San Francisco State University Social Work Programs
You can complete a Master of Social Work degree at California State – San Francisco State University social work programs in just 24 months. This competitive program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA in your last 60 undergraduate units. The program prepares you to become skilled at advanced practice through core social work competencies.
SFSU’s MSW program stands out among Bay Area programs with its detailed curriculum and hands-on experience. The SFSU BSW program’s senior year includes 450 internship hours. The MSW program takes this further with 1,100 hours – 450 in the first year and 650 in the second. So you’ll graduate with both theoretical knowledge and real-world experience. Students committed to public child welfare careers can get $18,500 annual stipends through the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program, making it financially attractive.
Types Social Work Degrees Offered at SFSU
San Francisco State University provides multiple paths to a career in social work through its specialized degree programs. The School of Social Work has both undergraduate and graduate options that match your career goals.
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program uses a cohort model where you study with the same group of peers from start to finish. You can complete your degree requirements within two years. The program readies you for entry-level positions and creates a strong foundation to pursue advanced studies.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program focuses on one concentration area: Individuals, Families, and Groups (IFG). This specialization helps you become a versatile practitioner who can work as a caseworker, case manager, leader, facilitator, broker, counselor, educator, or resource specialist. You need to complete 60 credits/units to graduate. Classes happen in a hybrid format with in-person sessions on Mondays and Zoom meetings on Tuesdays.
SFSU also has several unique program combinations that boost your career options:
- BASW-MA Gerontology Scholars Program: Students can earn both a B.A. in Social Work and an M.A. in Gerontology in five years
- Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) track: Current MSW students can work in public school settings
- Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program: Full-time MSW students get stipends when they commit to public child welfare work
- PBH Stipend Program: Second-year MSW students can work in public behavioral health
- Project ARISE: Students learn about early childhood mental health through interdisciplinary training
The MSW program requires 1,200 hours of field education with a focus on clinical social work. Students can transfer up to twelve units from other CSWE-accredited graduate MSW programs after approval.
These program options make SFSU’s MSW program stand out in the Bay Area by providing specialized training paths that align with different social work careers.
Degree Specializations
San Francisco State University’s social work education program offers specialized training pathways that match different career goals. These specialization options help you serve communities better through focused expertise.
The Master of Social Work program has one main concentration: Individuals, Families, and Groups (IFG). Students learn advanced clinical social work practices through core competencies and specialized knowledge. The program offers several paths to specialize:
- Child welfare specialization through California’s Title IV-E Child Welfare Program prepares students for state and county level work
- School social work specialization with the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential track
- Gerontology specialization in the blended BASW-MA Gerontology Scholars Program lets qualified students complete both degrees in five years
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work curriculum builds a strong foundation in generalist social work practice. Students become skilled at nine competencies developed by the Council on Social Work Education. These competencies are the foundations for all specializations:
- Demonstrating ethical and professional behavior
- Advancing human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice
- Engaging in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion practices
- Employing practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engaging in policy practice
- Engaging with clients at all levels
- Assessing client systems
- Intervening effectively
- Evaluating practice outcomes
The MSW curriculum builds on these competencies with advanced practice knowledge and behaviors. Graduates qualify for advanced professional positions in public and private social service agencies.
Students who complete their MSW can take the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) examination two years after graduation, following California state laws. This license substantially increases career options and earning potential. SFSU’s specialized training equips students to pursue doctoral programs in social work/social welfare and related fields like public policy, public health, gerontology, psychology, education, and law.
Online and Hybrid Options
The hybrid learning model is the basis for SFSU social work programs. Students get flexible scheduling options that balance virtual learning with in-person instruction. The SFSU MSW program uses a well-laid-out hybrid schedule. Classes meet in-person on Mondays and virtually via Zoom on Tuesdays. This setup helps you keep consistent weekly routines throughout your academic trip.
Field education plays a vital role in your social work training. SFSU schedules internship placements on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. You get three consecutive days each week to tuck into practical experience without coursework interruptions.
This thoughtful schedule brings several benefits:
- Regular weekly routines help balance work and life
- Less commute time than full in-person programs
- A chance to build both virtual and in-person professional skills
- Dedicated time blocks for field placements that match professional work schedules
Notwithstanding that, Bay Area has limited options if you want a mostly online social work program. Only San Jose State University currently offers a traditional online MSW program among Bay Area MSW programs. SJSU’s program, while labeled “Online/Hybrid,” delivers all teaching online with evening sessions. It needs just one in-person orientation.
SFSU’s College of Professional & Global Education provides online courses and certificate programs. The core MSW program stays hybrid. This approach will give a perfect mix of face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers plus convenient remote learning technologies.
The SFSU MSW program combines flexibility with structured learning experiences. It prepares you for professional social work through virtual and in-person education. The hybrid model supports students of all types while staying true to complete professional preparation.
Graduation Rates
SFSU’s social work programs’ completion rates tell an important story. Official data shows the university maintains a 55% six-year graduation rate for undergraduate students. This number represents how many first-time, full-time, degree-seeking freshmen finish their programs within 150% of the expected timeframe.
These numbers help students compare the SFSU BSW program with other social work schools. The data paints an interesting picture:
- Students graduate in 4 years at rates between 18-24%, based on how it’s measured
- The freshmen retention rate is 82-85%, making SFSU one of the top 25% of colleges nationwide
- Students who return full-time graduate within 6 years at an 80% rate
Different student groups show varying graduation success rates. Asian students lead with a 65% completion rate, White students follow at 56%, while American Indian or Alaskan Native students graduate at 29%.
The university’s overall metrics help measure success since the SFSU MSW program doesn’t publish separate graduation rates. Students return for their sophomore year at an 82% rate, which beats the national average of 70.57% substantially.
Bay area MSW program seekers should look carefully at these numbers. SFSU’s average undergraduate takes about 4.75 years to earn their degree, showing how many students need extra time to graduate.
The numbers show that SFSU helps most students reach graduation, even if they need more time. Social work program applicants should see these stats as proof of the university’s support system rather than predictions of their own success.
Career Outcomes
SFSU’s social work graduates step into a thriving job market with many career paths. The School of Social Work runs a specialized listserv that shares job openings in the social work field. Students also benefit from the university’s Career Services and Leadership Development (CSLD) office, which offers workshops, job postings, networking events, and personal career guidance.
Your career path after completing the SFSU MSW program or SFSU BSW program will align with your specialization and interests. MSW graduates typically qualify for positions such as:
- Social and community service managers
- Mental health counselors
- Marriage and family therapists
- Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors
- School and career counselors
- Social and human service assistants
SFSU’s MSW programs in the bay area attract international students because of its high graduate employability rate. MS Degree in Social Work graduates develop skills to conduct research and gain practical clinical expertise.
Your success after graduation largely depends on your dedication to studies, networking, internships, and professional growth during your SFSU journey. The university helps create these connections through job banks, career fairs, and employer recruitment events available to undergraduates.
SFSU provides career counseling to undergraduate students in groups and one-on-one sessions. The Career Center gives detailed support with job interviews, resume writing, career assessment tests, and employer connections.
Students choosing CSU – San Francisco State University social work programs should know their professional growth goes beyond classroom learning. Field placements and career services prepare you for a smooth transition from academics to professional work in the ever-changing social services sector.
What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at SFSU
SFSU’s social work programs offer something unique compared to other MSW programs in the Bay Area. Their blend of rigorous academics and ground application sets them apart. The programs prepare you to tackle systemic inequalities in a variety of communities through social justice and anti-oppressive practice frameworks.
SFSU MSW program keeps its cohort sizes small with only 40-50 students each academic year. Students receive personal attention from faculty who know them by name. These close mentorship relationships often continue after graduation because of the excellent faculty-to-student ratio.
The school’s strategic collaborations with over 200 Bay Area agencies give students exceptional field placement opportunities. These long-standing relationships help match students with internships that perfectly fit their career goals.
Students get involved with local community initiatives that make their program special. They work on community-based research projects that address pressing social issues in the Bay Area. This hands-on experience helps turn theoretical knowledge into practical solutions for real-life challenges.
SFSU’s dedication to diversity makes it stand out. The university ranks among America’s most diverse institutions. This creates an environment where different views enhance classroom discussions and prepare students for culturally responsive practice.
The school leads the way with trailblazing solutions like simulation labs. Students practice clinical skills in controlled environments before starting field placements. These well-laid-out learning experiences build confidence and provide safe spaces to develop professional skills.
The program’s strong alumni network throughout California social service agencies opens doors for new graduates. These connections create direct paths from classroom to career opportunities.
SFSU’s social work programs take a comprehensive approach. They balance academic excellence with practical experience and personal growth. Students become part of a supportive community dedicated to social change.