7 Top Two-Year Social Work Programs in California
Looking for a two-year social work degree in California that gives you quality education without taking too long? We’ve put together the ultimate guide to help you make this career-changing decision.
California’s social work programs offer several outstanding two-year degree options for committed students. Students typically follow a well-laid-out format with 16-hour weekly internships in their first year. The second year involves more intensive 20-hour weekly internships. Many schools like UCLA Luskin offer their two-year social work degree as a full-time program. Students who have other commitments can opt for part-time study that takes three years to complete.
Let’s get into seven top-rated social work programs throughout California. UCLA’s program aims to create “skilled, compassionate, and innovative social work professionals”. CSUN focuses on programs “to help students complete their degrees and enter the field in as little time as possible”. We’ve researched the best paths to kickstart your social work career. Students can rank their specialization choices early in the foundation year. This helps them align their education with specific career goals.
1. UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs ranks among the top choices for students who want to earn a two-year social work degree in California. The school’s Master of Social Welfare (MSW) program combines academic excellence with hands-on experience.
Program Overview
UCLA Luskin’s Master of Social Welfare follows a detailed two-year, full-time format that merges coursework with practical training. Students focused on Child and Family Well-Being can opt for a three-year part-time schedule. The program aims to boost social justice, health across lifespans, and family well-being.
Students start with core subjects in their first year. These include social welfare policy, human behavior theories, generalist practice, research methods, and statistics. They also get ground experience through practicum education. The program creates tomorrow’s practitioners and leaders while building social work’s knowledge foundations.
Specializations Offered
Students pick one of three Areas of Concentration (AoC) in their first year’s spring quarter. This choice shapes their second-year studies and practicum:
- Health and Mental Health Across the Life Span: This track combines research with practice, leadership, and policy analysis. Students learn about wellbeing and resilience alongside disease and disability. Prevention and behavior change are key focus areas.
- Social and Economic Justice: Students learn to promote equity through coalition building, community development, and policy advocacy. Graduates tackle systemic challenges like race disparities, poverty, and criminal justice problems.
- Child and Family Well-Being: Students study what determines child and family welfare. They receive training to help at individual, family, community, and policy levels.
The school also has sub-concentration options that add to these main tracks. These include School Social Work credential programs and Child Welfare programs.
Practicum and Fieldwork
Students complete two year-long placements during their program. First-year students work two full eight-hour days weekly (Mondays and Wednesdays) plus Fridays for practicum modules. Second-year students spend three days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) at placements that match their concentration.
Students must finish about 1,100 practicum hours over two years to earn 21 academic credits. They need reliable transportation since most placements are far from campus.
Tuition and Financial Aid
California residents pay about $69,244.13 for the standard two-year MSW program, while the three-year program with PPS credential costs $77,887.15. Non-resident domestic students pay more: $82,060.10 for the standard program and $90,703 with the PPS credential. International students’ fees are highest at $103,444.57 for the standard program and $116,375 for the three-year option with credentials.
UCLA helps students manage these costs through various aid options. Recent graduates from 2021-22 had average debt of $53,228. Students can get need-based aid through FAFSA or the California Dream Act. The school offers several fellowships, including the David Bohnett Fellowship ($40,000 yearly for three students) and the Luskin Leadership Fellowship ($35,000).
Career Opportunities
The class of 2024 saw strong job placement rates. About 84% found full-time work and 8% secured part-time positions. New graduates typically earn between $70,000-$80,000.
UCLA Luskin’s Career Services supports students through alumni panels, job fairs, networking events, and professional workshops. Students can also get a Leadership in Public Affairs Graduate Certificate to stand out in the job market.
Admission Requirements
The school accepts only 20-25% of applicants each year from about 100 students. Applicants need:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- B or better in elementary statistics
- Four socio-behavioral science courses (one must cover human cognitive development)
- Three humanities courses
The application package must include official transcripts, a professional resume, and a statement explaining why they chose UCLA’s MSW program. The school looks at each applicant’s proven and potential abilities as a student, practitioner, and leader.
2. California State University San Marcos (CSUSM)
The California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Master of Social Work program gives you the tools for advanced generalist practice in multiple settings. This 10-year-old program, fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), shapes culturally informed and ethical professionals.
Program Overview
CSUSM’s MSW program creates competent social workers ready for direct practice with diverse populations. The program stands on principles of social and economic justice. Students learn about community work, service, advocacy, leadership, and research. The curriculum aims to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities throughout Southern California and beyond.
Students can finish the 60-unit program in one, two, or three years:
- One-year option (advanced standing): BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs in the last five years qualify
- Two-year option: Standard full-time hybrid format with mostly in-person classes
- Three-year option: Online program with evening classes focused on regional needs
Students start with foundation or generalist practice in their first year. The second year focuses on advanced generalist practice. Graduation requirements include a minimum 3.0 GPA, passing all field instruction courses, and earning at least a C (2.0) in required courses.
Specializations Offered
CSUSM offers advanced generalist training instead of multiple concentration tracks. This prepares students for flexible practice in settings of all types. Students gain deeper knowledge, skills, and values for effective multi-level practice. The program offers these additional emphases:
- Children, youth, and family
- Behavioral health
Advanced generalist training creates self-aware, independent practitioners. Students develop advanced assessment skills, learn interdisciplinary collaboration, and build leadership qualities. They also gain social action knowledge and research capabilities.
Practicum and Fieldwork
Field education makes up almost half of the required course credits. First-year students complete about 500 hours at their internship (16 hours/week for 15 weeks each semester). Second-year students do about 600 hours (20 hours/week). Students gain roughly 1,110 hours of supervised field experience.
The program works with over 200 agencies across Southern California:
- Non-profit/community-based organizations
- Community health centers and hospitals
- Behavioral health programs
- Child welfare agencies
- Schools and veterans programs
Field internships build competence alongside classroom learning. Students learn direct practice interventions, cultural awareness, theoretical application, and advocacy skills. These experiences show students how social welfare connects to social work practice and broader social contexts.
Tuition and Financial Aid
State-supported 1 and 2-year programs charge standard graduate tuition and fees. The 3-year online program costs $560 per unit plus semester fees. Graduate resident full-time tuition fees for 2025-26 are $7,608. Mandatory fees add $1,998, bringing the total to $9,606.
The Department of Social Work provides several financial aid options:
- Stipend programs from $5,000 to $25,000 yearly
- CA Title IV-E Stipend Education Program: $25,000 annually for 2-year students
- Public Behavioral Health MSW Training Fellowship: $25,000 for qualifying placements
- Aging & Adult Services Training Program: $25,000 for qualifying placements
The Social Work Education Capacity Expansion (SWECE) Grant offers need-based scholarships that can cover full tuition and fees. Students can get federal loans through FAFSA (school code: 030113) and use payment plans through Student Financial Services.
Career Opportunities
CSUSM’s MSW graduates work in public, private, and nonprofit agencies. They help people from all backgrounds, along with families, organizations, and communities. Career paths include:
- Social services and child welfare
- Human services and healthcare
- Mental/behavioral health settings
Graduates can choose from many roles that help people overcome challenges and improve their lives. Their advanced generalist training prepares them for broad practice in settings of all types.
Admission Requirements
You’ll need these requirements for admission:
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester units (no admissions below 2.50 GPA)
- Undergraduate statistics course with a C grade or better
- At least 300 hours of social service experience
- Three electronic recommendations (academic and professional)
- Personal statement (maximum 2 pages)
- Complete application on Cal State Apply with official transcripts
Advanced standing needs a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last five years, plus a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA. CSUSM follows CSWE standards and doesn’t give academic credit for life or work experience.
3. California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
California State University Long Beach (CSULB)’s School of Social Work runs an outstanding social work program. The school aims to improve vulnerable and oppressed populations’ lives through academic excellence, ethics, inclusion, and community partnerships. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has fully accredited this program, which ensures high educational standards.
Program Overview
CSULB’s School of Social Work offers a professional Master of Social Work (MSW) program that prepares students to become critically conscious practitioners. Students learn to work with people of all backgrounds in various settings—from one-on-one interactions to large institutions. Students can choose from three program options:
- 2-Year full-time program
- 3-Year part-time program
- Advanced Standing option (for BSW graduates)
The MSW program uses ecological and systems viewpoints with a critical social work lens. Students learn about the relationships between people and their environments. On top of that, students in Sonoma and Ventura counties can access distance education options that combine teleconferencing with occasional in-person classes.
Specializations Offered
Students choose their specialization during their foundation coursework. The program has three distinct specialization areas:
- Child and Family Wellbeing: Students learn to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches that help improve child and family functioning in various populations.
- Adulthood and Aging: This specialization uses strength-based approaches to enhance adult and older adult functioning. Students assess aging through biomedical, psychological, socioeconomic, spiritual, and cultural lenses.
- Integrated Health: Students gain skills to help people with physical, behavioral health, and substance use challenges through strength-based and evidence-based approaches.
Practicum and Fieldwork
Field education plays a crucial role in the MSW curriculum. Students get hands-on experience to apply their theoretical knowledge. Each student must complete two field placements. These placements require 500 hours at community agencies and weekly integrated field seminars. Students earn 12 academic credits by completing 1,000 total field education hours.
The academic year runs from late August through mid-May. Students spend 16 hours weekly at their placement sites. They can choose between two 8-hour weekdays or one 8-hour day plus two 4-hour blocks. Students in the Advanced Standing program need to complete one field education placement of 660 hours from June through mid-May.
Tuition and Financial Aid
California residents pay different amounts based on their program plan:
- Advanced Standing: $14,465
- 2-Year program: $19,912
- 3-Year program: $31,592
Off-campus students have separate tuition rates. Graduate students can get financial aid through FAFSA and various stipend programs. Local housing costs range from $1,250 monthly for a private room to $2,395 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Career Opportunities
The College of Health and Human Services houses the School of Social Work and trains future health and human service professionals. Students benefit from excellent facilities and equipment. Faculty members actively pursue grants, making the College the university’s top grant recipient.
Graduates find work in many settings such as child welfare services, schools, healthcare facilities, community organizations, and public agencies. The School’s focus on social justice, critical race theory, and other critical pedagogies prepares students for these roles.
Admission Requirements
Applicants need to meet these criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree with CSULB graduate status eligibility
- Minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Elementary statistics course completion with ‘C’ grade or better
Advanced Standing program applicants must have:
- A BSW from a CSWE-accredited program (earned within the last 5 years)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
The application process needs a personal statement, professional resume, and reference forms. CSULB looks at academic achievement, work experience quality, and internship/volunteer background when evaluating applications.
4. San Diego State University (SDSU)
Ranked #4 among California’s schools of social work and #1 in the CSU system, San Diego State University’s School of Social Work provides a detailed two-year social work degree. Students contribute 155,000 service hours each year through hands-on experience.
Program Overview
The School of Social Work’s curriculum includes social work practice, human behavior, cultural pluralism, social policy, macro-level practice, and research. Students need 38-60 units to complete their Master of Social Work (MSW), which usually takes 2 years full-time. Foundation courses in the first year introduce social work practice and build knowledge needed for advanced second-year courses.
Students choose between writing a thesis (Plan A) or taking a Comprehensive Exam (Plan B) in their final year. The thesis option requires a research project guided by faculty. Students who prefer the exam can take a 4-hour multiple-choice test to graduate.
Specializations Offered
SDSU has several unique specializations:
- Community Corrections Case Management: Only 10 students can join each year. Students need a 3.0 GPA and work in criminal justice settings like San Diego Probation. The program requires Criminal Justice 300 and two more criminal justice courses instead of social work electives.
- Environmental Social Work and Community Engagement: This new field focuses on community organizing, eco-social work, and sustainability. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and work with community-based environmental agencies.
- Direct Practice/Clinical: Students learn to help individuals, families, and groups with interpersonal conflict and social functioning.
- Administration and Community Development: The focus lies on macro practice with systems, communities, and organizations to solve complex social problems.
Practicum and Fieldwork
Field education stands at the heart of SDSU’s curriculum. Students start their field practicum in fall semester with SWORK 483A and 489A, then continue in spring with SWORK 483B and 489B. This means 16 hours weekly at a School-arranged social work community agency.
The school partners with hundreds of social service agencies in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Quality field placements span psychiatric facilities, child welfare agencies, hospitals, family service agencies, hospices, community mental health centers, and schools.
Tuition and Financial Aid
California residents pay about $9,180 yearly in tuition and fees for 2025-26. Out-of-state students pay substantially more at $22,500 per year. International students must add mandatory health insurance of $1,703 yearly.
Financial aid options include:
- California Title IV-E Education Program offers up to $50,000 as a taxable stipend ($25,000 yearly for two years)
- County or state social services workers get tuition reimbursement for part-time MSW
- Public Behavioral Health MSW Training Program
- Adult Protective Services MSW Training Program
Career Opportunities
SDSU’s social work graduates work at Sharp HealthCare, Home Health Care Management, Scripps Health, and Mental Health Systems. The program helps develop skills in empathy, decision making, listening, research, communication, leadership, and understanding medical issues.
More than 7,000 social workers have graduated from the school and now lead social service organizations throughout California and worldwide. Many alumni become Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), while others serve as executive administrators in social service agencies.
Admission Requirements
You’ll need these requirements to join SDSU’s MSW program:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- 0 GPA minimum in your last 60 semester units
- Completed undergraduate statistics course
- 500 hours minimum of paid or unpaid experience with diverse, vulnerable populations (1,000 hours recommended)
- Passed background check
Advanced standing needs a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within five years of admission and a 3.0 GPA minimum in social work courses.
5. California State University Los Angeles (CSULA)
Cal State LA’s School of Social Work equips students with skills to tackle complex social challenges through its two-year social work degree programs. The school helps graduates work effectively in urban communities by promoting social and economic justice.
Program Overview
Cal State LA’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program, which earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education in 1999, gives students three program choices. Students can join the Traditional Two-Year Program at the main campus in fall for a complete foundation in advanced social work practice. The Traditional Three-Year part-time option works well for students who need more flexibility. The Advanced Standing Program (MSW-ASP) at the Downtown Los Angeles campus is an eleven-month track designed for students who hold BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited institutions.
CSULA Specializations Offered
Cal State LA takes a focused approach to developing advanced generalist practitioners who can serve people from all backgrounds. Students learn to use ecological and systems viewpoints that help them adapt to different practice settings. The first year covers foundation courses in human behavior, social welfare policy, cultural humility, and research methods. Students then move on to specialized courses in mental health assessment, advanced practice, administration, and policy analysis.
Practicum and Fieldwork
Field education plays a vital role in social work education at Cal State LA. Students put their theoretical knowledge to work in supervised practice settings. Traditional program students complete about 1,000 hours across two placements. Advanced Standing students finish one field placement that adds up to 660 hours. This hands-on experience helps students learn and gets them ready to start their careers as professional practitioners.
Tuition and Financial Aid
California residents pay regular graduate tuition and fees. The university’s Financial Aid office manages federal and state grants. Students should submit their FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by March 2, 2026. The university helps students understand their financial aid options and works with them to find the right type of assistance.
Career Opportunities
Graduates work in child welfare, mental health, healthcare, schools, and other health-related positions. Cal State LA welcomes qualified minorities, women, and persons with disabilities to apply, showing its dedication to building a diverse community.
Admission Requirements
The MSW program requires:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.75 GPA in last 90 quarter units (60 semester units)
- Research/statistics course and 6 semester units of upper division social science courses
- Good academic standing at previous institutions
Advanced Standing applicants need a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program with at least a 3.0 GPA.
6. California State University Fullerton (CSUF)
California State University Fullerton (CSUF) is a pioneer in social work education throughout Orange County. The university provides a comprehensive two-year MSW program that emphasizes hands-on learning.
Program Overview
The Master of Social Work program at CSUF creates skilled practitioners who can make a real difference through direct practice with individuals, families, and communities. Students can choose between a traditional two-year MSW program with weekday classes and a three-year flex program with evening classes that suits working professionals. This program’s distinction comes from being Orange County’s only public university MSW program, with a focus on direct service methodology from a multicultural viewpoint. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation ensures the program meets rigorous educational standards.
Specializations Offered
The program has three distinct areas of focus:
- Child Welfare: Students learn to work in protective services, healthcare, schools, and juvenile justice settings
- Community Mental Health: Students gain skills to address mental health needs in communities of all types
- Aging: The focus centers on serving older adults and their families/caregivers
Practicum and Fieldwork
CSWE recognizes field education as the profession’s signature teaching method. Students must complete 1,050 hours of supervised experience over two years, with 525 hours each year. Foundation placements in the first year need 16 weekly hours at Southern California agencies. Each student needs their own transportation, must pass background checks, and show TB clearance. Professional social workers provide weekly supervision, and students attend faculty-led weekly practicum seminars.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Annual in-state tuition costs $7,470 for California residents – 32% lower than the national average. The three-year flex program costs $525 per unit. Students can access several stipend programs:
- California Title IV-E Education Program for child welfare
- Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC) for aging concentration
- CalOptima Health MSW Stipend Program ($20,000 per academic year)
- Public Behavioral Health MSW Training Program ($25,000 stipend)
Career Opportunities
CSUF’s graduates build careers as social workers, behavioral analysts, case managers, community outreach workers, probation officers, rehabilitation workers, therapists, counselors, and nonprofit organization leaders. The program’s mission focuses on preparing professionals to work with vulnerable populations and advance social work knowledge.
Admission Requirements
The application deadline is January 15, 2026, and candidates must submit both university (Cal State Apply) and department applications. Requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 semester units
- Strong liberal arts foundation
- One year of paid or volunteer experience in human services
- Personal statement self-assessment essay
- Three reference letters
- Interview
7. San Jose State University (SJSU)
San Jose State University’s hybrid Master of Social Work program gives you a flexible path to earn a two-year social work degree in California. Students can combine online coursework with hands-on internship experiences throughout the state.
Program Overview
Students need 60 units to complete this two-year hybrid MSW program and typically take two to four classes per session. The curriculum creates a balance between academic excellence and real-world experience that requires continuous enrollment. The School of Social Work has managed to keep its CSWE accreditation since 1973 and focuses its mission on social justice advocacy and community wellbeing.
Specializations Offered
SJSU takes a different approach from traditional concentrations by providing an advanced generalist curriculum with a transcultural multi-systems viewpoint. This preparation works especially well when you have practice areas like health and aging, children and families, and mental health—sectors California needs most.
Practicum and Fieldwork
Field education is the program’s core teaching method, with students completing 1,050 total hours. Each student must dedicate at least 16 hours weekly at their internship sites while working with approved agencies across California. Students receive weekly guidance from qualified field instructors who hold MSW degrees and bring at least two years of post-master’s experience.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The university charges standard tuition and fees for graduate students. Students can access several financial support options, including stipend programs if they commit to specific social service areas. Students should submit financial aid applications starting October 1st each year, with March 2nd as the priority deadline.
Career Opportunities
The program opens doors to various roles including:
- Child and family social work
- Clinical social work
- School social work
- Healthcare social work
- Hospice and palliative care
Admission Requirements
The program looks for candidates with an undergraduate degree and a minimum 2.5 GPA, experience related to social work, and a liberal arts background. Applicants must submit personal statements, writing samples, resume, and recommendations. The program currently accepts California residents only.
Get Started
This guide examines seven outstanding two-year social work programs in California that blend quality education with hands-on experience. Each school offers distinct benefits while sharing essential elements that prepare students for rewarding careers in social work.
These programs share several key features without doubt. Most schools let students choose between a traditional two-year full-time format and a three-year part-time option that suits working professionals. Field education is the substance of each program. Students complete between 1,000-1,100 supervised practicum hours during their two years of study.
UCLA Luskin and CSULB’s specialized tracks cover areas like child welfare and mental health. CSUSM and CSULA take a different path by focusing on advanced generalist practice that readies graduates for diverse careers. This range of approaches helps students pick programs that match their career goals.
Money matters when choosing a program. California residents pay yearly tuition ranging from $9,180 at SDSU to over $34,000 at UCLA. Students can access many financial aid options. Title IV-E stipends offer up to $25,000 yearly to students who commit to child welfare careers.
Graduates from all programs enjoy strong career prospects in child welfare agencies, healthcare settings, community organizations, schools, and mental health facilities. UCLA’s impressive stats show 84% of graduates land full-time positions with median salaries between $70,000-$80,000.
Your career goals, preferred specialty, budget, and location priorities determine the right social work program for you. Reach out to these schools directly, visit campuses when possible, and talk to current students or alumni before deciding. Your path to becoming a skilled, compassionate social worker starts with finding the program that fits your aspirations and circumstances best.