BASW Curriculum

In addition to the coursework specific to the BASW program listed below, students must meet the full SDSU graduation requirements in order to earn the degree.  See the SDSU General Catalog for the full SDSU undergraduate graduation requirements, which include: time limitations, transfer credit, etc.

Preparation for the Major

Social Work 110, 120; Biology 100, 204, or 261; Economics 101 or 102; Psychology 101; Sociology 101; Psychology 280 or Sociology 201 or Statistics 250. (21 units) These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC. The minimum grade in each class is C or higher. Complete all courses in preparation for the major with a minimum GPA of 2.70.

Language Requirement

Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one foreign language to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section of SDSU general catalog on “Graduation Requirements.”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Passing the Writing Placement Assessment with a score of 10 or completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for a complete listing of requirements.

International Experience

All social work majors are required to participate in an international experience to increase awareness of cross-cultural issues, global health, economic, political, cultural, social services, and health challenges experienced by local populations in international environments. Students participate in residence for two or more weeks (exceptions must be approved by the dean of the college for students who, because of serious and compelling life events or physical limitations, cannot meet this requirement).

Specific details can be found at CHHS Undergraduate International Experience web site.

Major

A minimum of 44 upper division units, in a prescribed course sequence, to include Social Work 350, 360, 361, 370, 381, 382, 391, 483A-483B, 489A (4 units), 489B (4 units), and nine units of upper division electives in social work (3 units may be taken from another department).

Field Practicum

All BASW students enroll in field practicum.

The field practicum engages the student in supervised social work practice and provides opportunities to apply classroom learning in the field setting.  See the SSW Field site for details.

Course Guide

 Pre-major Courses

Many of these course have equivalent courses at the Community college. Check with a Community college advisor for more information and for a list of equivalent courses. Equivalent courses for SWORK 110 and SWORK 120 are offered at San Diego Community College.

300-level courses (Junior Year)

A student may be admitted to the Major once all premajor requirements have been met.

Six 300 level social work courses (18 units) are required for the major. Students are advised to be aware that all of these courses are not offered every semester.

Students must complete all 300-level social work courses (21 units) before they will be allowed to enroll in Social Work 483A and 489A. There is no required order of the 300-level courses with the exception that Social Work 382 must be taken prior to Social Work 381.

Note:

• SWORK 381 and SWORK 382 must have grades of C or better in order to continue on to the Field Experience in Social Work (SWORK 489A).
• The cumulative GPA for SWORK 350, SWORK 360, SWORK 361, SWORK 370, SWORK 381, and SWORK 382 must be 2.5 or better to continue on to the Field Experience in Social Work (SWORK 489A).

400, 500-level Courses

Several 400, 500-level social work courses (23 units) are required for the major. Students are advised to be aware that all of the courses are not offered every semester. In addition, SW 489A and SW 489B is considered a year-long field experience. Students that do not complete the year-long field experience in the same academic year will need to repeat the full year-long field experience.

Select three electives from the list below.  At least two electives must be in the Social Work department. The other elective may be selected from the list of courses from other departments presented below.

• SWORK 400 – Social Work Practice: Child Welfare
• SWORK 410 – Social Work Practice: Family Issues
• SWORK 430 – Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention and Intervention
• SWORK 497 – Investigation and Report (Approval of instructor required)
• GERO 520 – Programs for the Aging

last updated: 8/18/2017