Social Work
The Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) prepares students for entry-level generalist social work practice and graduate study in social work and related fields. Grounded in the profession’s core values of service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence, the program is guided by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Through a comprehensive curriculum and supervised Practicum Education experiences, students develop the knowledge, values, skills, and ethical foundation necessary to engage in professional social work practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Social workers promote individual and community well-being by addressing social problems, advocating for equitable access to resources and services, and empowering individuals and communities to achieve meaningful change. The BSSW curriculum prepares students to understand and respond to complex social, economic, environmental, and systemic factors that influence human behavior and well-being. Through coursework and Practicum Education, students develop competencies in engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, research, professional communication, case management, policy analysis, advocacy, activism, cultural humility, and ethical decision-making across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice in both domestic and international contexts.
Graduates are prepared for entry-level generalist social work practice in a wide range of professional settings serving diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Employment opportunities include healthcare systems, schools, behavioral health and mental health agencies, child welfare and family service organizations, aging services, substance use treatment programs, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, and other public and private human service settings in both domestic and international contexts. The BSSW program also provides a strong foundation for graduate education, preparing students to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and other advanced professional opportunities. Graduates have pursued MSW degrees at universities including Columbia University, New York University, University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, Long Beach, California State University, Los Angeles, California State University, Northridge, San Diego State University, San Jose State University, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, and other leading graduate programs in social work.