Social Work Entry Information

How to enter

Admission to the bachelor of applied science degree in social work (BASSW) is by selective entry application. The core courses start each fall quarter. The application for the fall 2026 BASSW program will open February 2, 2026.

Priority deadline: May 1, 2026

Regular deadline: June 5, 2026

Applicants will hear from the program 4 - 6 weeks after the respective deadline regarding acceptance. Applicants will receive letters regarding acceptance via their WCC student emails.

Students accepted to the program will be required to attend an orientation 1 - 2 weeks before the start of fall quarter to be able to register for courses. Information on the dates and times of the orientation will be provided in the acceptance letters.

Financial aid applications typically take several weeks to process (see the WCC financial aid website for more information). Students are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid as early as possible to allow this processing to get completed before the program starts in the fall.

Selection and admission process

To be eligible to apply, you must have earned or be on track to earn prior to the BASSW program fall start date, an associate degree (or higher) with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

The following prerequisite courses must also be completed with a C (2.0) or higher prior to program admission.

MATH& 146 Introduction to statistics (5 credits)
PSYC& 100 General psychology (5 credits)
PSYC& 200 Lifespan psychology (5 credits)
PSYC& 220 Psychological disorders (5 credits)

As part of your application, you must also provide at least one professional (may include volunteer work) and/or academic letter of reference (e.g., from a current or former supervisor or instructor) and a personal statement addressing the questions and criteria found here.

Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. The initial selection process will involve reviewing submitted applications for completeness, transferrable credits, and minimum qualifications. The Program Specialist will remove all student identifying information from their application and then submit for review to the BASSW Program Director and the Director of Practicum Education.

The BASSW program only accepts field education and practice course transfer credits from other CSWE-accredited or candidacy social work programs. Additionally, the BASSW program does not grant social work course credit for: 1) life experience, and 2) previous work experience.

Steps to apply

You must complete the following steps to be considered for program acceptance.

Step 1 - Apply to Whatcom Community College

Step 2 - Attend an information session

Step 3 - Gather all supporting materials

Download the fall 2025 BASSW program application packet for print or the fall 2025 program application packet fillable PDF. Contact Luanne Peel (lpeel@whatcom.edu or 360.383.3258) if you need assistance obtaining the application.

All required supporting documentation must be submitted with your BAS in social work application by the deadline for your application to be considered complete:

Official transcript from a regionally accredited community or technical college showing an associate degree.
Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges where you earned credits that may apply toward the BAS degree. WCC official transcripts are not required. For WCC students, please submit unofficial transcript.
At least one professional (may include volunteer work) and/or academic letter of reference; e.g., from a current or former supervisor or instructor.
Personal statement addressing questions and criteria found here.

Whatcom Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender presentation, ancestry, ethnicity, family status, immigration status, citizenship, socioeconomic status, genetic information or age in its programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director for Human Resources, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: hr@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

For Title IX compliance: Title IX Coordinator, by phone: 360.383.3400 or email: titleIX@whatcom.edu , 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.

WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access & Disability Services office at 360.383.3139; or Video Phone at 360.255.7182.

Step 4 - Pay application and background check fees

A non-refundable $50 fee is required to apply to the BAS in social work program, as well as an $11 background check fee. Your application will not be processed until these fees have been received.

You can come to campus to pay the application fee, call 360-383-3363 to pay by credit card (if no one answers, leave a message with a return number), or mail your check made payable to "Whatcom Community College" to:

WCC Business Office
ATTN: BASSW Application Fees
Laidlaw Center
237 W. Kellogg Rd.
Bellingham, WA 98226

Include a completed application fee form with your check. Note your ctcLink number and "BASSW program" in the memo line of your check.

Note: The fees are non-refundable. If you are not admitted to this program with your initial application, there will be no refund of the fees. If you reapply to the next available program, you will not be required to pay the application fee again; however, you will be required to pay the background check fee with each application.

Step 5 - Submit the BASSW application form and all supporting materials bythe deadline

Submit the completed BASSW application forms and all required supporting documentation in one complete packet. All materials must be received by the Health Professions Program Specialist, HPEC 104, by the deadline. Your packet should include:

Completed Application for Selective Entry Admission form
Completed Applicant Checklist
Official transcript from a regionally accredited community or technical college showing associate degree in behavioral health, human services, social services, or substance use disorder professional (SUDP), or related field with Dean’s approval.
- Minimum GPA 2.0
Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges where you earned credits that may apply to the BASSW program prerequisites and/or general education requirements
- A minimum grade of C (2.0 grade point) is required in each course
Letter(s) of recommendation
- Recommendations should be completed by current or former employers, supervisors (may include volunteer work), or instructors – not friends or family members
- Recommendation letters must be provided in a sealed envelope where the referrer has signed across the seal
Personal statement addressing the questions found here
Receipt for the $11 purchase of a Washington State Patrol Background check will be send directly by the WCC Business Office.

Clinical placements, employment, and licensure in a healthcare field often require a background check. WCC will conduct a Washington State Patrol background check on BASSW program applicants. Results of the background check will be given to the BASSW program director. Students with a negative finding will be required to meet with the program director prior to admittance to discuss possible options. Entrance and acceptance into the program are contingent upon background checks.

Incomplete applications will not be considered for BASSW program acceptance. All selective admission application materials will be placed in a confidential student file for review by the selection committee.