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Social Work Distance Ed Field Consortium Summer Support meeting 7/17

1.  social work distance ed field consortium summer support meeting 7/17.

The distance ed field consortium is holding a summer support meeting next Wednesday 7/17 at 1pm eastern. This is a casual meeting to chat about practicum related topics. All are welcome!

Register here for the 7/17 meeting

  Register here for the 8/14 meeting

------------------------------ Lindsey Rinehart Field Education Director West Virginia University Morgantown WV 304-293-3501 ------------------------------

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• Accreditation

Current Number of Social Work Programs  (As of June 2024)

accredited baccalaureate programs

accredited master's programs

candidate baccalaureate programs

candidate master's programs

pre-candidate baccalaureate programs

pre-candidate master's programs

accredited post-master's fellowship programs

Directory of Accredited Programs

About cswe accreditation  .

CSWE’s vision is “To ensure a well-educated social work profession equipped to promote health, well-being, and justice for all people in a diverse society”.  Accreditation is a systematic and rigorous process of operationalizing this vision and ensuring consumer protection and the public good through quality social work education programs.   CSWE accreditation is a rigorous peer-review process that balances requirements of comparable outcomes across programs with a level of flexibility that encourages programs to differentiate based on the program’s context. This accreditation assures recipients of social work services and students, faculty, and staff of social work education programs that the program has a clearly defined mission and objective that are achievable and consistent with expectations of social work practice.    CSWE-accredited programs are held to higher standards of responsibility for educating students to be respectful and responsible social workers for diverse cultures and communities. A value of social work as the degree of choice is in the fact that graduates from undergraduate and graduate social work education programs can critically think, problem solve, and advocate for justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity.   Learn more about the value and benefits of CSWE accreditation here .

Goal of CSWE Accreditation  

At the core of social work education is the responsibility to create and sustain healthy communities and contribute positively to the public good. Thus, the goal of CSWE accreditation at the most fundamental level is to ensure quality education and preparation of social workers to carry out that responsibility. Social work is a public service field founded on core values of justice, dignity and worth of a person, human relations, integrity, and competence. CSWE accreditation standards are grounded in these core values and engages competent and qualified educators and community partners to ensure student competency in research, policy, theory, and practice of social work.   

Accreditation and Degree Mills  

Accreditation and degree mills can mislead students and the public about the quality of a program or institution. Such degrees and accreditation may not be recognized by other institution, employers, or licensing boards. Learn more about the problem and how to combat it at the   CHEA website .  

CHEA Recognition  

CSWE’s Board of Accreditation is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) . CHEA recognition assures the public that CSWE’s Board of Accreditation is competent to engage in quality reviews of social work programs based on the CHEA recognition standards. 

CSWE Board of Accreditation (BOA)  

Cswe-boa decisions decisions posted july 8, 2024, next meeting:  october 9-12, 2024, cswe - boa  is recognized by chea.

California – Featured Online Programs in Social Work

Explore and compare a list of accredited schools to enroll in your next program.

With high-paying jobs, projected employment growth, and top-ranked schools, California offers a host of benefits to social workers. A master of social work (MSW) program in California can put you on the track toward attaining your academic and professional goals.

Learn more about programs, explore online course delivery options, and discover potential salaries.

Popular Online MSW Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Online Master’s Social Work (MSW) Programs in California

1. university of southern california — master of social work.

A leading private research college, the University of Southern California enrolls more than 47,000 students each year. USC’s School of Social Work was one of the first research colleges to offer a master of social work online .

This MSW program offers a 60-credit traditional track and 37-credit advanced standing track. Faculty deliver the curriculum for this California social work degree through virtual classrooms that use breakout rooms for students to work together, opportunities for live chats, and document sharing.

The online MSW program incorporates a unique feature for students in the traditional MSW program: 210 hours of virtual field education in an intimate classroom. Students work in small group sessions role-playing with an actor who portrays a client. Students in both the traditional and advanced standing programs also complete 790 hours of field placements in their own communities.

USC’s School of Social Work works with students to ensure field placement sites meet the school’s standards.

Accreditation

• The University of Southern California is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
• The University of Southern California’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Minimum GPA: 3.0
• Prerequisites: Bachelor’s from a regionally accredited college
• GRE required?: No
• Other Admission Requirements: Experience providing service to people is preferred
• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-state/Out-of-State): $1,928 per unit/$1,928 per unit
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-state/Out-of-State): $1,928 per unit/$1,928 per unit
• Online Social Work Programs: Traditional MSW; advanced standing MSW
• Program Length: Traditional MSW: 2 years, 60 credits; advanced standing MSW: 1 year, 37 credits

Social Work Coursework

• Tracks/Concentrations: Adult mental health and wellness; child, youth, and families; social change and innovation; military social work; school social work
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Traditional MSW program: 210 hours of virtual field education; advanced standing and traditional programs: 790 hours of community-based field education
• Capstone/Thesis Required?: No
• Core Courses: Science of social work; human behavior and the social environment; policy and advocacy in professional social work; integrative learning for social work practice; social work practice with individuals; families and groups; applied learning in field education; diversity, social justice, and culturally competent social work practice
• In-person Requirements: No

Student Support

• Technical Support: Yes
• Special Services Provided to Online Students: Online library services, tutoring and writing coaches, and virtual one-on-one writing sessions

2. California State University, San Bernardino — Master of Social Work

Set in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, California State University, San Bernardino enrolls about 20,000 students each year. The school offers 70 programs, including online options.

Students can earn the school’s 90-quarter-unit master of social work online through the Pathway Distance Education Program. This three-year program offers an MSW generalist core in the first two years followed by a year of concentration courses. Concentration options include homeslessness, domestic violence, child abuse, immigrants and refugees, and correctional services.

Students complete 900 hours of field education at approved agencies in areas such as mental health, child welfare, school-based counseling, gerontology, and forensic social work. While faculty designed this California social work degree for nontraditional learners, the program’s rigor does not suit full-time professionals.

• California State University, San Bernardino is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
• California State University, San Bernardino’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Minimum GPA: 2.5
• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-state/Out-of-State): $1,110 for 0-6 units, $1,914 for 6.1+ units; nonresidents pay an additional $264/unit
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-state/Out-of-State): $1,388 for 0-6 units, $2,392 for 6.1+ units; nonresidents pay an additional $264/unit
• Notes: The MSW program costs $400/unit.
• Online Social Work Programs: MSW; BASW
• Program Length: 3 years, 90 quarter units
• Tracks/Concentrations: 31 concentration options include homeslessness, domestic violence, child abuse, children, elderly, immigrants and refugees, and correctional services
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Yes, 900 hours
• Core Courses: Foundation micro practice I, II, III; foundation macro practice I, II, III; special work research; human behavior in the social environment: birth through adolescence; human behavior in the social environment: adulthood and aging

3. San Jose State University — Master of Social Work

A large school with more than 32,000 students, San Jose State University offers 250 areas of study. In 1969, the university began offering an on-campus master of social work to train students to work with the area’s Spanish-speaking population. In 2016, the School of Social Work began offering an online MSW that emphasizes a transcultural perspective, including cultural knowledge, cultural competency, and positionality and self-reflexivity.

The MSW trains social workers to address the needs of Latinos and other marginalized groups. The online MSW is a part-time program that students complete in two years. Students can complete all courses online. Courses feature asynchronous and synchronous components. The program begins with a foundation year that provides students with generalist skills.

The second year focuses on a transcultural, multi-systems practice concentration. Students integrate theoretical learning, models, and professional values with a transcultural emphasis at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Learners engage in 900 hours of field experience at California agencies.

• San Jose State University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
• San Jose State University’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Prerequisites: A liberal arts foundation and experience working or volunteering with marginalized groups
• Other Admission Requirements: This program only accepts California students.
• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-state): $3,300 for 0-6 units, $5,742 for 6.1+ units; nonresidents pay an additional $396/unit
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-state): $4,164 for 0-6 units, $7,176 for 6.1+ units; nonresidents pay an additional $396/unit
• Notes: The MSW program costs $475/unit.
• Online Social Work Programs: MSW
• Program Length: 2 years, 60 units
• Information Relevant for Transfer Students: Students may transfer in up to 12 credits from a CSWE-accredited master’s program.
• Tracks/Concentrations: Transcultural multi-systems practice
• Core Courses: Social policy and services, social policy analysis, human behavior in the social environment I and II, transcultural generalist practice I and II, transcultural multi-systems practice I and II, multi-systems practice: a Spanish/English framework

4. California State University, Northridge — Master of Social Work

Situated on a 356-acre campus in San Fernando Valley, California State University, Northridge features a diverse learning community of about 38,000 students. The school was one of the first colleges to offer distance education programs in the U.S., and faculty and staff continue to receive training and support to ensure distance learning excellence.

Students can pursue a master of social work online. This 60-unit program prepares students to address the needs of vulnerable and at-risk populations at the individual/family, group/community, and societal/policy levels. The MSW emphasizes the social service needs of residents in the Greater Los Angeles and Southern California regions.

The Department of Social Work delivers the program in two- and three-year formats for full-time and part-time students, respectively. Students can meet for live online classes one night each week or watch recordings of the class at their convenience. MSW participants complete 400-600 hours of field education in their foundation year and 500-700 hours in their concentration year. Students enroll in the program as a cohort to facilitate on-time completion, student interactions, and community building.

• California State University, Northridge is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
• California State University, Northridge’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Minimum GPA: 2.5; 3.0 desired
• Other Admission Requirements: Competitive candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, or a similar program.
• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-state/Out-of-State): $1,665 for 0-6 units, $2,871 for 6.1+ units; nonresidents pay an additional $396/unit
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-state/Out-of-State): $2,082 for 0-6 units, $3,588 for 6.1+ units; nonresidents pay an additional $396/unit
• Program Length: 2-3 years (full-time or part-time basis), 60 units
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Yes, 400-600 hours in the foundation year and 500-700 hours in the concentration year
• Capstone/Thesis Required?: Yes, capstone research project required
• Core Courses: Human behavior and social environment I and II, psychosocial assessment and diagnostic formulation, generalist social work theory and practice, social work practice in multicultural contexts, generalist social work theory and practice II, foundations of field education I and II, social welfare policy and services, advanced social work practice with urban families I and II, family crisis trauma and grief
• Special Services Provided to Online Students: Students enjoy ongoing support from a designated program manager from the beginning of the program to graduation.

5. California State University, Stanislaus — Master of Social Work

California State University, Stanislaus enrolls almost 10,000 students annually and operates two campuses in Turlock and Stockton. The master of social work is the school’s second most popular graduate program .

The College of Education, Kinesiology, and Social Work offers a hybrid MSW that students can complete in two years. This 60-unit program trains social workers in core social work practice competencies with a built-in specialization in integrative clinical practice in health and behavioral health settings. The program cultivates social workers who can advance social justice.

Students complete the program mostly online, attending in-person class sessions one Saturday per month. Participants complete 40 hours of field education per week for three consecutive summer months, totalling 1,000 hours. Students receive field placements primarily in the central California region. Learners cannot work during this practicum period.

Students pursuing this California social work degree are admitted in the fall.

• California State University, Stanislaus is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
• California State University, Stanislaus’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Minimum GPA: 2.5; 3.0 in the last 60 units preferred
• Prerequisites: Academic coursework in behavioral and biological sciences related to the human condition. Voluntary and/or paid experience in human services.
• Notes: Tuition for the entire MSW program is $35,000.
• Tracks/Concentrations: Integrative clinical practice in health and behavioral health settings
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Yes, 1,000 hours
• Capstone/Thesis Required?: Students complete a comprehensive exam in their final term.
• Core Courses: Social welfare policy and services for social justice I and II; psycho-social assessment; human behavior and the social environment I and II; social work practice with trauma survivors; social work research methods; generalist social work practice using a strengths perspective; advanced integrative social work practice with children, adults, and families; advanced integrative social work practice with client-centered groups; advanced social work practice with communities and organizations
• In-person Requirements: Students attend in-person class sessions one Saturday per month.
• Special Services Provided to Online Students: Online tutoring

6. Humboldt State University — Master of Social Work

Founded in 1913, Humboldt State University is part of the 23-campus California State University system. The school enrolls almost 8,000 students annually. Humboldt State offers an online master of social work delivered through the Distributed Learning Community system. The program addresses the needs of individuals in rural communities who are interested in earning an MSW to help strengthen tribal and other communities.

Students complete the degree mostly online with one four-day campus session each year. The part-time MSW offers traditional and advanced standing programs. Faculty deliver live web sessions every Thursday night, and students complete weekly modules on their own schedule.

The traditional MSW requires students to complete 960 hours of field education. Learners in the advanced standing program need only complete 480 hours. Humboldt State provides field placements within a network of more than 200 placement settings in Humboldt, Lake, Del Norte, Mendocino, Trinity, and Shasta counties. One of the best online social work programs in California, the program enrolls students in January and June.

• Humboldt State University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
• Humboldt State University’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Minimum GPA: 3.0, traditional program; 3.5, advanced standing
• Prerequisites: Applicants must pass a Native American Peoples of America course with a “C” or better
• Other Admission Requirements: Advanced standing students must hold a CSWE-accredited BSW.
• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-state/Out-of-State): $1,665 for 0-6 units, $2,871 for 6.1+ units; nonresidents pay an additional $396 per unit
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-state/Out-of-State): $2,082 for 0-6 units, $3,588 for 6.1+ units; nonresidents pay an additional $396 per unit
• Notes: The MSW program costs $510/unit.
• Online Social Work Programs: Traditional and advanced standing MSW tracks, BASW
• Program Length: Traditional, 3.5 years; advanced standing, 2 years
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Yes; 960 hours for the traditional program and 480 hours for the advanced standing program
• Core Courses: Distributed learning community courses; social policy; generalist social work practice; qualitative and indigenous research methods; social work practice in Native American and rural communities; human development, diversity, and relationships; generalist social work policy; the dynamics of groups, agencies, organizations, and communities
• In-person Requirements: One four-day campus session each year

How We Rank Schools

At SocialWorkGuide.org, we use a student-oriented methodology to evaluate and rank social work programs. Using datasets from sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our objective approach focuses on academic quality, affordability, school reputation, and program appeal.

As part of our process, we focus on important and relevant information for social work students searching for their ideal programs. This ranking is from 2020. To learn more, read about our rankings methodology .

Accreditation for Online Social Work Programs in California

The programs listed in our rankings hold accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE accreditation signifies that a program receives regular reviews of its academic quality and preparation for successful social work careers.

State licensing and certification boards typically require applicants to earn degrees from CSWE-accredited programs. Employers may prefer or require graduation from a CSWE-accredited program.

You can confirm programmatic accreditation status with schools’ social work departments or on the CSWE website .

Benefits of Studying Social Work Online in California

Online MSW programs in California offer several advantages, including access to programs outside your geographic area, the ability to continue working or attending to other responsibilities while you earn your degree, and flexible course formats.

Distance learning can also save you money on transportation and relocation costs, campus-based housing and meals, and tuition. Colleges and universities may offer online learners in-state or discounted tuition regardless of residency.

Online MSW Course Formatting

Online MSWs may offer fully online coursework or a hybrid of distance learning and in-person class attendance. You may also access courses asynchronously or synchronously.

• 100% Online: Fully online programs offer all courses through distance learning with no on-campus requirements. Online MSWs typically require in-person internships or field practicums but often at sites in students’ local communities.
• Hybrid: Hybrid programs blend online learning with on-campus attendance. Learners may take classes through both formats or complete their coursework online and attend periodic on-campus intensives or weekly face-to-face meetings. Fieldwork usually takes place in person.
• Asynchronous: This type of learning involves accessing course materials, such as recorded lectures, readings, and assignments, on your own schedule. Assignments have deadlines for completion, and you can submit them through the virtual learning platform. Asynchronous programs also include online discussion boards for interacting with instructors and classmates.
• Synchronous: Synchronous delivery mimics the classroom experience. Courses are provided through live-streaming software and take place at scheduled times, often in the evening. You can log in from any location that has an internet connection.

In-person fieldwork may include practicums and internships, depending on your program. Students who live far from campus often log their field experience hours at facilities near their homes. Your program may find placements for you, or you may identify and arrange them on your own.

California Social Worker Career and Salary Information

California boasts some of the highest social worker salaries in the U.S., ranking in the top five states for average annual wages for child, family, and school social workers, healthcare social workers, and mental health and substance use social workers.

Compared to the national average, California social workers earn higher average annual salaries in all occupations listed in the table below. In addition, Projections Central lists positive projected employment increases for social workers in those occupations.

Salary potential can depend on your workplace, education and licensure , experience level, supply and demand, and geography. For example, all top 10 cities for average annual salaries for healthcare social workers are in California. Child, family, and school social worker salaries in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim and the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward cities rank in the top 10 metropolitan areas.

Pursue your passion for helping others with a career in social work.

Discover schools with specialized programs that empower you to make a difference today.

Jackie Votapek

• Clinical Associate Professor for Child Welfare Scholars MSW Program
• IU Indianapolis Child Welfare Education and Training Partnership

(317) 278-9813

•   [email protected]

Education/Social Work Building Room ES 4146 902 W. New York St.

Jackie Votapek is a Clinical Associate Professor with Indiana University School of Social Work. She has worked at IU for more than 15 years. In her current role she is the MSW Child Welfare Scholars Program Coordinator. She works with the IN Department of Child Services to recruit, select, and support employees pursuing their MSW degree as they matriculate through the graduate program. Prior to this, Jackie held a field faculty coordinator role with the MSW Direct online program. She worked with more than 500 students across the country and had the pleasure of seeing 6 graduating classes from the program. While in this role she co-founded a national consortium, the Social Work Distance Education Field Consortium. The mission of this consortium is "to create a platform for collaboration and cooperation for those placing students at a distance; educate and advocate for distance education within schools of social work and the practice community; and engage in research to further develop best practices for field education at a distance". Jackie was elected as the Consortium's first President and served on the leadership team for more than 6 years in various roles. She worked with field faculty across the country to develop best practices for field education programs that worked with students at a distance and made conference presentations each year to share them with others. Jackie's first role with IU School of Social Work was Training Manager with the Indiana Child Welfare Education & Training Partnership. She spent her first 7 years at IU partnering with the Indiana Department of Child Services to build an innovative workforce development program. The goal of this program was to effectively and efficiently train more than 2,000 staff working for the state of Indiana’s child welfare agency. As a result of the Training Partnership accomplishments, IU School of Social Work and IN Department of Child Services were awarded the Spirit of Philanthropy Award by IUPUI and the Governor of Indiana in April 2011. Jackie earned her MSW degree from IU School of Social Work in 2001. She has a diverse social work background that includes working with children and families, not-for-profit organizations, philanthropy, community planning, leadership, education, and training. The focus of her professional experience and academic work includes child welfare, positive youth development, leadership training, and education. Her interest in online education has inspired her to pursue a Ph.D. in Education, still in progress. Jackie is a native of Minnesota, she has been married for more than 25 years, and has two adult daughters. She enjoys spending free time with her family and traveling.

Master of Social Work - MSW

Research interests.

On-line education, social work supervision and leadership, organizational development, accreditation, and competency-based learning.

Teaching Interests

Social work education, clinical supervision, leadership, program development, community organizing, advocacy, and policy.

Presentations

In an effort to improve students experience through the field placement process, field faculty piloted a new communication strategy using Canvas. This presentation reviews how the field placement process was adapted for the learning management system, the experience for the field faculty, and survey results from students.

In an effort to improve students experience through the field placement process, field faculty piloted a new communication strategy using Canvas. This presentation reviews how the field placement process was adapted for the learning management system, the experience for the field faculty, and survey results from students. It has greater implications for improving student services at a distance and increasing communication and student engagement in the distance program as well.

The new social work technology standards issued by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA) have outlined standards for social work practitioners, students, and educators to guide their use of technology in practice. Upon reviewing the standards, it appears as if they place undue burden on social work practitioners to be responsible for internet content that is outside of their control and violates their right to free speech. As field educators partner with social work practitioners in their local communities, they should actively engage and inform them of these new standards and their implications for social work practice with clients and field instruction of students.

There are instances where the makeup of field education offices or programs lend themselves to students working with the same person who developed their field placement and who will be their field liaison. Sometimes the person who does the previous two roles is also a director or assistant director of the field office. This panel will discuss the different makeups of three field offices and what procedures and policies are put in place to mitigate conflicts from the students perspective should they arise.

Online social work programs have multiplied exponentially over the last five years. While the idealistic nature of offering higher education to underserved and rural areas of the country and the world appeals to many educators, the reality is that online programs for social work include a substantial internship component which does not easily translate to online learning. In addition, many social workers in academia and the community still acknowledge a bias that social work skills and values cannot be taught in a solely online format. Field education has historically been built on strong partnerships between schools of social work and non-profit agencies in their local community. Students graduate, become employed in a social work agency, and eventually agree to supervise future students for an internship in their agency. Now that many schools of social work have begun to offer an online degree program, field faculty and staff must meet geographical challenges across time zones and states, programmatic complications in terms of agency approvals and liaison visits, and issues of competition in other communities from local schools that are unprecedented and unforeseen.

• Votapek, J. S. (2016). SWDE Consortium Meeting .

Institutional Services

• Committee Member 2020 - IUPUI Faculty Council - Technology Committee View Description for Committee Member - Actively participate on the Technology committee as a campus representative to identify, discuss, and address technology related challenges that impact academic work and progress that faculty and staff encounter in their day to day work.
• Committee Member 2020 - IUSSW - System Field Team - Field & Task Instructor Orientation View Description for Committee Member - Work with a group of field faculty to develop an asynchronous self directed orientation for the Field & Task Instructors assigned to work with BSW & MSW students enrolled in social work programs across the state of Indiana.
• Committee Member 2020 - School of Social Work - Student Awards Committee View Description for Committee Member - Active committee member of the school's student awards committee.
• Committee Member 2015 - System-Wide Field Team View Description for Committee Member - Actively participate in monthly meetings to discuss field education courses, policies, and activities related to the IU School of Social Work
• Committee Member 2020 - School of Social Work - Promotion & Tenure Committee View Description for Committee Member - Member of the committee that developed promotion and tenure standards for clinical faculty appointments with the School of Social Work. The work on this committee began in January 2020 and was completed in April 2020.
• Committee Member 2018 - Faculty Council - Ombudsteam View Description for Committee Member - Helped to assess and revise current faculty grievance process and adopt an ombudsteam process.
• Committee Member 2019 - Faculty Search and Screen Committee View Description for Committee Member - Hiring committee member for the field faculty positions in my assigned program, MSW Direct. Engaged in a search and screen process to fill 3 faculty positions throughout 2019.
• Committee Member 2019 - Faculty Merit Policy View Description for Committee Member - This work group was tasked with researching best practices for annual faculty review and merit pay increases. They were tasked with putting for a recommendation to implement with faculty.
• Committee Member 2019 - Bereavement Workgroup View Description for Committee Member - This work group was tasked with looking at bereavement policies and best practices for students and developing a policy for implementation at the IU School of Social Work
• Committee Member 2018 - Special Populations Practice Area Committee View Description for Committee Member - Member of Special Populations Practice Area Committee. Worked to assess and revise the 555 and 651/652 field courses to reflect the CSWE 2015 EPAS Competencies.
• Task Force Chair 2016 - Optimal Field Workgroup View Description for Task Force Chair - Focus of the workgroup is to identify and develop standards for an optimal field education program. The focus of the workgroup I chaired was on field agency criteria
• Committee Member 2016 - Field Sonia Form Workgroup View Description for Committee Member - Focus of work group was to review all MSW field documents, assess their utility, and recommend use for Sonia if appropriate.
• Committee Member 2016 - Policy Training Workgroup View Description for Committee Member - Develop a policy training for field instructors.
• Committee Member 2016 - Sonia Implementation View Description for Committee Member - Implementation of new information management system for field system and department.

Memberships

• National Association of Social Workers 2017 to 2019
• Social Work Distance Education Field Consortium 2016 to Present
• Council on Social Work Education 2014 to Present

Professional Services

As Secretary responsibilities include documenting meeting minutes and publishing them. Drafting and publishing announcements, newsletters, and other brief updates via social media.

Become familiar with leadership models being used with IN Dept of Child Service Middle Managers. Schedule regular meetings with assigned mentee to discuss leadership project.

Assist with planning and facilitation of monthly meetings of leadership team, consortium meetings (virtual and in person), and survey of membership

Public Services

I serve as the Secretary for my community homeowner's association board of directors. I attend monthly meetings, plan the agenda, and write minutes. Disseminate minutes to the community and communicate other events and activities taking place in the community as well.

Online Social Work Programs in California

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics , California is the national leader in social work employment. The state’s employment levels for healthcare social workers; mental health and substance abuse social workers; and child, family, and school social workers lead the United States individually in their specialized categories. The BLS projects 16% employment growth and 109,700 new jobs for the social work field through 2026. Now serves as a great time for prospective students to enter online social work programs in California.

California boasts the highest pay for seven of the top ten metropolitan areas that employ healthcare social workers . Salinas ranks second and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara hold third. For mental health and substance abuse social worker careers, the state’s metropolitan areas also occupy seven of the top ten salary rankings. Vallejo-Fairfield hold the second position and Napa claims the third position.

Social Work Programs by Degree Level

Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs

Brandman University

• California State University – Chico

Touro University Worldwide

Online Master’s in Social Work Programs

• California State University – Northridge
• California State University – San Bernardino
• California State University – Stanislaus

Humboldt State University

San jose state university, university of southern california, featured online programs, education and licensure requirements for social workers in california.

The Board of Behavioral Sciences acts as California’s licensing agency for marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, professional clinical counselors, and educational psychologists. The 13-member board serves the state’s population through the establishment, communication, and enforcement of standards in mental health practice.

Education Requirements

California requires Council on Social Work Education-accredited master’s degrees for candidates pursuing the licensed clinical social worker credential . The state also requires additional coursework from a regionally accredited school. Courses include child abuse assessment and reporting, human sexuality, alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, and 18 hours of California law and professional ethics. Some coursework hours can be earned at the undergraduate level. Applicants must complete a total of 3,000 supervised hours conducted over a minimum of 104 weeks.

Exam Application Process and Requirements

Applicants pursuing social work jobs in California must hold a master’s degree and complete additional hours to earn the associate clinical social worker credential. Following a mandatory live scan, submitted electronically to the FBI and Department of Justice, and criminal background check, applicants must pass the California Law and Ethics Exam, which incurs a $100 fee. Candidates must complete a 3,000-hour supervised experience requirement before taking the clinical exam.

The Association of Social Work Boards owns and conducts social work licensing examinations year-round at secure test centers nationwide and abroad. The exam costs $260 and determines a candidate’s competency to perform safely and ethically. Candidates can receive licensure after completing the clinical exam and all other requirements

Continuing Education and Licensure Renewal

Licenses are renewed, for a $120 fee, every two years during the licensee’s birth month. California charges $170 for delinquent renewals and $70 for inactive license renewal. The Board processes applications instantly online. Applications submitted in person may take 4-6 weeks to process.

The state requires 36 hours of continuing education (CE) per renewal. Renewals for newly licensed social workers require only 18 CE hours. Hours cannot be counted twice, and candidates must complete the hours before submitting an application. Each license renewal requires six hours of law and ethics coursework.

Why Choose an Online Social Work Program in California?

Online social work programs in California deliver the typical flexibility and convenience of distance learning. This field demands innovative approaches to completing clinical hours in online degree programs.

An online doctoral program requires brief and limited residencies, and capstone projects may take the place of dissertations. A two-year program may cost up to $80,000; however, students who enroll on a full-time rather than part-time basis benefit from tuition savings. Virtual field practicums, approximately 200 hours in length, feature online simulations with an actor performing the role as a client. A bachelor’s degree requires approximately 425 practicum hours completed on-site and near students’ homes.

California’s employment levels present substantial career opportunities. Healthcare social workers along with mental health and substance abuse social workers can command high salaries in many of the state’s metropolitan areas.

Ranking Methodology

Here is our list of online social work degree programs in California as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics . We cover online bachelor’s in social work, online master’s in social work, and online doctorate in social work programs. All programs are regionally and CSWE accredited, and all are available entirely online.

Brandman is a private institution with over 25 campuses and online programs. Established in 1958, the school now serves approximately 11,000 students and offers more than 50 academic programs, including one of the top social work programs in California. Its bachelor of arts in social work helps students develop well-rounded social, cultural, and political knowledge to serve diverse and underserved populations.

Brandman graduates often move on to careers in child and family social work, social and community service, substance abuse treatment, gerontology, and mental healthcare. Distance students can complete all required classes online or in hybrid formats.

Brandman’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

• Credits and Courses: Online learners need at least 120 credits to graduate, including general education requirements and program-specific courses. Core requirements for BSW students include diversity and justice in a global society, social work research practices, and social policy. Degree seekers can also choose two electives from classes such as military social work, child abuse, victim advocacy, and domestic violence.
• Completion Time: Most BSW learners can complete the program in four years.
• Field Education: Students must complete 400 supervised on-site field practice hours.
• Exam Preparation: This program prepares students for the ASWB exam.
• Transfer Policies: Brandman requires a new BSW student to possess 12 or more transferable baccalaureate-level credits from a regionally accredited institution.
• Online Student Support: Support services include financial aid counseling, academic counseling, enrollment coaches, and career services.
• Cost: $500/credit.
• Admission Requirements: An incoming student needs a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Brandman University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Brandman University’s online social work programs are CSWE accredited.

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California State University, Chico

Established in 1887, Chico State is home to one of the oldest campuses in the California State University system. This public institution offers 125 bachelor’s degrees, including a bachelor of arts in social work degree completion program. Chico State undergraduate students prepare for roles in human services careers in a variety of interdisciplinary fields.

Social workers can find employment as administrators, policymakers, and lobbyists. Students with an interest in more hands-on careers may work directly with families, children, and individuals facing social, political, and economic challenges. Graduates often find employment in areas such as healthcare, child protective services, mental health, and rehabilitation.

Chico State’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

• Credits and Courses: Chico State students can complete courses in a hybrid format. Depending on the course, enrollees can attend on-campus classes during 2-3 weekends per semester. In total, students need to complete 120 credits for graduation.
• Completion Time: Most BSW students can complete the degree in 2-3 years. Learners can choose between an accelerated two-year program or a part-time three-year program.
• Field Education: Students must complete two hands-on practica.
• Other Requirements: As a degree completion program, each incoming student needs at least 60 credits to transfer toward the degree.
• Transfer Policies: An incoming student may transfer up to 70 credits toward this social work program in California.
• Online Student Support: Chico State offers online professional development coaching and workshops, online tutoring, and personal counseling.
• Cost: $2,699/1-6 credits, $3,905/6.1 or more credits in-state; out-of-state students pay an additional $373/credit.
• Admission Requirements: Each incoming BSW student needs to complete eight prerequisite courses, including three classes in social work. Students may take these classes at Chico State or another accredited institution, and they must earn a “C” or better in all prerequisite classes. Candidates also need to submit their SAT or ACT scores and official transcripts.

California State University, Chico is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). California State University-Chico’s online social work programs are CSWE accredited.

TUW offers one of the best social work programs in California. Located in Los Alamitos, TUW is a Jewish-sponsored nonprofit institution and part of the Touro College and University System. Distance students can take advantage of its online bachelor of arts in social work . Enrollees learn to support individuals, groups, families, and organizations with social work counseling, emotional guidance, practical resources, and professional referrals.

Through a series of fieldwork experiences in senior centers, counseling centers, and schools, bachelor’s students at TUW develop the skills needed to serve clients of all types. TUW alums may move on to careers as medical social workers, case managers, permanency specialists, and youth counselors.

TUW’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

• Credits and Courses: In total, each student needs 120 credits to graduate. The curriculum combines hands-on field courses and online coursework.
• Completion Time: Full-time students can complete the program in three years.
• Field Education: Students can complete two separate field education experiences at approved facilities in California.
• Exam Preparation: This social work program in California prepares students for the ASWB exam.
• Transfer Policies: An incoming bachelor’s student may transfer up to 45 credits of general education classes and 45 credits of social work classes from an accredited institution.
• Online Student Support: Enrolled learners enjoy various services through the student success center, including educational advising, career preparation services, and online tutoring.
• Cost: $400/credit.
• Admission Requirements: First-year students need a minimum 2.3 GPA for consideration, while transfer students should possess a GPA of at least 2.0. Each applicant must submit their official transcripts and an online TUW application.

Touro University Worldwide is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Touro University Worldwide’s online social work programs are CSWE accredited.

California State University, Northridge

CSUN — a public institution established in 1958 — boasts one of the largest campuses in the California State University system and offers more than 130 bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The school serves approximately 39,000 students and offers one of the best social work degree programs in California. CSUN’s urban setting allows MSW students to work with at-risk populations and clients from diverse backgrounds.

CSUN generates culturally sensitive social workers who can thoughtfully engage with communities, families, and individuals from all walks of life. Aside from field education experiences, distance students can complete the required courses for this graduate program entirely online.

CSUN’s Master of Social Work

• Credits and Courses: The department subscribes to a cohort learning style, in which pupils progress through courses together. Students follow a fixed, 60-credit schedule and often work on group activities with their classmates. Required classes for this major include social welfare policy and services, family crisis and trauma, and social work research methods.
• Completion Time: Master’s degree students typically need 2-3 years to complete the program.
• Field Education: Students must complete approximately 1,200 field education hours.
• Other Requirements: The department recommends that enrollees enter the program with work experience in the field or a related area.
• Transfer Policies: A master’s student may transfer up to nine credits from another graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Online Student Support: The program features a designated program manager who offers ongoing support throughout a student’s enrollment.
• Cost: $752/credit.
• Admission Requirements: Each applicant should possess a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA or higher. They must also submit official transcripts along with three letters of recommendation. Prospective students who do not meet this GPA requirement must submit GRE scores.

California State University, Northridge is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). California State University, Northridge’s online social work programs are CSWE accredited.

California State University, San Bernardino

CSUSB is a public institution and part of the California State University system. Established in 1965, the school now offers more than 60 master’s programs, including an online master of social work . This intensive program best serves students who can enroll as full-time learners. During the second year of the program, online students can choose from one of several concentration areas based on particular social issues, client populations, or fields of practice.

Each student must also complete a thesis or research project to graduate. A learner looking to write a thesis based on original research must plan accordingly with their academic advisor. The department recommends that a student should complete a thesis if they plan on pursuing a research-based career or further education in a doctoral program.

CSUSB’S Master of Social Work

• Concentrations: This social work program in California offers concentrations in homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, HIV-AIDS, the poverty of public welfare, racism and ethnocentrism, sexism, and spirituality. Learners can also focus on client populations such as immigrants and refugees, rural populations, minority ethnic groups, and children. Concentrations in specific fields of practice, such as gerontological social work, correctional services, and international social work, are also available.
• Credits and Courses: An MSW student needs to complete 90 credits for graduation. At least 38 credits must come from the student’s chosen concentration area. Foundational courses include advanced micropractice, human behavior and social environments, social work research techniques, and fieldwork methods.
• Completion Time: Online students who follow the department’s Pathway Distance Education Program graduate in three years.
• Field Education: Each student can complete two different field education experiences in California.
• Transfer Policies: An incoming master’s student with a BSW may be eligible to transfer classes toward their degree. Up to 45 credits may come from an outside accredited school.
• Online Student Support: Distance students enjoy technology support, full-text library access, online tutoring, and one-on-one student success advising.
• Cost: $1,388/0-6 credits; $2,392/6.1 or more credits in-state; out-of-state students pay an additional $264/credit.
• Admission Requirements: An incoming student must possess a 3.0 GPA or higher. Learners with a documented history of social service experience and strong overall applications may also apply if they have a minimum 2.8 GPA. Applicants need not submit their GRE scores.

California State University, San Bernardino is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). California State University, San Bernardino’s online social work programs are CSWE accredited.

California State University, Stanislaus

Located in Turlock, California, Stan State is a public university that offers more than 30 master’s degrees. Established in 1957, the school now offers an online master of social work program for distance learners. The department prides itself on offering training in socially minded clinical social work methods that prepare students for many fulfilling careers.

Faculty members deliver courses in a hybrid format. In-person classes take place on one Saturday per month. Students can complete their required, full-time field practica over two summer semesters. Learners can take two courses at a time in eight-week sessions during the spring and fall semesters.

Stan State’s Master of Social Work

• Concentrations: The program offers a specialization in integrative clinical practice in health and behavioral health settings.
• Credits and Courses: The program uses a cohort learning format and students need to complete 60 credits for graduation. The diverse curriculum includes classes that focus on socially minded practices, research methods, and human behavior studies.
• Completion Time: Most distance learners can complete this accelerated program in 24 months.
• Field Education: Field internships during two summer semesters require 40 hours per week for three months.
• Transfer Policies: The registrar considers transfer credits on a case-by-case basis. Eligible classes for transfer into this social work program must have been completed with a “C-” or better.
• Online Student Support: Distance students can take advantage of online career coaching, tutoring, and academic advising through the academic success center. The school also offers a dedicated writing lab to help distance learners with the writing process, editing, and revision.
• Cost: $583/credit.
• Admission Requirements: An applicant should possess a 2.5 GPA or higher. They should also have completed coursework in the behavioral and biological sciences and possess a history of voluntary or paid experiences in human services. Prospective social work students must submit their GRE scores.

California State University, Stanislaus is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). California State University, Stanislaus’ online social work programs are CSWE accredited.

Established in 1913, Humboldt State is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school serves approximately 8,500 students and offers more than 10 master’s programs. Distance students can pursue its master of social work online . Students may enroll as full-time or part-time learners. In an attempt to diversify mainstream social work education practices, Humboldt State’s curriculum prepares its students to work with rural and indigenous communities.

This social work program in California prides itself on training students to work with their local communities and explore contemporary social issues with a global perspective. Graduates can find careers as adoption caseworkers, school social workers, residence counselors, group home counselors, and special education teachers.

Humboldt State’s Master of Social Work

• Concentrations: The program focuses on advanced generalist practices in social work with indigenous and rural communities.
• Credits and Courses: Required synchronous courses help students explore the social, economic, historical, and spiritual factors that influence human behavior as individuals, groups, and larger societies. In addition to completing field work at an approved location, students must attend one four-day on-campus session per year. MSW students complete at least 43.5 credits before graduating.
• Completion Time: Full-time students can complete the program in two years. Part-time students take up to 3.5 years.
• Field Education: Students can work with advisors to navigate the field placement process. MSW students need to complete at least 240 hours of field education per semester.
• Transfer Policies: An incoming student may transfer up to nine credits toward their MSW.
• Online Student Support: Online students can take advantage of advising services through the academic and career advising center. Distance learners also have access to a general tutoring lab, academic workshops, writing assistance, and supplemental instruction opportunities.
• Cost: $510/credit.
• Admission Requirements: An incoming student needs a bachelor’s degree earned with a 3.0 GPA or higher from an accredited institution. Applications also include letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and GRE scores.

Humboldt State University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Humboldt State University’s online social work programs are CSWE accredited.

Founded in 1857, SJSU is the oldest public university on the West Coast. Today, the school serves approximately 33,000 students. It established a hybrid MSW program in 2016 to help students acquire a transcultural perspective on social work. The department focuses on several key elements that it deems critical for impactful work in the field, including cultural competency, privilege and oppression, self-reflexivity, and respectful partnership.

An MSW student can develop a strong generalist social work approach that allows them to empower families, communities, and individuals. Enrollees can also learn to support at-risk populations, communities of color, and marginalized individuals.

SJSU’s Master of Social Work

• Concentrations: All MSW students follow a curriculum that concentrates on transcultural multi-systems practices.
• Credits and Courses: MSW degrees consist of 60 credits. Students can typically complete 2-3 classes at a time. Required courses include social policy analysis, human behavior in the social environment, transcultural generalist practices, management and human services, and research methods and design.
• Completion Time: This hybrid social work program in California typically takes part-time students two years to complete. The school does not offer a full-time enrollment option for hybrid students.
• Field Education: Each student can complete a field internship, which may last as long as 24 weeks. Enrollees spend 16 hours a week completing field education during the academic year.
• Other Requirements: To graduate from this program, each student must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, meet the university writing competency requirement, and finish requirements within seven years.
• Exam Preparation: Alums may sit for the LCSW and ASWB examinations.
• Transfer Policies: An incoming student may transfer in up to 12 credits toward their MSW.
• Online Student Support: Online students can participate in the social work graduate student association, which offers workshops, advisory committees, guest speakers, social events, and social work forums. MSW students also have access to online tutorial materials and technical support.
• Cost: $475/credit.
• Admission Requirements: An MSW student needs a minimum 2.5 GPA. As of June 2019, the program only accepts students residing in or willing to relocate to California. Interested learners do not need to submit their GRE scores.

San Jose State University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). San Jose State University’s online social work programs are CSWE accredited.

A private research university in Los Angeles, California, USC serves approximately 46,000 students. The school offers full-time and part-time MSW degree options for distance students, preparing students for leadership roles in the field.

Distance pupils can prepare for rewarding careers without relocating to California through intensive field education experiences and a rigorous online curriculum. USC social work graduates can find work at mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, substance abuse recovery facilities, community outreach organizations, and veterans affairs offices.

USC’s Master of Social Work

• Concentrations: This MSW program offers three concentration areas: adult mental health and wellness; children, youth, and families; and social change and innovation.
• Credits and Courses: Online students enjoy seminar-style classes with live chats, online discussion tools, and class discussion opportunities.
• Completion Time: Full-time students can complete the program in two years. Part-time students may enroll in three-year or four-year tracks. Additionally, the program offers an advanced standing program that learners can finish in one calendar year, provided they already possess a bachelor’s degree in social work.
• Field Education: All online students can complete field experiences in their local communities with no on-campus obligations.
• Transfer Policies: An incoming student may transfer up to 12 credits from previously attended accredited schools.
• Online Student Support: Distance students can take advantage of online library services, tutoring, writing coaches, and one-on-one academic advising sessions.
• Cost: $1,928/credit.
• Admission Requirements: A prospective student needs to submit an online application with a professional resume, statement of purpose, GRE or GMAT scores, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts.

The University of Southern California is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The University of Southern California’s online social work programs are CSWE accredited.

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St. Louis Field Education Collaborative

Apply on Behalf of Your Organization

Apply to be a Field Instructor

"Education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire." -W.B. Yeats

In January 2000, with funding from the University of Missouri, the social work programs in the St. Louis Metropolitan area began developing an innovative field education collaborative project. Using a feminist approach to leadership, the School of Social Work at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Saint Louis University School of Social Work, Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, and our newest partner, Fontbonne University, identified a common goal to support field instructors and students in the field experience.

This has evolved to include joint field instructor orientation, continuing education events, school social work career fair, an advisory board, a collaborative website and database, and a shared field instructor manual. Because many social workers in our area serve as field instructors for students from all four programs, this collaboration benefits field instructors and students. You can access the organizational and field instructor applications below. We hope this website is a helpful resource for you. Please contact us with any suggestions you have.

Upcoming Events

Download a Training Schedule  (PDF)

This event requires pre-authorization. 

Friday, August 9, 2024

• Session Time : 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Location : Online via Zoom
• Speakers : Wendy DuCassé, Elizabeth Lyons, Courtney McDermott, and Jewel Stafford

Note: These are combined sessions for one, four-hour session.

REGISTER HERE

Session Materials

• Code of Ethics
• Session 1 Handout (PDF)
• Sessions 1 and 2 Combined PowerPoint (PDF)
• SLU Learning Agreement (PDF)
• UMSL Learning Agreement (PDF)
• WUSTL Learning Agreement (PDF)
•   ONLINE TRAINING

Friday, October 11, 2024

• Session Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Location: Online via Zoom
• Speakers: Elizabeth Lyons and Alison Rico

Note: Session 3 will satisfy the requirements for three hours of ethics training for license renewals for Missouri LCSWs. 

• Session 3 PowerPoint Slides (PDF)
• NASW Code of Ethics 
• Code of Ethics 2021 Amendments (PDF)
• Guide to Discussing Ethical Issues Code Exercise (PDF)

Contact 314-977-2724 or [email protected] for additional information.

Friday, November 15, 2024

• Session Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Speakers : Elizabeth Fuchs
• Cultural Humility PowerPoint Slides

This event requires pre-authorization.

Friday, January 10, 2025

• Speakers : Wendy DuCassé, Courtney McDermott, and Jewel Stafford

Friday, February 21, 2025

• Session Time : 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Speakers : Patti Rosenthal and Beth Barrett
• Presentation Slides
• Key Points to Remember in Field Instruction (PDF)
• A Checklist for Skillful Teaching (PDF)
• A FI Self-Assessment (PDF)
• A Student Self-Assessment (PDF)
• Learning Styles and Appropriate Teaching Responses (PDF)
• FI Self-Evaluation Teaching (PDF)
• Notes on Managing Difficult Conversations (PDF)

Friday, April 11, 2025

• Speakers: Courtney McDermott and Jewel Stafford

Session Materials

• Racial Equity PowerPoint Slides

March 14, 2025

• Session Time: 8:30-3:00
• Location: Saint Louis University, Il Monastero, 3050 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103

Contact 314-977-2724 or [email protected]   for additional information.

Professional Development

Continuing education is an important consideration for any professional. It allows you to sharpen your skills and keep up with the latest research and methodologies. Below are links to continuing education offerings for those in the social work field:

Saint Louis University School of Social Work

Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis

University of Missouri-St. Louis

Helpful Websites

• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Illinois Division of Professional Regulation
• Missouri Division of Professional Registration
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter
• National Association of Social Workers, Missouri Chapter

Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in California - Campus and Online

Updated: august 14, 2024.

There are 27 universities that offer Master of Social Work (MSW) programs in California, including 20 publicly funded state schools in the California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC) systems. Most of the schools in California that offer MSW programs have campus-based and/or hybrid programs, and eight of the state’s universities offer online programs that require limited or no campus visits. Students who are interested in pursuing an MSW degree in California can choose from programs that offer concentrations in clinical/direct practice social work, macro/community practice social work, advanced generalist practice, youth and family services, gerontology, school social work, and several other social work specializations.

In addition, college graduates who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from an undergraduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may be eligible for one or more of the advanced standing MSW programs that are offered by 17 of the 27 California universities that have MSW programs, five of which are offered in an online format. Qualified BSW graduates may be able to earn their MSW in as few as 12 months of full-time enrollment, compared to the two years it takes to complete a traditional MSW program.

The list below includes all schools in California that offer MSW programs that are fully accredited by the CSWE or are in the candidacy phase of CSWE accreditation.

• Azusa Pacific University (Accredited)
• California Baptist University (Accredited)
• California State University San Marcos (Accredited)
• California State University, Bakersfield (Accredited)
• California State University, Chico (Accredited)
• California State University, Dominguez Hills (Accredited)
• California State University, East Bay (Accredited)
• California State University, Fresno (Accredited)
• California State University, Fullerton (Accredited)
• California State University, Long Beach (Accredited)
• California State University, Los Angeles (Accredited)
• California State University, Monterey Bay (Accredited)
• California State University, Northridge (Accredited)
• California State University, Sacramento (Accredited)
• California State University, San Bernardino (Accredited)
• California State University, Stanislaus (Accredited)
• Humboldt State University (Accredited)
• Loma Linda University (Accredited)
• Northcentral University (Accredited)
• San Diego State University (Accredited)
• San Francisco State University (Accredited)
• San Jose State University (Accredited)
• University of California at Berkeley (Accredited)
• University of California at Los Angeles (Accredited)
• University of Massachusetts Global (Formerly Brandman University) (Accredited)
• University of Southern California (Accredited)
• University of the Pacific (Accredited)

More information on the programs offered by the schools listed above are contained in the sections below, with programs grouped into the following categories:

Traditional Campus-Based MSW Programs in California

Traditional online msw programs in california, advanced standing campus-based msw programs in california, advanced standing online msw programs in california.

• Directory of All MSW Programs in California

Traditional MSW Programs in California

Traditional MSW programs are full-length programs that are designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree and who meet other admissions criteria but which do not require applicants to hold a BSW degree or to have majored in social work. All 27 of the California schools that offer MSW programs have traditional programs, including programs with clinical practice, macro practice, and/or advanced generalist practice specializations. These programs, which are grouped below based on whether they are offered primarily on campus or via online instruction, can typically be completed in two years of full-time enrollment or three or more years of part-time enrollment. Programs that require two or fewer campus visits per year are classified as online programs.

There are 26 schools in California that offer traditional MSW programs in campus-based and/or hybrid formats. These programs require students to attend a significant number of in-person classes at that school’s main campus or secondary campus location. For practical reasons, students in these programs typically reside within commuting range of the campus on which the program’s classes are held. Among the schools in California that offer campus programs are 18 California State University (CSU) schools, two University of California (UC) schools, and six private, non-profit universities. These schools are grouped by location into the following five regions:

• Northern California
• Greater Sacramento
• San Francisco Bay Area
• San Joaquin Valley
• Southern California

Traditional Campus-Based MSW Programs in Northern California

Humboldt State University in Arcata is the only school in the Northern California region that currently offers a traditional, campus-based MSW program. Humboldt State University’s Department of Social Work, which is housed in the College of Professional Studies, offers an MSW program with an advanced generalist specialization that emphasizes general advanced social work practice in rural and indigenous communities. The program is designed for full-time students, has a two-year completion plan, and requires 960 hours of field education.

Traditional Campus-Based MSW Programs in Greater Sacramento

There are three schools in the Greater Sacramento area, including two schools in California State University (CSU) system, that offer campus-based MSW programs in a traditional or full-length format. California State University, Chico (CSU Chico) has an advanced generalist program with a two-year, full-time completion track that gives students a choice between two specializations: Social Work Practice in Mental Health Services (MH); or Social Work Practice in Families, Children and Youth Services (FCY). CSU Chico also offers a three-year, part-time Distributed Learning hybrid MSW program with an advanced generalist curriculum that combines campus-based classes with online instruction. Both CSU Chico programs require 1200 hours of field education.

California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) offers a traditional, campus-based MSW program with an advanced generalist curriculum and three specializations: Behavioral Health, Children & Families, and Health & Aging. The program is offered in a two-year, full-time format for students who can attend classes during the workday and in a three-year, part-time format for working professionals, which holds classes on weekends. Students in the program must engage in 1280 hours of field education.

The University of the Pacific’s School of Health Sciences, which is located on the school’s Sacramento campus, offers a clinical practice MSW program in a traditional, campus-based format. The program can be completed in 16 months of full-time enrollment and includes three required 300-hour field placements for a total of 900 hours of field education.

Traditional Campus-Based MSW Programs in the San Francisco Bay Area

There are five schools in the San Francisco Bay Area that offer traditional, campus-based MSW programs. San Francisco State Universit y (SF State) in the city of San Francisco has a two-year, full-time MSW program that has clinical focus and an Individuals, Families, and Groups (IFG) specialization. Students in the SF State program can further specialize in child welfare by completing California Title IV-E Child Welfare Program specialization coursework; they also have the option to prepare for qualification to work in California public schools by earning a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential while getting their degree at SF State. SF State’s MSW program requires 1200 hours of field education.

In the East Bay of the San Francisco metropolitan area there are two schools that offer traditional, campus-based MSW programs: California State University, East Bay (CSUEB); and the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley). CSUEB has a hybrid program with specializations in Children, Youth, and Families (clinical practice) and Community Mental Health (macro practice). It is designed to be completed in two years of full-time enrollment and requires 1080 hours of field education.

UC Berkeley has two programs: a two-year, full-time Master of Social Welfare program (which is equivalent to a Master of Social Work) and a three-year, part-time FlexMSW program. Both programs require 1120 hours of field education and give students the option of three specializations: Advancing Health and Well-being Across the Adult Lifespan; Strengthening Children, Youth and Families; and Strengthening Organizations and Communities.

There are also two schools located south of San Francisco that offer traditional, campus-based MSW programs: San Jose State University (SJSU); and California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). The SJSU program has a Transcultural Multi-Systems Generalist Perspective specialization that emphasizes social work practice with Latinos and other minority groups, as well as additional concentrations in public child welfare services, mental health services, public personnel services, and/or gerontology. The program has a two-year, full-time completion plan and a three-year, part-time completion plan, both of which require students to engage in a minimum of 1200 hours of field education.

The CSUMB program has an advanced generalist curriculum, two- and three-year completion options, and an elective school social work specialization designed to prepare students to qualify for California’s Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential and the state’s Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) credential. Students who opt for the school social work specialization must complete 1000 hours of field education, while students who do not choose to specialize in school social work complete 960 hours of field education.

Traditional Campus-Based MSW Programs in the San Joaquin Valley

Three schools in the San Joaquin Valley currently offer traditional, campus-based MSW programs. California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) has an advanced generalist program that is primarily campus based but which incorporates some online instruction. The program offers a two-year completion plan for full-time students and a three-year, part-time plan. The CSUB program requires students to complete 960 hours of field education.

California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) and California State University, Stanislaus (Stanislaus State) also offer traditional, campus-based programs. The Fresno State program has an Advanced Multi-Systems Social Work Practice concentration, and both a two-year completion plan for full-time students and a four-year completion plan for part-time students. This program has a 1000-hour field education requirement. Students in the program can apply for admission to a Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program specialization that prepares students to work in California’s child welfare system.

Stanislaus State offers two full-length MSW programs: a campus-based advanced generalist program with a two-year, full-time enrollment track and a three-year, part-time enrollment track; and a hybrid program with a Socially-Just Clinical Practice curriculum that blends campus-based and online instruction and has a two-year completion plan. Both programs require 1000 hours of field education. Stanislaus State’s campus-based program also gives students the option of enrolling in a Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program.

Traditional Campus-Based MSW Programs in Southern California

There are 14 schools in Southern California and the greater Los Angeles area that offer traditional, campus-based MSW programs, including eight California State University (CSU) system schools. California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) has an advanced generalist MSW program with full-time and part-time enrollment options. California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) has a Community Practice MSW program with three specialization options: Children, Youth, and Families (CYF); Community Mental Health (CMH); Community Capacity Building (CCB). Full-time students can graduate from the CSUDH’s program in two years. The program allows students to opt for part-time enrollment provided they choose the CMH specialization.

California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) offers two traditional, campus-based MSW programs: a full-time program that holds classes at the school’s Fullerton campus and which takes two years to complete; and a Flex MSW program for part-time students that meets at CSUF’s Irvine Center campus and takes three years to complete. The Fullerton campus program has a clinical social work focus and three concentrations: Child Welfare; Community Mental Health; and Aging. The Flex program has a clinical practice focus and two concentration options: Child Welfare, and Community Mental Health.

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is another public university that offers two program options for MSW students. The school has a two-year, full-time program offered on its main campus in Long Beach that gives students the choice of three specializations: Child and Family Wellbeing; Adulthood and Aging; and Integrated Health. In addition, CSULB offers hybrid distance education MSW programs at Santa Rosa Community College and Ventura County Community College in a part-time, three-year format. These distance education programs have the same advanced generalist focus as the Long Beach campus program, but only offer one specialization: Child and Family Wellbeing.

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), California State University, Northridge (CSUN), California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), and San Diego State University (SDSU) are four additional CSU schools that offer traditional, campus-based MSW programs. Cal State LA, CSUN, and CSUSB all have programs with an advanced generalist curriculum, with the Cal State LA and CSUN programs focusing on social work in urban communities. Cal State LA and CSUN also both have two-year, full-time enrollment plans with classes that meet on weekdays, and three-year, part-time enrollment plans that hold classes in the evenings and/or on weekends.

CSUSB’s advanced generalist MSW program allows students to choose an area of specialization by selecting a social issue, client population, or field of practice to focus on as part of their advanced training. The CSUSB program has two- and three-years enrollment options. The SDSU program can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment or three or four years of part-time enrollment. It has two concentrations: Direct Practice/Clinical; and Administration and Community Development, with separate tracks for Social Work Administration and Community Development Social Work.

The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) is one additional public university in California that offers a traditional, campus-based MSW program. The UCLA program has an advanced generalist curriculum with three concentration options for students who are enrolled full time: Health and Mental Health Across the Life Span; Social and Economic Justice; and Child and Family Well-Being. The program’s Child and Family Well-Being concentration is also offered in a three-year, part-time format.

Azusa Pacific University , California Baptist University (CBU), Loma Linda University , University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University), and the University of Southern California (USC) are the five private, non-profit schools in Southern California that offer traditional MSW programs in a campus-based or hybrid format. Azusa Pacific offers a program with specializations in Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families, and Community Leadership and Program Administration at its main campus in Azusa. It also offers a program with a Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families specialization at its Inland Empire Regional Campus in San Bernardino. Both the campus-based and hybrid program have two- and four-year enrollment options.

University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University), which is headquartered in Irvine but has multiple campuses located throughout California and Washington State, offers a hybrid program with an advanced generalist curriculum and two- and three-year enrollment options. CBU offers a traditional, campus-based MSW program with an advanced generalist curriculum that provides training in both clinical and macro practice social work. The program requires students to complete a minimum of 900 hours of field education and can be completed in one to two years by full-time students.

Loma Linda University and USC both have multiple program options. Loma Linda offers an Advanced Clinical Social Work MSW program in a campus-based format and in a hybrid format. The campus program has a two-year, full-time enrollment option and a four-year, part-time enrolment option. The hybrid program is part-time and takes three years to complete. USC offers a traditional, campus-based program with two- and three-year enrollment options that gives students a choice between three concentrations: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth and Families; and Social Change and Innovation. In addition, USC as has 2.5-year Working Professionals MSW program that holds evening classes and offers the Adult Mental Health and Wellness and Children, Youth and Families concentrations.

California Baptist University (CBU) offers its full-length/traditional advanced generalist MSW program in a distance learning format that allows students to complete most of their didactic coursework online. The program includes a minimum of 900 hours of field education and requires students to attend four residency sessions at CBU’s Riverside campus during the two years it takes to complete the program (which equates to two residencies per year). The residency sessions occur near the end of each semester and last approximately two days.

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) has a full-length online MSW program with an advanced generalist curriculum and a focus on urban families. The program has a two-year, full-time track and a three-year, part-time track. In addition to online coursework, students in the program are required to complete two site-based field practicums at social work agencies approved by the program for a total of 900-1300 total hours of field education. However, the program does not require any campus visits.

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) offers a Pathway Social Work Distance Education MSW program in which students complete all of their didactic coursework online and engage in 1080 hours of field education at a program-approved site. The program has an advanced generalist curriculum that allows students to select a social issue, client population, or field of practice as a specialization in order to tailor their training. Students in the program can earn their degree in three-years of part-time enrollment.

Humboldt State University (HSU) has a Distributed Learning (DL) MSW program that offers all of its didactic courses online and provides students with advanced generalist training for social work in rural and indigenous communities. The program is part-time and designed to be completed in three and a half years. Students in the program are required to complete two 480 field practicums for a total of 960 hours of field education. The program does not require any campus visits.

Northcentral University (NCU), a private, non-profit online university headquartered in San Diego, offers an online MSW program that has an advanced generalist curriculum. The program can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment or three or more years of part-time enrollment. The program requires students to complete a minimum of 900 hours of field education at a program-approved site.

San Jose State University (SJSU) offers an Online/Hybrid MSW program that is classified on MasterofSocialWork.com as an online program because all of the program’s didactic courses are delivered via online instruction. Students in the program are not required to attend any campus-based sessions, but they are required to complete 1200 hours of in-person field education at a site approved by the program. The program is designed to be completed in two years, including a summer session between the first and second year.

University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University), a private, non-profit school with multiple campuses located throughout California and Washington State (with its administration in Irvine, CA), has a traditional online MSW program with an advanced generalist curriculum. Students in the program complete all of their didactic courses online while engaging in 1000 hours of site-based field education. Full-time students can complete the program in two years; part-time students can take three or more years to earn their degree.

The University of Southern California (USC) offers a traditional, online MSW program that has three concentration options: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth and Families; and Social Change and Innovation. In addition, students in the program can opt for designated tracks in Military Social Work or School Social Work. The program can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment or three years of part-time enrollment, and includes 1000 hours of required field education.

Advanced Standing MSW Programs in California

Advanced standing MSW programs are designed to provide students who have completed undergraduate training in social work through a CSWE-accredited BSW program with an accelerated pathway to becoming an MSW-trained social worker. Students who qualify for an advanced standing program have fewer course/crediting requirements than traditional students and are thus able to earn an MSW degree in roughly one year of full-time enrollment or two years of part-time enrollment. However, qualifying for an MSW program’s advanced standing track is not automatic. These programs typically have selective admissions and do not accept all applicants who hold a BSW degree. Many programs require advanced standing applicants to have completed their BSW degree within the past five or seven years, and some have other admission requirements, such as a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA), substantial post-baccalaureate volunteer work in social work settings, or work experience in the social work discipline or a highly related field.

There are currently 17 schools in California that offer advanced standing MSW programs, 16 of which have campus-based and/or hybrid advanced standing programs and five of which offer advanced standing MSW programs in an online format.

There are 16 California schools that offer campus-based advanced standing MSW programs. This includes programs that are offered in a hybrid format and require a significant number of in-person campus classes. These programs are grouped by region in the sections below. The five regions include:

Advanced Standing Campus-Based MSW Programs in Northern California

Humboldt State University in Arcata, which is a member of the California State University system, is the only school in the Northern California region that currently offers an MSW program with an advanced standing track. Humboldt State University has a campus-based advanced standing program with an advanced generalist specialization that focuses on social work in rural and indigenous communities. The program provides students who hold a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program with a one-year pathway that begins with a summer bridge course and continues with students completing the 30 credits of advanced coursework (which also comprise the second year of the university’s traditional MSW program). The advanced standing program requires 480 hours of field education at an approved social work agency.

Advanced Standing Campus-Based MSW Programs in Greater Sacramento

California State University, Chico (CSU Chico), California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State), and the University of the Pacific are the three schools in the Greater Sacramento area that offer campus-based advanced standing MSW programs. CSU Chico offers a campus-based MSW that has an advanced standing track for students who hold a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program. The program has a one-year completion time and an advanced generalist curriculum with two specialization options: Social Work Practice in Mental Health Services (MH); and Social Work Practice in Families, Children and Youth Services (FCY). Students in the program must complete 720 hours of field education.

Sacramento State also offers a one-year, on-campus advanced standing MSW program. The program has an advanced generalist curriculum with specializations in Behavioral Health, Children & Families, and Health & Aging. Advanced standing students in the Sacramento State program complete 768 hours of field education prior to receiving their degree. The advanced standing MSW program offered by the University of the Pacific has a clinical social work focus and a 12-month completion time. Students in the University of Pacific program are required to complete two 300-hour field placements for a total of 600 hours of field education.

Advanced Standing Campus-Based MSW Programs in the San Francisco Bay Area

There are two schools in the San Francisco Bay Area that currently offer campus-based advanced standing MSW programs: San Jose State University (SJSU); and the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley). The SJSU advanced standing program requires applicants to have earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program within the past seven years. It is designed to be completed in one year of full-time enrollment, and it has an advanced generalist curriculum with a specialization in the Transcultural Multi-Systems Generalist Perspective of social work practice. Students in the program, which requires 700 hours of field education, can opt to complete a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential track to prepare for work in California public schools. UC Berkeley’s campus-based advanced standing program is offered in a FlexMSW format that is designed for working professionals. The program, which has a specialization in Strengthening Children, Youth and Families (SCYF), is designed to be completed in one year, during which students must engage in 720 hours of field education.

Advanced Standing Campus-Based MSW Programs in the San Joaquin Valley

California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) is currently the only school located in California’s San Joaquin Valley that offers a campus-based, advanced standing MSW program. The CSUB program requires applicants to have received a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program within the past five years. The program has an advanced generalist curriculum and one- and two-year completion plans to accommodate full-time and part-time students. Advanced standing students in the CSUB program are required to complete 480 hours of field education.

Advanced Standing Campus-Based MSW Programs in Southern California

There are nine schools in the Southern California and the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area that offer campus-based, advanced standing MSW programs. Two of those schools are located in the city of Los Angeles. California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) has an MSW Advanced Standing Program (ASP) that holds classes two days per week at the school’s Downtown Los Angeles campus and which can be completed in 11 months of full-time enrollment. During that time, students complete one practicum for a minimum of 720 hours of field education. The Cal State LA program has an advanced generalist curriculum with a focus on social work practice in urban communities. The University of Southern California (USC) has a campus-based, advanced standing MSW program with three concentration options: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth and Families; and Social Change and Innovation. The program, which includes 600 hours of field education, can be completed in one year.

There are also two schools in Los Angeles County that offer campus-based, advanced standing programs, and one school in neighboring Orange County that has a hybrid program. Azusa Pacific University in the San Gabriel Valley offers an advanced standing program with two specialization options: Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families; and Community Leadership and Program Administration. The program, which requires 600 hours of field education, can be completed in 10 months of full-time enrollment or two years of part-time enrollment.

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) has a campus-based, advanced standing program with an advanced generalist curriculum and specializations in Child and Family Wellbeing, Adulthood and Aging, and Integrated Health. The program, which includes a 660-hour field education internship, can be completed in one year. Finally, University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University), which has its main campus in the Orange County city of Irvine, offers an advanced standing program in a hybrid format that includes campus-based classes, online instruction, and 600 practicum hours of field education. The program has an advanced generalist curriculum and a one-year completion time.

To the east of LA there are two schools that offer campus-based, advanced standing MSW programs: California Baptist University (CBU) in Riverside; and Loma Linda University in Loma Linda. CBU’s program has an advanced generalist curriculum that provides training in clinical and macro practice social work and which requires students to complete 500 field practicum hours. The CBU program can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment. Loma Linda University’s campus-based, advanced standing program has an Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice specialization that emphasizes a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach to social work practice in behavioral health institutions and agencies. It has one- and two-year completion plans, both of which require 800 hours of field education.

Finally, there are two schools in San Diego County that offer campus-based, advanced standing MSW programs. San Diego State University (SDSU) offers an MSW Advanced Standing Program (MSW-ASP) in a one-year, full-time format that requires 600 hours of field education. The program has two specialization options: Direct Practice/Clinical; and Administration and Community Development. California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) has a campus-based advanced standing program that can be completed in one year. The program requires 624 hours of field education and has an advanced generalist curriculum.

Humboldt State University has a Distributed Learning (DL) MSW program that is offered online and that has an advanced standing track for students who hold a BSW degree from a program accredited by the CSWE. The program has a part-time enrollment plan that takes two years to complete and which includes a minimum of 480 hours of field education. The focus of the program’s advanced generalist curriculum is on clinical and macro practice social work in rural and indigenous communities.

Northcentral University (NCU) has an advanced generalist MSW program that is offered online in an advanced standing format. Advanced standing students in the NCU program complete all of their coursework online and complete two 250-hour field education practicums for a total of 500 site-based fieldwork hours. NCU’s advanced standing track can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment.

San Jose State University (SJSU) offers an online, advanced standing MSW program that is similar in form and focus to the university’s campus-based, advanced standing program. The program, which SJSU refers to as an online/hybrid program, provides all of its didactic instruction online and requires students to engage in 700 hours of in-person, site-based field education. The program has a Transcultural Multi-Systems Generalist Perspective specialization that provides advanced generalist training and instruction in clinical and macro practice social work. In addition, students have the options of pursuing a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential as part of the program. SJSU’s advanced standing track can be complete in one year of full-time enrollment.

University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University) offers a fully online, advanced standing MSW program with an advanced generalist curriculum that provides training and instruction in clinical practice social work and macro or community practice social work. The program can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment, which includes 600 practicum hours of field education at a site approved by the program.

The University of Southern California (USC) has an online MSW program that has three broad areas of study (Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth, and Families; and Social Change and Innovation) and optional tracks in Military Social Work and School Social Work. The program is offered in an advanced standing format for qualified students who hold a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program. Students in the online, advanced standing program, which has a three-semester full-time enrollment plan and a five-semester, part-time enrollment plan, are required to complete 600 hours of field education at a program approved site.

Directory of All Master of Social Work Programs in California

Azusa pacific university.

California Baptist University

California State University San Marcos

California state university, bakersfield.

California State University, Chico

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Master of Social Work (MSW) Admissions

The CSULB School of Social Work welcomes your interest in our Master of Social Work (MSW) program. We are pleased you are committed to a career in social work, a profession dedicated to the development of a just society.

General Information

Our MSW program is accredited by the  Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)  and prepares students for advanced generalist social work practice. Graduates are prepared to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in government agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, and other settings. In addition, students are prepared for advanced practice in one of the following areas of specialization: Child and Family Wellbeing, Adulthood and Aging, or Integrated Health.

Our MSW degree requires the completion of 60-semester units over the course of a 2-year or 3-year program plan. We also offer an Advanced Standing option for applicants with an undergraduate degree in social work. Practicum education is an integral part of the MSW curriculum, providing students the opportunity to apply their knowledge, social work practice and intervention skills in a community agency setting under the supervision of qualified  instructors during two 500-hour placements.

For more information, find the Information Meetings schedule below under the MSW Information Meetings accordion tab. 

School of Social Work -  Admissions Office California State University, Long Beach SS/PA Building - Room 162 1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90840-4602

Phone: 562) 985-5654 Fax: 562) 985-5514 Email: [email protected]

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm

MSW Program Overview

About our program.

The School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) welcomes your interest in our School and the programs we offer.  We are pleased you are committed to a career in social work, a profession dedicated to the development of a just society. Our mission is to educate and graduate diverse, ethical and competent social work students; engage in collaborative, community-based research; and provide meaningful service to the community and the profession.  Our goal is to prepare students to enter professional, multicultural social work practice.

Our Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and prepares graduates to serve as professional social workers who excel in all levels of practice in economically and socially diverse environments. Students learn to practice as professional social workers with persons and groups representing the range of human diversity and with all size systems (individuals, families, groups, communities and institutions). In addition, students are prepared for advanced, specialized practice in one of the following specializations: Child and Family Wellbeing, Adulthood and Aging, or Integrated Health.

Our MSW Program emphasizes ecological and systems perspectives which focus on the fit and interactions of a person or system in relation to the various environments likely to be encountered. Within these perspectives, knowledge, values, and skills are used in a change-oriented process within a multicultural context to help individuals and social systems achieve an improved quality of life and social participation, including advocacy for just institutions and equitable access to opportunities and resources. Graduates of our program are prepared to work with diverse populations, advocate in a variety of settings, ensure equitable access for disenfranchised populations and promote social justice. We address community challenges related to child welfare, health and behavioral health integrated care, substance use, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, the growing aging population, and social change.  We educate students for micro and macro practice and leadership in government agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, and non-traditional settings.

The MSW degree requires the completion of 60-semester units over the course of a 2-year program or 3-year program plan. We also offer an Advanced Standing option for those applicants who have completed a recent undergraduate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. In addition to on-campus courses, the MSW curriculum includes a practicum sequence which allows students to apply their knowledge, social work practice and intervention skills in a community agency setting under the supervision of qualified instructors during two 500-hour placements. 

MSW Program Overview - Program Plans

The School of Social Work at CSULB offers three program plans for the completion of the MSW degree: 2-Year, 3-Year, and an Advanced Standing option. In addition, we offer a Distance Education option that follows the 3-year program plan.

2-Year MSW Program

Students admitted to the 2-Year MSW program must complete 60-semester units of coursework. Students enroll in 15 units of coursework (5 courses total) each semester for four (4) semesters as follows: Fall/Spring/Fall/Spring.  Students attend classes on Mondays and Fridays during the daytime.

In addition, each student must complete two practicum placements: one in the first year of the program and one in the second year of the program. Each placement involves 500 hours of practicum experience, with a total of 1000 hours completed to fulfill degree requirements. Students complete 16 hours of practicum placement each week between the months of September and May. Practicum hours are completed Tuesday through Thursday in either two 8-hour weekdays, or one 8-hour weekday & two 4-hour weekday periods.

3-Year MSW Program

Students admitted to the 3-Year MSW program must complete 60-semester units of coursework. Students enroll in 6-9 units of coursework each semester for eight (8) semesters as follows: Fall/Spring/ Summer/Fall/Spring/Summer/Fall/Spring. Students attend classes on Monday evenings, Wednesday evenings, and Saturdays during the daytime.

In addition, each student must complete two practicum placements: one in the second year of the program and one in the third year of the program. Each placement involves 500 hours of fieldwork, with a total of 1000 hours completed to fulfill degree requirements. Students complete 16 hours of practicum placement each week between the months of September and May. Practicum hours are completed Monday through Friday in either two 8-hour weekdays, or one 8-hour weekday & two 4-hour weekday periods.

Advanced Standing MSW Program

Since 2005, our Advanced Standing program has offered students with an undergraduate degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program the opportunity to obtain their MSW degree within 12 months (one summer, one fall & one spring semester). Upon successful completion of an intensive Summer Bridge Program, Advanced Standing MSW students complete 30 units of advanced coursework in the fall and spring semesters. Advanced Standing MSW students attend classes on Mondays and Fridays during the daytime (with additional days in the summer) and complete one 660-hour practicum experience that starts in June and ends the following May. Students complete 16 hours of practicum placement each week (Tuesday through Thursday) in either two 8-hour weekdays, or one 8-hour weekday & two 4-hour weekday periods.

Distance Education

The MSW program is also offered at off-campus locations throughout the state. Current distance education sites are in the Sonoma County and Ventura County areas. Courses are taught using face-to-face instruction, as well as interactive television and web-based instructional support. The distance education MSW is offered using a 3-year program plan in the Child and Family Wellbeing specialization. Students attend classes on Saturdays and complete practicum experience requirements during the second and third academic years of the program. The next distance education cohorts are scheduled to begin in Fall 2025.  That admission cycle will begin October 1, 2024.  

CSULB Distance Education MSW Program Flyer (PDF)

MSW Program Overview - Specializations

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree offers an opportunity for study in one of three areas of specialization: Child and Family Wellbeing, Adulthood and Aging, or Integrated Health. Students are assigned a specialization during their first year in the program. The second-year courses and practicum experience will be determined by this specialization. Program stipend recipients and students who choose to complete the Pupil Personnel Services Credential will be assigned to a specific specialization. 

Child and Family Wellbeing Specialization

The Child and Family Wellbeing specialization prepares students to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches to promote positive child and family functioning across diverse populations. Through coursework and practicum experiences, students will acquire and enhance their skills to effectively engage, assess and intervene with children and families both preventively and with those experiencing challenges.  Students will also gain knowledge of the policies most salient to the lives of children and families and skills to effectively influence such policies. This specialization provides a solid framework for students interested in working in child protective services, schools, and other public agencies or community-based non-profits.

Adulthood and Aging Specialization

The Adulthood and Aging specialization prepares students to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches to promote positive adult, older adult, and family functioning across diverse populations. Through coursework and practicum experiences, students will acquire and enhance their skills to effectively engage, assess, and intervene with adults and older adults. Students will gain knowledge of the unique psychosocial needs facing adults, older adults, and their families. Students will examine adulthood and the aging processes from multiple perspectives: biomedical, psychological, socioeconomic, spiritual and cultural while examining contemporary trends that are shaping aging policy, practice, and theory.  This specialization provides a solid framework for students interested in working in the areas of adult protective services, supportive services for family caregivers, Alzheimer’s and dementia care services, hospice services, the prison system and community corrections, promotion of healthy aging, long-term care, and health care collaborations.

Integrated Health Specialization

The Integrated Health specialization prepares students to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches to meeting the changing needs of people from diverse populations with physical, behavioral health, and substance use challenges. Through coursework and practicum experiences, students will acquire and enhance their skills to effectively engage, assess, and intervene with individuals who face chronic diseases and co-occurring conditions of mental health challenges and/or substance use. Students will learn to utilize prevention and brief intervention models critical to integrated care and how to work effectively on an interdisciplinary team.  Students will learn how evidence-based practice, along with recovery-oriented and strengths-based care philosophies, can foster changes in practice settings and policies. This specialization provides a solid framework for students interested in working to deliver services in outpatient or primary care facilities, community-based behavioral health agencies, hospitals, and acute, chronic and long-term care settings.

MSW Program Overview - Practicum Education

The practicum education sequence has an integral role in the MSW curriculum. The experience offers an opportunity for students to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and social work practice and intervention skills in a community agency setting under the supervision of a qualified practicum instructor. A variety of agencies within the surrounding counties are utilized, reflecting the diverse settings in which social workers are employed. University practicum faculty select the most appropriate practicum placement site for students.

Each student has two practicum placements and concurrent enrollment in practice courses during the course of study. Each placement involves 500 hours of internship in a community agency setting and attendance and participation in an integrated practicum seminar that meets weekly on campus. The practicum education sequence encompasses a total of 1000 hours, for which 12 units of academic credit are given. The academic year schedule begins in September and continues through mid-May. Practicum work includes attendance in a practicum seminar as well as an internship in the community. Students complete 16 hours per week. This must include either two 8-hour weekdays or one 8-hour weekday and two 4-hour weekday blocks. No weekend placements are available. Students admitted to the Advanced Standing program complete one field placement for a total of 660 hours that begins in June and continues through mid-May.

Students who are employed in social service agencies may request that their agency be evaluated as a site for the second-year practicum internship only. The agency must be able to meet all criteria established by the School of Social Work to ensure the educational focus of practicum education and provide a significantly different experience than the student's current job duties. Evaluation of practicum placement sites and approval to utilize an agency of employment as a practicum site will be completed by the practicum faculty.

The School of Social Work will reject an applicant or disqualify an enrolled student whose record of academic achievement or performance in practicum education does not meet the minimum standards of the profession.

MSW Program Overview - Required Courses and Sequence of Courses

For detailed information about the Required Courses and Sequence of Courses for the MSW program, including course descriptions, please refer to to the Social Work, M.S.W. section of the  CSULB Course Catalog .

MSW Program Overview - Course Descriptions  

For a detailed descriptions of current courses offered in the MSW programs (Advanced Standing, 2-Year, 3-Year and Distance Education), please refer to the most recent  CSULB Course Catalog .  

MSW Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet certain minimum requirements for admission to our MSW program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission to our program. Please refer to the Fall 2025 admission requirements below for our MSW program plan options.

2-Year MSW / 3-Year MSW / Distance Education MSW

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university no later than Spring 2025
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Completion of an Elementary Statistics prerequisite course with a letter grade of “C” or better no later than Spring 2025 [NOTE: A grade of “C minus (C-)“ does not meet this requirement.]

Advanced Standing MSW

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited social work program no later than Spring 2025 (degree must have been completed within the last 5 years)
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• NOTE: Specific references and an additional question in the Personal Statement are required for applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW program. Please refer to the “Application Process” section for details.

GRE/Admissions Tests

We do not require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or any other admission tests for our MSW programs.

Interviews may be required if further clarification is needed in order for the evaluators to make an informed decision on the application.

School of Social Work Approved Elementary Statistics Courses - Fall 2025 (PDF)

MSW Application Guidelines and Process

Applicants are admitted to the CSULB Master of Social Work (MSW) program for the Fall semester only; we do not offer Spring admission. Applications are accepted on a rolling admission basis beginning October 1, 2024, and are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis until spaces are filled. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application early.  The deadline for all application materials is January 15, 2025.

The School of Social Work at CSULB offers the following three program plans for the completion of the MSW degree: 2-Year, 3-Year, and an Advanced Standing option. For more information regarding the MSW program and the various program options, please review the “MSW Program Overview - Program Plans” tab above.  Additionally, the 3-Year MSW Program is also offered at off-campus locations throughout the state.  Distance Education applications will be accepted next for the Fall 2025 admission cycle, beginning October 1, 2024.  Please review the “Distance Education” flyer in the "MSW Program Overview - Program Plans" tab above.

To be considered for the Advanced Standing MSW program, applicants must meet additional eligibility requirements. In addition, applicants are required to respond to an additional question in their Personal Statement and include specific references in their application via Cal State Apply. Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW program should read through these application guidelines closely to ensure they have met all of these requirements. Applicants are provisionally admitted to the Advanced Standing MSW program until they have successfully completed the Summer Bridge program. Refer to the “MSW Program Overview - Program Overview” tab for more details.

Information Meetings

Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of our information meetings for timely information regarding admission requirements and the application process. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to ask questions, meet others who are also interested in the social work field and assess the educational opportunities provided by the MSW program at CSULB. 

For Fall 2025 admission, Information Meetings may be held virtually.  Please see the MSW Information Meeting accordion tab for more information.  

Tuition Cost*

Tuition fees are set by University Enrollment Services (fall & spring classes) and the College of Continuing & Professional Education (summer classes) and are subject to change. Total tuition costs for the CSULB MSW program varies by program plan and California residency status. The table below provides estimated tuition costs for the three MSW program plans for California residents (as of 6/20/2024). These costs are for tuition and fees only and do not include the costs for books, room and board, or other living expenses.

• Advanced Standing (California Resident): $13,152.00
• 2-Year (California Resident): $17,804.00
• 3-Year (California Resident): $28,370.00
• Distance Education (California Resident): See Distance Education page on the School of Social Work website for more information about tuition for the DE program.

*IMPORTANT: These estimated tuition costs are based on the fee schedule posted on 6/20/2024 and are subject to change at any time. Non-residents are required to pay an additional $420 per unit. International students must meet minimum enrollment requirements that may incur additional tuition costs and should contact the Center for International Education for more information. The School of Social Work does not set tuition fees for the MSW program. Applicants should consult the University Enrollment Services website for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.

Graduate students are eligible to apply for financial aid, so applicants to the MSW program at CSULB can apply for financial aid. Applicants who need more information on financial aid and how to finance their education should consult the CSULB Financial Aid website .

Application Process

The application process to the MSW program has two distinct parts. Each applicant must apply online to the University (CSULB) by completing Quadrants One through Three. Each applicant also must complete Quadrant Four, including the Recommendation requests and Document uploads, for the School of Social Work. All Quadrants are submitted simultaneously. The following information provides details about the application process.  

STEP 1: Application to the University (CSULB) as a Graduate Student

Quadrants one through three via cal state apply.

Each applicant must apply to the University as a graduate student by completing Quadrants One through Three of  Cal State Apply . There is a $70.00 application fee for the University application. Each applicant must have official transcripts from the postsecondary school where your degree is either in-progress or was completed sent directly to “CSULB Enrollment Services/Admissions, CSU Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840.” Refer to the “Transcripts” section for more information.

NOTE TO DISTANCE EDUCATION APPLICANTS ONLY: When applying to the University, applicants to the Distance Education MSW program must choose “Long Beach Campus” as the Campus/Program to which they are applying and must select “Master of Social Work” under “Long Beach Extension.”

STEP 2: Application to the School of Social Work MSW Program

Quadrant four via cal state apply.

The second step in the application process is to complete the School of Social Work specific questions, recommendation requests and document uploads in Quadrant Four via Cal State Apply .

A complete MSW Application must include the following:

• Quadrant Four School of Social Work Questions
• Professional, Volunteer and Social Services Experience/Résumé Document
• Personal Statement Document
• Unofficial Transcript Document (if Elementary Statistics Course does not appear on under official transcript from undergraduate degree institution)
• At least three (3) References, submitted via Cal State Apply 
• Elementary Statistics Course Syllabus (if applicable, see instructions - submitted via email)

The following includes a detailed description and instructions for the MSW application materials:

(A) Cal State Apply Quadrant Four - School of Social Work Specific Questions

Complete the questions in Quadrant Four of the Cal State Apply application for the CSULB School of Social Work.  

• The applicant must complete these questions.
• The applicant must agree to the Acknowledgement Box to be considered an applicant to the MSW program.  
• Please note, the CalSWEC Stipend program has changed names to become the California Title IV-E Education Program.  

(B) Professional, Volunteer and Social Service Experience/Résumé Document

Please submit a document that includes relevant experience.  

• The applicant should include all paid, internship, and volunteer experience in the résumé and list the most recent Social Work or Social Work-related experience first.
• For each position, the applicant must include all of the information requested under the document instructions on the Documents tab of Quadrant Four of the Cal State Apply application.
• Upload document via Cal State Apply.  
• Please note: the School, University and Council on Social Work Education regulations do not permit the substitution of life or work experience for curriculum or degree requirements.  

(C)   Personal Statement Document

The statement must include the applicant’s responses to the specific questions under the document instructions on the Documents tab of Quadrant Four of the Cal State Apply application.

• The statement must be typed, double-spaced, 12-pt font, and 4 - 6 pages in length.
• Advanced Standing applicants must respond to Question #10 in addition to Questions #1 - 9 in their statement.

(D)  Unofficial Transcripts

The University requires an official transcript from the institution where you received your undergraduate degree.  If you completed your elementary statistics course at a different institution, upload the unofficial transcript document that includes this course for verification you completed the prerequisite.  

(E)   At Least Three (3) References

Applicants must request at least three (3) References via Cal State Apply from the following individuals:

• One reference must be from an academic source (e.g., professor, instructor)
• One reference must be from a professional source (e.g., supervisor, program or agency director)
• The third reference can be from either an academic or professional source
• A fourth reference can be requested as a back-up, but only three will be evaluated.  Applicants should rank their choices for evaluation in Quadrant Four under the Questions tab on Cal State Apply, there is a specific field for identifying and ranking references.
• Applicants should provide references from professors or professionals who are able to comment on the applicant’s qualifications for graduate study in social work.
• Recommenders will have the ability to provide additional detail in a comments section on the form.
• Once you have saved an electronic recommendation request in Cal State Apply, an email request will automatically be sent to the recommender on your behalf.  Please advise the recommender to look for this email in their inbox, as well as their spam or junk-mail folder, as emails do occasionally get filtered out.  
• Please request that the recommender submit the recommendation form within three-to-six weeks after the initial request to support the evaluation process.
• Recommendations are required by the School of Social Work, but considered by the University to be additional documents during the application process.  It is possible for an application be forwarded to the School of Social Work with one or more of the Recommendations not received; the School of Social Work considers these applications to be still incomplete and will not evaluate these applications.  Be sure to follow-up with your Recommenders during this process.  

Advanced Standing Applicants only:

• Applicants who wish to be considered for admission to the Advanced Standing program must submit references from the following individuals.  Please also identify the references as outlined in Quadrant Four under the Questions tab on Cal State Apply.
• The applicant’s Senior-Year field instructor/field supervisor  or  field liaison  or  the Director/Coordinator of field education for the applicant’s BASW/BSW program  or  if you graduated two or more years ago and work in the social work field, your current supervisor
• The applicant’s Social Work Academic Advisor  or  a Social Work (BASW/BSW) professor whose course the applicant completed or is currently taking
• The third reference must be from a professional source (i.e. a supervisor from a paid or volunteer position NOT from the BSW internship)

(F) Elementary Course (Elementary Course Syllabus, if applicable)

The applicant must earn a grade of “C” or better in an approved statistics course no later than Spring 2025 [a grade of “C minus (C-)“ does not meet this requirement]. The School of Social Work has posted a list of approved statistics courses on the School website, linked below.  The applicant must verify that the prerequisite course in elementary statistics s/he completed is included on the list of approved courses.

If the course is not included on the approved list, the applicant must submit a copy of the course syllabus via email to the following email address for evaluation - [email protected] .

The syllabus will be reviewed, and the applicant will be notified via email as to whether or not the course is approved.

Submission of Application

To be considered an applicant to the MSW program, the application and uploaded documents must be submitted via the Cal State Apply application by the deadline.  

Admission Decisions

Decisions will be sent after the supplemental School of Social Work application materials are evaluated and a decision is rendered, that decision can be as late as the end of May each admission cycle.

Acceptance and Denial emails from the University will be sent to the email address you supplied via Cal State Apply, Acceptance Documents specific to the School of Social Work will also be sent from the School of Social Work Admissions Office if you are accepted into the MSW program.   

Please note, starting with Fall 2024 Admission, CSULB will require an enrollment deposit of $150 when graduate applicants confirm their acceptance via the MyCSULB Student Center.  Waivers are available, please consult with the University Admissions website for more information.  

Official Transcripts

Applicants must have an official transcript from the postsecondary school where you received your undergraduate degree or your undergraduate degree is in-progress sent directly to “CSULB Enrollment Services/Admissions, CSU Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840” or electronically to CSULB Enrollment Services at [email protected] by January 15, 2025. Please note the following guidelines regarding transcript submission:

• CSULB Graduates: Applicants who completed (or are completing) their undergraduate degree at CSULB do not need to request transcripts.
• Reapplying Applicants: If an applicant submitted a transcript that shows degree conferral to University Enrollment Services at the time of their initial application and has not completed any additional coursework, they do not need to submit new transcripts.  If the degree has been conferred after the initial application, an updated transcript will need to be submitted to verify completion of degree.  
• Degree in Progress: Applicants who have a degree in progress at the time of application must send another updated transcript that reflects the degree conferral to University Enrollment Services no later than July 1, 2025.
• Statistics Course In-Progress: Applicants who have a statistics course in-progress at the time of application must send another updated unofficial transcript that reflects the statistics course grade to the School of Social Work via email ( [email protected] ) no later than July 1, 2025.

Incomplete or Late Applications

Incomplete applications will not be processed.  Late applications will not be considered.  Once the application closes, you will be unable to update or submit an application.  

Reapplying Applicants

Applicants who applied to the CSULB MSW program in a previous year are welcome to reapply in a future term. Applicants who choose to reapply must meet the eligibility criteria of the term for which they are reapplying and follow the complete application process. Applicants who are reapplying should also refer to the “Transcripts” section for more information.

International Applicants

International applicants who hold a non-immigrant (student or exchange) visa must review the information posted on the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) websit e for University admission requirements. In addition to University admission requirements, international applicants must complete the Social Work specific questions and documents under Quadrant Four of Cal State Apply. Please confer with the CPaCE website for all updated deadlines and policies regarding international admission requirements.

Application Deadline

The MSW application deadline is January 15, 2025.  The Cal State Apply online application system closes at midnight on January 15, 2025.

Due to the complexity of the application process, applicants should be mindful of the requirements and the time needed to compile and submit the application.  

Applicants must also have an original transcripts from the postsecondary school where you received your undergraduate degree or your undergraduate degree is in-progress sent directly to “CSULB Enrollment Services/Admissions, CSU Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840” or to the U.E.S. email address ( [email protected] ) by the January 15th deadline.

Transfer Credit

Applicants cannot “transfer” from one MSW program into the MSW program at CSULB. Applicants who have completed approved graduate education related to social work in another institution with a grade of B or better may be allowed to transfer up to 6 semester credit hours providing:

• The maximum amount of transfer credit is no more than 6 semester credit hours
• All requirements for the degree are satisfied, including completion of all transfer and School of Social Work courses, within the required time limit (7 years)
• The student is in good standing with the previous social work program
• The student has a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better
• The Practicum Director reports the student was in good standing in practicum placements

Units accepted must be for CSWE-accredited courses only. No continuing education courses or non-accredited training courses qualify for transfer into the MSW program. The Graduate Program Director will make the final decision regarding the acceptance of units.   

Please attend one of the information meetings for the most current and up-to-date program criteria and information. Specific questions regarding the MSW application process should be directed to:

MSW Frequently Asked Questions

Social work experience questions.

Q. What can I do with a Social Work degree? A. For more information, please click on the link .

Q. What is considered Social Work experience? A. Experience working in the social work field, case management, health and human services, and/or has been supervised by a credentialed social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Ph.D., or D.S.W.).

Q. Where can I volunteer to get more Social Work experience ? A. We don't keep a list of local agencies looking for staff or volunteers. You can search online for agencies that interest you and contact them for more information. Check out the VolunteerMatch website to get started!

Q. How can I find out more information about getting an LCSW? A.  For more information please review the information posted on the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) website .

APPLICATION PROCESS QUESTIONS

Q . When is the deadline to apply to the MSW Program? A. The deadline to apply to the School of Social Work MSW Program is January 15th. The deadline to apply to the University is also January 15th.  

Q. When do you start accepting applications? A. The School of Social Work will begin accepting applications for Fall 2025 on October 1st.

Q. Do you have Spring admissions? A. No. We only admit students for fall semester.

Q. Do I need to mail my application or can I drop it off in person? A. Applications are submitted electronically via Cal State Apply  website.

Q. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the MSW Program, what does that mean for me as an applicant?  A. Applications are processed on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Evaluation is done as soon as an application is deemed complete, in Department Review by University Enrollment Services and ready for review; applications are evaluated until available spaces are filled. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early. 

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENT QUESTIONS

Q. Do I have to have a Bachelor's degree? A. Yes. If your degree is "in progress" when you submit your application, it must be completed no later than the end of Spring 2025. You will need to submit official transcripts to Enrollment Services to verify that your Bachelor’s degree has been conferred.

Q. Do I have to have a degree in Social Work in order to apply to the MSW program? A.  No. As long as you hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, you may apply to the MSW program.

ADMISSIONS TESTS / GRE QUESTIONS

Q. Is the GRE required? A. No. The GRE is not required.

GPA QUESTIONS

Q. Can I apply to the program with a low GPA? A. No. The minimum GPA to apply is a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

GPA Calculator

Q. How can I increase my GPA? A. The only way to increase your GPA for consideration into the MSW program is by taking upper division (300- or 400-level) courses through Open University at the CSULB College of Professional and International Education  You can also take upper division undergraduate courses at another college or university ONLY WHILE ENROLLED AT THAT FACILITY. These courses MAY NOT be taken through continuing education at other universities.

REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS QUESTIONS

Q. Do I have to have an Academic and a Professional reference? A. Yes. In order to apply to the MSW program, you must have three (3) references. One reference must be from an academic source (i.e. a professor or instructor), one reference must be from a professional source (i.e. a supervisor in a volunteer or paid position), and the third reference can be from either an academic or professional source.  You can submit a fourth Recommendation in case one of the first three individuals doesn't follow through, but will rank them in Cal State Apply because the application will only be evaluated with three recommendations.  Personal references are not appropriate and will not be accepted.

If you graduated more than four years ago, please contact our office for alternative arrangements for academic reference.

PREREQUISITES FOR MSW QUESTIONS

Q. What are the prerequisites for the MSW program? A. You must complete a prerequisite course in Elementary Statistics with a grade of "C" or better no later than Spring 2025. A grade of "C minus (C-)" does NOT meet this requirement.

Q. How can I verify that the statistics class I took is equivalent to the Elementary Statistics prerequisite? A. We have posted a list of approved statistics courses linked below. If the course you took is not included on the posted list, you must submit a course syllabus to the School of Social Work Admissions Office via email for evaluation.  You will receive an email confirmation as to whether the course was approved or denied.  

TRANSCRIPT QUESTIONS

Q. Do I need official transcripts from all of the colleges that I’ve attended? A. University Enrollment Services requires an official transcript from the postsecondary school where you received your undergraduate degree or your undergraduate degree is in-progress.  The transcript deadline is the same as the application deadline, January 15, 2025 for Fall 2025 admission.

Q.   Do I need unofficial transcripts from all of the colleges that I’ve attended? A. The School of Social work requests an unofficial transcript be uploaded via Quadrant Four in Cal State Apply if your elementary statistics course was done at a different institution from your undergraduate degree.  If the course is in-progress at the time the application is submitted, you need to email an updated unofficial transcript once the coursework is complete.  

TRANSFER CREDIT QUESTIONS

Q. Can I transfer credit from another MSW program? A. Graduate credit for social work courses taken in another accredited graduate social work program may be recommended for transfer of credits up to 6 semester credit hours.

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Q. Does CSULB have services available for veterans? A. Yes. CSULB Veterans Services provides veterans with information about applying for admissions to CSULB. Check out their website for more information.

Q. Does CSULB offer services for students with disabilities? A. Yes. The Bob Murphy Access Center assists students with disabilities as they secure their university degrees at CSULB. Check out their website for more information.

MSW Information Meetings

Are you interested in the master of social work (msw) program at csulb plan to attend an msw information meeting before you apply.

• Information meetings are offered in the fall semester.
• For on-campus Information Meetings, no RSVP is required to attend.  All Fall 2024 Information Meetings will be held virtually, registrations links are posted below.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about joining the meeting.  
• This is an opportunity to learn more about the the program and the application process, ask questions, meet others who are interested in the social work field and assess the education opportunities provided by the MSW program at CSULB.

INFORMATION MEETING DATES

MSW Information Meetings will be offered on the following dates and times:

• Friday, August 23, 2024 - 6:30pm to 8:30pm
• Saturday, August 24, 2024 - 10am to 12pm
• Friday, October 4, 2024 - 6pm to 8pm
• Saturday, October 5, 2024 - 10am to 12pm
• Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 6pm to 8pm
• Saturday, December 7 , 2024 - 10am to 12pm

Please note, registration for these sessions may be limited.  If you are unable to attend or the registration for the virtual meetings is full, we will have recorded a Fall 2024 Information Meeting for later viewing.  Please find the link below.      

• MSW Information Meeting - Fall 2025 Admission (link to be posted)

To access the recorded session, use the following passcode: xxxxxxx

Please note, you may have to type the passcode in rather than utilizing copy/paste to access the recorded session.  

The link for the recorded session will be posted once the session has been recorded.  

MSW Application

The following information provides details about the application process. Applicants are admitted to our MSW program for the fall semester only. The application process to the MSW program via Cal State Apply has two distinct parts, submitted at one time. Each applicant must apply online to the University (CSULB) by completing Quadrants One through Three. Then each applicant must complete Quadrant Four, including the Recommendation requests and Document uploads, for the School of Social Work.  The application period is October 1 through January 15th.  Applicants should read the entire application carefully for full instructions as they are expected to provide complete and accurate information.

The deadline to apply for the MSW program for Fall 2025 admission is January 15, 2025.  The Cal State Apply application will go offline at midnight, 12am. 

• Late applications will not be accepted. 
• Incomplete applications will not be processed. 

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

All application materials will be submitted via Cal State Apply.  Before submitting any application documents, please review all instructions including those within Quadrant Four of Cal State Apply. 

Below you will find the link to the Cal State Apply Application, the Fall 2025 Personal Statement Prompts and the School of Social Work Approved Elementary Statistics courses document.  

Fall 2025 MSW Application - Cal State Apply [Application Opens October 1, 2024]

Fall 2025 MSW Personal Statement Prompt (PDF)

Fall 2025 Distance Education Personal Statement Prompt (PDF)

APPLICATION DOCUMENT SUBMISSION 

All pieces of the application, including the School of Social Work specific Questions, Personal Statement document, Professional, Volunteer and Social Service Experience/Résumé document, Unofficial Transcript document (if needed) and Recommendations are submitted via Cal State Apply.  

All inquiries should be directed to the following Email Address:  [email protected]

SOCIAL WORK DISTANCE EDUCATION FIELD CONSORTIUM

Bridging the Distance