BASW Program:
The BASW program at CSUSB prepares students to work in entry level human services positions in a variety of agencies and settings.
It is an impacted program. This means that students interested in majoring in social work need to apply to the School of Social Work. If accepted into the program, students will complete two years of upper-division social work coursework. The BASW program is exclusively an in-person program, meaning all classes are conducted face-to-face. Classes begin in the fall semester of every academic year.
The BASW program is available at two campuses: the San Bernardino Campus (SBC) and the Palm Desert Campus (PDC). Social work classes are held in the evenings, 7:00 to 9:45 p.m. for those at SBC and 4:00 to 6:45 p.m./7:00 to 9:45 p.m. for those attending PDC. During the second year of the BASW program, students will participate in their practicum (that is, internship) twice a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, alongside attending in-person classes on the days that they do not have their practicum.
The BASW program at CSUSB is an impacted program, which means that students who want to major in social work must apply to the School of Social Work. Those interested in applying should first declare their major as pre-social work. Once they are accepted into the program, their major will be updated to social work. If a student is not accepted into the BASW program, they have the option to change their major to another field, such as sociology or psychology.
Two years. The social work courses are offered in sequence; therefore, the time cannot be shortened. Please visit the Roadmap to Graduation webpage for a summary of the required courses for the BASW program.
Yes, students interested in majoring in social work must apply to the BASW program, as it is an impacted major.
Due to social work being an impacted program, space is limited. For this reason, it is best to turn in your application on or before the deadline.
We highly encourage you to attend one of the BASW Information Sessions, where you will learn about the program requirements, prerequisites, application process, and deadline. If you have specific questions about the admissions requirements, you can also contact socialwork@csusb.edu. Additionally, review the Admissions Requirements webpage for information on the program's requirements.
The BASW within the School of Social Work is a nationally accredited program taught by professional social workers and includes a nine-month internship.
Please contact CSUSB Academic Advising for an advising appointment: https://www.csusb.edu/advising
Applying to the Program:
To receive admission into the program you must complete, or be close to completing the prerequisite courses; have an overall GPA of 2.5; achieve junior status; and earn at least a C grade in SW 2000.
First-Time Freshmen: Apply to CSUSB via Cal State Apply as a pre-social work major. During the fall of your sophomore year, apply to the BASW program by submitting a BASW supplemental application.
Current CSUSB Students: During the fall of your sophomore year, apply to the BASW program by completing a BASW supplemental application.
Transfer Students: Simultaneously apply to the university via Cal State Apply and complete the BASW supplemental program application.
Applications open October 1st. Refer to Apply to BASW Program for more details on applying to the program.
Students can only enter in the fall term due to the sequencing of the program.
Yes. The summer course(s) will be considered as work in progress pending the final grade in the summer course(s).
Freshmen students should take SW 2000 in their second year, complete their English and Math requirements. Over the next two years, students should be working on completing the prerequisite equivalent courses for the BASW program and most of the CSUSB general education courses.
Students who are not accepted into the BASW program on their first application attempt have the following options:
- Reapply to the BASW program during the following fall semester. This option will delay graduation by at least one year.
- Pursue a different undergraduate major and then apply to the MSW program.
Prerequisites:
To apply to the BASW program, prospective students need to complete nine prerequisites listed below. Attached is a document that lists the equivalent of these prerequisites at various community colleges. Students are encouraged to complete or enroll in seven out of nine of these courses by the time to submit their application to the BASW program.
- Written Communication: ENG 1070A
- Oral Communication: COMM 1006
- Mathematics: Math 1601
- Critical Thinking: SOC 1800
- Biology: BIOL 1000 & 1000L
- Introduction to Psychology: PSYC 1100
- Introduction to Sociology: SOC 1000
- Statistics: PSYC 2210
Introduction to Social Work: SW 2000 (Note: This is a critical class, which must be completed before a student can begin the BASW program.)
Applicants must complete or be close to completing all of the specified prerequisite courses or their equivalents before they can be accepted into the BASW Program. Equivalent courses may be taken at community colleges. The only course you are required to take before starting the program is SW 2000 – Introduction to Social Work. However, you do not need to have this course completed before applying.
Most of them need to have been met. SW 2000 (introduction to Social Work) is the one prerequisite that must be completed before a student can begin the program in the Fall. If you have some classes you still need to complete but are in the process of taking them or you plan to take them before the start of the Social Work program in the Fall, you can still apply. Feel free to contact our office to see if it is feasible for you to apply.
There is no foreign language requirement to be considered for the BASW program.
Several local community colleges offer equivalent courses. If you have taken an Introduction to Social Work course at a Council on Work Education (CSWE) accredited program, it may be considered an equivalent course. Please contact basw@csusb.edu for additional information.
Please refer to the Prerequisite Equivalent List for courses.
Practicum:
The practicum requirement is 16 hours per week, 240 hours per semester of the senior year. In the junior year, students are surveyed for their placement preferences and needs. The School of Social Work arranges all placements and students are notified by the end of their junior year.
No. We cannot guarantee weekend and/or evening placements that meet both the expectations and requirements of our School of Social Work, or the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).