San Jose State University Social Work Programs

Looking for a proven path to build a rewarding career in social services? San Jose State University’s Social Work Programs have provided accredited education that leads to professional success. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program has been accredited since 1976, and the Master of Social Work (MSW) program dates back to 1973. These programs build a strong foundation for your social work career.

Students who learn about the San Jose State University social work master’s program will find course options that align with many career paths. The San Jose State MSW needs 60 units to graduate and includes 1,200 hours of hands-on field internship experience. On top of that, the San Jose State social work program focuses on practice areas where jobs are growing fast – health and aging, children, youth, families, and mental health. Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work can take advantage of the Advanced Standing option to finish the program in one summer and one academic year.

SJSU gives you choices that fit your schedule, from traditional classroom learning to more flexible options. Part-time students can join the online/hybrid MSW program by taking 2-3 classes per session throughout the year. But note that these programs currently accept only California students and residents.

Types Social Work Degrees Offered at San Jose State University

SJSU’s School of Social Work provides two different paths to a degree in social services. Students can choose programs that match their educational background and career goals.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program has managed to keep continuous accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education since 1976. Students get a strong liberal arts foundation along with specialized social work courses. The curriculum readies them to work with people from all backgrounds through coursework and field experience. Students can also take elective courses in specialized areas like child welfare, family welfare, alcoholism and substance abuse, and aging services.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program comes in several formats that fit different schedules:

• Full-time On-campus MSW Program – Students complete their degree in two years with intensive coursework and field placements
• Three-Year On-campus Evening MSW Program – A perfect fit for working professionals
• Online/Hybrid MSW Program – Students can take online classes with in-person internships
• MSW Advanced Standing Program – A faster track for BASW degree holders

Regular MSW students need 60 units of coursework. Students in the Advanced Standing program need only 37 units and can finish in just one year. The hybrid MSW program combines online classes with hands-on experience. Students spend at least 16 hours each week at an agency internship.

SJSU’s School of Social Work is the Bay Area’s largest social work program. It serves about 175 undergraduate and more than 450 graduate students. The school works with roughly 500 agencies throughout California. This gives students plenty of internship options across all program formats.

Both degrees focus on a transcultural view. This helps students work effectively with diverse communities, especially those who need services the most.

Degree Specializations

San Jose State’s MSW program stands out with its single specialization area and unique approach. The program uses an advanced generalist model that includes a Transcultural Perspective (TCP). This framework helps you develop expertise in three connected practice areas instead of limiting you to one concentration.

The program applies its transcultural view to three core areas that build on your generalist foundation:

• Children, youth, and families
• Mental health
• Health and aging

These areas align with California’s projected demand for social workers over the next decade. Your studies will help you develop competencies in every dimension—knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive and affective processes.

Students who choose health and mental health take specialized courses about mental health conditions, counseling methods, and policy evaluation. This knowledge prepares you to work in healthcare settings, hospitals, and mental health agencies.

The aging concentration teaches you about America’s growing senior population’s challenges. You’ll be ready for roles in nursing homes, hospices, and aging services.

The youth and children track includes classes that focus on working with young clients. You’ll learn to spot signs of abuse and develop appropriate intervention strategies. These skills are valuable in child welfare, family service agencies, and schools.

The San Jose State social work program teaches you to work effectively with Latino communities, other minority groups, and people who face oppression or marginalization. The curriculum helps you develop professional practice skills to create positive change in various communities.

The program’s advanced generalist approach with a transcultural view gives you more career options than narrow specializations. You get specialized knowledge while keeping the flexibility of generalist practice—a real advantage in today’s evolving social service world.

Online and Hybrid Options

San Jose State University’s online/hybrid MSW option gives professionals the freedom to earn their degree at their own pace. Students learn together in cohorts that blend self-paced learning with scheduled evening classes.

Students complete 60 units of coursework in the standard option according to a set schedule. The two-year program typically includes 2-3 classes per session. Students start with foundation courses in their first year. Advanced classes that line up with their chosen specialization follow in the second year.

Field education plays a vital role in the San Jose State MSW online program. Students must complete 1,200 hours of field placement, split into 600 hours each year. The program requires at least 16 hours of weekly internship work. While academic courses happen online, internships take place in person during regular business hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Important program considerations:

• Academic sessions mix independent self-paced work with live evening classes
• Students should not expect to find weekend-only or evening-only internships
• The online/hybrid program accepts only California residents at this time
• Qualified students with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work can choose a one-year Advanced Standing option (37 units)

Success in this format requires excellent time-management skills, organization, and comfort with technology. Students admitted to the program must complete these tasks during summer before classes begin:

• Assigned readings
• Writing preparation skills course
• Mandatory orientation sessions
• Field internship fair (when available)

The hybrid option at San Jose State University’s social work masters program lets you study from home while you gain hands-on experience at an agency near your California home. New students should read the Online/Hybrid MSW Program FAQ Document and sample course plans before they apply.

Graduation Rates

San Jose State University shows great success with its graduation numbers. The overall graduation rate stands at 69%, putting the university among the top 30% nationwide. Students graduating within six years hit 68%, while 29% complete their degree in four years. The university’s retention rate soars at 89%, making SJSU one of the top 15% among similar schools.

The School of Social Work’s numbers tell an impressive story. It has 175 undergraduate students and more than 450 graduate students enrolled. This makes it the Bay Area’s largest social work education program. Students get valuable field experience through partnerships with about 500 California agencies, which helps them graduate on time.

Different majors at the university show varying graduation rates. Business programs lead with 1,790 bachelor’s graduates, and communication and journalism programs follow with 520. The San Jose State MSW program helps drive graduate completion rates, especially in health and human services.

The university’s Institutional Research dashboard keeps track of:

• Graduation and retention rates by year
• Demographics-based completion statistics
• College, department, and program-specific graduation rates

This detailed tracking helps the San Jose State University Social Work master’s program improve its student support. The School of Social Work partners with many agencies and creates clear program paths. Students can graduate on time whatever program format they choose. These strong foundations give students a clear road to success in both undergraduate and graduate programs.

Career Outcomes

San Jose State’s social work program graduates step into a faster growing employment sector. Health care and social services jobs have increased by 48,600 over a recent two-year period—making it Silicon Valley’s largest growing sector. SJSU is the main source of community service workers in the region, with about 175 undergraduate and 450 graduate social work students.

These are some of the career paths you can take after graduation:

• Child and family social worker
• Clinical social worker
• School social worker
• Healthcare and medical social worker
• Hospice and palliative care specialist

SJSU’s Social Work Programs provide great financial support through training stipends that guarantee employment. Students eligible for the Title IV-E Child Welfare Program can receive stipends if they commit to full-time work in county public child welfare services after graduation. The Public Behavioral Health Training Program gives $25,000 yearly to full-time students who want careers in behavioral health settings.

University data shows that 92% of SJSU’s postgraduate students find placement after graduation. Social work graduates are in high demand, even with the region’s focus on tech careers. Santa Clara County reported 65 empty positions out of 361 case-carrying social worker roles in early 2024. The county’s Emergency Response and Dependency Investigations unit had 27 vacancies, despite recent hiring efforts.

SJSU’s Career Center tracks and publishes reports about graduates’ success within six months of completing their degree. Despite that, students face challenges like unpaid internships in an expensive area. Many balance their family life, work, and studies.

The Career Center helps you explore options, connect with employers, and begin your professional trip successfully. You’ll join a workforce where California values skilled social service professionals more than ever.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at San Jose State University

San Jose State University’s Social Work Programs stand out in California’s educational world. These programs have evolved since the early 1970s and blend academic excellence with hands-on field experience.

The San Jose State MSW program’s steadfast dedication to the Transcultural Perspective (TCP) makes it special. Instead of multiple narrow concentrations, this framework helps you work with people of all backgrounds. It recognizes how culture shapes human experiences and social service delivery.

The program’s partnerships with nearly 500 organizations across California create unique internship opportunities. Students can apply classroom knowledge in real-life situations. These collaborations help both students and Bay Area communities grow stronger.

The faculty brings decades of combined experience to the classroom. Professors actively practice clinical work, develop policies, and conduct research. They teach while maintaining their practices, which keeps lessons current and relevant.

The program offers several financial support options that set it apart:

• Title IV-E Child Welfare stipends covering full tuition plus living expenses
• Public Behavioral Health Training Program stipends ($25,000 annually for full-time students)
• Specialized scholarship opportunities through university and community partnerships

The San Jose State University social work masters program has built strong alumni connections over decades. This network helps students find mentors and advance their careers in ways other programs can’t match.

The program excels at balancing academic rigor with community work. Students learn theory while applying it to help real people. Graduates leave with both knowledge and practical skills—ready to create positive change in society.