“Do you feel a calling to be a beacon of hope in others’ darkest hours, to speak for those without a voice, and to drive positive change in our communities? Are you ready to embrace the privilege of aiding others through life’s toughest challenges, empowering them to create brighter futures? Our faculty and staff are committed to providing the education, training, connections, and support you need to fulfill your purpose and make a difference. Our diverse community shares a deep commitment to our Christian values and excellence in our professions. It is through that lens we strive to imbue within our students a deeper cultural understanding and global perspective.”
Wayne Fletcher, EdD Dean, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Program Distinctives
Professional Development Opportunities
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Students are assigned a faculty mentor to help guide their academic and career success. Additionally, students experience many professional development activities such as licensure readiness, identity branding for social media, interviewing skills, exposure to prospective employers, social work conferences, meeting leading figures in social services, and special workshops on innovative and emerging practices within the field of social work.
Learn by Doing
Successful completion of the MSW degree requires 900 hours of field work. With over 200 community partners, the program offers many options for completing this requirement with organizations that serve marginalized populations throughout the Inland Empire, including school districts, foster care agencies and inmate services. Strong community connections, community presence and community service are central to the program.
Flexible Course Options
CBU’s MSW program offers traditional course options where classes are completed with hybrid features and evening and weekend class times, as well as an online learning track (online MSW), providing great flexibility for students who desire to pursue their MSW degree while working full time. All course options provide the same curriculum, faculty and program requirements; however, students in the distance learning track do not need to come to campus except for scheduled residencies throughout the program.
Advanced Standing Option
Students who have a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited program in social work are eligible to apply for Advanced Standing into CBU’s MSW program. If admitted, students can complete their MSW in 30 units and only need to complete 500 field work hours.
Program Details at a Glance
Program Length
60 units
2 years (4 semesters)
Advanced Standing
30 units
1 year (2 semesters)
Program Cost*
$49,340**
$798 per unit
$365 per semester general fee
$150 per semester residency fee (Online MSW)
Program Start Term
Fall (September)
Class Format
Classes meet in the evenings on either a Monday/ Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday sequence. Students also meet every other Friday. Students may select Saturday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM classes instead of weeknight classes. In addition to scheduled classes, 16–20 hours of fieldwork are required each week. An asynchronous distance learning option is available with three-day residencies required each semester.
*Based on current academic year. Subject to change.
**Advanced Standing is 50% of total cost due to program being one year in length.
Accreditation
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:35-40 (CSB)
About the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (CBSS) is widely recognized and highly respected by public, private and faith-based agencies throughout the Inland Empire community.
As one of the oldest and largest colleges at California Baptist University, the CBSS is well known for its variety of program offerings, research and scholarship, practicum and training sites and service to the community.
The vision of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences is to develop quality graduates that are equipped to face the challenges of the world and serve at the highest caliber in their fields. Our distinct philosophy includes a significant student-professor interaction, an intentional integration of a mature biblical worldview, a holistic interdisciplinary approach, and an emphasis on sound academic instruction to prepare students to compete with others in academia and in the job market.
As a faculty, we strive to exemplify the cooperative, relational aspect of our field as behavioral scientists in order to best model successful integration and cross-disciplinary partnership. Our vision is to graduate students of strong, mature faith who are academically and professionally prepared for real-world application of their skills. Among the many benefits of studying at
the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences is our comprehensive approach to learning and practical application.
While theoretical frameworks are explored alongside historical perspectives of each discipline, it is the direct application of knowledge that sets us apart from other programs. The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences offers students many opportunities to put their skills into practice in a setting that provides individual attention and faculty guidance.
Faculty Spotlight
Liza A. Arellano, DSW, LCSW
Program Director, Master of Social Work (MSW) Assistant Professor, Division of Social Work
Dr. Liza Arellano is an Assistant Professor and the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Director at California Baptist University (CBU). She has an MSW and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and previously managed the provision of mental health services for foster youth in San Bernardino County. She has over 15 years of experience in child welfare, serving in various capacities, including residential placements, child abuse and neglect investigations, training and development, supervision of blended and specialized units, and managing multiple child welfare placement programs. She serves on the Board of Directors for a Foster Family Agency.
As a Christian, Mexican-American woman, and firstgeneration college graduate, she views her role as a social work educator as a higher calling.
Her teaching philosophy is student-centered and rooted in multidimensional faith integration, believing that students play a critical role in shaping their own learning environment. As an adaptable and engaging educator, she facilitates transformational learning experiences with students to increase self-awareness and an allencompassing passion for working with vulnerable, oppressed, and marginalized populations.
Dr. Arellano’s scholarship includes improving outcomes for foster youth in congregate care, preventative child welfare services, and higher education assessment of social work students.
She is a member of Phi Alpha Honor Society — Delta Kappa Nu Chapter and has received awards for Outstanding Teaching of Culturally Responsive Social Work Practice.
Admissions Requirements
Application for admission with a $45 application fee.
A minimum 2.75 GPA for unconditional admission. Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 may be considered for conditional admission based on the personal statement and interview. Advanced Standing students must have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in their previous social work courses.
Comprehensive Essay of at least 3–4 pages that includes the following elements:
• Purpose for entering the program
• Experiences that have directed your interest toward social work
• Long term professional goals
• What makes you a good candidate for the profession and for graduate student
• Issues of social justice you are most passionate about and why
• Religious background, present pattern of spiritual growth, fundamentals of personal faith and the relationship between your faith and professional goals
• Reasons for choosing to study at California Baptist University
Successful interview(s) with faculty members from the Social Work program.
Prerequisites* Statistics
*Must be completed with a “C” or better by end of first semester
Advanced Standing
Students who have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE accredited university are eligible to apply for Advanced Standing into CBU’s MSW program. If admitted, students enter directly into the second year of the MSW program and may complete their MSW in 30–38 units. Preference will be given to students who have completed their BSW degree no more than seven years prior to applying to the MSW program, and who achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher in all social work practice and field work courses. Students whose BSW degree conferred more than seven years ago will be asked to demonstrate their ongoing engagement in the field, continuing education, and commitment to the profession in the admission interview with the program director and/or appointed designee.
How to Apply
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01 Send official college or university transcripts.
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Submit a Graduate Application at calbaptist.edu/gradapp
Application Deadline Fall Priority Standard May 15 July 15
Provide any supplemental documents required.
Ready to take the next step? Follow this QR code to start your application!
