Apr 13, 2025  
2025-2026 Cal State East Bay Catalog (BETA) 
    
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2025-2026 Cal State East Bay Catalog (BETA)

Social Work, B.S.W.

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Delivery Formats Available: Hybrid

Social Work, B.S.W. (120 units)

Program Description

The Department of Social Work offers undergraduate study leading to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). This program trains social workers for Bachelor’s level direct practice positions in social work and is in candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education. The program has a multicultural focus, preparing graduates to work in both nonprofit and public agencies and to be proficient in serving diverse populations in urban communities. 

The mission of the Bachelor of Social Work program is to graduate generalist practice-level, culturally responsive urban social workers in community mental health. The BSW program prepares students to attend to individual, family, group, and community needs caused by inequalities of class and identity, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, caste, and other forms of social injustice. Advocacy and social change to address these injustices form the core of the BSW program.

Our vision is to create a cadre of diverse leaders to be catalysts for social change and transform oppressive systems in partnership with the communities we serve.

Program Learning Outcomes

In the U.S., the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) determines accreditation of academic social work programs on a nine-item competency-based framework. Consistent with these competencies, the CSUEB BSW Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) reflect the following nine competencies:

  • PLO1/Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  • PLO2/Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  • PLO3/Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social and Economic Justice
  • PLO4/Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
  • PLO5/Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
  • PLO6/Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • PLO7/Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • PLO8/Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • PLO9/Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Career Opportunities

Completion of the BSW qualifies students to apply for Advanced Standing in an accredited MSW program, expediting their progress towards a graduate level degree required for many social work positions. Graduates of the BSW program are prepared to work with individuals, families, groups, and organizations in both public and nonprofit practice. The State of California is experiencing a shortage of individuals prepared for generalist social work practice. Social Workers are needed to work with a variety of populations, including individuals with serious health and behavioral health issues, children and families involved in the child welfare system, older adults, individuals with disabilities, children and youth in schools, and people living in poverty.

Degree Requirements 

The Bachelor of Social Work degree requires a total of 120 units:

Lower Division Core- 9-10 units

BSW Major Core Courses- 40 units

Electives- 30 units

Students in the BSW program must meet with a faculty advisor to determine a set of 30 elective units that align with their planned careers. This course plan must be approved and filed before taking elective courses. Students can find their assigned faculty major advisor on Bay Advisor. If no faculty major advisor has been assigned, please contact the BSW Program Coordinator listed on our website.

Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Undergrad Baccalaureate & Program Requirements chapter of this catalog.

Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.

Admission Requirements

The BSW degree program is open to students planning a career in social work, including students entering CSUEB as first-year students as well as students transferring from community colleges.

Student Standing and Progress Toward the Degree

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Undergrad Baccalaureate & Program Requirements chapter of this catalog. 

Cause for Dismissal from Program

Students may be dismissed from the program at any time “for cause.” “For cause” includes, but is not limited to, poor academic or practicum performance, as well as behavior that is destructive to students or faculty, and/or interferes with the educational environment, and/or represents a threat to potential clients. “For cause” also includes student behaviors that are inconsistent with the legal, ethical, and/or personal responsibilities of professional social workers.

Social Work Major Requirements (79-80 units)

Lower Division Core (9-10 units)

The program requires a lower division core consisting of:

BSW Major Core Courses (40 units)

All BSW Students will complete these courses for the major (40 units).

Electives (30 units)

Students in the BSW program must meet with a faculty advisor to determine a set of 30 elective units that align with their planned careers. This course plan must be approved and filed before taking elective courses. Students can find their assigned faculty major advisor on Bay Advisor. If no faculty major advisor has been assigned, please contact the BSW Program Coordinator listed on our website. Electives that may be approved for the BSW include:

Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Undergrad Baccalaureate & Program Requirements  chapter of this catalog. 

Department Courses Listed by Course Type

Social Work Courses

Department of Social Work

Courses

Social Work

Social Work: Graduate

 

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