University of the Pacific Social Work Programs
Social work goes beyond a regular job—it’s a calling to help others, promote equity and make real change. University of the Pacific Social Work Programs will prepare you for this rewarding career. The program offers student-centered learning that combines liberal arts with professional education.
University of the Pacific has put students first since 1851. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program features 100% online coursework with no campus visits, which makes your educational trip flexible and available. The CSWE-accredited social work program needs 55 credit hours and 1,104 field practicum hours. This ensures you get both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. You can start your path to professional social work when it suits you, with three intakes every year. The total program cost is $55,048 (or $983 per credit hour).
The University of the Pacific offers the education and support you need. This applies whether you’re new to social work or want to advance your current career. The program helps you achieve lasting success and responsible leadership in your profession and community.
Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at University of the Pacific
University of the Pacific helps aspiring social workers achieve their career goals through well-laid-out academic programs. The university has focused on graduate-level social work education. Their Master of Social Work (MSW) program will give you advanced practice skills in the field.
The MSW program stands out because of its flexible format. You can complete your studies while keeping up with your personal and work life. The curriculum builds core competencies you’ll need as a professional social worker. These include assessment skills, intervention strategies, ethical decision-making, and cultural competence.
Students come from different academic backgrounds, so the program offers multiple entry points. Those with bachelor’s degrees in other fields can join the traditional MSW track. BSW graduates might qualify for advanced standing options that recognize their prior learning.
Your learning trip starts with foundational knowledge and moves into specialized practice areas. The program uses evidence-based practices and research-informed approaches to tackle complex social issues.
University of the Pacific’s social work degrees are a great way to get professional licensure requirements. After graduation, you’ll be ready to get your state license. This opens doors to many career opportunities in healthcare, mental health, child welfare, and community development.
The program combines theoretical coursework with hands-on learning through supervised field placements. This balanced approach helps you develop the knowledge and practical skills you need to work effectively in a variety of communities and settings.
Degree Specializations
The University of the Pacific Master of Social Work program has two specializations that match high-demand career paths: Behavioral Health and Health Care. These focused paths line up perfectly with today’s industry needs and job market.
The Behavioral Health specialization is about individual, group, and family mental health interventions. You’ll get advanced clinical skills for mental health settings, where most MSW graduates end up working as clinical social workers. Your courses will include “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)” and “Child, Youth & Family Interventions in Social Work.” These classes help you become skilled at assessment, treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions.
The Health Care specialization takes a different path. It emphasizes health equity, patient advocacy, short-term clinical interventions, and social determinants of health. You’ll learn to direct patients through complex healthcare systems and help with their psychosocial needs in medical settings. Key courses like “Social Determinants of Health” and “Advanced Policy in Health Systems” build your healthcare expertise.
Some Health Care students have a chance to focus even deeper on diabetes care and management. Abbott Fund scholars get scholarships to pursue this specialized training. This sub-specialization works great for students who want health social work careers in diabetes prevention, education, and management in Stockton.
Each specialization follows a well-laid-out curriculum across four trimesters. Traditional students complete 55 units, while advanced standing students with BSW degrees need 32 units. Field placements connect classroom theory to real-life practice.
Ana Garcia, an MSW graduate, shares her experience: “The reason I chose University of the Pacific is because of the background in health care and being able to do my internship at a hospital. There’s nothing like it”.
Online and Hybrid Options
The University of the Pacific makes learning work around your schedule. Students can choose between fully online and hybrid master’s programs that fit their lifestyle and learning preferences.
The fully online MSW program lets you complete your degree without stepping foot on campus. You can choose between full-time and part-time options. The 55-credit program takes just 16 months (four trimesters) for full-time students. Part-time students can complete it in 32 months (eight trimesters). Students with a BSW degree can take the advanced standing online track. This reduces the credits to 32, which takes 12 months full-time or 20 months part-time.
The hybrid MSW program combines online, hybrid, and in-person learning. Students attend weekly in-person sessions to build stronger connections with faculty and classmates. Traditional students complete this program in 16 months (four trimesters). Advanced standing students finish in 12 months (three trimesters).
Both formats have their advantages. The online program gives you maximum flexibility with three start dates each year (fall, spring, summer). The hybrid program starts once a year (fall for traditional, spring for advanced standing) and provides valuable face-to-face learning.
The cost differs slightly between formats. Online programs cost $983 per credit hour, totaling $55,048 for traditional and $32,439 for advanced standing students. Hybrid programs run $1,035 per credit hour ($57,960 traditional, $34,155 advanced standing), plus additional wellness and activity fees.
Hybrid students in Stockton might qualify for the Abbott Fund Scholarship, which covers up to 50% of tuition. Recipients study a sub-specialization in diabetes care and management. This includes workshop series, specialized electives, a capstone project, and a 31-week field placement focused on diabetes prevention and education.
Field placements are essential in both programs. A dedicated team helps you find quality learning sites that match your educational goals and chosen specialization.
Graduation Rates
Student completion rates measure how well academic programs perform. University of the Pacific shows excellent results in student retention and graduation numbers.
University of the Pacific has an outstanding overall graduation rate of 69%, which puts it among the top 30% of schools nationwide. The university keeps 84% of its students, ranking in the top 25%. These numbers align with the university’s goal to be “the best student-centric complete school in the country”.
The numbers tell an impressive story. The 6-year graduation rate reaches 72%, which is way above the national average of 46.43% for first-time, full-time students. Students graduate at a rate of 53% in 4 years, beating the national average of 37.92%. Most students at Pacific finish their degree in 4.34 years.
First-time, full-time students represent 78% of Pacific’s student population and achieve a 71% six-year graduation rate. The success rate jumps to 78% for returning full-time students, which is a big deal as it means that it surpasses the national average of 53.83%.
Pacific’s strong student support shows in its freshmen retention rate of 87%. This number beats both the national average of 70.57% and California’s state average of 73.07%.
Pacific shines in other areas too. The university ranks No. 1 in social mobility among West Coast Conference schools, according to both the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News and World Report. Forbes study placed Pacific second lowest in average student debt.
The Career Services Center helps drive these results by offering career advice, job and internship support, and California graduate school guidance. Pacific’s complete support system proves its commitment to preparing students for professional success after graduation.
Career Outcomes
Social Work graduates from the University of the Pacific step into a thriving job market with excellent career prospects. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% increase in social work jobs through 2030. This growth shows how much qualified professionals are needed in settings of all types.
MSW graduates report exceptional career satisfaction. The numbers speak for themselves – 9 in 10 social workers would recommend a social work degree to others. MSW student Adri Martinez puts it well: “The reason I decided to do a social work degree is the versatility. My attention is drawn to social work because of different career opportunities I have”.
Clinical social work in mental health settings attracts most University of the Pacific’s MSW graduates. Recent graduate Ana Garcia shares her perspective: “The reason I chose University of the Pacific is because of the background in health care and being able to do my internship at a hospital. There’s nothing like it. You get everything from this program, and you are starting off with the chance to learn your therapy from day one”.
Your MSW from Pacific opens these career paths:
- Clinical social worker specializing in mental health, trauma, substance use, or grief
- Administrative and leadership roles in non-profits and health systems
- Medical social worker
- Child welfare caseworker
Professional opportunities exist in a variety of settings – military facilities, child and family services, advocacy organizations, hospice care, hospitals, corrections, policy development, and behavioral health.
Career growth comes with licensure options. Right after graduation, you can become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and qualify for non-clinical positions. With 3,500 supervised clinical hours post-graduation, you can advance to Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Licensed clinical social workers earn up to $15,000 more annually than their non-licensed colleagues.
The University of the Pacific’s hands-on clinical education creates “practice-ready graduates”. These graduates tackle crucial societal problems in mental health, child welfare, and healthcare access. This preparation means you can make a difference right after graduation.
What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at University of the Pacific
University of the Pacific’s Social Work Programs stand out in today’s competitive world of social work education.
Pacific’s MSW program puts students first – a philosophy that spreads through every part of your learning journey. The program doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it offers learning paths customized to your background and career goals. You’ll find faculty who know you by name, not just as another ID number.
CSWE accreditation proves the program’s steadfast dedication to excellence. The curriculum strikes a perfect balance between liberal arts foundations and professional training. This combination helps students develop critical thinking abilities and practical skills they need to work effectively.
The field placement approach makes this program special. Instead of generic assignments, the program develops partnerships with quality sites that line up with your interests. This thoughtful matching means your practicum hours build skills that directly apply to your career goals.
Stockton-based students focused on healthcare have an exceptional chance through the Abbott Fund Scholarship. This program offers up to 50% tuition coverage and specialized diabetes care management training. It shows Pacific’s commitment to meeting specific community health needs.
The program structure gives you choices. With three yearly start dates for online students and both online and hybrid options, the program is available to students whatever their location or life situation. BSW holders can even take accelerated paths to complete their degree sooner.
Pacific focuses on creating “practice-ready graduates” through hands-on clinical education. Faculty bring their real-life experience to class. They connect theory with ground application so you’re ready to make an impact right after graduation.
Strong retention rates and career placement success make Pacific’s social work education program ideal to launch careers that create positive social change.