California Baptist University Social Work Programs

Cal Baptist University’s Social Work Programs prepare you to enter a field projected to grow 7% annually over the next decade. This growth will create around 67,300 job openings each year. The resilient job market makes social work a compelling career choice for people who want to help others.

Cal Baptist University’s social work degrees give you access to programs that combine academic rigor with hands-on experience. Students must complete extensive field requirements – 900 hours for the MSW program and 400 hours for the BSW program. On top of that, the MSW program’s advanced standing options let BSW graduates earn their master’s degree in just one year. Career outcomes are remarkable, especially with entry-level salaries up to $89,000 – substantially higher than the national median of $51,347 for social work master’s graduates.

Types Social Work Degrees Offered at Cal Baptist

California Baptist University has three social work degrees that align with your career goals and education level. CBU’s programs are tailored to your needs, whether you’re starting your career or advancing your expertise in social work.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is an entry-level professional degree that readies you to work as a generalist social worker right after graduation. Students complete 24 major courses over two years. The program’s Christian context sets it apart and helps students apply biblical principles to social work at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Your final year involves practical internships with CBU’s community partners.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) advances your professional development beyond the basics. Students take eight foundation courses, five generalist requirements, nine electives, and four practicum components – totaling 60 units. The program requires 900 field practicum hours spread across four semesters in fall and spring. You can choose between traditional on-campus classes or a quality online program.

BSW graduates can take the Advanced Standing MSW route. This fast-track option needs only 30 units and can be completed in one year. Students need to complete 500 field practicum hours instead of 900.

The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) gives you advanced training to excel in leadership roles, social policy advocacy, and practice excellence. This program emphasizes community engagement, Christ-centered justice, and global leadership. Working professionals can benefit from this online program with just two campus visits each year.

CBU’s social work programs blend faith-based perspectives that strengthen your ability to help those in need. You’ll develop crucial skills to serve various populations, individuals, families, and communities effectively.

Degree Specializations

California Baptist University’s social work programs go way beyond standard education. You’ll find specialized tracks that open up many career paths. The BSW program looks at generalist practice through a Christian perspective. This makes it unique – it’s one of the few nationwide programs that applies biblical worldview to micro, mezzo, and macro practice levels.

Students interested in serving faith communities will benefit from specialized coursework in congregational social work. This foundation opens doors to several specialized career paths:

• Medical or Public Health Social Worker
• Forensic or School Social Worker
• Child Welfare or Child Abuse Prevention Specialist
• Military, International, or Community Social Worker
• Geriatric Social Worker
• Public Policy and Social Policy positions

The master’s level social work program at Cal Baptist University provides specialized training that lines up with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) competencies. Students build expertise in case management, work with marginalized populations, mental health approaches, and administrative leadership. The coursework has specialized content in international human rights and social research methods that bridge theory and practice.

The DSW program focuses on three key areas: community engagement and social innovation, Christ-centered justice, and global leadership. This doctorate targets master’s-level practitioners. Students take specialization courses like Community-Based Participatory Research Methods to advance into higher education or leadership roles.

Students learning about the field can choose from specialized tracks in the Social Work Minor. The Medical Track, Child Welfare Track, or Mental Health Track each need 18 total units. To cite an instance, see how the medical track has specialized courses in trauma and medical social work. The mental health track covers substance use disorders and spirituality in helping professions.

The MSW program at California Baptist University will give students real-life experience through extensive fieldwork. This connects classroom learning with hands-on practice in their chosen specialization area.

Online and Hybrid Options

Flexibility is the life-blood of California Baptist University’s social work programs. Students can choose from reliable online and hybrid learning options designed for busy professionals. Cal Baptist University’s MSW program features a detailed online track with similar curriculum, faculty, and program requirements as the on-campus experience.

The online MSW works perfectly if you work in social services, want a career change while keeping your full-time job, or live outside Riverside. You can complete coursework remotely at your own pace, which helps balance your academic work with family and job commitments.

The program has four required residencies even though it’s mostly online. Each residency lasts three days with eight hours daily in Riverside. These sessions are a great way to get face-to-face time with faculty members and peers. You’ll still need to complete all 900 hours of field practicum – just like on-campus students.

Online students can join campus events, activities, use library services, attend faculty office hours, and access other university resources. The employment-based practicum option benefits online students by letting them integrate academic requirements into their workplace.

The DSW program also offers flexible online options crafted for working professionals. This distance-learning approach helps balance your career, family, and personal commitments while you earn an advanced degree. You only need to attend two four-day residency intensives each year, plus take part in a faculty-led mentorship focus group in your final year.

DSW students join small cohorts of 12-18 peers. This creates an intimate learning environment and encourages engagement to maximize student-faculty interaction. You’ll get customized attention throughout your doctoral studies while keeping the flexibility needed to advance professionally.

Graduation Rates

Your degree completion serves as a key indicator of California Baptist University social work programs’ success. The school achieves a 58% six-year graduation rate, which surpasses the national average for similar programs. This shows Cal Baptist’s dedication to helping students complete their degrees.

Students typically finish their degrees in different timeframes. About 40% earn their degree in four years, and the average Cal Baptist student needs 4.38 years to get their bachelor’s degree. These numbers highlight how well the university guides students to graduation.

Cal Baptist’s 76% freshman retention rate stands well above the national average of 70.57%. This high retention rate proves the quality of Cal Baptist’s first-year experience, especially in social work programs.

The graduation rates at Cal Baptist vary among different student groups:

• Asian students: 70% graduation rate
• White students: 70% graduation rate
• Multi-ethnic students: 61% graduation rate
• Hispanic students: 54% graduation rate
• Black/African-American students: 46% graduation rate

Traditional first-time, full-time students achieve a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Returning full-time students perform even better with a 65% six-year graduation rate. This means transfer students into Cal Baptist’s social work programs will find robust support systems ready to help them succeed.

Cal Baptist University’s dedication to student achievement goes beyond graduation numbers. The social work programs prepare students for a field where 82.3% of graduates nationally are female and 17.2% are male. The social work profession attracts a diverse group of candidates. Nationally, 28.9% of students are first-generation college students, which aligns with Cal Baptist’s mission to serve diverse communities.

Career Outcomes

Social work graduates from California Baptist University step into a booming job market where the need surpasses availability. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of social workers to grow by 7% annually over the next decade. This growth will create around 67,300 job openings each year. The field of social work has become a promising career choice.

Cal Baptist MSW graduates can expect entry-level salaries up to $89,000, based on exit survey data. Your earnings will vary based on where you work, your experience, and your workplace setting. A Cal Baptist University MSW degree isn’t mandatory for practice, but it gives you an edge in competition, increases your earning potential, and improves your practice quality.

Cal Baptist social work programs prepare you to work effectively at every practice level:

• Micro (individuals)
• Mezzo (families and small groups)
• Macro (communities and organizations)

The BSW program gives you the skills you need for entry-level jobs or graduate studies. Master’s graduates qualify for advanced roles like clinicians, community practitioners, social service administrators, advanced case managers, and specialized positions.

Cal Baptist social work graduates can pursue careers as:

• Medical or Public Health Social Worker
• Forensic or School Social Worker
• Child Welfare Case Worker
• Child Abuse Prevention Specialist
• Public Policy and Social Policy positions
• Community, Military, or International Social Worker
• Geriatric Social Worker

Your alumni status gives you lifetime access to the university’s Career Center resources. These include the Handshake job platform, events, and appointment services. You can access these resources whatever your location, both online and on campus. The Career Center gets a full picture of post-graduation outcomes through surveys, emails, phone calls, and faculty contacts.

Faculty mentorship plays a vital role in your professional growth. This ensures you’re ready for a successful social work career when you graduate.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at Cal Baptist

California Baptist University’s Social Work Programs offer much more than typical academic courses. Since 1995, Cal Baptist has taken a unique approach to social work education that naturally blends faith with professional practice.

Cal Baptist social work degrees stand out from secular programs by weaving a biblical worldview into every course. This Christ-centered approach gives you the tools to work with clients professionally while maintaining spiritual awareness. The program’s focus on social justice through biblical teachings creates an ethical foundation that traditional programs rarely match.

Small faculty-to-student ratios create a close-knit learning environment where mentorship becomes the foundation of your education. Professors keep their doors open to provide guidance throughout your studies. Program coordinators carefully match your interests with the right internship opportunities to create a tailored experience.

Cal Baptist’s strong community ties with over 200 local and regional agencies create excellent opportunities for field education. These strategic collaborations help students learn real-life skills in various settings before they graduate.

Technology plays a key role in the program. Students practice interventions in simulation labs before working in actual field settings. These controlled environments provide safe spaces to build and improve clinical skills.

Students interested in global experience can work with partner organizations in Uganda, Mexico, and Thailand. These opportunities help develop cultural awareness needed for work in diverse communities.

The alumni stay connected with current students through mentoring, speaking engagements, and networking events. This active relationship builds a supportive professional community that lasts long after graduation.