Why earn your MSW at CBU?
Apply for Advanced Standing
Students who have a BSW degree in social work from a CSWE accredited university are
eligible to apply for Advanced Standing into CBU’s MSW program. If admitted, students
may complete their MSW in 30-38 units. For more information, check out the Advanced Standing tab on the Application Requirements page.
Work in the field
Successful completion of the MSW degree requires 900 hours of field work. 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. From helping with Riverside
County’s Adoption Day, to collecting and delivering coats for vulnerable children,
and serving as table facilitators at the Mayor’s Faith Summit, CBU’s MSW students
are engaged in serving their community.
Conduct important research
The MSW program is committed to producing relevant and significant social work research
aimed at enhancing the field. For their capstone research project, MSW students are
encouraged to partner with community organizations (nonprofits, social service agencies)
to produce needed research to aid in analyzing data, sustain funding, identify and
address gaps in services and direct new community programming.
Be mentored by professional social workers
Mentorship is a hallmark feature of the program, and all MSW students are assigned
a faculty mentor. The role of the faculty mentor is to model social work values, and
the Christian faith and professionalism, as well as to help students navigate through
their academic journey in the program. The program also hosts several Fireside Chats
throughout the year to allow students to network and build relationships with professionals
in the human services field.
Integrate faith and social work
The MSW program empowers students to grow in their faith as they work to enhance the
well-being of individuals, families, and communities in need. In so doing, we follow
the command of Jesus in Matthew 25:35–40. All students keep a faith journey journal
in which they reflect on the interaction of their faith and the field and are able
to share their thoughts and dialogue privately with their faculty mentor.