California State University Chico Social Work Programs

CSU Chico’s School of Social Work, part of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, delivers quality education through its accredited programs. Students looking at a social work career will find this field growing rapidly across the country.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects social work positions will increase by 16% over the next decade. Job growth varies by specialization:

• Child, family, and school social work will grow 14%
• Healthcare and medical social work expects 20% growth
• Mental health and substance abuse positions project 19% growth

Students can pursue undergraduate (BSW) and graduate (MSW) degrees at CSU Chico’s School of Social Work, with full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. Both programs combine classroom learning with supervised field experience to prepare students for ground challenges.

CSU Chico’s master’s program offers multiple completion paths. BSW holders can complete the 36-unit MSW program in just one year. Students without a BSW choose between a two-year, 61-63 unit program or a three-year distributed learning option. The concentration year focuses on specialized areas like mental health services, family/child/youth services, or gerontology.

The program’s Distributed Learning option stands out by letting students take courses online with occasional campus visits. This setup makes quality education available to those balancing work or family responsibilities.

The program’s success speaks through its employment rate—almost all graduates find positions after completing their degree. Students benefit from unique opportunities such as the Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend and field placements at local agencies, where MSW-level professionals supervise 16-24 weekly hours.

The school’s mission focuses on developing ethical, knowledgeable practitioners. These professionals value collaboration, social justice, and continuous learning—ready to make meaningful contributions in a variety of social work settings.

Types Social Work Degrees Offered at CSU Chico

CSU Chico’s School of Social Work helps you build a successful career in this growing field through two degree paths.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) at CSU Chico is a detailed CSWE-accredited program that prepares you for generalist practice. You can choose between two formats that fit different learning styles:

• Campus-based format: A full-time program you complete in about 18 months
• Distributed Learning (DL) format: A hybrid option where you take most classes online and visit campus twice each semester

Both BSW formats give you similar accredited curricula with hands-on field experience.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program lets you choose from several paths:

• One-year program: Students with BSW degrees need 34 units and 720 field hours
• Two-year program: A traditional full-time path with 61 units and 1,200 field hours
• Three-year distributed learning program: You get the same coursework as the two-year program spread over more time

The MSW program specializes in mental health services, gerontology, and families/children/youth services. Students can also earn both BSW and MSW degrees through a combined program that provides detailed education.

MSW graduates from CSU Chico earn by a lot more than the national average, with median salaries of $62,661 compared to the national median of $61,330 for social work master’s graduates.

The program graduated 43 master’s students in social work during 2021-2022. Women made up 79% of graduates while men represented 21%.

The undergraduate program gets extra support from the Federal Title IV-E program. Students who work in public or Tribal child welfare after graduation can receive stipends.

Degree Specializations

Students in CSU Chico’s MSW program can focus their studies through specialized concentrations during their concentration year. The program follows an Advanced Generalist curriculum that builds on foundational social work knowledge and lets students develop expertise in specific practice areas.

The MSW program at CSU Chico comes with focused specialization options. Students can pick from these areas based on their career goals:

• Mental Health Services (MH) – This path gets you ready to work with clients who have emotional and mental disorders. You’ll learn assessment and intervention skills needed in behavioral health settings.
• Families, Children and Youth Services (FCY) – You’ll learn skills to work with vulnerable populations. This includes at-risk children, troubled adolescents, and families who need support services[94].
• Gerontology – The focus is on helping aging and elderly adults. You’ll learn about healthcare navigation, social isolation, and end-of-life planning.

Your specialization studies include field education at local agencies. Experienced MSW-level social workers will supervise you as you spend 16-24 hours weekly in practical training. This hands-on experience helps you apply classroom knowledge and develop professional skills in your chosen field.

The specialized curriculum helps you become skilled at the nine core social work competencies required by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). You’ll also gain advanced knowledge in your focus area. These competencies cover ethical behavior, advancing human rights, research-informed practice, policy participation, and working with individuals, families, groups, and communities effectively.

CSU Chico takes a different approach from some California MSW programs that offer highly specialized tracks. Students get a balanced foundation in advanced generalist practice while concentrating in high-demand areas. This structure makes graduates versatile enough to work in settings of all types, with specialized expertise in their focus area. After completing your concentration, you’ll be ready for jobs that need both broad social work knowledge and specialized skills in mental health, child welfare, or gerontology.

Online and Hybrid Options

CSU Chico’s social work education philosophy puts flexible learning options at the vanguard of its priorities. Students can choose Distributed Learning (DL) formats in both BSW and MSW programs that combine online convenience with valuable in-person instruction.

Both degree levels share this hybrid delivery structure:

• 67% of course content delivered online
• 33% through face-to-face instruction
• Campus visits required 2-3 weekends per semester
• Regular live class sessions conducted via Zoom webinar platform

BSW students can complete their degree through the DL option while maintaining the same high standards as the traditional campus program. This format works great especially when you have work commitments or family responsibilities that demand flexible scheduling.

Students in the MSW Distributed Learning program follow a part-time, three-year course plan with similar curriculum to the campus-based two-year program. They receive the same fully-accredited education while managing their other life responsibilities. On top of that, it lets BSW graduates pursue an accelerated one-year advanced-standing option through the same hybrid format.

CSU Chico stands apart from other California institutions that run fully remote programs by keeping weekend campus immersion as a key part of learning. Notwithstanding that, the program structure keeps travel requirements minimal while delivering top educational quality.

Students access various foundation and concentration courses during online sessions. These include social work practice in multicultural contexts, human behavior in social environments, research methods, supervision, program development, and assessment of individuals and families.

The DL program uses a cohort model that promotes professional relationships despite being mostly online. This approach will give a detailed preparation to students for licensure exams and professional practice, even with its non-traditional delivery method.

Graduation Rates

Recent analysis of CSU Chico’s educational outcomes shows impressive success rates for social work students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. CSU Chico maintains a strong 71% six-year graduation rate. This is a big deal as it means that the rates are higher than many similar institutions.

The social work department’s 65% graduation rate shows their steadfast dedication to student success. The MSW program’s quick 16-month completion timeline helps students join the workforce faster than other competing programs.

The gender breakdown of social work graduates aligns with national trends in the profession:

• BSW graduates (2022): 82% women and 18% men from a total of 66 students
• MSW graduates (2021-2022): 79% women and 21% men from a total of 43 students

CSU Chico’s social work programs shine with their job placement success. The MSW program’s virtually 100% employment rate after graduation proves the degree’s practical value and market demand.

While CSU Chico’s specific ASWB exam pass rates aren’t public, it’s worth mentioning that many leading California MSW programs achieve 100% pass rates on the ASWB Master’s Exam. All but one of these top MSW programs in California reported perfect pass rates, setting high standards that CSU Chico aims to match.

The university’s overall student retention numbers showcase its educational quality. First-time, full-time students achieve a 66% six-year graduation rate. Returning full-time students perform even better with an 80% graduation rate in the same period.

These graduation statistics ended up reflecting CSU Chico’s commitment to making well-laid-out social work career paths available through programs that balance academic excellence with practical timelines.

Career Outcomes

CSU Chico’s social work program graduates step into a job market that’s growing faster than ever. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows social work employment opportunities will expand by 7% in the next decade. The growth varies by specialization:

• 14% growth in child, family, and school social work positions
• 20% growth in healthcare and medical social work positions
• 19% growth in mental health and substance abuse positions

CSU Chico’s program stands out with an exceptional achievement – all but one of its graduates find employment right after completing the program. This remarkable success highlights the program’s quality and California’s strong need for qualified social workers.

Northern California offers competitive salaries in the field. Healthcare social workers earn an average of $88,380 yearly, while mental health and substance abuse social workers receive about $81,720 annually. Child, family, and school social workers earn $66,340 per year. California dominates the salary landscape, with nine of the ten highest-paying cities for community and social service jobs located in the state.

CSU Chico graduates excel in these key areas:

• Behavioral health, helping people with mental health challenges
• Child welfare, protecting families and ensuring child safety
• School counseling and hospital social work across the North State

Many alumni have created nonprofit organizations or built specialized programs within established agencies. The degree’s versatility shines through the many roles graduates take on, from affirmative action coordinators to career counselors, case workers, clinical social workers, community outreach workers, correctional specialists, and human service workers.

Northern California attracts most graduates (43%), while others choose the Bay Area (14%), Sacramento (14%), Southern California (12%), and Central California (5%). New graduates start with an average salary of $55,205, with room for substantial growth as they gain experience and expertise.

The California Department of Social Services offers over 5,000 positions statewide. This makes CSU Chico’s social work degree a smart investment in your professional future.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at CSU Chico

CSU Chico stands out in social work education with unique features that help aspiring professionals. The program’s affordability makes a huge difference – students can complete their MSW degree at 40% less cost than similar institutions. This makes quality social work education available to more students.

The program thrives on its close community ties. Strategic collaborations with over 150 agencies across Northern California give students field placement options in both rural and urban settings. Larger programs are nowhere near matching these opportunities.

The Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program adds another remarkable dimension. Students pursuing careers in public child welfare receive substantial financial support, including full tuition coverage and living stipends. The best part? Graduates step right into guaranteed positions at county child welfare agencies.

The program’s faculty brings something special to the table. They stay actively involved in regional social service projects while teaching. Their hands-on experience enriches classroom discussions with real-life applications instead of just theory.

The School’s “North State focus” equips graduates to tackle challenges in rural and underserved communities. This regional expertise helps address workforce shortages in areas where social workers need exceptional versatility and cultural awareness.

Small class sizes create an intimate learning environment. The student-faculty ratio of 15:1 offers exceptional mentorship opportunities that bigger schools can’t match. Students receive detailed licensure preparation, which leads to outstanding ASWB exam results.

The program’s structure sets it apart even further. CSU Chico runs a dedicated School of Social Work rather than just a department within a larger college. This independence allows better resource management and curriculum development that adapts to modern social work needs.