For centuries Christian ministry has included social work. The social work major at FPU continues that tradition, encouraging a commitment to social justice and a life of service. The major educates students in counseling individuals, couples and families, working with groups, facilitating individual and social change, and developing new services for people in need.

This program collaborates with local non-profit and government agencies to provide active service-learning that addresses community needs. Foundational and advanced courses discuss human development, social policy, social work methods, practice and research, and include a semester-long internship. The major emphasizes an understanding of diversity, social work values and ethics, and social justice.

The social work major prepares students for a variety of helping professions, as well as for graduate study in social work, ministry, probation/corrections, mental health, gerontology, school counseling, and a variety of other professions.

GENERAL EDUCATION OR OTHER PREREQUISITES

• BIOL-101L Principles of Biology (4)
• ECON-105 Principles of Economics (4)
• PS-120 American Politics and Society (4)
• PSY-120 Introduction to Psychology (3)
• SOC -120 Introduction to Sociology (3)

REQUIRED COURSES (14 COURSES, 50 UNITS)
Foundational Courses

• SW-100 Perspectives in Social Work (1)
• SW-120 Helping People: An Introduction (3)

Advanced Courses

• PSY-410 Abnormal Psychology (4)
• SOC -310 Cultural Communities of California (3)
• or SOC-410 American Ethnicity and Pluralism (3)
• SOC -461 Introduction to Social Science Research (3)
• SW-300 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3)
• SW-320 Marriage and Family (3)
• SW-350 Urban Society and the Welfare State (4)
• SW-360 Social Problems and Public Policy (4)
• SW-400 Foundations of Social Work Practice (4)
• SW-410 Working With Groups (3)
• SW-420 Becoming a Change Agent (3)
• SW-480 Senior Seminar in Social Work (4)
• SW-482 Field Instruction in Social Work (8)

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE COURSES

• BIOL-331L Human Anatomy (4)
• PS-375 Criminal Justice in America (4)
• PSY-300 Statistics (3)
• SOC -482 Intercultural Practicum (1)
• SW-110 Participation in Volunteer Services (1-3)
• SW-310 Social Gerontology (3)
• SW-390 Chemical Dependency Intervention (1)
• SW-395 Studies in Domestic Violence (2)
• SW-483 Mediation Practicum (1)