Units required for Major: 48
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work is a 48-unit program that prepares students for beginning, generalist Social Work practice. All lower division general education courses must be completed prior to beginning the Social Work major. The curriculum consists of 42 units in professional foundation/beginning generalist requirement, 6 units of Social Work electives. Grades of "C" or better are required in all 48 units of the major. The student must agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers and engage in ethical practice in conformity with the Professional Code of Ethics.
Upon successful graduation with the BASW, graduated students will be able to, among other knowledge and skills, effectively demonstrate, apply, engage with, and evaluate the nine social work competencies that are mandated for accredited social work programs per the Council on Social Work Education. This will be demonstrated at the generalist level. The nine mandated competencies are: 1) Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior; 2) Engage diversity and difference in practice; 3) Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice; 4) Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice; 5) Engage in policy practice; 6) Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; 7) Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; 8) Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; and, 9) Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Undergraduate students enroll in one academic year of field instruction (internship) during their senior year after successfully completing all prerequisites in their junior year. Field instruction is 16 hours per week for 32 weeks during two semesters for a total of 512 hours. Field instruction takes place between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on either Mondays/Wednesdays or Wednesdays/Fridays. Placements only begin in the fall semester and are arranged by the Director of Field Education during the preceding spring semester through an application and interview process. Students are placed in a social services agency and practice under the supervision of an experienced MSW Social Worker. Since Social Work is an applied profession, the student is expected to be able to put into practice the knowledge gained in the classroom in order to receive the BA degree in Social Work.
Students must be capable of meeting field site/organization eligibility requirements which normally include obtaining a Department of Justice clearance (passing a criminal background), being free of communicable diseases, having a valid driver's license, and automobile insurance. In addition to the prerequisites and corequisites noted below, other eligibility requirements are delineated in the Field Curriculum and Policy Guide which is accessible from the Division's field website. Declaration of Social Work as the student's major does not guarantee enrollment in field instruction.
Pre-Major Requirements for Social Work Undergraduate Program
The Pre-Major is a total of 12 units: 3-4 units from G.E. Area B2, 3 units in Area D (Part A), 3 units in Area D (Part B), and SWRK 95 (3 units).
Students who want to become a Pre-Major in Social Work are required to take the courses from the following three G.E. areas and SWRK 95 and earn a "B" grade or better ("B-" is not accepted). Students must also have at least 2.5 GPA to declare the major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area B2 Life Forms (3-4 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 - 4 | |
| Basic Biological Concepts | ||
| Biology: A Human Perspective | ||
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Area D The Individual and Society (Part A) (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis | ||
| Introductory Psychology | ||
| Principles of Sociology | ||
| Area D The Individual and Society (Part B) (6 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society | ||
| Aging Issues in Contemporary Society | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Issues in Crime and Social Control | ||
| Take the following course: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social Work | ||
| Total Units | 12-13 | |
Recommended Lower Division Preparation
Completion of all lower division General Education requirements is a prerequisite for taking courses in the Social Work major. Lower division courses in the following areas are strongly recommended and most can be taken as part of completing GE requirements. These courses provide the basis for a Liberal Arts perspective which is required by the Council on Social Work Education, the accrediting organization for the professional Social Work degree: written communication; critical thinking; physical science; a biology course with human anatomy content; quantitative reasoning; world civilizations; introduction to the arts; humanities; psychology; sociology; cultural diversity; American Institutions; and foundations in social and behavioral sciences. Community college transfer students should consult a counselor to identify courses which qualify for General Education transfer credit.
Minimum Grade Requirement
Grades of "C" or better are required in all 48 units of the major.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (3 Units) | ||
| SWRK 95 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| Required Upper Division Courses (45 Units) | ||
| Professional Foundation/Beginning Generalist | ||
| SWRK 102 | Crosscultural Theory and Practice: Issues of Race, Gender and Class 1 | 3 |
| SWRK 110 | Statistics and Research for Social Workers | 3 |
| SWRK 111 | Research Methods and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWRK 125A | Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theory | 3 |
| SWRK 125B | Human Behavior and the Social Environment: The Life Course | 3 |
| SWRK 140A | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWRK 140B | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWRK 140C | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWRK 150 | Welfare In America 1 | 3 |
| SWRK 195A | Field Instruction + Integration Seminar | 6 |
| SWRK 195B | Field Instruction + Integration Seminar | 6 |
| Social Welfare Policy and Human Behavior | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Chemical Dependency and Social Work Practice | ||
| Community Organizing | ||
| Theories of Criminal Behavior 1 | ||
| Human Sexuality in Social Work Perspectives | ||
| Social Work and Spirituality | ||
| Crimes Without Victims | ||
| Poverty and Homelessness in America | ||
| The Child and the Law | ||
| Violence In The Family | ||
| Working with LGBTQ+ Publics | ||
| Forensic Social Work with Adults | ||
| Health Services and Systems | ||
| Child Welfare Services | ||
| Exploration of Veteran Studies: An Ethnographic Approach 1 | ||
| Total Units | 48 | |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
| B2 - Life Forms 2 | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (0-3 Units) | ||
| Area D Course 4 | 0 - 3 | |
| Area D Course 5 | 0 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 5 | 0 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 40-43 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Department recommends BIO 10, BIO 20, or ANTH 1 to meet Area B2.
- 3
Department recommends ECON 1A, ECON 1B, PSYC 2, or SOC 1 to meet Area D (Part A).
- 4
Department recommends CRJ 1, GERO 10, SOC 3, or SOC 10 to meet Area D (Part B).
- 5
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6-9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) 2 | 0 - 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (9 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) 3 | 0 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 4 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Department recommends SWRK 126 or SWRK 191 to meet the Writing Intensive (WI) Graduation Requirement.
- 3
Required in Major; also satisfies Graduation Requirement.
- 4
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Social Work, BA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| SWRK 95 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| CRJ 1 |
Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society 3 or or Social Problems or Issues in Crime and Social Control |
3 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 10 |
Basic Biological Concepts 3 or Basic Biological Concepts or Introduction to the Science of Biology or Introduction to Biological Anthropology |
3 - 4 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ECON 1A |
Introduction to Macroeconomic Analysis 3 or Introduction to Microeconomic Analysis or Introductory Psychology or Principles of Sociology |
3 |
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SWRK 150 | Welfare In America | 3 |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| SWRK 102 | Crosscultural Theory and Practice: Issues of Race, Gender and Class | 3 |
| SWRK 110 | Statistics and Research for Social Workers | 3 |
| SWRK 125A | Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theory | 3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SWRK 125B | Human Behavior and the Social Environment: The Life Course | 3 |
| SWRK 140A | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Social Welfare Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive | ||
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 12 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| SWRK 111 | Research Methods and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWRK 140B | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWRK 195A | Field Instruction + Integration Seminar | 6 |
| Social Welfare Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SWRK 140C | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWRK 195B | Field Instruction + Integration Seminar | 6 |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 117-118 | |
Social Work, BA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| SWRK 102 | Crosscultural Theory and Practice: Issues of Race, Gender and Class | 3 |
| SWRK 110 | Statistics and Research for Social Workers | 3 |
| SWRK 125A | Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Theory | 3 |
| SWRK 150 | Welfare In America | 3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SWRK 125B | Human Behavior and the Social Environment: The Life Course | 3 |
| SWRK 140A | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Social Welfare Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| SWRK 111 | Research Methods and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWRK 140B | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWRK 195A | Field Instruction + Integration Seminar | 6 |
| Social Welfare Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| SWRK 140C | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWRK 195B | Field Instruction + Integration Seminar | 6 |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.