Social Work Degrees at Azusa Pacific
Azusa Pacific University appears in our ranking of the 35 Best Value Christian Colleges with CSWE-accredited Programs.
Since 1982, the School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences has conferred the Bachelor of Social Work for Azusa Pacific University undergrads to help the oppressed by righting justice issues with today's status quo. Chaired by Dr. Mary Rawlings, the 2009 Chase Sawtell Inspirational Faculty Award winner, the 76-unit major is structured for entry-level generalist practice. Professors mentor learners at a 12:1 ratio with close-knit Azusa courses like Human Anatomy, Community Transformation, Child Welfare, and Aging Policy. Seniors receive 400-hour internship placements, such as Casa Colina, Foothill Presbyterian Hospital, Neighborhood Homework House, Valleydale Elementary, Edgewood Center, and Fullerton Family YMCA. Students may also study away in Ecuador, join Student Action Teams, engage with The Dream Project, minor in Ethnic Studies, and attend Noel Academy workshops.
Dedicated to John 13:34-35, Azusa Pacific University launched the accredited Master of Social Work in 2007 to equip advanced practitioners for leadership responsibility making the most vulnerable flourish. Overseen by Dr. Robert Welsh, the 2011 Rose Liegler Award recipient, the 60-unit program traditionally covers 24 months full-time with two days at the Carl E. Wynn Center weekly. The Advanced Standing Option offers a BSW bridge for graduating in only 10 months though. Face-to-face core courses like Macro Theory lead to two specializations: Clinical Practice with Individuals & Families or Community Leadership & Program Administration. For LCSW licensure, the curriculum integrates 20 hours of internship per week from Riverside to Los Angeles. Other opportunities include joining Project Cultivate, pursuing the D.Min., conducting Mexico Outreach, and researching in the Center for Diversity Equity.
About Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University was opened in March 1899 as the Training School for Christian Workers, the West Coast's first coed Bible college, by Mary A. Hill with an inaugural Whittier class of 13. Relocated to Azusa in 1946, the School merged with Los Angeles Pacific College 19 years later. Connected to the Religious Society of Friends, Azusa Pacific University adopted its current name in 1981 under Dr. Cornelius Haggard. Its 52-acre San Gabriel Valley campus soon sprouted seven California extensions and eLearning. Now budgeting $232.5 million yearly, APU has 1,206 faculty delivering private, Christian "Military Friendly" programs to 11,631 Cougars, including Social Work majors. Linked to 36,660 LinkedIn alumni, Azusa Pacific University has trained Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Colleen Ballinger, John C. Maxwell, and others.
The U.S. News & World Report has ranked Azusa Pacific the 187th best national university, 177th top high school counselor pick, and 75th best social work college. On Niche, APU is America's 61st best religious school, 214th top faculty, and 303rd most diverse campus. Forbes crowned Azusa Pacific University 357th overall with the 152nd best research. Money magazine labeled APU the country's 606th best value with a median salary of $41,800. Times Higher Education declared Azusa Pacific the 360th best university. College Factual chose APU for the 160th most popular social work program. The "College of Distinction" landed 66th for most Hispanic master's grads in Diverse Issues. Washington Monthly also applauded Azusa Pacific for the 53rd most service hours.
Azusa Pacific University Accreditation Details
In February 2013, Azusa Pacific University satisfactorily underwent its 10-year comprehensive evaluation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission to retain the Level VI accreditation under its 16th president, Dr. Jon R. Wallace. Headquartered seven hours north in Burlingame, this regional accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to check the quality of APU's two associate, 81 baccalaureate, 59 master's, and nine doctoral majors from Murrieta to Monrovia. The Christian CIC member was approved by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) also extended dual BSW and MSW accreditation through 2023.
Azusa Pacific University Application Requirements
Enrolling at Azusa Pacific University is labeled "moderately difficult" by Peterson's because 60 percent of the 8,030 applicants in Fall 2016 earned acceptance. First-year Cougars pouncing on the BSW opportunity must be committed to intellectual growth with a high school diploma or GED. Freshmen need a minimum 2.75 GPA, but the average is currently 3.68. Admitted undergrads submit a mean SAT score of 1130 and ACT score of 24. Testing requirements are waived for transfers with 28+ units and collegiate averages above 2.5 though. The Master of Social Work mandates a regionally accredited bachelor's with a 3.0 GPA. One Statistics course graded "C" or better is prerequisite. An Abnormal Psychology course is also suggested for the clinical track. Advanced Standing applicants with CSWE-accredited backgrounds also need 3.0 GPAs and 400+ fieldwork hours.
Azusa Pacific University has an Early Action deadline of November 15th and final deadline of June 1st for freshmen. Transfers apply until July 1st for Fall or December 1st for Spring. The MSW program enforces an Advanced Standing deadline of March 1st and Regular Admission deadline of March 1st. Hopeful entrants create usernames to send the APU Application online. Mailing the printed form to Box 7000 at 901 East Alosta Avenue in Azusa, CA 91702 is also acceptable. Contact (626) 969-3434 or [email protected] with any inquiries. Social work majors attach these:
- $45 application fee (waived for APU alumni)
- High school, associate, and bachelor's transcripts
- Official SAT/ACT and TOEFL exam scores
- Three references from professional contacts
- Personal essay of six to eight double-spaced pages
- Résumé of career achievements and skills
- Copy of passport and bank affidavit (foreign only)
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Azusa Pacific University will charge BSW majors full-time tuition of $19,150 per semester or $38,300 annually. Studying part-time incurs $1,596 per unit. The university service fee adds $580 per year. American Language and Cultural Institute sessions bill $5,600. Unless waived, health insurance premiums are $715 each term. Living at the Azusa campus' dorms like Trinity Hall costs $5,060 and $3,940 for room and board respectively. Annual bachelor's attendance equals $47,880. The Master of Social Work currently costs $730 per unit. Traditional post-grads pay $43,800 and Advanced Standing students pay $26,280 total.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 93 percent of full-time APU Cougars share $103.69 million in annual financial aid offers worth $19,252 on average. University funds include the President's Scholarship, Transfer Award, East Los Angeles Community Union Scholarship, Multi-Ethnic Leadership Scholarship, Kyle Ian MacDonald Scholarship, Haggard International Scholarship, and Charles & Shirley Stapleton Graduate Scholarship. The MSW Program offers the 15 percent Alumni Tuition Discount. Federal Pell and FSEOG Grants can be earned with code 001117 on the FAFSA application. Golden State natives may receive the Cal Grant, Transfer Entitlement Grant, Chafee Grant, or Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant. Federal Work-Study jobs and graduate assistantships pay at least $11/hour. Azusa Pacific also reports a low 2.9 percent default rate on Perkins, Direct, Graduate Plus, and private loans.
Learn more about Azusa Pacific University at the Department of Social Work website.