SDSU Social Work Programs
Looking to join SDSU’s Social Work Programs? San Diego State University stands out as one of only three universities in San Diego County that has MSW programs. The university’s social work career paths are complete and well-structured. Students can choose between the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) and the Master of Social Work (MSW) programs that prepare them for work in many practice settings.
SDSU’s social work major needs 65 units of coursework and field work practicum experience. The MSW program takes things further with at least 1050 hours of field education at approved sites to give students hands-on training. Students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree can take the Advanced Standing Program. This fast-track option lets them finish their MSW in just 12 months with 600 hours of field education. The MSW program also pairs with Public Health for a concurrent degree that needs 93 units.
The program offers two main tracks: Direct Practice/Clinical or Administration and Community Development. These specializations help students become skilled at advanced specialist practice. Evidence-informed approaches and social justice are the foundations of SDSU’s social work program. This piece covers everything in these programs – from what you need to study to where your career can go – as you plan your social work education for 2025.
Types Social Work Degrees Offered at SDSU
SDSU’s School of Social Work has a complete range of degree programs that fit your career goals and schedule. Students can choose from undergraduate and graduate pathways with several specialization options.
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program needs 65 units. Students learn to work professionally in a variety of settings. The program has courses that cover social work practice, human behavior, cultural pluralism, social policy, macro-level practice, and research. BASW’s block format means courses run once yearly in a specific order.
Students pursuing the Master of Social Work (MSW) need 38-60 units based on their previous education. The 38-unit advanced standing program might be right for you if you have an accredited undergraduate social work degree. Standard MSW programs require 60 units.
Students can choose from multiple timeline options in the MSW program:
- 2-year full-time program
- 3-year part-time program
- 4-year part-time program
Each format has a set course sequence that matches your chosen concentration.
SDSU partners with the University of California, San Diego to offer a PhD in Interdisciplinary Research on Substance Use. The school also offers dual degrees, though MSW/JD and MSW/MPH options won’t be available for Fall 2025.
Imperial Valley students can join a 3-year cohort MSW program. The next admission cycle opens October 1, 2025. You can earn your MSW degree without moving to the main campus.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has accredited all SDSU’s social work programs. This ensures your education meets professional standards in any discipline.
Degree Specializations
SDSU’s School of Social Work stands out with specialized pathways in graduate and undergraduate programs that let you customize your education based on your career goals.
The MSW program provides two advanced specializations. The Direct Practice/Clinical Advanced Specialization prepares you to work with individuals, families, and groups. This track uses evidence-based intervention methods that build on foundation year knowledge. You’ll master assessment/diagnosis, intervention/treatment, and evaluation skills within nonprofit service delivery systems. The coursework combines advanced clinical practices with field practicum experience where you’ll help clients directly.
The Administration and Community Development Advanced Specialization helps you become a social change agent who tackles complex social problems at systems, community, and organizational levels. This specialization splits into two sub-specializations:
- Administration: The focus lies on management functions like strategic management, program design, financial management, and supervision. Graduates typically become supervisors, program managers, analysts, or program evaluators in public and nonprofit agencies.
- Community Development: This path strengthens marginalized communities through civic participation and collective action. You’ll collaborate with community residents to create solutions that address social and economic inequities at local, national, and global levels.
SDSU’s undergraduate program has unique specializations:
Environmental Social Work and Community Engagement readies you to practice environmental justice and sustainability. Students need a 3.0 GPA and Spanish fluency. The program combines sustainability coursework with community organizing.
Community Corrections Case Management specialization prepares you to work in criminal justice settings. Only 10 students can join annually. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and take criminal justice courses instead of social work electives.
Each specialization provides field placements in relevant settings that give you ground experience matching your specialization focus.
Online and Hybrid Options
SDSU offers several distance learning options in its social work programs that are perfect for busy professionals who need flexibility. Through SDSU Global Campus, quality social work education is now available to students whatever their location, beyond traditional classroom settings.
Students at SDSU Global Campus receive the same outstanding instruction and support as those on campus. This gives online students a similar educational experience with the added benefit of remote learning convenience.
The Public Behavioral Health MSW Training Program showcases SDSU’s dedication to making education available to everyone. Students can choose from full-time, part-time, or advanced standing formats—with face-to-face, online, and hybrid delivery methods. You can pick the learning environment that works best with your professional and personal life.
Beyond traditional degrees, SDSU Global Campus has many online programs. These include professional certificate programs that employers recognize as most important academic achievements for career growth. Career training programs help you prepare for new professional opportunities within 6-18 months, and course materials are available 24/7. Personal enrichment courses offer non-credit options to build job-ready skills or explore new interests.
Industry experts or SDSU faculty members teach all online courses, which maintains consistent educational quality across all formats. The university lists all computer requirements for each course upfront, which eliminates technical uncertainties before you start. Free demos are available for some courses to help you decide if online learning matches your style.
SDSU Global Campus has secured necessary authorizations due to state and federal regulations about online education across state lines. This means students from authorized states can enroll in these distance learning programs. SDSU continues its mission to provide quality social work training to students from all backgrounds through expanded educational access.
Graduation Rates
SDSU’s graduation success metrics make it a standout choice for social work education. The university has an impressive 76% six-year graduation rate, which puts it among the top 20% of universities across the country. These numbers show how well students complete their programs compared to other California social work schools.
Students at SDSU get excellent support throughout their journey. The 90% retention rate ranks in the top 15% nationwide. Students who want to graduate faster can take heart in the 48% four-year graduation rate, placing SDSU in the top 45% of schools.
Here’s how graduation rates break down by student type:
- First-time, full-time students graduate at 74% within six years
- First-time, part-time students achieve a 56% six-year graduation rate
- Returning full-time students excel with an 87% six-year graduation rate
- Returning part-time students reach a 69% six-year graduation rate
These numbers paint a bright picture compared to national averages. First-time, full-time undergraduates nationwide graduate at just 46.43% after six years. The success becomes even more apparent with first-time part-time students, where SDSU’s 56% rate soars above the national average of 21.59%.
University data shows that 21% of students don’t complete their programs, though some transfer to other schools instead of dropping out. The official graduation rate stands at 76% when measured within 150% of standard program time.
The School of Social Work maintains high academic standards while offering robust support systems that help students graduate. The university’s Analytical Studies and Institutional Research department tracks and publishes complete graduation data for programs and demographic groups.
Career Outcomes
SDSU’s social work programs boast exceptional placement rates and leadership opportunities for their graduates. The school’s alumni influence is clear in local agencies. A striking example shows that SDSU graduates hold 52% of San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency leadership positions. The School of Social Work has shaped more than 7,000 social workers who now lead professional responsibilities in California and around the world.
SDSU social work alumni build successful careers in various settings:
- Healthcare Settings – Working in hospitals, mental health clinics, and addiction treatment centers
- Educational Institutions – Serving as school social workers across elementary through university settings
- Government Agencies – Administering public welfare programs and child protective services
- Nonprofit Organizations – Leading advocacy and community development initiatives
Alumni who choose the Administration concentration often advance to executive roles. Many now serve as chief executives, managers, and analysts in community-based organizations. Some work as consultants in program development or pursue academic careers as professors.
The school’s annual Agency Fair brings together nearly 200 community agencies with the School of Social Work. Students use this valuable networking event to explore internships and future career paths. Many students later secure permanent positions at their internship organizations.
Most graduates achieve their Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential, which boosts their professional status and earning potential. SDSU Career Services supports alumni with free access to job fairs and the Handshake network to find employment opportunities.
SDSU adds $5.67 billion yearly to San Diego’s economy. The program’s regional influence and graduate loyalty show in the numbers – about 60% of graduates choose to build their careers in San Diego.
What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at SDSU
SDSU Social Work Programs stand out well beyond their simple curriculum. These programs excel through their blend of academic rigor and community connections that prepare students for ground challenges.
The school has built strong ties with local indigenous communities and provides specialized cultural competence training rarely found elsewhere. Students can work together with Native American communities through the Academy for Professional Excellence and develop culturally responsive practice skills.
The Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program stands out by providing specialized education in child welfare practice. Students committed to public child welfare careers receive substantial financial support through stipends. This helps address the critical workforce needs in this challenging field.
SDSU takes an integrated approach to create exceptional learning opportunities. The social work department works together with public health, criminal justice, and gerontology departments. This collaboration helps students develop versatile skills they can use in multiple sectors.
The School’s faculty members bring remarkable expertise to the program. They conduct groundbreaking research on trauma-informed care, military social work, and behavioral health integration. Students learn innovative approaches directly from the experts who develop them.
The university sits at the U.S.-Mexico border and gives students a unique experience to understand transnational social issues. Field placements along the border provide firsthand experience with immigration, cross-cultural practice, and international social work.
SDSU prepares students for the digital world through technology integration in social work practice. Students develop valuable technological skills through specialized courses in telehealth delivery, digital advocacy, and evidence-based practice. Employers in all practice settings value these competencies highly.
These unique elements create social work programs that balance traditional foundations with innovative approaches. SDSU graduates end up with the tools to tackle complex social challenges in various contexts.