Breadcrumb
Department of Social Work
Rooted in Community
The Department of Social Work maintains an emphasis on working with Indigenous and rural communities across California. Coursework is designed to decolonize mainstream social work practice by building reciprocal and dynamic relationships and to support people who are rooted in their communities.
Our rigorous programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and have options to meet your needs in advancing your current career, making a transition, or adding a degree to amplify your voice to better serve the community you call home.
Social Work, B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program is to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice responsive to the challenges and resources present in rural and Indigenous areas in particular, and in more populated areas in general.
Online learning is available through our Distributed Learning program.
Social Work, M.S.W
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is an advanced generalist with an emphasis on working in rural and Indigenous communities. The program teaches students how to achieve a disciplined, compassionate presence to a caring, and ethical practice.
Online learning is available through our Distributed Learning program.
Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work
The PPSC-SSW online certificate program builds upon the Master of Social Work curriculum by providing specialized instruction to develop the knowledge, skills, and values required to effectively provide social work services within public school systems.
Department Information Sessions
An opportunity to learn about our BASW & MSW programs, as well as meet faculty and staff. No registration required, join at the link below.
Monthly on the first Wed and on the third Friday, 12:00- 1:00 pm (Starting August)
We will have one Summer sessions, July 24th, and will return to our regular schedule on August 8th
Community Placement & Practicum Education
Through required experiential coursework, BASW and MSW students have the opportunity to connect and apply theoretical concepts in the community with the benefit of reflective seminar curriculum led by knowledgeable faculty. Students are able to gain perspective and understanding of the challenges and strengths of organizations serving rural and Indigenous communities.
Place-Based Learning Community: Creando Raíces
As a Social Work freshman, you’ll participate in hands-on activities with your peers before classes even start and in some cases, have the opportunity to live in the same residence halls with your peers. Social Work students will join three other departments for Creando Raíces, which focuses on community organizing and ethnic studies, deepening an appreciation and awareness of justice and liberation.
Accreditation
Our programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which means students can be confident that their education meets national standards, supports eligibility for licensure, and strengthens their career opportunities in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
That is generally correct. First year MSW students are in internship Mondays and Tuesdays and in class Wednesdays and Thursdays; advanced year students are in classes Mondays & tuesdays and internship Wednesdays and Thursdays. Sometimes students spread internship hours to Fridays as well depending on the placement.
Faculty cannot review and provide feedback on application materials prior to submission; we encourage you to use the writing center on campus for support.
Admissions review takes place after the deadline and all applicants are notified approximately around Mid-March regardless of the date they submitted in the current cycle.
Yes, you must have SW 420 completed before you start. You my apply while still actively participating in SW 420 though.
Achievements
Find out what our students, faculty, and staff are being recognized for.
Veronica Zaragoza
Social Work
A proud mother of six and a Social Work major at Cal Poly Humboldt, Veronica Zaragoza has faced the challenges of balancing parenthood, education, and community advocacy with resilience and determination.
This year, Zaragoza is among 23 students across the CSU system honored with the Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement—the CSU’s highest recognition of student accomplishment.
Mark Taylor
Social Work
Cal Poly Humboldt Social Work alum, Mark Taylor, says that his work at Pelican Bay in California is his way of “making amends”.
Read the full article about the first-of-its-kind bachelor program at one of the nation's most notorious prisons, being offered — to those inmates who qualify — through Cal Poly Humboldt.
Michelle Rainer Bates-Hoaglin and Jen Maguire
Social Work
This presentation shared how Cal Poly Humboldt’s Department of Social Work integrated Tribal and Indigenous voices throughout its curriculum and practicum experiences to prepare students for ethical, culturally grounded practice in Indigenous communities. Presenters Michelle Rainer Bates-Hoaglin, MSW, LCSW (Poh-lik-lah/Yurok), and Dr. Jennifer Maguire, PhD, MSW, highlighted strategies like ICWA learning modules, co-created videos, Indigenous guest speakers, land-based learning, and internships with Tribal organizations through the SERVE project. They discussed how these efforts fostered understanding of colonization, resilience, and sovereignty, while also addressing challenges and growth areas in building reciprocal relationships and decolonizing social work education.