Patricia Salas, M.S.W.
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
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Faculty
Catalog
Program Director: Patricia Salas, MSW
Overview
The social welfare major prepares students for positions in a variety of social service careers. The program integrates theory and practice, instills an understanding of the relationship between social welfare and Christian faith and encourages 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/Anabaptist worldview. Upon completion of the major, students will be prepared to seek entry-level employment or pursue advanced study in the social services sector, per requirements specific to their matriculating institution. Students complete a set of foundational and advanced courses in human development, social policy, and social science methods. Students interested in majoring in social welfare should complete their prerequisite and foundational courses during their freshmen and sophomore years. Students interested in graduate study should complete PSY 300 - Statistics prior to graduation.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will identify and demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Students will engage with diversity and difference in practice.
- Students will enhance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Students will engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
- Students will engage in policy practice.
- Students will engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will develop interventions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will explore the integration of faith and social welfare practice.
Locations Offered
Main Campus Fresno
Lower Division Major Prerequisites (12 units)
Select at least four of the following courses:
- BIOL 100 - Principles of Biology Credits 3
- ECON 101 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits 3 or
- ECON 102 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits 3
- PS 120 - American Politics and Society Credits 3
- PSY 120 - General Psychology Credits 3
- SOC 120 - Introduction to Sociology Credits 3
Required Courses (48 Units)Foundational Courses (5-7 Units)
- SW 100 - Perspectives in Social Work Credits 1
- SW 110 - Participation in Volunteer Services Credits 1 - 3
- SW 120 - Helping People: An Introduction Credits 3
Advanced Courses (31 Units)- PSY 410 - Abnormal Psychology Credits 4
- SW 300 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment Credits 3
- SW 320 - Marriage and Family Credits 3
- SW 350 - Urban Society and the Welfare State Credits 3
- SW 360 - Social Problems and Public Policy Credits 3
- SW 400 - Foundations of Social Work Practice Credits 3
- SW 410 - Working with Groups Credits 3
- SW 420 - Becoming a Change Agent Credits 3
- SW 431 - Cultural Competence in Professional Practice Credits 3
- SW 461 - Introduction to Social Science Research Credits 3
Elective Courses (12 Units)
Take 12 units from the following:Â
- PSY 300 - Statistics Credits 4
- PSY 376 - Human Sexuality Credits 3
- SW 310 - Social Gerontology Credits 3
- SW 390 - Chemical Dependency Intervention Credits 3
- SW 395 - Studies in Domestic Violence Credits 3
- SOC 345 - Contemporary Issues in Immigration Credits 3
- SOC 346 - Human Trafficking: Perspectives and Interventions Credits 3
- SOC 360 - Sociology of Religion Credits 3
Possibilities Await
With an ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ 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).​â¶Ä‹
- 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
*Transfer Agreements are only a tool. Transfer work is not considered official until it has been evaluated by the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ 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. ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ works regularly with individual state authorization agencies to meet each state's requirements. Currently, ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ has received authorization to offer online degree programs in all but nine states: Georgia, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.
For the latest updates on the status of ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥'s authorization in your state, contact your ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ 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 ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ 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 ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ 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