The Division of Social Work prepares ethical and competent social workers who can both lead and serve our richly diverse communities to increase human well-being, health equity, and social justice. Rooted in long-standing and evolving partnerships with community-based agencies, educational institutions, local and state government, we prepare students to effectively serve culturally-diverse and highly-marginalized individuals, families, and communities as practitioners, clinicians, leaders, and advocates.
The Division offers professional undergraduate (BASW) and graduate degree (MSW) programs. The MSW program offers specializations in child welfare (including the Title IV-E program), behavioral health, and health & aging. We offer a one-year Advanced Standing MSW, and an accelerated pathway to a school social work credential.
Even in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (along with all our other modern California natural disasters), all our students have stayed serving communities in-person across the region and Central Valley. In fact, almost 50% of our professional degree programs are constituted by the cornerstone of social work education: practicum. In any given semester, we have approximately 350 students in communities completing their practicum at over 140 agency partners. Still, parallel to the challenges of the communities they serve, our students have responded to on-line education, pivoted back to in-person courses, and braved their own hardships in these modern pandemic times. Social work students are some of the most diverse across the university, including highly racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse. They are Veterans, multi-lingual, variously able bodied, First Generation, variously documented, and LGBTQIA2+ persons.
Similar to our talented students, our faculty are increasingly recognized for their scholarship, leadership, and excellence in teaching. Our faculty lead the science on homelessness in the region, create innovative partnerships with community stakeholders, and disseminate cutting edge research and practice standards with alumni and professionals, locally and beyond.
Please consider supporting the Division of Social Work’s General Fund. This fund allows the department Chair / Director to allocate funds to the greatest needs in the department—and during these times those needs are focused on our students, practicum program, and supporting student success in the classroom. We are seeking increased engagement and support of our students during their practicum, that is, increase the numbers of students who receive stipends or other financial support during internship. Also, so many students continue to experience enduring financial and personal hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your gift of support directly and immediately helps them.
Thank you in advance for your support!
