Wondering whether a degree in social work might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our advisors.
Location: Behavioral and Social Sciences Building 234
Phone: 530-898-6204
Email: swrk@csuchico.edu
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree will prepare you to address local, state, national and global issues and to create practices and policies grounded in social and economic justice. The faculty in the School of Social Work are engaged learners, practitioners, researchers, policy advocates, and activists within their communities and they bring years of experience to the classroom and a strong commitment to your learning.
Welcome to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program and to the School of Social Work at Chico State University!
You are entering an exciting discipline and practice with countless career possibilities. Social Work is unique in its emphasis on social justice and work centered on promoting equity and well-being for historically marginalized and underserved populations. The BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and prepares you for beginning professional generalist social work practice. A generalist approach requires that social workers have a foundation of knowledge and skills to access, analyze, plan, evaluate, and work with people from diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings and systems. These include health care, rehabilitation, criminal justice, schools, government agencies, mental health, child and adult protective services, counseling, among many others. Our faculty are engaged learners, practitioners, researchers, policy advocates, and activists within their communities and they bring years of experience to the classroom and a strong commitment to your learning.
The Student Handbook for the BSW Program is designed to inform you about the School’s policies, procedures, and other information regarding the program. It is important that you become familiar with the contents, as it will give you an overview of what to expect and what is expected of you throughout your time in the program.
The School of Social Work is housed within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and is also under the auspices of the Office of Undergraduate Education and Academic Success. Therefore, the BSW Program is subject to the policies and procedures of those bodies as well as the University. To make yourself aware of those requirements, please become familiar with the most current version of the University Catalog.
As the policies and procedures of the School of Social Work are constantly under review and revision, please stay in close communication with the BSW Program Director. The School of Social Work website is updated regularly and will give you the most current version of policies and procedures, as well as other valuable information. Your major advisor is also an important source of information.
To receive a Bachelor of Social Work Degree (BSW), students must complete 120 units in total. This includes all lower and upper division general education requirements, elective courses, social work prerequisites, and core social work major courses. Fifty-one course units are needed for the bachelor’s degree in social work.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program offers the same BSW curriculum in two learning formats:
The curriculum for the campus-based format is delivered on-campus and in-person.
Contact Information
Michele Eggers
BSW Director
meggers@csuchico.edu
The curriculum for the distributed learning format is delivered in a hybrid format online and in-person.
Contact Information
Caroline Oster
Distributed Learning Advisor
coster@csuchico.edu
Campus-Based Program
Distributed Learning Program
Students are eligible to apply and move forward to the core major professional sequence courses once they have:
Application Process
Students generally complete their prerequisite courses by the fall semester of their junior year. At the beginning of the Fall semester, prior to the professional sequence in the Spring, students complete the Professional Sequence Verification Application to ensure they have met the requirements to advance to the professional sequence. Verification applications will be available on the Social Work website by August 1st of each year the student is eligible for the professional sequence.
If you have any questions about our BSW Program, please join us at our informational meetings.
Upcoming Informational Meeting Dates
Join Zoom Meeting
Password: swrk
Please ensure you are joining at one of the times listed above.
High school and transfer students first apply to Chico State through Cal State Apply and select Social Work as their major. At this stage, no additional application, volunteer hours, or prerequisites are required.
Once you reach your junior year, you’ll apply to the BSW Professional Sequence, which is the upper-division portion of the major.
Application Window: August 1 – September 15
The application to start the BSW Professional Sequence Spring 2026 has closed, but we are still accepting applications on a rolling basis, as needed. Please reach out to the respective program contacts for more information.
First-time, first-year students choosing Social Work as your major do not need to complete a Professional Sequence Application at this time. Please note, you will need to complete the BSW Professional Sequence Application during the fall of your junior year.
You are ready to begin the Professional Sequence if you have:
If you have passed the above requirements with a C or higher, you are eligible to apply for the Professional Sequence. Applications will be available on the Social Work website on August 1st. Complete and return the application electronically to the Chico State School of Social Work by the deadline indicated.
Transfer students who plan to take prerequisites at other educational institutions must consult the BSW Director, DL Coordinator, or DL Advisor to ensure they are enrolled in articulated equivalents to the prerequisite courses on the Chico campus. The BSW Director, DL Coordinator, or DL Advisor is responsible for evaluating the transferability of all social work prerequisites not listed on the articulation agreements between Chico State and other units of the California State University, the University of California, and the California Community Colleges system.
We are committed to your success and here to support you, so feel free to reach out to the BSW Director with any questions.
Social Work is an exciting and rapidly growing career option. People from diverse backgrounds and experience find their way to Social Work and enjoy a rich career of working with individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities. It's important that students considering the Social Work major spend time in a human services organization to discover if a service profession is a good fit, to engage with different populations, and to gain valuable experiences that can enrich classroom discussion and learning.
Before students enter the professional sequence in their junior year, students must complete 60 hours of documented human service experience through the completion of a volunteer or paid position (i.e.: volunteer, community service, service-learning, or employment). Human service-related experience might include a combination of current or past paid and/or unpaid jobs, service corps, internships, or volunteer work in various settings within your community. Contact BSW Director (Michele Eggers: meggers@csuchico.edu) and DL Advisor (Caroline Oster, coster@csuchico.edu) with any questions.
It is essential that students interested in applying to the BSW Professional Sequence Program seek pre-admission advising to review the progress of their prerequisite coursework and volunteer hours, and to discuss other program requirements.
Students interested in the Campus-based BSW program should contact BSW Director, Michele Eggers, PhD, by email at meggers@csuchico.edu.
Students interested in the Distributed Learning BSW program should contact Distributed Learning Advisor, Caroline Oster, by email at coster@csuchico.edu.
A student’s legal history will not affect the BSW Professional Sequence application or acceptance process. Any student can apply to the BSW Professional Sequence; however, all students who move into the Professional Sequence will need to secure a practicum placement, which may require background clearance. Therefore, after moving into the professional sequence you should be prepared to discuss with the Practicum Education Coordinator any legal history that could come up during the background clearance process so they can refer you to appropriate agencies.
What is the Professional Sequence?
The Professional Sequence consists of the core major social work courses that students take in their junior and senior years. These courses are sequential, meaning students must complete one semester with a minimum grade of C before advancing to the next. To enroll in the Professional Sequence courses, students must apply through the application process to verify that all prerequisites have been or will be met.
What is the Campus-based BSW Program and the Distributed Learning BSW Program?
The Campus-based program is a full-time program where curriculum is delivered in person on campus two days a week.
The Distributed Learning (DL) program is a hybrid program where curriculum is delivered both online—asynchronously and synchronously through Zoom—and in person, on campus during select weekends each semester.
Do I need to complete the Social Work Prerequisites before starting the BSW Professional Sequence courses?
Social Work Prerequisite Courses (15 units)
Students must complete these five courses by the end of the fall semester of their junior year with a grade of C or better. All prerequisites must be completed by the fall semester prior to entering the Professional Sequence with a grade of C or better.
Do I need to complete the Social Work Core Course Prerequisites before starting the BSW Professional Sequence courses?
Yes, you must pass the five Social Work Prerequisite Courses by the end of the fall semester of your junior year with a grade of C or better.
I have a specific question about a course I have taken; will my class count as a prerequisite?
If you are an applicant to the Campus-based BSW Program, please contact BSW Director Michele Eggers, at meggers@csuchico.edu with questions related to prerequisites or the BSW program.
If you are an applicant to the Distributed Learning BSW Program, please contact BSW DL Advisor Caroline Oster at coster@csuchico.edu with questions related to prerequisites.
When do I apply for the BSW Professional Sequence?
The BSW Professional Sequence Verification Application is available every fall from August 1–September 15. Students apply in the fall semester to start the Professional Sequence the following spring semester of their junior year.
Can I apply to the BSW Professional Sequence if the CSU, Chico application process is closed?
The two applications are completely separate. A student must first apply and be accepted to CSU, Chico through Cal State Apply—either for the fall or spring term—before applying to the BSW Professional Sequence. Students can only apply to the BSW Professional Sequence after they have been accepted to CSU, Chico.
Apply to the University through Cal State Apply.
After I am accepted to Chico State and the Professional Sequence, when can I register for classes?
For continuing students, as soon as you are accepted into the Professional Sequence in the fall semester, you may enroll during your scheduled enrollment period for spring semester.
For spring transfer students, you may enroll in courses during Winter Orientation. Contact the New Student Orientation & Transition Programs with questions about Winter Orientation.
How do I access my unofficial transcripts online for the Professional Sequence application?
Students can access their unofficial transcripts by logging in to their “Portal” account through their community colleges, colleges, and universities they have attended. Click here to access the CSU, Chico Portal.
What do I do if I was not accepted into the BSW Professional Sequence?
You have options. Depending on your circumstances, you can do any of the following:
Please meet with the BSW Program Director or DL Advisor to discuss all of your options.
What about the practicum courses? What courses will the SWRK Department enroll me in?
During your last year of the program, you may enroll in SWRK 489A/B, and the Social Work Department will enroll you in SWRK 490A/B prior to the start of the semester.
If I have more questions about the BSW program, who can I contact?
Michele Eggers, PhD, MSW
BSW Program Director
BSW Program Information and Advising
530-898-3809
meggers@csuchico.edu
Qingyi Li, PhD
Interim BSW Director, Spring 2026
qli10@csuchico.edu
Maia Illa, PPSC, LCSW
Distributed Learning Coordinator
milla@csuchico.edu
Caroline Oster
Distributed Learning Advisor
coster@csuchico.edu
Meka Klungtvet-Morano, MSW
Title IV-E Coordinator
mklungtvet-morano@csuchico.edu
Molly Heck, EdD
Wellness Coach Advisor
mheck@csuchico.edu
Andrea Rioux, MSW, LCSW
BSW Practicum Coordinator
alrioux@csuchico.edu
Scott Raby
BSW Administrative Support Assistant
sraby@csuchico.edu
All notifications will be sent to applicants via your Wildcat E-mail Address mid- to late-October. Make sure to check your Wildcat E-mail address – we will not be sending your notification to any other addresses.
The Student Handbook for the BSW Program is a resource to assist you as you navigate your time in the BSW program. It outlines key program requirements, academic policies, student resources, and opportunities designed to support your learning, growth, and professional development in social work.
The purpose of the Bachelor of Social Work Club (BSWC) is to provide an organized forum for shared interests regarding social work as a profession and social issues that pertain to social work.
The club aims to provide social work students with informational speakers, fund raising to support community programs, facilitation of student involvement in the National Association of Social Work (NASW) Lobby Days in Sacramento, and opportunities for students to experience group work including leadership activities.
For more information, contact the club officers or visit the social media links below.
Club Officers
Social Media Links
The Honors in Social Work program is offered by faculty permission and open only to seniors who meet the requirements. The Honors in Social Work program is subject to availability of faculty and university resources.
Eligible students are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during/after the second semester of their junior year. If interested, students are enrolled in and complete the six units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
General Requirements for Honors in the Major:
Note: This program is only available for students in their senior year.
For more information, or to inquire about honors eligibility, please contact Dr. the BSW Director, Michele Eggers, at meggers@csuchico.edu
Becoming a Certified Wellness Coach lets you play a role in improving mental health and well-being of children and youth in California. Certified Wellness Coaches provide care to young people through prevention and early intervention services. These services support overall physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Explore the California Certified Wellness Coach website or watch a video on the program to learn more.
The Wellness Coach Scholarship Program (WCSP) offers a life-changing opportunity to pursue your dream of becoming a Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) and making a lasting impact in your community.
Application Window
The scholarship application window opened January 2 and closes February 13, 2025.
Award Amount
Up $35,000
Other Details
Review the 2025-26 Grant Guide (PDF) for program guidance and requirements.
The California State University, Chico, School of Social Work is a participant in the statewide Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program, a collaborative project of the California Department of Social Services, the County Welfare Directors Association, California’s graduate schools of social work and social welfare, and the California Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). The primary goal is to professionalize child welfare services by increasing the number of bachelor's- and master's-degreed social workers who provide services to children and their families.
The IV-E stipends provide one year of support over $20,000 for students in the Senior Year of the Full-Time BSW Program. To receive this stipend, students must have applied and been accepted into the Title IV-E BASW program which happens during the Spring semester before a student’s Senior year in the Professional Sequence.
Qualifications Students must be enrolled in the California State University, Chico, School of Social Work to be eligible to apply for the BSW Title IV-E Program. The number of stipends is limited. Applications must demonstrate commitment to public child welfare. Fluency in a high demand language is given priority. For BSW DL Students who are employed in public child welfare, and who want to participate in the Title IV-E Program, please reach out for information specific to child welfare employees.
For more information visit the California Title IV-E page.
School of Social Work Department Office
530-898-6204
swrk@csuchico.edu
Michele Eggers [sabbatical January-August]
BSW Program Director
BSW Program Information and Advising
530-898-3809
meggers@csuchico.edu
Qingyi Li
Interim BSW Director and BSW Advisor
qli10@csuchico.edu
Maia Illa
Distributed Learning Coordinator
milla@csuchico.edu
Caroline Oster
Distributed Learning Advisor
coster@csuchico.edu
Andrea Rioux
BSW Practicum Coordinator
alrioux@csuchico.edu
Delaney Love
BSW Placement Coordinator
dolove@csuchico.edu
Meka Klungtvet-Morano
Title IV-E Coordinator
mklungtvet-morano@csuchico.edu
molly heck
Wellness Coach Advisor
mheck@csuchico.edu
Wondering whether a degree in social work might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our advisors.
Location: Behavioral and Social Sciences Building 234
Phone: 530-898-6204
Email: swrk@csuchico.edu