Program Information

Mission and Goals

The mission of the California State University, Bakersfield, Department of Social Work, is to prepare students for social work practice and leadership at the advanced generalist level. Graduates possess the knowledge, values, and skills required to competently and ethically work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities using best practices. The Department is committed to advocating for the improvement of social conditions and equity in the Central Valley by promoting culturally responsive and inclusive practice, social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and life-long learning.

Department of Social Work Goals

The Department of Social Work is committed to the following goals, which are derived from the mission statement. These goals are consistent with the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Educational Policy, Section 1.1.

The program goals are to:

1. To prepare advanced generalist social workers who identify with the social work profession and model the values and ethics of the profession, including a commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
2. To prepare graduates to continue their professional growth and development throughout their careers. 
3. To prepare students for leadership roles in an interprofessional environment within the community.
4. To prepare advanced generalist social workers who are competent to engage in autonomous practice within the context of multiple systems and diverse environments, using a multidimensional perspective applicable across the lifespan.
5. To prepare advanced generalist social workers who use research knowledge and skills to evaluate and inform their social work practice across the levels of practice.
6. To prepare advanced generalist social workers to advocate for human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice in the broader social environment.

The MSW Program

MSW Curriculum

The MSW curriculum at CSUB is built on a model of advanced generalist practice, which prepares graduates to work in a variety of roles across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. The curriculum addresses two levels of competency: Foundation and Concentration. The MSW course of study includes at least 6 units of elective courses approved by the department. Students who receive special funding are required to take electives associated with their special funding. In conjunction with the field practicum, each student completes a community project as a culminating experience.

Advancement to Graduate Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy is required prior to initiation of the final concentration year of coursework.

Full and part-time MSW students may be advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the Foundation curriculum, and advanced-standing students may be advanced to candidacy during the second semester of their studies. Advancement to candidacy is based upon a formal review and recommendation by the faculty and approval by the AVP of Academic Programs/Dean for Graduate Studies and Research.

Degree Requirements

The University confers the MSW degree upon fulfillment of the following requirements:

1. Completion of 60 hours of course work (30 hours for advanced-standing students) according to an approved degree plan.
2. Completion of 960 hours of field experience (640 hours for advanced-standing students) and associated seminars.
3. Completion of a culminating experience.
4. Grade point average of 3.0, and a grade of "C" or better in all courses taken to satisfy the requirements for the degree as specified in each student's Plan of Study.
5. Completion of 64 credits in residence for regular students and 32 for the advanced-standing students.
6. All coursework leading to the MSW degree must be completed within 7 years from first enrollment.

Life or Work Experience

The Department of Social Work does not accept course credit for life experience or previous work experience.

Notice to Students Re: Professional Licensure and Certification

California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a California State University program, they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

Program Assessment Outcomes

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BAKERSFIELD

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

The MSW program at CSUB is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education until 2031.

One of the accreditation requirements is to post results of our assessment of learning outcomes.

The Department of Social Work at CSUB continuously implements a comprehensive program evaluation plan that shows how effectively and systematically the social work program is measuring the competencies and skills established by CSWE's (Council of Social Work Education) Education Policies and Standards.

In 2020, the Department of Social Work revised its plan to include use of post-test and the use of the field evlauations as the basis for assessing learning outcomes.

The department chose to establish a "benchmark" of 80% as a standard we hope to meet. That standard means that 80% students would achieve a score of 80% or better on each measurement. The "benchmark findings" on the reports linked at right show the percentage of students who actually achieved that 80% goal.