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Social Work
The profession of social work is deeply committed both to the relief of human distress and inequality and to the meeting of the social, psychological, and economic needs of human beings. While this concern for others is a vital ingredient of social work, it must be implemented with the knowledge and skills of the profession. To accomplish these goals, the School of Social Work offers an undergraduate major in Social Work as preparation for beginning professional social work practice, as well as a one-, two-, three- and four-year graduate curriculum leading to the Master of Social Work degree.
Program Overview
The
69-unit undergraduate Social Work major is designed to apply to a wide variety
of social work practice settings. The premajor coursework includes a basis in the liberal arts requiring classes in biology,
community health education, psychology, sociology, and social
work. The upper-division curriculum is intensive and exciting. It encompasses
coursework in social work practice, human behavior, cultural pluralism, social
policy and program evaluation, and social work research. Elective seminars
are available in specialized fields, such as child welfare, aging, and
family studies. A field work practicum experience is also required.
The Social Work major is an impacted program. Find out more information regarding the impaction.
Special Features
- Field Education - The undergraduate education is an integral part of the social work program which enables students to gain hands-on experience.
- The payback of the Federal Perkins Loan is reduced or canceled for some social work students five years after graduation if they work with disabled children, high-risk youth, or low-income families.
- Student Associations - The Undergraduate Social Work Association offers opportunities for service and provides information about graduate studies in social work. Students are also eligible for student membership in the National Association of Social Workers. Additionally, the school has a number of other student associations listed on the School of Social Work Web site.
Faculty Highlights
School of Social Work faculty are active participants on federal, state, and local human service boards and organizations. They serve in positions of leadership for the National Association of Social Workers and for the Council on Social Work Education.
Major areas of faculty research include substance abuse, minority programs and services, international programs, child welfare, urban community services, mental health and aging.
Student Perspective
Lori Roads, B.A. Social Work 2007, student in the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program: “The study and practice of social work provides a unique opportunity for me to blend my personal life experiences together with social work values and principles, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for another. My experience in the undergraduate Social Work Program at SDSU taught me that to engage fully in every classroom and field learning opportunity would result in a valuable foundation in the field of social work. As a first year MSW student, I continue to benefit from the genuine encouragement and support offered by the skilled faculty in the program. ’“
Alumni Perspective
"The opportunity to focus on administrative social work taught me broad components that I now work on in the field; areas such as policy work, grant writing, community organizing and program development. I have realized now how much SDSU's administration program prepared me to be a competent and confident social worker."
- Jen Henry, MSW (SDSU Graduate BSW 2004, MSW 2007 and current Program Manager for The Step-Up Program at the Consensus Organizing Center and Regional Director for the NASW)
"The undergraduate and graduate programs provided the opportunity to learn about all levels of social work practice, which helped me to find my true calling within the field. Both programs also served as a significant establishment for increasing my social and professional network. I continue to keep in contact with former classmates and SDSU faculty members for guidance, resources, and support."
- Jennifer Martinez, MSW (BSW 2004, MSW 2008, and Program Manager, Consensus Organizing Center)
Career Opportunities
The Social Work major prepares students for entry-level social work practice and for social work education at the graduate level.
Social workers provide service to individuals, groups and communities in a wide variety of public and private settings wherever there are human needs to be met. The scope of these services is constantly expanding to keep pace with growing needs. Social workers provide direct services to people in hospitals, mental health clinics, child welfare agencies, drug rehabilitation centers, and public schools. In addition, social workers are involved in planning, policy information, and administration of these programs.
To further explore career options in this field, visit the Career Services Web site for more information.
General Catalog
You can view more complete information regarding the Social Work program in the General Catalog. All students are responsible for reading and knowing the information pertinent to their areas of study available in the General Catalog. It contains requirements for all academic majors, course descriptions, policies, and regulations governing progress at the university. Catalogs are distributed at all New Student Orientation programs. To order a General Catalog, call (619) 594-7535.
Contact Information
Mailing address:
School
of Social Work
College of Health and Human Services
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4119
E-mail: socwork@mail.sdsu.edu
Telephone: (619) 594-6865
Fax: (619) 594-5991
Office location: Hepner Hall, room 119
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.