Your Path to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

At La Sierra University, our Social Work program equips you with the knowledge, experience, and ethical foundation to make a difference in people’s lives. Whether you’re an adult transfer student completing coursework from a community college or a high school senior planning your future, this program prepares you for careers in healthcare, schools, mental health, child welfare, and community agencies.

Program Features Designed for Transfer Success

• Transfer-friendly coursework that values your community college credits and helps you graduate sooner.
• Flexible scheduling and advising for adult learners balancing work, family, and school.
• Hands-on field education and internships that connect classroom learning to real-world practice.
• Dedicated support for high school seniors preparing to enter the field with confidence.

Career-Focused Curriculum
Learn core social work competencies including human behavior, social welfare policy, cultural diversity, and practice skills. The curriculum emphasizes ethical practice, community engagement, evidence-based intervention, and professional development—all essential for success as a social work practitioner or for continuing to graduate study.

Field Education Experience
Field placements are a cornerstone of the program. You’ll work alongside professionals in community settings, gaining professional experience before you graduate—an advantage for job readiness and career growth.

Who Should Apply

• Adult transfer students with community college credits seeking a structured pathway to complete a BSW.
• High school seniors ready to pursue a meaningful profession in social work.

Finish your bachelor’s with a program that supports academic success, real-world experience, and your career goals. Join a community of learners committed to service, justice, and transformation.

In senior year, social work students take part in a year-long internship—also known as field work—at a local organization, applying classroom learning in real-world settings. Students spend 14 hours a week gaining hands-on experience in a placement that’s focused on their area of interest and fits their schedule. Throughout the internship, students receive unrivaled mentorship from their field instructor, professors, and cohort, providing the real time support and feedback they need to grow into confident, skilled social workers.

Our students have access to La Sierra's long-standing connections with numerous local organizations. Each internship is rigorously vetted, ensuring that students gain high-quality experience. Internships range across populations and systemic levels, providing a wide range of internship opportunities in the community. Click on the images below to take a closer look at our students and their internships.