 - Social Welfare Policy and Social Services [3]
SW 4951 - Integrative Field Practicum I [3]
SW 4952 - Integrative Field Practicum II [3]

Electives (21 units)

Electives in Social Work and other fields (6 units)

Free Electives (15 units)

Remaining units can be used to take free electives in social work or any other discipline to meet GE requirements and the required 120 units for graduation.

Note: All Social Work courses are offered on campus, but have the option to be taught online or as a hybrid.

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