Introduction to the Major
The Social Welfare major provides undergraduate students with a broad-based introduction to America’s social welfare problems and social policies within a social science context. The curriculum focuses both on the history and institutions of social work as a field of activity, and on the welfare state as a collective enterprise addressing human need. Students gain knowledge of organized networks of public and private social services, and the basic practice methods associated with the social work profession.
The major is a designated “group major” grounded in the liberal arts, rather than specialized training in the profession of social work. Students who successfully complete the major program are awarded the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.
“My favorite thing about the Social Welfare major is the people I’ve met along the way. It's great to be around people who are knowledgeable about the field and love what they do!”
- Monica Poblano, Class of 2022
Admission to the Major
Social Welfare is a capped major and prerequisites and enrollment controls for required courses are in place to manage student demand. Students interested in declaring should complete the prerequisite entry requirements as soon as possible. In order to declare, students must complete all prerequisites with a C or better, have a minimum GPA of 2.0, and have taken less than 80 units (including in progress classes).
Students should also be aware of application deadlines, and complete the e-form as soon as all of the prerequisites have been completed.
Amplify Your Major
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Get involved with our undergraduate organization the Social Welfare Association for the Greater Good.
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Enroll in a Social Welfare DeCal or facilitate one!
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Explore a social problem, intervention, or theory in-depth through the Honors Program in Social Welfare.
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Join Social Welfare students across the state for Lobby Days.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
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Start working on prerequisite entry requirements (L&S Reading and Composition and Quantitative Reasoning, Introductory Psychology, and Introductory Sociology).
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect in Social Welfare and L&S Mentors Program.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, L&S 1, or a student-run DeCal course.
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Visit the Undergraduate Research and Scholarships Fair in October.
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Get inspired by the faculty research and centers in Social Welfare.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a community-facing student organization like the Suitcase Clinic.
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Find service opportunities and internships through the Public Service Center.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series or a winter externship.
- Check out the Social Welfare webpage on career resources.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete prerequisite entry requirements by the end of your third semester and petition to declare the major.
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Get a head start on degree requirements by completing upper division social science electives.
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Review major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a Social Welfare student organization such as the Social Welfare Association for the Greater Good.
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Start attending Social Welfare events.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course. or Discovery Course.
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
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Enrich your studies with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
- Check out the minor in Global Poverty and Practice.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
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Attend the Social Justice Symposium to discuss social justice work in the Bay Area.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Reflect on your education so far and continue to set goals for yourself.
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Enroll in SOC WEL 110 once your petition to declare the major has been approved.
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Focus on upper division requirements and social science electives.
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Review your degree progress with your major and college advisors.
- Consult with your major advisor about the Honors Thesis Program.
Connect and Build Community
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Check out the Digital Health Equity and Access Lab.
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Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to UC Berkeley.
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Apply to the Dean’s Student Advisory Board and share feedback on student issues in the School of Social Welfare.
Discover Your Passions
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
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Explore the Center for Race & Gender, Center for Research on Social Change, Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, and Othering & Belonging Institute.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
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Engage in advocacy, lobbying and legislative action on social work issues as part of Lobby Days.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs like the “Nonprofit, Education, and Public Service Career Fair.”
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Continue to complete SOC WEL core courses and upper division social science electives.
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
- Participate in the Social Welfare commencement.
Connect and Build Community
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Connect with alumni groups such as Berkeley Social Welfare Alumni and continue to build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course.
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Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study and submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
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Interested in a public service career? Apply for the John Gardner Fellowship.
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or Americorps.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
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Check out job listing sites related to Social Welfare and apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Social work addresses the barriers, inequities and injustices that exist in society. It responds to crises and emergencies as well as to everyday personal and social problems. Social work utilizes a variety of skills, techniques, and activities consistent with its holistic focus on people and their environment.
Jobs and Employers
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Administrative Asst., Interface Engineering
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Advisor, UC Berkeley
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Business Development Coordinator, Oracle
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Community Health Worker, MLK Hospital
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Community Organizer, LAUSD
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Counselor Support, Alta Mira Recovery Centers
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Family Advocate, YMCA
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Healthcare Operations, Kaiser Permanente
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Home Health Aide, In-Home Support Services
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Residential Counselor, Larkin Street Youth Services
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Youth Specialist, Americorps
Graduate Programs
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Clinical Psychology
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Educational Administration
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Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
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Hospitality Administration
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Public Health
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Public Policy
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Social Welfare
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Sociology
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Speech-Language Pathology
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit socialwelfare.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can email the Undergraduate Major Advisor with any questions or to schedule an appointment at swundergrad@berkeley.edu
For more information and the most up-to-date drop-in hours, please see: socialwelfare.berkeley.edu/academics/bachelor-arts-social-welfare.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
