Patricia Salas, MSW
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 welfare 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.
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
- Program is fully online
- 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
- For a detailed program brochure, click here
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Catalog
Program Director: Patricia Salas, MSW
Overview
The social work and social welfare majors prepare students for positions in a variety of social work service careers. The majors integrate theory and practice, instill an understanding of the relationship between social services and Christian faith, and encourage 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 worldview. Upon completion of the majors, 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.
The social work major prepares students for professions where a social work degree is required, and includes a semester long internship and thesis. Social welfare prepares students for a variety of human services opportunities, but does not include the internship or thesis components. Graduates with degrees in social work and social welfare may be needed in nonprofit agencies, including those that are faith-based, serving community needs. They may also be hired by probation departments, and county human service systems. Graduates may be in demand in community organization and development, work with the elderly, with children, families and the disabled. They may also work in schools, as substance abuse counselors, employment counselors or in a variety of special programs designed to help people and communities.
Students declare their major program prior to starting their major coursework. Students who wish to change their program after matriculation must submit their final degree intention to their advisor and the program director no later than the first day of Semester 3, Session 2 so that internships may be arranged.
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.
Admissions Requirements
The social work and social welfare programs require two years postsecondary experience. Prior to admittance into the social work program, candidates must complete an application packet and an interview with the Program Director or designated social work faculty member.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will apply themselves as professional social workers and conduct themselves accordingly.
- Students will apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
- Students will apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
- Students will engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Students will advance human rights and social and economic justice.
- Students will engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
- Students will apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
- Students will engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
- Students will respond to contexts that shape practice.
- Students will engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will articulate the relationship between social work and the Christian faith in the context of a liberal arts education informed by a Christian worldview and the Fresno Pacific University IDEA.
Credit-Bearing Grades
Students must earn a C- or higher to receive credit for their social work courses. Students will receive credit for BIB 314 and BIB 449 , as well as any other general education or elective course, with a D- A social work major who does not pass SW 462, Introduction to Social Science Research, with a C- or higher, cannot continue to SW 472-479, the thesis and internship component.
Program Length/Semester Starts
Social work is a scheduled, 24-month cohort program. For those who choose the social welfare option, the program is a scheduled, 18-month cohort program. Social work and social welfare students take the same academic courses for the first three semesters. Social work majors continue on to the fourth internship/thesis semester.
Locations Offered
North Fresno, Visalia, and Merced Campuses
Degree Pathways
Social Welfare, B.A. (DC) Two Year Pathway
Social Work, B.A. (DC) Two Year Pathway
Social Welfare, B.A. (DC) ADT Pathway
Social Work, B.A. (DC) ADT Pathway
General Education Requirements
Select at least four of the following (must be taken prior to or during the degree completion program):
- BIOL 100 - Principles of Biology Credits 3
- BIOL 100L - Principles of Biology Lab Credits 1
- PS 121 - American Government Credits 3
- PSY 119 - General Psychology Credits 3
- SOC 121 - Introduction to Sociology Credits 3
- Economics (DC option currently unavailable)
Social Work
Social work degree students must complete their internship requirements within seven semesters of beginning the program in order to maintain academic integrity.
Required Courses (51 Units)
The following units must be earned at Fresno Pacific University:
- BIB 314 - Jesus and the Christian Community Credits 3
- BIB 439 - Biblical Perspectives for Social Justice Credits 3
- PSY 411 - Abnormal Psychology Credits 3
- SW 122 - Helping People: Introduction to Social Work Credits 3
- SW 301 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment Credits 3
- SW 321 - Theory and Practice with Families Credits 3
- SW 351 - Urban Society and the Welfare State Credits 3
- SW 361 - Social Problems and Public Policy Credits 3
- SW 401 - Foundations of Social Work Practice Credits 3
- SW 411 - Working with Groups Credits 3
- SW 421 - Becoming a Change Agent Credits 3
- SW 430 - Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice Credits 3
- SW 462 - Introduction to Social Science Research Practice Credits 3
- SW 472 - Senior Seminar in Social Work I 1.5
- SW 473 - Senior Seminar in Social Work II Credits: 1.5
- SW 474 - Senior Seminar in Social Work III Credits: 1.5
- SW 475 - Senior Seminar in Social Work IV Credits: 1.5
- SW 476 - Thesis I Credits: 1.5
- SW 477 - Thesis II Credits: 1.5
- SW 478 - Thesis III Credits: 1.5
- SW 479 - Thesis IV Credits: 1.5
Social Welfare Option
Near the end of their program, when students apply for their degree and choose the social welfare degree option, the opportunity to pursue a social work degree closes and they are no longer eligible for the integrative field seminar courses scheduled for Semester 4 (SW-472 to SW-479).
Required Courses (39 Units)
Complete all the courses required for the social work program, except for SW-472 through SW-479.
Electives
Elective units as needed to meet the Bachelor of Arts minimum. This requirement may also be met through allowable college coursework, advanced placement exams, the College Level Examination Program, international baccalaureate exams, and military or ACE credit.
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
- Introduction to Sociology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Human Biology
- Economics
- Political Science
(4 of 5 co-requisite courses are required for graduation and it is strongly recommended that students complete these courses prior to beginning the cohort).
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information
Social Work and Human Services (AS-T) to Social Welfare, 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
State Authorization
State authorization is a federal requirement in the Higher Education Act that requires institutions to be authorized in the state in which online programs are offered. Fresno Pacific University works regularly with individual state authorization agencies to meet each state's requirements. Currently, Fresno Pacific University has received authorization to offer online degree programs in all but seven states, as well as Washington, D.C. The seven states are: Georgia, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
For the latest updates on the status of FPU's authorization in your state, contact your FPU Admissions representative.
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 welfare, 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