Azusa Pacific Social Work Programs

Social worker careers are projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033. APU’s Social Work Programs have shaped skilled professionals in this expanding field for almost 50 years. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program stands as one of California’s first social work programs. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program builds on nearly 20 years of expertise.

Students looking at APU’s MSW program or researching other MSW programs in Los Angeles will find impressive credentials here. Princeton Review’s 2023 Best Colleges Guide ranks APU’s social work program among the 126 Best Western Colleges. The program’s career outcomes speak volumes—60% of 2023 MSW graduates had job offers before they even completed their degree.

APU’s social work education creates individual-specific experiences that truly make a difference. Students benefit from a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio that ensures personal attention as they develop professional skills. They get hands-on experience through internships at more than 380 partner agencies across five Southern California counties. These students complete close to 97,740 service hours each year.

Types Social Work Degrees Offered at Asuza Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University’s two social work degree programs give you the skills needed for careers of all types in the field. These programs blend academic excellence with hands-on experience to help you become skilled at professional practice.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program has been nationally accredited since 1982 by the Council on Social Work Education. Students in this undergraduate program become competent generalist social work practitioners who blend scientific knowledge, professional values, and social work skills with a Christian viewpoint. Students start by declaring “Social Work Interest” as their intended major and work with an academic success coach. After formal acceptance into the program, each student gets a BSW faculty-mentor advisor who provides academic and professional guidance.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program takes learning to the next level with two specialized tracks:

• Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families: Students learn clinically oriented practice for roles in mental health clinics, veterans’ services, and child welfare agencies
• Community Leadership and Program Administration: Students gain leadership skills needed in nonprofit agencies, government programs, and advocacy organizations

The MSW program’s flexibility helps students balance their schedules and career goals. Students can choose between full-time options of one-year and two-year tracks (60 units), while the part-time program takes three years (60 units). Part-time students attend classes one weekday per week starting at 4:20 p.m. and five Saturdays each semester.

BSW graduates who qualify can take advantage of the Advanced Standing program’s accelerated path toward an MSW. Full-time students complete the program in 10 months (36 units), while part-time students finish in two years. On top of that, the innovative 4+1 program lets students combine their senior undergraduate year with the MSW’s first year to earn both degrees in five years.

The Department of Social Work’s student body shows impressive diversity. The program serves 246 MSW and 95 BSW students, with 70% being first-generation college students and 77% coming from minority backgrounds.

Degree Specializations

Your social work education at Azusa Pacific University helps you arrange your studies to match your career goals. APU’s MSW program gives you two distinct specialization paths that prepare you for different aspects of professional social work practice.

The Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families specialization gives you advanced skills to work directly with clients in various settings. You’ll develop clinical expertise to work with children, adolescents, adults, families, and older adults. This specialization qualifies you to work in mental health clinics, veterans’ services, managed care facilities, shelters, group homes, child welfare agencies, hospice centers, schools, and correctional institutions.

The Community Leadership and Program Administration specialization prepares you to take leadership roles in nonprofit agencies, government programs, and advocacy organizations. You’ll learn essential skills in social work leadership, program management, grant management, community organizing, and social policy development. The program also improves your clinical skills and research abilities for evidence-informed practice.

APU offers more ways to customize your education beyond these core specializations. The Human Services Management Certificate helps you develop leadership skills for management careers. The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance Services qualifies you to work in P-12 school settings. Students can add this credential to their MSW degree with the clinical practice specialization.

BSW students have access to the innovative 4+1 Advanced Standing program that combines their senior undergraduate year with the MSW’s first year. You can earn both degrees in five years and still choose either the Clinical Practice or Community Leadership specialization. This accelerated path works great when you want to start your career sooner.

Online and Hybrid Options

Flexibility is the life-blood of Azusa Pacific University’s social work education approach. The MSW program offers multiple format options that accommodate student needs, making it stand out among MSW programs Los Angeles students think about.

APU makes its programs available through hybrid course offerings. Students can take classes that blend in-person and online learning, such as the M/W 6:30-9:30 pm hybrid courses during Summer Session I. This balanced approach lets students benefit from face-to-face instruction while keeping their schedules flexible. Some foundational courses like “Foundations in Social Work Law/Ethics” are completely online, which lets students complete key requirements from home.

The Azusa Pacific University social work masters program runs at two locations—Azusa and San Bernardino. Students throughout Southern California find this geographical setup convenient. APU brings quality social work education closer to students’ homes or workplaces instead of requiring long commutes.

APU’s program structure stands out when compared to other institutions with flexible learning formats. Many universities now offer online MSW options, but APU has created a carefully planned mix of delivery methods that work well for professionals and students with families. The program’s tuition rate of $795 per unit stays competitive with other private California universities.

APU makes admission easier by not requiring GRE scores. This policy shows that standardized tests might not reflect a student’s true potential as a social work professional and creates opportunities for qualified candidates from different backgrounds.

The Azusa Pacific social work programs take a smart approach to modern education by combining academic excellence with practical flexibility. Students can access advanced social work education whatever their location or schedule constraints might be.

Graduation Rates

Graduation rates tell us how well social work programs perform and help students succeed. The APU social work programs show remarkable completion numbers compared to national averages.

Azusa Pacific University’s statistics speak for themselves. The university has a 72% six-year graduation rate, which puts it among the top 25% of colleges nationwide. The university’s 53% four-year graduation rate ranks in the top 35%. Different sources show slight variations, with some showing 65% and others 64.4% for six-year completion rates.

The social work degree completion numbers show the field’s growing popularity. The 2021-2022 academic year saw Azusa Pacific award 36 bachelor’s degrees in social work. This represents a 6% rise from 34 degrees the previous year. The APU social work masters program awarded 84 Master of Social Work degrees in 2022.

APU’s retention numbers prove its program quality. The university has a 79% retention rate, putting it in the top 40% nationally. Other sources show rates between 76-78%. These numbers surpass the national average of 70.57%.

Student backgrounds influence graduation success rates. Multi-ethnic students achieve 75% graduation rates, while Asian students reach 74% and white students 70%. This success with diversity matches what Los Angeles students look for.

Transfer rates affect the overall graduation numbers. About 26.75% of students move to other schools. This often shows students’ need to relocate rather than unhappiness with the program. The Azusa Pacific social work programs still maintain strong completion rates.

Strong performance across all measures shows why APU’s programs attract students seeking quality education with high completion rates. Without doubt, these graduation statistics are evidence of the university’s steadfast dedication to student success in social work.

Career Outcomes

Your professional career starts right after you complete your Azusa Pacific degree. Both BSW and MSW programs end with a complete 400-hour internship practicum. This key cooperation between community-based agencies and the university helps students combine classroom knowledge with ground practice under professional supervision.

Social work graduates have excellent job prospects. The social worker employment is projected to increase 9% from 2021-2031. Azusa Pacific social work graduates are so successful that 3% of 2023 MSW graduates received job offers before graduation.

An APU master’s degree opens doors to many career paths:

• Healthcare Social Worker: You can work in hospitals, healthcare clinics, or hospice care as part of interprofessional teams to guide patients through health crises
• Behavioral Health Social Worker: You will help people with mental health challenges and substance use disorders among psychiatrists, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals
• Administrative Social Worker: You can lead human services, nonprofit management, program planning, fiscal management, and government agencies
• School Social Worker: You will cooperate with teachers and administrators to help students succeed academically and socially
• Child Welfare Social Worker: You can support children in the welfare system by working with foster homes, adoption agencies, and family courtrooms

The Department of Social Work has built partnerships with over 380 agencies across five Southern California counties. These partnerships create exceptional internship and job opportunities. The university’s Center for Community-Engaged Learning provides career development resources and connects students to more than 6,500 employers who post jobs specifically for APU graduates.

APU enhances your career opportunities through two platforms. Handshake connects students with businesses and organizations for jobs and internships. APU Connect lets you build your professional network by linking you with over 8,000 alumni in different fields.

MSW students at Azusa Pacific get complete preparation that meets Council on Social Work Education accreditation standards. This preparation sets graduates up for successful professional practice.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at Asuza Pacific University

Asuza Pacific Social Work Programs stand out with several elements that make them different in today’s social work education.

These programs blend faith with professional practice in a special way. APU combines Christian viewpoints with social work education while keeping full CSWE accreditation. This creates a learning environment where students grow both spiritually and professionally.

The program’s history tells a compelling story. It ranks among California’s first social work programs, building expertise that few others can match. The Princeton Review’s 2023 Best Colleges Guide recognizes this excellence by ranking APU among the 126 Best Western Colleges.

The field education network adds another remarkable feature. Connections to over 380 agencies across five Southern California counties give Azusa Pacific social work students diverse internship choices. Students complete about 97,740 service hours each year and gain real-life experience in many practice settings.

Students benefit from a personalized learning setup. A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio means you get individual attention that bigger MSW programs rarely provide. This close community helps students develop their professional identity better.

The program’s student makeup shows true diversity. First-generation college students make up 70% while 77% come from minority backgrounds. This mix creates a community that prepares graduates for culturally aware practice.

The APU masters program helps students succeed through smart options. The 4+1 program lets qualified students earn both BSW and MSW degrees in five years. While other programs offer quick paths, APU’s careful mix of undergraduate and graduate courses creates a smooth educational path.

The employment numbers verify the program’s quality. In 2023, 60% of MSW graduates found jobs before finishing their degrees. This shows how much employers value APU graduates.