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The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) curriculum is based on a basic liberal arts foundation obtained through guided coursework from general education approved courses. This liberal arts foundation provides students the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in critical thinking about social problems and develop an understanding of the social structures of American society. Foundation social work courses meet the primary program goal of preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for beginning social work practice. In addition to the core social work curriculum, electives are offered to expand interest in various areas such as child welfare, family welfare, alcoholism and the family, and social work with the aging. Unlike many of their counterparts in other disciplines, BASW graduates are required to undertake as part of their education extensive agency field internships to prepare them for practice upon graduation. 

BASW graduates are employed in many different work settings under public and private agencies and programs that may include: family service agencies, children and youth services, juvenile justice agencies, elementary and/or secondary schools, ethnic oriented service agencies, residential treatment programs, substance abuse programs, domestic violence programs, homeless shelters, mental health services, aging services, nursing homes, hospices, hospitals, home care agencies, mental retardation/developmental disabilities services, vocational rehabilitation services, public health agencies, community action agencies, child and adult day care centers, income maintenance programs, and legal services agencies.

For more details about coursework and requirements, see the Program Bulletin [pdf].

New students applying to SJSU can select Social Work as their major in the application or transfer process. See the SJSU Admissions[BROKEN LINK] website for more information, and go to Cal State Apply to apply.

Current SJSU students who wish to change their major to social work must apply to do so. For fall semester admissions, applications are due by the first week of August. There is a cap on the number of undergraduate students who can be admitted to the BASW program, so acceptance is not guaranteed.

SJSU Undeclared Students & Change of Major Applications: