15 Best MSW Programs in California: Online and On-Campus Options for 2025-2026

Social workers in California can earn up to $98,340, with healthcare positions in San Francisco offering the highest salaries. These impressive earnings make California’s MSW programs an appealing choice for future social workers.

California provides multiple paths to a social work career through its 33 CSWE-accredited master’s programs. Students pay an average of $14,317 for their education. Most MSW programs take two years to complete, but some universities now offer fast-track options. Students who already have a BSW degree can finish their studies in just 9-12 months in what is called an ‘Advanced Standing’ MSW.

The state’s eight universities offer online MSW programs that require few or no campus visits, and nine other universities also offer an online option. This flexibility helps students manage their studies alongside work and personal commitments. These accredited programs meet all requirements for California licensure, which you need to practice as a social worker in the state.

University of Southern California (USC): Premier MSW Program in Los Angeles

USC is home to one of California’s most prestigious social work programs. The Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work blends academic excellence with extensive real-life training opportunities in Los Angeles.

USC’s Renowned Faculty and Research Opportunities

The school draws respected scholars who teach students and push the social work field forward through advanced research. The faculty has professors who lead specialized research centers. These include the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families and the Center for Homelessness, Housing and Health Equity Research. USC weaves faculty research right into the curriculum. This lets students learn evidence-based practices directly from the researchers.

Specialized Concentrations and Dual Degree Options

USC’s MSW program needs 48 units of coursework and has five specialized tracks:

• Adult Mental Health & Wellness
• Children, Youth and Families
• Social Change and Innovation
• School and Educational Settings
• Military Populations and Settings

The school also offers eight dual degree options, such as:

• Juris Doctor (JD) – four-year program with USC Gould School of Law
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH) – requiring 81 units minimum

Field Education and Community Partnerships

Field education is a huge part of USC’s MSW program. Students must complete 1,200 hours of practicum training, and the school partners with over 700 agencies throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California to provide these opportunities. These agencies are carefully picked based on their professional quality and dedication to tackling social problems. Students get diverse, real-life experiences under qualified supervision from MSW practitioners.

Online and On-Campus Program Flexibility

USC offers multiple program formats to match different learning priorities:

• In-person: Traditional synchronous learning with immediate feedback
• Online: Flexible learning combining asynchronous and synchronous elements
• Hybrid: First year in-person, second year online

The online program keeps the same rigorous curriculum as the on-campus version. It prepares students to pursue licensure as social workers. Students can choose full-time or part-time options, making this premier program available to working professionals and traditional students alike.

University of California, Berkeley: Excellence in Social Welfare Education

UC Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare has been at the vanguard of social work education since 1944. The school has prepared more than 11,000 professionals who now lead various social welfare initiatives. Berkeley’s program is solely in-person – no part-time, Advanced Standing, or hybrid options are available.

Berkeley’s Social Welfare Curriculum and Approach

Berkeley’s MSW program stands out with its multi-level practice approach through a rigorous 60-unit curriculum. The program excels by blending multiple disciplines. Students learn to serve diverse communities throughout the social ecology. The curriculum has:

• 20 units of generalist practice coursework
• 10 units of advanced elective coursework
• 6 units of social research methods
• 24 units of practicum education

Berkeley’s unique strength lies in its steadfast dedication to anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice. The program uses evidence-informed strategies that create change at individual, family, organizational, community, and policy levels.

Research Centers and Initiatives

Several research initiatives at Berkeley Social Welfare bring state-of-the-art solutions to the field. The California Child Welfare Indicators Project and the Center for the Advanced Study of Aging Services showcase the school’s research capabilities. These centers support groundbreaking programs while connecting academics, service providers, community leaders, and policymakers who tackle pressing social challenges.

Field Placement Opportunities in the Bay Area

Field education is key to Berkeley’s MSW experience. Students match with ideal placements from 350+ carefully vetted agencies across the San Francisco Bay Area. First-year students complete about 400 hours at their placement. Second-year students work in advanced settings for 720 hours. Students receive personalized educational assessments that ensure meaningful learning experiences instead of random assignments.

Alumni Network and Career Outcomes

Berkeley Social Welfare’s network of 12,000+ alumni spans across the United States and beyond. These graduates have built remarkable careers. They tackle complex social issues from homelessness to disability rights. Berkeley keeps its alumni connected through continuing education, career resources, and networking events. This support helps graduates stay at the cutting edge of social work throughout their careers.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Innovative Social Work Education

UCLA’s Department of Social Welfare has built a strong reputation since 1947. The department now ranks 8th nationwide and stands among the top 5 public university programs in California. Their mission focuses on improving human well-being and fighting for social and economic justice for underserved populations.

UCLA’s Social Welfare Department Strengths

UCLA’s Master of Social Welfare (MSW) program combines theory, leadership, and research with hands-on field experience. Students learn through an integrated approach that prepares them to help with social, health, and mental health needs of different communities. UCLA’s location gives it a unique advantage. Students can study and work in one of the most vibrant regions that offers unique learning opportunities not found anywhere else. The department leads nationally in key areas such as gerontology, mental health, health policy, and child and family policy.

Specialization Options and Curriculum

Students can complete UCLA’s MSW program in two years full-time or three years part-time. The program combines essential coursework with two year-long field placements. These placements help students use their classroom knowledge in real-life settings. Students pick one of three advanced concentration areas:

• Child and Family Well-Being: Students learn to spot what affects family functioning and help at various levels
• Health and Mental Health Across the Life Span: Students blend research, practice, leadership, and policy analysis using the social determinants of health model
• Social and Economic Justice: Students work toward equity locally and globally through coalition building and community development

UCLA also offers joint degree programs with Asian American Studies, Law, Public Health, and Public Policy.

Research and Community Engagement

UCLA values community-based research through its Center for Community Engagement. This center helps faculty and students work with community partners. Students get chances to join advanced research courses or projects about topics they care about. The university’s Community Engagement and Research Program (CERP) builds partnerships with community members, organizations, and policymakers. These partnerships tackle public health priorities and work to improve health equity.

San Diego State University: Leading Border Region Social Work Program

San Diego State University’s School of Social Work stands out with its focus on the US-Mexico border region. The program ranks #1 in the CSU system. The school, 50 years old, tackles local, national, and international human service issues through research and community partnerships.

Unique Border Region Focus and Specializations

SDSU’s MSW program prepares graduates to serve the diverse US-Mexico border-connected region, Tribal and Indigenous communities, and beyond. Students benefit from active partnerships with academic institutions and social service agencies in Tijuana and Mexicali. This network helps them complete their research and practicum requirements. The program lets students choose between two concentration methods:

• Administration and Community Development Advanced Specialization
• Direct Practice/Clinical Advanced Specialization

Field Education Opportunities

Field education lies at the heart of SDSU’s curriculum. Students put their classroom theory to practice in ground situations under professional supervision. The school partners with hundreds of social service agencies in San Diego and Imperial Counties. These quality placements span public agencies, non-profit organizations, hospitals, mental health facilities, and schools. SDSU students completed 155,000 service hours in 2023 alone.

Program Flexibility and Options

SDSU adapts to different student needs with various program structures. While part-time study isn’t available, students can follow three-year or four-year curriculum plans. The school runs an MSW program at the Imperial Valley campus, starting new cohorts every three years. Special programs include:

• Title IV-E Child Welfare Services Stipend Program with $18,500 annual support
• PPS School Social Work credential options

Career Outcomes and Alumni Success

The Conrad Prebys Foundation awarded a $1.24 million grant to make the MSW program more available and help address the shortage of behavioral health workers. This funding provides stipends for students interested in youth behavioral health services and supports 40 MSW candidates toward licensure. More than 7,000 SDSU social work graduates now lead professional positions throughout California and globally, with many holding Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials.

California State University, Long Beach: Comprehensive MSW Education

Ranked #33 out of 419 schools nationwide for social work education, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) runs the #4 social work program in California with its complete MSW program.

Program Structure and Specializations

CSULB lets students earn their MSW degree in ways that fit their lives. The program has four main paths:

• 2-Year Program: Traditional full-time format that takes four terms
• 3-Year Program: Part-time option running over eight terms
• Advanced Standing Program: Fast-track 12-month path for BSW holders
• Distance Education Program: Hybrid format featuring Saturday classes

Students start by learning core skills in their first year. They then choose from three specializations in their second year. These include Child and Family Wellbeing (which uses strength-based approaches with children and families), Adulthood and Aging (which meets adults’ unique psychosocial needs), and Integrated Health (which prepares students to handle physical, behavioral health, and substance use challenges).

Field Education Network

Field education in CSULB’s MSW program requires 1,000 total hours from traditional students. Students spend 16 hours each week at various agencies, and they can split this into two 8-hour days or one full day plus two half-days. The program creates new and challenging experiences that encourage engagement to maximize learning through supervised activities at both micro and macro levels. Students get professional liability insurance coverage during their internships. Advanced Standing students must complete a 160-hour summer bridge placement before moving to their specialized field education.

Affordability and Financial Aid Options

CSULB makes education accessible with semester tuition at $2,208 for part-time in-state students and $3,804 per semester for full-time. Students save money here compared to UC programs. CSULB students typically borrow $26,000 while UC students might need $65,000 in loans. The university gives students many ways to get financial help through state and federal aid. About 80% of first-year students receive some type of financial support. The Financial Aid Office helps students understand how to qualify and apply.

San Jose State University: Bay Area Social Work Excellence

San Jose State University’s MSW program started in 1969. The program initially focused on educating social workers who would serve Spanish-speaking populations in California. The program has grown into a Bay Area leader in social work education and still holds its steadfast dedication to communities of all types.

Transcultural Multi-Systems Point of View

SJSU’s MSW program stands out because of its unique Transcultural Perspective (TCP) that spreads through the whole curriculum. This point of view has five connected parts:

• Cultural knowledge acquisition
• Cultural sensitivity (formerly cultural competency)
• Understanding of power, privilege, and oppression
• Positionality and self-reflexivity awareness
• Development of respectful partnerships

This framework helps graduates work with Latino communities, other minority groups, and populations that face marginalization.

Online and Hybrid Program Options

SJSU gives students plenty of flexibility with its Online/Hybrid MSW Program. Working professionals and students across California can benefit from this program. Students must enroll part-time continuously for two years and complete 60 semester units. The academic courses blend self-paced learning with evening sessions that usually start after 6:00 PM. The program structure suits different learning styles while keeping high standards.

Field Education in Silicon Valley

Field education serves as the cornerstone of SJSU’s MSW program. Students spend 1,200 hours in field internships over two years. They typically work 16 hours each week during regular business hours. Students get ground experience at agencies throughout Silicon Valley. They work with people of all backgrounds and put their classroom knowledge into practice.

Student Support Services

SJSU students can access several financial support options. The university offers stipend programs for students who want to work in child welfare, mental health, and adult protective services. Special training programs provide funding during studies and job opportunities after graduation.

California State University, Fullerton: Accessible MSW Education

California State University, Fullerton provides the only MSW program from a public university in Orange County. This program makes social work education available to students throughout Southern California. Students learn direct service methods with a multicultural point of view that prepares them to lead in various social service settings.

Program Concentrations and Specializations

CSUF’s MSW curriculum teaches students to tackle multiple social issues like poverty, family instability, mental illness, and child abuse. The program features three distinct concentration areas:

• Child Welfare: Focuses on services and interventions for vulnerable youth
• Community Mental Health: Prepares students for clinical practice settings
• Aging: Takes multigenerational points of view when working with older adults

Students become skilled at ethical behavior, antiracism, diversity, equity, social justice, human rights, research, policy, engagement, assessment, intervention, and practice evaluation.

Flex MSW Program for Working Professionals

We designed the MSW Flex Program for working professionals who want to keep their jobs while earning their degree. This three-year part-time option schedules evening classes from 7:00-9:45 PM. Students need to complete 20 courses totaling 60 units. Note that fieldwork during the second and third years might require daytime availability.

Field Education Partnerships

Field education stands as the cornerstone of CSUF’s teaching approach, where students connect classroom theory with real-world practice. The program requires 1,050 hours of supervised experience by graduation, with 250 hours in fall and 275 in spring semesters each year. The Social Work Department has built strategic collaborations with community agencies over the years. Crittenton Services earned recognition as CSUF’s Most Committed Partner. The university received a $1.90 million grant to triple internship placements in medically underserved communities.

Tuition and Financial Support

At $525 per unit, the total program costs approximately $31,500. Private universities in the region charge nowhere near these rates. Students can access several financial support options:

Federal Direct unsubsidized loans ($20,500 annual limit) CalSWEC stipends for students committed to public child welfare B-HEAL program specialized training and support

The program holds CSWE accreditation, which ensures graduates can qualify for professional licensure.

Loma Linda University: Faith-Based Social Work Education

Loma Linda University’s MSW program stands out by blending spiritual views with professional social work practice. This 78-unit program uses an integrated approach that combines biological, psychological, social, and spiritual elements for advanced clinical social work practice in a variety of behavioral health settings.

Integration of Faith and Professional Practice

Loma Linda’s philosophy centers on combining faith with professional practice. The program builds on core values like humility, compassion, justice, integrity, excellence, freedom, and self-control. All the same, the university does more than just list these values. Students learn to look at clients with an integrated view that goes beyond the usual fragmented healthcare approach. This unique blend of faith and practice helps graduates understand how spiritual aspects of human experience work with psychological and social factors.

Advanced Clinical Practice Focus

Students learn advanced, evidence-based methods for trauma and resiliency-informed care. The program covers prevention, early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment for people of all ages. With 29 academic units of advanced clinical specialization, students become experts at working with different groups, including military personnel and veterans. This preparation helps graduates qualify for clinical social work licenses while developing expertise for various practice settings.

Field Education and Community Service

Field education is a cornerstone of learning at Loma Linda. Students must complete a one-year clinical practicum. Loma Linda University’s world-renowned health system gives students great opportunities to learn about integrated behavioral health and tertiary level inpatient care. These field experiences strengthen students’ professional identity and demonstrate social work values and ethics.

Hybrid and Online Learning Options

The program comes in several flexible formats:

• Three-year part-time online program with evening classes (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5:30-9:30 PM)
• 12-month Advanced Standing option for BSW graduates
• Courses that combine live and self-paced learning

Online students need to spend at least one weekday each week at approved sites within 75 miles of their home.

California State University, Sacramento: Capital City Advantage

Sacramento State’s location in California’s capital city gives social work students a unique advantage to gain government and policy experience. The MSW program at “Capital Campus” lets students work directly with state agencies, creating opportunities you won’t find anywhere else in the CSU system.

Program Structure and Specializations

The MSW program at Sacramento State has 60 units split between foundation and specialized curricula. Students start with core foundations that build essential professional social work knowledge. They then choose one of three specialized practice areas:

• Behavioral Health
• Child, Adolescent and Family
• Health and Aging

This well-laid-out approach helps graduates develop broad competencies and targeted expertise. We designed this complete program to prepare students for independent social work practice in a variety of settings.

Field Placement in Government and Policy Settings

The university’s prime location gives students exceptional exposure to government agencies and policy development. First-year students work two days weekly (Thursdays and Fridays) at social service agencies. Second-year students spend three days weekly (Monday through Wednesday) at specialized placements. Traditional students complete 1,280 field education hours before graduation.

The capital city setting creates unique opportunities for policy-focused placements in state departments. Students learn about agencies under the California Health and Human Services Agency, including the Department of Social Services, Aging, and Rehabilitation.

Part-time and Full-time Options

Sacramento State offers flexible alternatives beyond the traditional two-year full-time program for working professionals:

• Three-year part-time program with evening sections
• Weekend cohort program
• Advanced Standing option (32 units) for BSW graduates

Working professionals can balance their education with the part-time format. Tuition costs $2,208 per semester for 0-6 credits or $3,804 for 6.1+ credits. Students can find at least one evening section available for all required courses, regardless of their chosen format.

California State University, Northridge: Urban Family Focus

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) stands out as a premier MSW program in California with its unique emphasis on urban family practice. The program shapes social workers to be “anti-oppressive, socially just agents of change by promoting well-being in urban settings”.

Urban Family Practice Specialization

CSUN’s MSW curriculum puts urban community practice at its core. The program’s location in Los Angeles County’s San Fernando Valley gives students hands-on experience with vulnerable populations. Unlike many other social work programs, CSUN offers a generalist approach that substantially broadens career opportunities. Students build expertise at several practice levels:

• Individual/family (micro) interventions
• Group/community (mezzo) strategies
• Societal/policy (macro) advocacy

Each student completes a capstone project that addresses urban families’ or communities’ challenges. This project helps them develop expertise in their specialized area.

Online Program Features

CSUN’s online MSW uses a cohort model that helps students build strong professional bonds as they progress together. Students can complete the full-time program in two years with fall and spring semester classes. CSUN takes a different approach from other universities by avoiding commercial providers. Their faculty receives specialized training to deliver excellent instruction in the digital world.

Students can access most coursework at their convenience through asynchronous learning, but they must attend a weekly one-hour live field education class. The program’s dedicated distance learning team provides ongoing support to help students succeed.

Field Education in Los Angeles County

Field practicum plays a vital role in CSUN’s MSW education. Students must complete approximately 1,000 hours of field education (400-600 in Foundation Year, 500-700 in Concentration Year). First-year students spend 16 hours each week at their placement site. They switch to different field placements in their second year to gain varied practice experience.

CSUN works hard to find field placements within an hour of each student’s home. This approach makes quality field education available to everyone in the program, whether they study online or on campus.

Humboldt State University: Rural Social Work Expertise

Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) runs a unique MSW program. The program serves Northern California’s rural and Indigenous populations through campus-based and online learning options.

Rural and Indigenous Communities Focus

The Social Work Department weaves Indigenous and rural community work throughout its curriculum. The program helps students “decolonize social work” by recognizing that U.S. social work theories come from Western-European models that might not align with Indigenous values. This approach honors Tribal sovereignty and respects Tribal communities’ strengths and wisdom. Students build meaningful connections with their home communities through professional internships.

Distributed Learning Program

Students who might not otherwise access higher education can benefit from the Distributed Learning (DL) Program’s online pathway. California residency remains mandatory throughout the study period. Learning happens through a mix of self-paced modules and weekly live webinars. Students must attend campus visits for orientation and the annual January Intensive, which takes place during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Students complete the on-campus MSW in one year, while the online program takes two years. The program blends digital learning with local networking opportunities.

Field Education in Northern California

Field education stands as the cornerstone of Cal Poly Humboldt’s social work education. MSW students log 960 practicum hours, split between two academic years at 480 hours each. This translates to 16 weekly hours minimum, including supervision. Advanced Standing students complete 480 hours. The university partners with organizations in Northern California’s Superior Region, including Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, and Trinity counties. These placements help students understand the challenges and strengths of organizations that serve rural and Indigenous communities.

California State University, San Bernardino: Pathway Distance Education

California State University, San Bernardino’s Pathway Distance Education Program gives students a flexible online MSW option that matches its on-campus program’s mission and content. Students who live more than 50 miles away or work full-time can now get quality social work education that’s available to more people.

Online Program Structure

Students complete CSUSB’s online MSW program in three years through a cohort model where they learn and grow together. Weekly deadlines accompany mostly asynchronous courses, which helps students manage their work and personal lives. The program’s excellence shows in its rankings – it’s the #2 MSW program in California and #8 nationally according to various online rankings. All the same, students should know that the program only accepts U.S. residents right now.

Advanced Generalist Curriculum

The program’s core follows an advanced generalist model with equal focus on micro and macro practice. Students learn five main areas: Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Micro Practice, Macro Practice, Research, and Practicum. The advanced curriculum features courses like Advanced Generalist Micro Practice, Advanced Generalist Macro Practice, and Advanced Generalist Practicum. Students round off their graduate experience with a research project.

Field Education Support

Field education plays a vital role along with online learning. Students attend practicum seminars in real-time while completing their fieldwork in person. They work with agencies in their local communities and build up 1,080 hours of field experience. CSUSB works with over 200 contracted agencies for placements in regions of all sizes, from Northern California to occasional out-of-state locations. Students can work in various practice areas like mental health, medical social work, child welfare, school-based counseling, and forensic social work. The program’s “signature pedagogy” lies in field education where students apply their theoretical knowledge in real-life settings under professional guidance.

University of the Pacific: Accelerated MSW Program

University of the Pacific offers one of California’s quickest MSW programs. Students can choose hybrid and online options at the Sacramento campus to advance their clinical social work careers.

16-Month Completion Timeline

The university stands out among California’s masters in social work programs with its accelerated path. Students without a BSW can finish the full-time program in just 16 months through four trimesters. BSW holders can complete an advanced standing option in 12 months. The program accommodates both full-time and part-time schedules that help students manage their other life commitments.

Clinical Practice Focus

Students prepare specifically to become licensed clinical social workers. The program offers two specialized tracks:

• Healthcare specialization
• Behavioral health specialization

The curriculum helps students develop nine core competencies that social work practice needs, from ethical professional behavior to evaluation skills. Cultural humility and sensitivity blend into all coursework naturally.

Sacramento Campus Resources

The School of Health Sciences gives students detailed academic support through writing help, tutoring centers and research guidance. Each student works with their dedicated Student Success Advisor from day one until graduation. These advisors help students understand tuition costs and connect them with academic resources.

Career Development Services

The university’s reliable career services ready graduates to a growing job market, where social work jobs should increase 7% through 2033. Recent data shows 85% of graduates found jobs or continued education aligned with their career goals. Graduates work in clinical roles focused on mental health, trauma, and substance use treatment among other administrative positions in healthcare systems and policy analysis. Many alumni choose specialized settings like military facilities, hospitals, and behavioral health centers.

California Baptist University: Faith-Integrated Social Work Education

California Baptist University merges Christian principles with its MSW program to create an education that balances professional social work practice with spiritual development. CBU stands out among MSW programs in California through its faith-based approach to social service.

Christian Perspective in Social Work Practice

CBU’s MSW program connects faith with professional practice to serve those in need. Students maintain a faith experience journal that reflects on the connection between faith and fieldwork. This personal dialogue with faculty mentors helps students develop a non-judgmental, compassionate approach to serving people from different backgrounds. The program emphasizes social work skills “to serve our local community and government and promote social justice and change to bring glory to His kingdom”.

Advanced Generalist Curriculum

The MSW curriculum readies students for advanced practice in a variety of settings. Foundation coursework covers everything in Social Work Practice, Human Behavior, Social Welfare Policy, and Research. Students then complete Advanced Generalist requirements including Advanced Practice, Mental Health, and Management courses. Nine units from electives range from Addictions Counseling to Global Human Rights. BSW graduates can apply for Advanced Standing and potentially complete their MSW in just 30-38 units.

Online and On-Campus Options

The program offers an online MSW track with similar curriculum and faculty mentorship. The online option includes:

• Asynchronous remote coursework that fits work and family schedules
• Four mandatory 3-day residencies in Riverside throughout the program
• Field practicum requirements matching the traditional program

Online students receive encouragement to participate in campus activities and access services, unlike many other programs.

International Social Work Opportunities

The MSW program works alongside other graduate programs to include global experiences. These international opportunities prepare students for worldwide service while developing cross-cultural competence. This ground view arranges with CBU’s steadfast dedication to serving people from different backgrounds beyond local communities.

Azusa Pacific University: Values-Based MSW Program

The Azusa Pacific MSW program emphasizes a values-based approach, integrating faith and social justice into its curriculum. Students are encouraged to engage in reflective practice, fostering a deeper understanding of ethical dilemmas in social work. With a focus on community engagement, the program prepares graduates to make a meaningful impact in diverse settings.

MSW Curriculum

The Azusa Pacific MSW curriculum is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to address complex social issues. Core courses cover topics such as social policy, human behavior, and advanced practice methods, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field. Additionally, students have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as mental health, child welfare, or community development, allowing for a tailored educational experience.

Modalities

The program offers various modalities to accommodate different learning preferences and schedules. Students can choose from traditional in-person classes, hybrid formats that blend online and face-to-face instruction, or fully online options, providing flexibility while maintaining rigorous academic standards. This diverse approach ensures that all students can engage with the material in a way that best suits their individual needs and lifestyles.

Program Cost

At $795 per unit, Asuza Pacific has a reasonably-priced tuition for a private university.

• Traditional Program Base Cost: $47,700
• Advanced Standing Base Cost: $28,620

Admissions

To apply, you’ll need at least a 3.0 GPA in a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, although a limited number of applicants with GPAs from 2.5 to 2.9 may be accepted. You’ll also need a statistics class on your record for entry into the program.

The Premier MSW Programs in California – Pathways to Excellence in Social Work

California stands as a beacon of excellence in social work education, offering some of the nation’s most distinguished Master of Social Work programs. After thorough analysis, the University of Southern California emerges as the preeminent MSW program in the state, renowned for its innovative curriculum and flexible learning options that include traditional, accelerated, and online pathways.

San Francisco State University earns recognition as another top contender, ranking #1 in Social Work nationally according to some metrics and offering exceptional value with graduates earning impressive post-graduation salaries averaging $68,690 within three years of completion. California State University-Long Beach and Sacramento State also distinguish themselves with robust programs that provide graduates with significant earnings advantages in the field.

What sets California’s premier MSW programs apart is their commitment to specialized concentrations—from Adult Mental Health & Wellness to Social Change & Innovation—allowing students to tailor their education to specific career aspirations. These programs emphasize practical fieldwork experiences through extensive networks of partner agencies, ensuring graduates are not only academically prepared but practice-ready.

For prospective social work students, California offers unparalleled opportunities with programs that balance academic rigor, practical experience, and flexibility. With average social worker salaries in California reaching $88,380 annually, graduates from these top programs are well-positioned for rewarding careers serving diverse communities while enjoying strong professional growth prospects. The state’s commitment to social justice and community welfare is reflected in these exemplary programs that continue to shape the future of social work practice.