BASW Program Overview

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Here is a brief overview of the BASW program and the kinds of classes and assignments students have had before they get to field and while they are with you.

In order to enter the BASW program at CSUSB, students must take prerequisite courses, including SW 200-Introduction to Social Work. In this course they learn about the history and aims of the profession, social work values and fields of practice. This course helps students make an informed decision about pursuing a career in social work.

After completing the prerequisites, students must apply to get in the program. They write a personal statement, provide references, and give information on their work and volunteer experiences. As you can see, our students have to be motivated and informed to be accepted into the program.

The first year in the program students learn about social welfare policies, how to advocate for more just policies, major theories of human development throughout the life span, and how to use and conduct research. Although these courses are classroom-based, assignments often require students interact with the community. For example, students interview an older family member about family roles and rules, they form work groups and investigate aspects of a cultural group in the community, and they call legislators and write letters to the editors of local newspapers. For they past two years, students have interviewed older citizens in San Bernardino County and entered and analyzed the resulting data to assist the county in planning and improving services to students.

Courses also include written assignments intended to deepen understanding of course content as well as continued development of writing skills. Students have access to a writing tutor hired by the department.

So, students already have begun their social work education before they come to you. While they are with you in field, they take a series of practice courses. In the fall, they have a course on practice with individuals, in the winter the focus is on groups and families, and in the spring the topic is practice with organizations and communities.

For more information about the curriculum and classes, see the curriculum link.