13 Online MSW Programs in California: No GRE Required

Want to advance your social work career without taking the GRE? A California-based MSW online no GRE program could be your quickest path to career growth. The timing couldn’t be better – social work jobs are expected to grow by 16% between 2016 and 2026. This makes it an ideal time to pursue your master’s degree.

These programs are available to both BSW holders and newcomers to the field, offering amazing flexibility. BSW graduates can complete an Advanced-Standing MSW in just 12 months. Students without a BSW can finish their traditional online MSW no GRE program in about 27 months. The programs also let you focus on specialized areas like Mental Health and Trauma or Health, Equity and Wellness. This helps you align your education with your career goals.

University of Southern California (USC)

GRE Required: No

USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work has pioneered social work education since 1939. The school offers an available MSW with no GRE required that balances academic excellence with flexibility.

Key features

USC’s online MSW program delivers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates social work practice. The program combines traditional principles with new trends like digital mental health and analytical insights. Students don’t need GRE scores for admission. Two pathways exist: a Traditional MSW (48 credits, completed in as few as 16 months) and an Advanced Standing option (24 credits, finished in as little as 12 months) for BSW holders.

USC stands out with its complete field education approach. Students gain over 1,000 hours of practicum training through virtual simulations and community-based placements. Virtual practicum lets you work with actors who portray clients. You receive up-to-the-minute feedback from professors that prepares you for ground scenarios before starting in-person fieldwork.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• CSWE-accredited program without GRE requirement
• Live online classes maintain a 12:1 student-faculty ratio
• Five specialized tracks cover Adult Mental Health, Children/Youth/Families, Social Change, School Settings, and Military Populations
• A dedicated team handles practicum placement
• Students can complete the program at accelerated speeds

Cons:

• Tuition costs exceed other California MSW programs by a lot
• The program excludes residents of Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, and Virginia
• Student reviews show mixed opinions about value for money
• Online program remains unavailable to international students

Pricing

USC’s tuition runs higher than most similar programs. The 2025-2026 academic year charges tuition at $2,256 per unit (1-14 units) or $33,840 flat rate for 15-18 units. Traditional MSW program costs reach about $108,298. USC reports that scholarships go to more than 65% of incoming on-ground MSW students. AmeriCorps alumni might qualify for a $5,000 scholarship.

Who is the USC MSW best for?

This online MSW program with no GRE suits aspiring social workers who value prestigious and complete training despite higher costs. The program works especially well when you have interest in specialized practice areas. Students seeking an approach that views clients through “a nuanced and dynamic lens” will find value here. The program makes sense if you plan to pursue leadership positions in clinical settings, community organizations, or policy arenas where USC’s network can boost your career.

California State University, Northridge (CSUN)

GRE Required: No

CSUN provides an MSW program that emphasizes urban community practice. Students seeking social work education can skip standardized testing requirements.

Key features

The Department of Social Work will prepare you to become a change agent in underserved urban settings through their advanced generalist program. The curriculum highlights an intersectional, anti-racist, and trauma-informed point of view. You can practice at all levels—micro (individual/family), mezzo (group/community), and macro (societal/policy).

The program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through 2028. Graduates can qualify for licensure exams after completing required supervised hours. CSUN’s flexible pathways include:

• A two-year full-time program with daytime classes
• A three-year part-time evening program over eight semesters
• A fully online option that’s mostly asynchronous (except for weekly practicum education classes)

Field education is a strong part of CSUN’s MSW education. Students complete approximately 1,000 hours of practicum experience.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Cohort learning model creates a supportive community
• Guaranteed enrollment in all required courses
• No GRE required (minimum GPA of 2.5 in last 60 units)
• Strong focus on urban settings and community practice
• Ranks first as talent provider for social work positions in Los Angeles region

Cons:

• Practicum placements limited to weekdays (9am-6pm)
• No evening or weekend practicum opportunities
• Students cannot complete practicum at current workplace
• Limited access to campus facilities outside scheduled hours
• Campus parking challenges for on-campus components

Pricing

The program costs $813 per unit as of Fall 2025, with a total of $48,780 for the complete 60-unit program. Students must pay a non-refundable $70 application fee and $47 graduation fee. Financial aid options are available, but early application helps with priority processing. Military veterans and dependents might qualify for VA Educational Benefits.

Who is the CSUN MSW best for?

The CSUN online MSW program fits professionals who want careers in urban settings without GRE requirements. The program’s generalist approach prepares graduates for various roles including social and community service managers, healthcare social workers, mental health practitioners, and school social workers.

CSUN graduates work successfully at organizations like Los Angeles Unified School District, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The program works best for students who value community-oriented practice and thrive in a structured cohort environment.

California State University, San Bernardino

GRE Required: No

California State University, San Bernardino stands out with its online MSW program. The university’s Pathway Distance Education Program ranks #2 in California and #8 nationally.

Key features

CSUSB’s program foundation is an advanced generalist model. Students learn micro interventions with individuals, families, and groups while studying macro interventions with organizations and communities. The first year covers generalist foundations before students move to specialized practice in their second year.

Students can complete assignments on their schedule with asynchronous courses that have weekly deadlines. This setup lets you keep your job while earning your degree. Field education happens in person with real-time practicum seminars to help you build practical skills.

CSUSB offers multiple program pathways:

• Two-Year Program (60 units) completed in four semesters
• Three-Year Program (60 units) available both in-person and online
• Advanced Standing options (35 units) for BSW holders, completable in 12 months or five semesters
• MSW/MPA Concurrent Degrees (73 units) for those interested in administrative leadership

The CSWE accredits all these options, ensuring your degree meets national professional standards.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• No GRE requirement (minimum 3.0 GPA, or 2.8 with substantial experience)
• Affordable tuition at $8,093 for in-state and $18,173 for out-of-state students
• Ranked #3 nationally among programs not requiring GRE
• Cohort model creates supportive learning communities
• Title IV-E Public Child Welfare Stipend Program for eligible students
• Diverse student body with 85.4% women and 73.8% from minority backgrounds

Cons:

• Foundation year practicum needs 16 weekly hours, advanced year requires 20 hours
• Students must live in the USA
• You’ll attend three mandatory two-day on-campus orientations (one per year)
• Practicum must be completed outside your workplace
• All coursework must be finished within seven years

Who is the CSUSB MSW best for?

Working professionals who want flexibility without compromising on quality will find this program ideal. The three-year online option works great for full-time employees who can study during evenings and weekends.

CSUSB graduates become the #1 providers of mental health services nationwide. They work in hospitals, schools, public child welfare, aging services, and employee assistance programs.

After graduation, you can work as a licensed social worker, community outreach coordinator, healthcare practitioner, school-based professional, government agency employee, or non-profit worker. CSUSB provides an excellent online MSW no GRE pathway to advance your social work career if you value a supportive atmosphere with genuine faculty involvement at an affordable price.

Cal Poly Humboldt

GRE Required: No

Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) stands out among other MSW online no GRE programs because of its focus on Indigenous and rural communities. The program prepares social workers to serve in areas that need them most.

Key features

The Cal Poly Humboldt MSW program uses an advanced generalist model that puts emphasis on working with Indigenous populations and rural communities. Students and faculty build reciprocal relationships with communities through a curriculum that aims to decolonize mainstream social work education practices.

The program gives online students two flexible options:

• Part-time Distributed Learning MSW (3.5 years/10 semesters including summers)
• Part-time Distributed Learning Advanced Standing MSW (2 years for BSW holders)

Students take most courses online through a mix of self-paced work and weekly live web sessions. They also attend one on-campus intensive each January. You must live in California throughout the program and set aside at least 25 hours each week to study.

Each unit costs $540 as of 2025. The total program cost comes to:

• Full MSW (60 units): $32,400
• Advanced Standing (43.5 units): $23,490

More than half the students get financial help through program-specific scholarships or stipends. Money comes from Mental Health Services Act grants, Superior Region Mental Health Workforce, Education and Training Partnership, and CalSWEC.

Who is the Humboldt MSW best for?

This online MSW program works great for students who want to serve Indigenous populations and rural communities. You need dedication to handle the heavy weekly workload.

You’ll need a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 undergraduate units. The program also requires Elementary Statistics and a Native American Studies course. Students who join share a passion for culturally responsive practice and social justice in underserved areas.

The program works best for professionals who want to grow their careers while staying connected to their communities. It lets them apply what they learn directly to familiar settings.

San Jose State University

GRE Required: No

San Jose State University has offered a flexible online MSW program since 1969, and they now don’t require the GRE. The program stands out with its unique transcultural approach. The original focus was helping Spanish-speaking populations, but now social workers learn to help communities throughout California.

Key features

SJSU’s Online/Hybrid MSW program combines evening classes after 6:00 PM with self-paced work. This setup helps professionals balance their jobs with studies. Students need to complete in-person field education. This requires at least 16 hours each week during standard business hours (8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday).

Students can choose between:

• Traditional MSW: 60 units completed in two years (35 units first year, 25 units second year)
• Advanced Standing: 37-unit accelerated option for BSW holders with minimum 3.5 GPA

SJSU’s curriculum weaves a transcultural view throughout, which helps graduates work effectively with Latino communities and other marginalized populations. Students move through foundation courses together in cohorts, which promotes strong connections.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• No GRE requirement (minimum 2.5 GPA)
• CSWE-accredited since 1973
• Bay Area’s largest social work program with connections to approximately 500 agencies
• Small cohorts creating lasting professional networks
• Specialized knowledge in health/aging, children/families, and mental health

Cons:

• Weekend/evening-only internships rarely available
• Online format has fewer elective options than on-campus
• 10-week semesters instead of 16-18 weeks for on-campus
• Planned fee increases: $600/unit (2024-2025) rising to $729/unit by 2028-2029
• California residents only can complete internships

Who is the San Jose State MSW best for?

This program works well especially when you have a job and need flexibility without compromising education quality. The program’s generalist approach prepares you for roles in healthcare, child welfare, schools, or mental health settings.

This online MSW option gives excellent value to students wanting detailed training with a transcultural focus. The program serves California residents who want career growth while keeping their work-life balance through evening classes and cohort-based learning.

California State University, Chico

GRE Required: No

CSU Chico stands out among California’s social work education programs. Their MSW program uses a hybrid learning approach that makes education available to students across 18 northern California counties.

Key features

The School of Social Work at CSU Chico has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1975. Students experience a unique learning model that blends 67% online content with 33% in-person classes. The program requires campus visits only two to three weekends each semester. Students also join regular live sessions through Zoom.

Students can choose from three flexible paths:

• One-Year Program (34-36 units): Recent BSW graduates need a summer bridge course and 720 field education hours
• Two-Year Program (61-63 units): The traditional track needs 1,200 field education hours
• Three-Year Distributed Learning Program (61-63 units): A part-time option that matches the two-year program curriculum

Field education plays a vital role. Many students can use their current workplace for internship hours. The program shapes advanced generalist practitioners through specialized areas in mental health services, family/child/youth services, or gerontology.

CSU Chico MSW pricing

Summer 2025 tuition costs $290 per unit with an $8 mandatory campus fee. Non-residents pay $420 per unit, while graduate professional programs cost $285 per unit.

Costs increase slightly in Fall 2025. Non-resident fees rise to $444 per unit and professional program fees reach $303 per unit. The complete program costs about $28,230. Most students (71%) receive some type of financial aid.

Who is the CSU Chico MSW best for?

This MSW program serves working professionals throughout northern California well. The program boasts nearly 100% job placement after graduation. Graduates excel in behavioral health, child welfare, school counseling, hospital settings, and nonprofit leadership roles.

The distributed learning format works great for students who juggle work or family duties while studying. Students who want child welfare careers might qualify for the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program that offers significant financial support.

California State University, Long Beach

GRE Required: No

CSULB has managed to keep a successful distance education model for its online MSW program since 1995. The program is one of California’s longest-running hybrid social work programs with approximately 480 graduates to date.

Key features

The School of Social Work at CSULB delivers a unique hybrid approach through its Distance Education Program at satellite locations. Students complete this part-time program over three academic years plus two summers. Classes meet in-person every Saturday. Rather than being fully online, CSULB combines smoothly interactive teleconferencing where students and faculty connect through large screens and ceiling microphones in real time.

Students progress together in a cohort model and need 60 credit hours plus 1,000 hours of field education at two different placements. The second year marks the beginning of internships, where students spend 16 hours each week from September through May. Community agencies host these field placements, which let students apply their classroom knowledge in ground situations.

Students choose one of three specialization areas:

• Child and Family Wellbeing
• Adulthood and Aging
• Integrated Health

Each path equips graduates to work in specific settings, ranging from child protective services to healthcare facilities.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• No GRE needed (minimum 2.8 undergraduate GPA)
• Full CSWE accreditation ensures licensure eligibility
• Local site coordinators provide face-to-face support and guidance
• Proven track record in distance education since 1995
• Environmental and systems point of view emphasizes person-environment fit

Cons:

• Part-time study only (3-year completion)
• Saturday attendance mandatory throughout the program
• Fall admission only
• Field placements need 16 weekly hours during business hours
• Distance education available only at specific satellite locations

Who is the CSULB MSW best for?

This online MSW that requires no GRE serves working professionals who can dedicate their Saturdays to classes and weekdays to field education perfectly. Students who value some face-to-face interaction over purely online learning benefit from the hybrid format.

Graduates find themselves ready to work in a variety of settings including government agencies, non-profit organizations, schools, healthcare facilities, and community-based services. CSULB graduates develop skills to help individuals, families, groups, communities, and institutions effectively through strong environmental perspectives and systems theory.

The program draws students who feel passionate about social justice and community partnerships, with its emphasis on helping vulnerable and oppressed populations.

California State University, Sacramento

GRE Required: No

California State University, Sacramento has been around since 1964. The university provides a detailed online MSW program that prepares graduates to help communities in professional settings of all types.

Key features

The Council on Social Work Education has fully accredited the CSUS program. Students can choose from three flexible degree paths:

• Two-Year Full-Time: A traditional path that blends classroom learning with field experience. Classes run on Thursday and Friday
• Advanced Standing: Students with BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited schools can complete the program in one year
• Three-Year Weekend/Part-Time: This path works great for professionals, especially when you have a job in child protective services

Students finish their degree with either an independent thesis or a classroom-based research project. This final project helps them prepare for advanced professional practice.

Pricing

Graduate students who take 6.1 or more units will pay $4,507 per semester in 2025-2026. This includes $3,225 for tuition and $1,282 for mandatory campus fees. In-state students pay about $14,352 for the complete 60-unit program. That’s $15,000 less than the California state average.

Who is the CSUS MSW best for?

This MSW program stands out for students who want hands-on experience. The fieldwork hours exceed what most California MSW programs require. The program ranks #36 out of 419 social work schools nationwide. Students get quality education at a reasonable cost.

Graduates find success in health, mental health, aging, child welfare, and various government and nonprofit roles. The program’s strong graduation rates and career support make it perfect for students who want to complete their degree quickly while building professional networks.

California State University, Fullerton

GRE Required: No

CSUF offers two paths to become a social worker through its MSW online programs. You can choose between a traditional two-year option and a three-year flex program that works well for professionals who already have jobs.

Key features

The CSUF MSW program focuses on developing leaders for public social service roles. Students learn everything in human behavior, social welfare policy, social work practice, and gain hands-on fieldwork experience. Working professionals will find the three-year flex program convenient with its evening classes that combine in-person and online learning.

The program’s unique strength lies in its cohort-based approach. You’ll move through your courses with the same group of students and build lasting professional connections. Real-world experience remains at the heart of the program. Students apply their classroom knowledge directly in community-based social work agencies.

Students choose from two concentration areas:

• Child Welfare
• Community Mental Health

Pros and cons

Pros:

• No GRE needed (but recommended if your GPA is below the threshold)
• Evening schedule that works for working professionals
• Cohort model that encourages a supportive learning environment
• Pre-planned courses eliminate registration hassles
• CSWE accreditation ensures high professional standards

Cons:

• Costs more than other CSU programs at $525 per unit ($31,500 total)
• Tough admission process requires minimum 3.0 GPA
• Few financial aid options (State University Grants aren’t available)
• Admission process includes required interview
• Students must complete fieldwork while taking courses

Who is the CSUF MSW best for?

The CSUF online MSW program helps professionals tackle social challenges like poverty, family instability, mental illness, and child abuse. The program’s focus on leadership roles makes it perfect for people seeking advancement in government agencies and community organizations.

The program’s graduates have shown great success in a variety of practice settings. Alumni now serve vulnerable populations throughout Orange County and Southern California’s multicultural communities. This program strikes an excellent balance between accessibility and academic rigor for professionals who want to create meaningful social change.

California State University, East Bay

GRE Required: No

Cal State East Bay shows its dedication to urban social work and multicultural education through a flexible MSW online program. The program has helped create over 1,000 successful alumni since 2003.

Key features

CSUEB currently offers two distinct concentrations. Students interested in child welfare and family services can choose Children, Youth, and Families (CYF). Those pursuing careers in mental health agencies and crisis intervention can select Community Mental Health (CMH). Students must complete 60 semester units. These units include core courses (32 units), concentration courses (20 units), an elective (4 units), and a graduate research paper (4 units).

The program stands out with its upcoming transformation. Fall 2025 brings a change to an Advanced Generalist approach that will boost graduates’ versatility in a variety of practice settings. Students can choose from three flexible pathways:

• Traditional Program: Full-time, in-person on Hayward campus with weekday classes
• Extended Program: Mostly online with evening synchronous classes and monthly in-person skill labs
• Advanced Standing: One-year accelerated option for BSW holders

Field education remains the heart of the experience. Students complete at least 900 hours of hands-on practice that employers value greatly.

Pricing

Graduate tuition and fees for 2025-2026 come to $9,607 per year. Additional costs include books ($1,054), living expenses ($12,854-$21,549), transportation ($1,818-$2,962), and miscellaneous expenses ($2,946-$3,513). The total cost ranges from $28,279 to $38,685 based on living arrangements. Students should note that 72% receive some form of financial aid.

Who is the CSUEB MSW best for?

This online MSW with no GRE required program serves students who want to tackle inequalities related to race, ethnicity, gender, and other forms of social injustice. CSUEB’s strong focus on culturally responsive urban social work prepares graduates to handle complex social issues throughout the Bay Area effectively.

Working professionals who need evening classes will find this program particularly helpful. International students’ attention is drawn to the program’s high employment rate – about 61% of graduates land jobs after completion.

California State University, Stanislaus

GRE Required: No

California State University, Stanislaus offers a specialized MSW program through its Hybrid Program. The program focuses on socially-just clinical practice that prepares graduates to challenge oppression and promote collective liberation.

Key features

The CSU Stanislaus MSW Hybrid Program provides a 60-unit, 24-month fully-accredited curriculum that centers on integrative clinical practice in health and behavioral health settings. Students build core social work competencies in a teaching environment that promotes collaboration to change conditions contributing to privilege and oppression.

Students progress together through the curriculum in a cohort-based learning model. The field instruction follows a concurrent model that requires about 1,000 hours of internship experience with regular seminar participation. MSW field instructors supervise all students in agency placements approved by the Social Work Program.

The program stands out with its mission to prepare professionals who:

• Participate with diverse populations through critical reflection to address oppression
• Change personal biases through self-awareness
• Use an integrative practice framework for multi-system interventions
• Lead regional social service initiatives

Social justice principles form the core of the curriculum, preparing graduates to serve economically and culturally diverse populations effectively. The MSW degree combined with two years of supervised clinical practice qualifies social workers to take the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) examination.

Who is CSU Stanislaus’ MSW best for?

This online MSW program serves students seeking clinical focus with emphasis on social justice. The admission process looks at both academic preparation and “evidence of promise in the field of social work.” This approach makes the program ideal for emotionally mature applicants interested in working with diverse populations.

The program attracts professionals ready to take on social work practice responsibilities. Working professionals benefit from the hybrid format, as most classes happen online with monthly in-person Saturday sessions. Graduates excel in public social services, health, mental health, corrections, and school settings.

California Baptist University

GRE Required: No

California Baptist University offers a flexible online MSW program that integrates faith with social work education. The program requires no campus visits except scheduled residencies during your studies.

Key features

The online MSW track matches the on-campus program’s curriculum and faculty while offering remote learning. Students attend four required residencies in Riverside, each spanning three days with eight-hour sessions. The program combines academic foundations with hands-on experience through 900 field practicum hours spread across four semesters.

Students complete 60 units during fall and spring semesters without summer classes. BSW graduates can choose the Advanced Standing option that needs only 30 units and 500 field hours instead of 900.

CBU stands out with its mentorship approach. Each student gets a faculty mentor who demonstrates social work values, professionalism, and Christian faith while guiding their academic progress. Field education connects classroom learning with ground application across the Inland Empire’s school districts, foster care agencies, and inmate services.

Pricing

The program charges $822 per unit plus fees. A complete 60-unit program costs about $49,320, while the Advanced Standing track (30 units) amounts to $24,660. CBU graduates report entry-level salaries up to $89,000 based on exit survey data.

Who is the CBU MSW best for?

This online MSW program option works well for social service professionals, people changing careers while working full-time, veterans, military families, and those living outside Riverside. Social service workers benefit from the employment-based practicum option.

Graduates qualify as clinicians, community practitioners, social service administrators, advanced case managers, and specialists in various settings. The program helps you serve communities locally and globally through a faith-informed viewpoint.

Azusa Pacific University

GRE Required: No

U.S. News & World Report ranks Azusa Pacific University #10 in California and #120 nationally. The university offers a Christ-centered MSW program that blends professional social work practice with faith principles.

Key features

APU’s Master of Social Work program uses a hybrid format that combines online synchronous classes with in-person components. Students can choose between two specialization tracks:

• Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families: Students learn to work in mental health clinics, veterans’ services, and child welfare agencies
• Community Leadership and Program Administration: Students develop leadership skills needed for nonprofit agencies, government programs, and advocacy organizations

Current tuition costs $810 per unit. The total program costs approximately:

• Traditional Program: $48,600-$53,460
• Advanced Standing Program: $29,160-$34,020

These costs might be lower since more than 72% of APU students get some form of financial aid. The university keeps a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This means you’ll get personal attention throughout your educational trip.

Who is Azusa Pacific’s MSW best for?

This online MSW program works great for students who want social work education based on Christian principles and have been out of school a while and do not wish to take the GRE. APU stands out as one of just two Council for Christian Colleges & Universities schools in the top 150 MSW programs nationally.

The program shows strong job placement success. About 60% of 2023 MSW graduates had job offers before finishing. This makes it perfect if you want to move up in social service leadership roles.

APU graduates end up knowing how to blend scientific knowledge, professional values, and practical skills. They promote human well-being and social justice locally and globally.

Start Your MSW Program Without Taking the GRE

Your journey toward an advanced social work career starts with picking the right MSW program. This piece highlights 13 accredited California schools that offer online MSW programs with no GRE requirements. Each school brings something special to the table – you might want to focus on cost, specific concentrations, or schedules that work for you.

These programs make it possible to juggle work and life while getting your graduate degree. Students with a BSW can finish Advanced Standing programs in just 12 months. Traditional students usually need about 27 months. Working professionals will find evening and weekend classes that fit their schedules.

You can shape your education to match your career dreams with the wide range of concentrations these programs offer. All but one of these programs will line up with your professional goals, whether you want to work in mental health, child welfare, community development, or healthcare.

Field education is a requirement of every program listed, and most need around 1,000 hours of supervised practice. Real-world experience helps graduates step into advanced social work roles smoothly.

Program costs vary by a lot between schools. Public universities like CSU Stanislaus and Humboldt State keep tuition lower, while private schools like USC offer top-tier networking at higher prices. Students can access financial aid, scholarships, or stipends at most schools.

Social work jobs are growing faster, with a projected 16% growth from 2016 to 2026. The timing couldn’t be better to boost your education and career. Without doubt, an MSW opens new paths to leadership roles, specialized areas, and better pay.

Look carefully at which program matches your career goals, learning style, and budget. The right program should blend academic excellence with practical flexibility and prepare you for the challenges ahead in advanced social work.