9 Best Advanced Standing MSW Programs in California for 2025
BSW graduates can complete their Advanced Standing MSW in California within 12 months instead of the two years needed for traditional programs.
California has 7 CSWE-accredited advanced standing MSW programs available for 2025. Students can choose from campus-based, hybrid, and online options that match their schedule. These masters of social work programs let BSW graduates from accredited programs skip foundational courses and head over to advanced study. Social workers in California earn a median wage of $63,770 per year, and the field shows strong potential with projected employment growth of 7% through 2033.
California State Polytechnic University offers the most affordable option at $11,464. The programs provide flexibility beyond cost considerations. Students can pick from 3 campus-based programs or 2 online options that need limited or no campus visits. This variety helps students find a program that aligns with their lifestyle and career goals.
California State Polytechnic University – Humboldt
MSW Advanced Standing
Cal Poly Humboldt gives social workers a budget-friendly path to earn their MSW through an accelerated program. The program lets you serve rural and Native American communities while learning advanced social work skills.
Accreditation
The MSW program at Cal Poly Humboldt has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Your degree will meet national professional standards, which you’ll just need for license eligibility and professional recognition as a social worker.
Duration
The Advanced Standing program gives you two timeline choices based on how you want to learn:
- You can finish your degree in one year with full-time campus study
- You can complete it in two years through part-time online learning
Every Advanced Standing student starts with summer bridge courses. These courses help you blend smoothly into existing MSW groups and build a solid foundation for advanced studies.
Online option
The part-time Distributed Learning program balances flexibility with academic excellence. Here’s what you get:
- Live web sessions every Thursday night plus weekly self-paced modules
- A three-day campus visit each January for orientation and skill building
- A mix of self-paced online courses and live web sessions
You should know: California residency is mandatory throughout the online program. The program takes about 25 hours of study time each week, even though it’s part-time.
Field education requirements
Advanced Standing students complete 480 hours of field education across two semesters. Weekly online field education seminars support your practical experience. This hands-on training helps you develop professional skills and apply your classroom knowledge in real-life settings.
Specializations
The Advanced Standing MSW program focuses on advanced generalist practice rather than formal concentrations. You’ll learn specialized skills for working with rural and Native American communities. This knowledge proves valuable across California’s diverse social work field.
Tuition and fees
Your costs depend on which program format you choose:
- Graduate on-campus tuition and fees run $10,438 per academic year
- Distributed Learning (online) costs $540 per unit as of 2025
- Summer Bridge Courses cost $510 per unit through the College of Extended Education & Global Engagement
Books, living expenses, and transportation add to your total investment. On-campus students typically spend between $27,670 and $30,852 total, depending on their living situation.
Admission requirements
You’ll qualify for Advanced Standing if you have:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program
- A minimum 3.5 GPA in your last 60 credit hours
- A grade of B or better in all social work courses
- A degree completed within the last five years (you can petition for exceptions)
Applications open from October 1st to February 1st. Programs start in summer, but select “Fall start” in CalState Apply. Your application package should include unofficial transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and three references.
San Diego State University
Advanced Standing Program
San Diego State University runs a prestigious Advanced Standing MSW program since 1963. The university sits in California’s second-largest city. SDSU provides social work education that meets the diverse needs of the US-Mexico border region and beyond.
Accreditation
SDSU’s Master of Social Work program has continuous accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1966. This happened shortly after the School of Social Work started in 1963. The accreditation shows that the program meets national standards for social work education. The MSW program at Imperial Valley Campus has managed to keep its accreditation since 1981. This shows SDSU’s dedication to quality education at all its locations.
Program duration
Students with BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited programs can take SDSU’s Advanced Standing Program. This focused 38-unit curriculum lets qualified students finish their master’s degree in just one year of full-time study. Students start with summer bridge courses (SWORK 670, SWORK 671, and SWORK 610) to prepare for advanced curriculum. The fall term brings five graduate courses and a 20-hour weekly field practicum.
Online option
SDSU doesn’t offer an online version of its Advanced Standing MSW program right now. Students learn through in-person classes that make shared learning easier. Face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers helps develop clinical skills better.
Field education requirements
Field education stands at the heart of SDSU’s Advanced Standing MSW curriculum. Students must complete 600 hours of field practicum in their advanced year. They usually work 20 hours each week throughout the academic year. The practical experience starts in the first week of classes. Students need to work at a different agency with new field instructors than their undergraduate placement. Each placement combines agency internship with school-based practicum labs. Students learn professional values, knowledge, and skills through ground experience.
SDSU specializations
SDSU’s MSW program gives students two method concentrations:
- Direct Practice/Clinical Advanced Specialization: Students learn advanced clinical practice for public and non-profit social service agencies. The focus stays on interpersonal conflict, social functioning, and evidence-based intervention methods for individuals, families, and groups
- Administration and Community Development Advanced Specialization: Students work in administration settings at community-based organizations, county agencies, hospitals, and unique places like libraries, community development corporations, and environmental agencies
Students can also focus on mental health, children/youth/families, and health/aging.
Tuition and fees
SDSU’s MSW program costs less than many California options. Full-time MSW students pay about $9,724 yearly for tuition and fees. Other costs include:
- Books and supplies: About $1,091 per year
- Transportation: $1,120 yearly
- Personal expenses: $2,534 per year
- Required health insurance: $1,703 yearly
The California Title IV-E Education Program helps with money. It gives up to $50,000 as a taxable stipend to MSW students who want to work in child welfare services. Full-time MSW students get $25,000 yearly for up to two years. Part-time students working for county or state social services can get money back for tuition, fees, books, and some travel costs.
San Jose State University
MSW Advanced Standing Program
San Jose State University’s Advanced Standing MSW program started in 2020. The program offers a quick path to your master’s degree and emphasizes transcultural practice. This newer advanced standing option in California combines academic excellence with hands-on field experience.
Program accreditation
The School of Social Work at SJSU has earned prestigious accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The school has maintained continuous accreditation since 1973. Your advanced standing degree will give a solid foundation that meets national standards, making employers and licensing boards confident about your educational background.
Program duration
Qualified BSW graduates can complete their MSW through the accelerated Advanced Standing program in just one summer plus one academic year. Students need only 37 units to graduate instead of the standard 60-unit curriculum. BSW graduates can skip the foundation year because of their undergraduate social work education. Students can immediately focus on advanced practice courses and specialization work.
Online option
SJSU stands out by offering its Advanced Standing program both on-campus and in online/hybrid formats. The online/hybrid option includes:
- Asynchronous learning modules paired with synchronous evening sessions
- In-person field placements within California
- Summer preparation with required readings, writing skills course, and orientation
It’s worth mentioning that online students must live in California during their studies and complete internships within the state. This requirement helps ensure proper supervision and compliance with state licensing standards.
Field education requirements
In SJSU’s advanced practice curriculum, students usually complete only the second-year requirements. Most internships run during business hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday). Students must commit at least 16 hours weekly. Evening and weekend-only placements rarely happen, which means careful schedule planning is essential.
Specializations
A transcultural view shapes the entire curriculum, helping students become skilled at working with diverse populations. Students can choose from three specialized areas:
- Children, youth, and families
- Mental health
- Health and aging (note: this specialization is currently in pilot phase)
This transcultural multi-systems approach helps graduates serve California’s diverse communities with cultural competence and sensitivity.
Tuition and fees
The Online/Hybrid MSW program costs $600 per unit for the 2024-2025 academic year. The 37-unit Advanced Standing program totals approximately $22,200. Key financial points include:
- 5% annual fee increases start Fall 2025
- On-campus and online formats have different fee structures
- Books, living expenses, and transportation add extra costs
The CSU programs might adjust fees based on state funding and Board of Trustees decisions.
Admission requirements
Advanced Standing candidates must have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited university. SJSU cannot make exceptions to this requirement because of licensure regulations. Students can apply through Cal State Apply and the MSW Program Application Portal each fall.
California State University, Los Angeles
Master of Social Work Advanced Standing in Downtown LA
Cal State LA’s Advanced Standing MSW program sits right in downtown Los Angeles. The program gives BSW graduates hands-on training in urban social work practice. Students get to work in California’s social service settings of all types.
Program accreditation
Cal State LA’s School of Social Work has been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1999. Your advanced standing degree will meet professional standards that you need to get licensed and advance your career anywhere in the United States.
Duration
The Advanced Standing Program (ASP) at Cal State LA runs for 11 months and needs 33 semester units. Students start in summer and finish the next spring. Here’s how the schedule works:
- Summer semester: Classes run three days weekly for four weeks to build core skills
- Fall and spring semesters: Classes happen all day Mondays and Tuesdays
- Students work at internships from Wednesday through Friday (24 hours weekly)
BSW graduates can get their master’s degree in just one-third the time compared to standard two-year or three-year MSW programs.
Online option
Cal State LA doesn’t offer its Advanced Standing MSW program online. Students must attend classes at the Cal State LA Downtown campus. Students can’t take courses at the main campus as part of their degree. This creates tight-knit student groups but leaves little room for those who want hybrid learning options.
Field education requirements
Students must complete 720 field education hours during the program. The time breaks down like this:
- 24 hours weekly (three full days) in fall and spring semesters
- Work happens during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm)
- Field placements don’t offer weekend or evening hours
Students don’t need to do the first-year internship that’s common in regular MSW programs because of their BSW field experience. Field work focuses on building advanced skills that build on what students learned in their undergraduate studies.
Specializations
Cal State LA has moved away from formal concentrations. The program now teaches advanced urban generalist skills that help graduates work in many different settings. Students learn to work in urban environments at three levels:
- Micro (individual/family intervention)
- Mezzo (group/community organizing)
- Macro (policy/societal change)
This approach helps graduates find work in many different areas rather than limiting them to one specialty.
Tuition and fees
The Advanced Standing MSW at Cal State LA Downtown costs $17,325 total. This comes from the $525 per-unit cost times 33 units. The cost doesn’t include:
- Student health insurance
- Textbooks and course materials
- Parking permits
- Housing and living expenses
Admission requirements
You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school earned in the last five years. You must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and submit a personal statement, resume, three reference forms, and unofficial transcripts. The application deadline for Summer 2025 now runs until March 15, and transcripts are due April 1, 2025.
University of Southern California (USC)
Advanced Standing MSW
USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers an intensive Advanced Standing MSW program that builds on your BSW degree. This school’s century-old legacy delivers a detailed social work education that sets high standards.
Program accreditation
USC’s MSW program has held accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1922. This makes it one of California’s oldest continuously accredited social work programs. The program goes through reaffirmation every eight years to maintain quality standards. The accreditation covers all program options, whatever the location or delivery method. Your advanced standing degree will be recognized by employers and licensing boards nationwide.
Program duration
You can complete your Advanced Standing MSW at USC in just 12 months with a full-time, three-semester schedule. This fast-track option needs 24 credits instead of the traditional MSW program’s 48 credits. You’ll skip first-year foundation courses and jump right into second-year coursework. This saves both time and money.
Online option
Students can choose between campus-based and online formats for their Advanced Standing MSW. USC’s Virtual Academic Center (VAC) runs the online option, which maintains high educational standards. Students take part in both self-paced coursework and live web sessions. The program doesn’t require campus visits, so it’s available to students across California and beyond.
Field education requirements
Field education is the life-blood of USC’s MSW curriculum. Students complete 1,200 hours of practicum education – 1,100 at approved agencies and 100 through classroom learning. Advanced Standing students typically spend 24 hours weekly at their practicum sites. USC faculty and professional practicum instructors supervise and guide students throughout their placement.
Specializations
Students can tailor their advanced standing education by choosing from five specialty tracks:
- Adult Mental Health & Wellness
- Children, Youth and Families
- Social Change and Innovation
- School and Educational Settings
- Military Populations and Settings
Each track needs nine units that fit within the existing curriculum. This helps students become experts in their chosen practice area.
Tuition and fees
USC’s Advanced Standing MSW is a major investment. The full ISW MSW program (48 units) costs $108,298. Advanced Standing students take about half the coursework, which means lower total costs. Students pay $2,256 per unit when taking 1-14 units each semester. Extra required fees include student health insurance ($2,296-$4,441), health services ($700 per semester), and student programming fees. The school helps offset costs by offering scholarships to more than 65% of incoming on-ground MSW students.
National University
Master of Social Work Advanced Standing Track
National University offers a fully accredited Advanced Standing MSW program. The program helps working professionals advance their social work careers without relocating, with flexible pathways to suit their needs.
Program accreditation
National University’s MSW program earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in October 2021. Your degree will meet professional standards needed for licensure eligibility until 2029. The program started with WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) approval in 2018. It then went through careful evaluation before getting full CSWE recognition.
Program duration
BSW graduates can earn their degree in just 12 months through the Advanced Standing track. This is much faster than standard MSW programs. The 36-credit program takes about 24 months to complete, giving working professionals the flexibility they need. Students who follow the program dean’s recommended schedule can graduate in 18 months. The actual time depends on course load and transfer credits.
Online option
We delivered the MSW program online with no need to visit campus. You won’t have to relocate or spend money on travel. This setup lets you balance your studies with work and personal life easily. The program blends online classes with hands-on practicum experience in your community.
Field education requirements
Advanced Standing students need 500 hours of qualified practicum experience. Each practicum course requires 250 hours. Field education includes:
- Weekly meetings with your field instructor
- 24 hours of supervision total (12 hours per practicum course)
- Weekly live field seminars
- About 18-20 hours at your placement site each week
You must finish the Practicum Preparation Process and find a local placement site before enrolling. The program will help you with this process.
Specializations
The program features an Advanced Generalist Practice specialization. This gives you detailed training that works in social work settings of all sizes. You’ll learn versatile skills to work with individuals, groups, and communities instead of focusing on just one area.
Tuition and fees
Graduate tuition costs $442 per quarter unit. The 36-unit Advanced Standing program totals around $15,912. You’ll also need to pay for books, student health insurance, and travel to field placements. The university helps qualified students with financial aid and scholarships. This can lower your education costs substantially.
Pacific Oaks College
Online Master of Social Work Advanced Standing Program
Pacific Oaks College’s Advanced Standing MSW program weaves social justice principles into its curriculum. The Pasadena institution brings its steadfast dedication to equality and inclusion that spans decades.
Program accreditation
The Master of Social Work program at Pacific Oaks College has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. This recognition covers all program options, including online delivery. The college earned a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission, which validates its academic excellence.
Program length
Students complete the Advanced Standing program in three semesters with 8-week terms. The program structure allows students to take two courses per term, totaling four courses each semester. BSW graduates can earn their MSW credentials quickly through this accelerated format without compromising educational quality.
Online option
The MSW Advanced Standing program runs completely through an accelerated online format. Students can enroll from anywhere since there are no location restrictions. This flexibility makes it perfect for students who juggle work or personal commitments.
Field education
Advanced Standing students must complete 720 hours of supervised experience in their communities. The practicum timing depends on when students begin:
- Fall starts: January through August
- Spring starts: May through December
Students develop core competencies through ground experience while working with experienced mentors.
Specializations
The program aims to shape competent, generalist social workers who practice reflection guided by professional values of human dignity and social justice.
Tuition and fees
The MSW program’s graduate tuition costs $1,250 per credit hour. Students should plan for these additional costs:
- Application fee: $55
- Tuition deposit (non-refundable): $100
- Institutional services fee: $150 per semester
- Graduation fee (Graduate): $100
Military personnel on active duty, veterans, and their family members pay reduced graduate tuition at $968 per credit hour.
University of Massachusetts Global
Advanced Generalist Advanced Standing Option
UMass Global offers a flexible online Advanced Standing MSW program that’s perfect for BSW graduates who juggle work and study commitments. The program provides a clear path to advanced social work credentials with real-life applications and professional growth opportunities.
Program accreditation
UMass Global’s MSW program received its original accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in March 2021. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission has accredited the university. The program goes beyond California’s curriculum requirements set in the Business and Professional Code section 4996.2. Students in Washington State can rest assured as the program meets all requirements under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 18-225).
Program duration
The Advanced Generalist, Advanced Standing (AG/AS) option requires 39 credit hours. BSW graduates can complete this accelerated path within one year. This saves valuable time compared to the Standard Advanced Generalist option’s 69 credit hours.
Online option
Working professionals will find this fully online program tailored to their needs. Expert faculty members bring their rich social work experience to every class. Students get quality education that’s available anywhere.
Field education requirements
Advanced Standing students need 600 hours of field placement practicum. Standard option students complete 1,000 hours. Field education stands as the “signature pedagogy” for social work education. Students can:
- Put classroom knowledge to work in ground settings
- Develop professional skills through hands-on experience
- Connect with people from all walks of life in their local community
Specializations
The advanced generalist curriculum teaches students to:
- Master multidimensional problem solving
- Apply evidence-based assessment and intervention models
- Direct complex situations with confidence
This comprehensive approach gives students the tools they need for jobs in healthcare, child protective services, and advocacy organizations.
Tuition and fees
Students pay $730 per credit hour for this graduate degree. Active duty military members and their spouses get a reduced rate of $410 per credit hour. The 39-credit program costs about $28,470 for standard students and $15,990 for military personnel. Each academic session includes a technology fee of $135.
California State University, Chico
MSW Distributed Learning Program
CSU Chico’s School of Social Work offers an available Advanced Standing MSW program. The program combines academic excellence with field experience and provides an attractive option for BSW graduates looking to advance their careers in Northern California.
Program accreditation
CSU Chico’s School of Social Work has maintained full accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1975. The programs received reaffirmation for eight years after their last review in 2016. Your degree will meet national standards for professional practice and licensure eligibility through this accreditation.
Program duration
BSW graduates can complete their MSW quickly through the One-Year Advanced Standing program. The program needs just 34-36 units including a summer bridge course. Students can also choose the Three-Year Distributed Learning program that follows the same curriculum with part-time study options. The DL program accepts new students once every three years, with the next cohort beginning fall 2024.
Online option
The Distributed Learning program features a hybrid format where about 67% of content appears online. Students attend campus just two to three weekends per semester for face-to-face instruction. Regular Zoom sessions work alongside asynchronous online modules to create a complete learning experience without moving.
Field education requirements
Advanced Standing students must finish 720 field education hours. Traditional MSW students complete 1,200 hours. Many students now use their employment sites for internships, which adds practical convenience. These placements give students great ways to apply classroom knowledge in real-life settings.
Specializations
The program follows an Advanced Generalist approach with two specialization options:
- Social Work Practice in Mental Health Services
- Social Work Practice in Families, Children and Youth Services
This curriculum prepares students for work in a variety of California’s social service settings.
Tuition and fees
The program’s total cost runs about $19,004 for in-state students and $42,764 for out-of-state students. Students can access various financial aid options, including the Graduate Equity Fellowship Program that supports students from historically underrepresented groups. The California Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program offers grants that cover some educational expenses.
The school accepts applications from October 1st through January 15th each year without GRE requirements. Reference letters must come from academic and professional sources, as personal references aren’t accepted.
Continue Your MSW Education with an Advanced Standing MSW
Your career goals, priorities, and budget will shape which Advanced Standing MSW program works best for you. Nine CSWE-accredited programs exist in California. Each has its own benefits, but they all let you graduate faster – usually in 12 months instead of the standard two years.
Money matters a lot when picking a program. The yearly costs vary widely. Cal Poly Humboldt’s program costs around $10,438, while USC’s tuition runs much higher. Schools help make it more affordable through financial aid, scholarships, and special rates for military students.
These schools structure their programs differently. Some offer traditional campus classes with direct faculty interaction. National University and UMass Global provide online and hybrid options that work well for busy professionals. You’ll need between 480 and 720 hours of field education whatever program you pick.
Each school’s specialization options vary by a lot. SDSU lets you focus on direct practice/clinical work or administration and community development. Pacific Oaks College takes a different approach with generalist practice that emphasizes social justice principles.
The admission rules look similar across programs. You’ll just need a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program and a good GPA (usually 3.0-3.5). Your undergraduate degree should be from the last five years. Most programs start taking applications in fall for summer start dates.
This detailed look at California’s Advanced Standing MSW options helps you pick a program that matches your career goals, schedule and budget. These accelerated programs are a great way to build on your BSW foundation. You can advance your social work career quickly without wasting time.
FAQs
Q1. What are the key benefits of Advanced Standing MSW programs in California? Advanced Standing MSW programs in California allow BSW graduates to complete their master’s degree in about 12 months, compared to 2 years for traditional programs. They offer specialized coursework, field placements, and can lead to faster career advancement and higher earning potential.
Q2. How do online and on-campus Advanced Standing MSW programs differ? Online programs offer more flexibility for working professionals, while on-campus programs provide more face-to-face interaction. Online options like those at National University have no residency requirements, whereas hybrid programs like CSU Chico’s combine online learning with occasional in-person sessions.
Q3. What are the typical field education requirements for Advanced Standing MSW students? Field education requirements vary by program but generally range from 480 to 720 hours for Advanced Standing students. These placements provide hands-on experience in social work settings and are crucial for developing professional skills and applying classroom knowledge.
Q4. How do tuition costs compare among Advanced Standing MSW programs in California? Tuition costs vary widely, from around $10,000 per year at some CSU campuses to over $100,000 for the full program at private universities like USC. Many programs offer financial aid, scholarships, and special rates for military personnel to help offset costs.
Q5. What specializations are available in California’s Advanced Standing MSW programs? Specialization options differ by school but may include areas like mental health, children and families, health and aging, and community development. Some programs, like CSU Chico, offer an Advanced Generalist approach with specific focus areas, while others allow students to tailor their studies through electives and field placements.