Patricia Salas, M.S.W.
Social Work, Program Director
Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work
BSW, Program Director
When you commit to a life of service,
the possibilities are endless.
Social work is about empowering individuals and their communities. At Fresno Pacific, you’ll explore the intersection of human development, government and society as you learn to integrate faith and practice.
You’ll complete a set of foundational and advanced courses in human development, social policy, social work methods and research followed by an internship in the field working under the supervision of a master’s-level social worker.
Through the study of social work, you’ll gain an understanding of the relationship between social work and Christian faith. You’ll be inspired to commit to social justice and a life of service.
Program Highlights
- Meet for class one night per week
- Progress through the entire program with a cohort of 12-22 adult students
- Engage diverse classmates from a variety of life stages and cultural backgrounds
- Study under experienced faculty and who assign relevant coursework
- Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation
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Faculty
Catalog
Program Director: Patricia Salas, MSW
Overview
The social work major prepares students for positions in a variety of social work or service careers. The program integrates theory and practice, instills an understanding of the relationship between social work and Christian faith and encourages a commitment to social justice and a life of service. It does so in the context of a liberal arts education informed by a Christian/Anabaptist worldview. Upon completion of the major, students will be prepared to seek entry-level employment or pursue advanced study in the field, per requirements specific to their matriculating institution.
Students complete a set of foundational and advanced courses in human development, social policy, social work methods, practice and research and a semester-long internship.
Students interested in majoring in social work should complete their prerequisite and foundational courses during their freshmen and sophomore years. Students interested in graduate study should complete PSY 300 - Statistics prior to graduation.
Accreditation Status
Fresno Pacific University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education's Commission on Accreditation.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master's social work program by the Council on Social Work Education's Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
2. Students will engage diversity and difference in practice.
3. Students will enhance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
4. Students will engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
5. Students will engage in policy practice.
6. Students will engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
7. Students will assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Students will intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
9. Students will evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
10. Students will integrate faith into social work practice.
Social Work Program Admission
Applying for admission to the social work degree program is a two-step process. Students must apply and be admitted to the university prior to applying and being admitted to the social work program. Applications for the social work program are done during the student's second year at FPU (45 units must have been completed). Transfers will be considered on a space-available basis if pre-requisites have been met.
Student applying for admission should demonstrate:
- Academic Success (Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5/4.0 scale is required)
- Successful completion of prior low-level social work courses
- A passion and calling for social work as a career
- Demonstrated knowledge of the social work profession
- Personal and professional aptitude
- Ability to meet all program and internship requirements
Application Steps for the Social Work program:
Please submit the following with your application to be considered for the social work program:
- Completed and signed Social Work Program application
- Personal Statement as indicated on the application
- Resume covering employment, social work/volunteer jobs, and experiences as indicated on the application
- One letter of recommendation highlighting character, academic history, and career goals. This can be requested from a prior teacher, guidance counselor, administrator, or supervisor. Please make sure to explain to the recommender the purpose of the letter and what should be covered and included in the recommendation.
Selection and Notification
Completed applications will be reviewed along with any applicable previous academic coursework. A faculty interview will be scheduled with eligible candidates. Decisions will be sent out within three weeks of the completion of the process.
Re-Admission
Students who have previously started the program and have had to take more than one semester off may elect to submit an application for re-admission to FPU. If a leave of absence was filed and has not expired, a student may enter back into the program. If the leave of absence has expired, the student must reapply to the university and also to the social work program to re-attain admission.
Locations Offered
Main Campus Fresno
Degree Pathways
Social Work, B.A. Four Year Pathway
Social Work, B.A. (Social Work and Human Services AS-T Pathway)
Lower Division Major Prerequisites (12 units)
Select at least four of the following courses:
- BIOL 100 - Principles of Biology Credits 3
- ECON 101 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits 3 or
- ECON 102 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits 3
- PS 120 - American Politics and Society Credits 3
- PSY 120 - General Psychology Credits 3
- SOC 120 - Introduction to Sociology Credits 3
Required Courses (48 Units)Foundational Courses
- SW 120 - Helping People: An Introduction Credits 3
Advanced Courses- PSY 410 - Abnormal Psychology Credits 4
- SW 300 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment Credits 3
- SW 320 - Marriage and Family Credits 3
- SW 350 - Urban Society and the Welfare State Credits 3
- SW 360 - Social Problems and Public Policy Credits 3
- SW 400 - Foundations of Social Work Practice Credits 3
- SW 410 - Working with Groups Credits 3
- SW 420 - Becoming a Change Agent Credits 3
- SOC 410 - American Ethnicity and Pluralism Credits 3 or
- SW 431 - Cultural Competence in Professional Practice Credits 3
- SW 461 - Introduction to Social Science Research Credits 3
- SW 480 - Senior Seminar in Social Work Credits 3
- SW 481 - Senior Social Work Thesis Credits 3
- SW 482 - Field Instruction in Social Work Credits 8
Recommended Elective Courses- CRIM 382 - Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Credits 3
- PSY 300 - Statistics Credits 4
- SOC 482 - Intercultural Practicum Credits 1
- SW 100 - Perspectives in Social Work Credits 1
- SW 110 - Participation in Volunteer Services Credits 1 - 3
- SW 310 - Social Gerontology Credits 3
- SW 390 - Chemical Dependency Intervention Credits 3
- SW 395 - Studies in Domestic Violence Credits 3
- CRIM 382 - Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Credits 3
- PSY 300 - Statistics Credits 4
- SOC 482 - Intercultural Practicum Credits 1
- SW 100 - Perspectives in Social Work Credits 1
- SW 110 - Participation in Volunteer Services Credits 1 - 3
- SW 310 - Social Gerontology Credits 3
- SW 390 - Chemical Dependency Intervention Credits 3
- SW 395 - Studies in Domestic Violence Credits 3
Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education
You already have a lot going on in your life, which is why our degree completion programs are designed to meet you where you are. You'll be surrounded by other students who will support and encourage you, by faculty mentors who are invested in your success, by opportunities to connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world, and by connections to the employers who will help you move forward in your career.
First Steps to Admission
- Submit an application for admission (online)
* Admission applications are free, no discount codes required. - Request official transcripts from previously attended colleges, universities and high schools and send electronically to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu
- GED Transcripts OR any AA, AS, AS-T, AA-T from an accredited College or University as proof of High School graduation
- This includes any military transcripts you may have, along with your military release forms (DD214).
- Complete the FAFSA as early as October 1. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Enroll in the minimum number of units per semester to qualify for loans. - Schedule an appointment with your Student Financial Services Advisor 559-453-2041 sfs@fresno.edu
Requirements
-
University Admission Prerequisites
- Minimum 6 transferable baccalaureate-level units
- Minimum 2.4 GPA
- 2 years post-secondary experience
-
Program Admission Prerequisites
- 60 transferable baccalaureate-level units
- Minimum 2.4 GPA
- 2 years post-secondary experience
Program Requirements
- Complete a second application for Social Work
- Interview with the Program Director
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information
Social Work and Human Services (AS-T) to Social Work, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
- All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
- BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
- BIOL 125 Introduction to Biology (3)
- PSY 119 General Psychology (3)
- SOC 121 Introduction to Sociology (3)
- Economics (3)
- This program is offered as evening accelerated
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
Transfer Agreements
The following guidelines are used when considering transfer credit:
- Courses completed at a regionally or ABHE, ATS, TRACS, or AARTS accredited institution
- Baccalaureate-level courses
- Grade of C- or better
- Courses are not duplicate to credit already received
- All GE and major courses must be taken for a letter grade, not pass/fail
- No lab is required for Area 5 Physical & Biological Sciences
- Some majors have lower division prerequisites. Select an institution below to see the school's general education and lower division major requirements
View full transfer policy Find agreements for your school
*Transfer Agreements are only a tool. Transfer work is not considered official until it has been evaluated by the FPU Registrar’s Office.
Non-traditional Admission
Cost & Financial Aid
The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in your education journey. We can help you find all the possible opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.
Tuition & Financial Aid
* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary.
Types of aid
Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.
Alexandra Green
Mathematics
The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.
Career Opportunities
With a degree in social work, you’ll be qualified to work in government or non-profit agencies and programs designed to the elderly, children and families, and the disabled.
Career Possibilities
- Social worker
- Counselor
- Probation officer
- Victim advocate
- Non-profit director
- Family and child welfare specialist
Career Development Happens Here
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.
- Resume writing classes
- Career assessments, exploration & planning
- Job search and networking opportunities
- and much more