Top Online MSW Programs in California (CA)
If you have a bachelor’s degree in social work, social science, or liberal arts and you’re considering starting or advancing your social work career in California, this guide can help you find the perfect program.
In this article, you’ll discover the top online master’s in social work (MSW) programs in California that can fit your goals. We also offer valuable insights on why key factors like flexibility, affordability, and accreditation matter so much when selecting your program.
You might also be wondering exactly what career paths an MSW opens, or how to effectively compare different online programs as you get started. We’re here to provide clear information on the types of MSW programs, some schools that offer them, and a few practical tips for financing your education.
Keep reading to explore your options, make informed decisions, and find the MSW program that’s right for you.
Top Traditional MSW Programs in California
Traditional MSW programs in California are designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, often in areas like social sciences or liberal arts. Traditional MSWs can be offered fully online, fully on-campus, or a hybrid between the two, and typically include options for full-time or part-time study. Most full-time programs are completed within two years, while part-time programs may take three to four years.
San José – MSW Full Time Program
San José State University offers a rigorous in-person full-time MSW program totaling 60 units. Designed for immersive learning, the program can be completed in two years through year-round coursework and extensive practical training. Students choose from two specialized tracks: Children, Youth, and Families or Health and Mental Health.
In your first year, you’ll develop core social work skills, taking four courses each semester with classes scheduled Mondays & Fridays or Wednesdays & Fridays during the daytime. You’ll also complete a foundational field internship of 16 hours per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, alongside field seminars.
Your second year focuses on advanced specialization training. Courses continue at four per semester, held Mondays and Tuesdays from morning through evening.
Duration: Two years, 60 credits
Mode: On Campus
Cost: $630/credit
Curriculum:
- Social Work Graduate Writing Course
- Social Policy and Services: History and Values
- Social Policy Analysis
- Human Behavior in Social Environment I & II
- Advanced Standing Bridge Course Integrated Theory, Practice, and Field Education
- Transcultural Generalist Practice I & II
- Social Work Practicum I – IV
- Transcultural Multi-Systems Practice I & II
- Social Work and the Law
- Psychopharmacology for Social Workers
- Advanced Generalist Practice in Substance Abuse
- Research Methods and Design
Non-GRE MSW Programs in California
Many MSW programs in California no longer require the General Record Examination (GRE) for admission, simplifying your application process. While GRE scores are typically still necessary for dual-degree programs (e.g., MSW/MPH, MSW/JD), choosing a non-GRE program won’t diminish your degree’s prestige.
University of Southern California – Online Master of Social Work
USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offers a prestigious online MSW program that does not require the GRE, making your application process smoother and less stressful. Fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), this online program combines live virtual classes with local field placements, ensuring you gain practical experience close to home.
You can complete your degree in approximately two years full-time, or choose a flexible, part-time schedule to fit your personal commitments. The program also allows you to specialize your studies by selecting a focus area such as Adult Mental Health & Wellness, Children, Youth and Families, Social Change and Innovation, School and Educational Settings, or Military Populations and Settings.
Duration: Two years, 48 credits
Mode: Online
Cost: $33,845 (for full-time students0
Curriculum:
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- Professional Self-Care in Integrative Social Work Practice
- Critical Decision Making in Integrative Social Work Practice
- Foundations of Integrative Social Work Practice I & II
- Policy and Advocacy in Professional Social Work
- Science of Social Work
- Applied Learning in Practicum Education I & II
- Diversity, Social Justice and Interculturally Competent Social Work Practice
Spotlight on Advanced Standing MSW Programs in California
If you already have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), an Advanced Standing MSW program can help you earn your master’s degree more quickly. These specialized programs recognize the foundational coursework and fieldwork you completed during your BSW studies, allowing you to skip the first year of a traditional MSW program and move directly into advanced graduate-level courses.
Typically, an Advanced Standing MSW can be finished in about one year of full-time study, significantly reducing the time and tuition you’d normally spend on a two-year program.
University of the Pacific – Online MSW (Advanced Standing)
The University of the Pacific, located in Stockton, CA, offers a fully online Advanced Standing MSW program specifically tailored for students holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). This accelerated online format lets you complete your MSW degree in as little as 12 months, without any campus visits required, perfect for busy professionals balancing multiple commitments.
Pacific’s curriculum emphasizes clinical social work skills and aims to shape graduates into impactful “agents of change” who promote diversity, inclusion, and social justice. To customize your learning experience, the program offers two specialized concentrations: Behavioral Health and Health Care Social Work.
Duration: One year, 32 credits
Mode: Online
Cost: $983/credit
Curriculum:
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)
- Clinical Interventions in Health
- Practice-Informed Research in Health Settings II
- Specialized Practice Field Placement I
Inside Part-Time MSW Programs in California
Part-time MSW programs in California are ideal if you’re balancing your studies with professional or personal responsibilities. These programs are designed specifically for working students or those who have other significant commitments.
Typically, the coursework for part-time MSW degrees is spread over a longer period compared to full-time programs: about two years for advanced standing and three to four years for traditional programs.
Cal Poly Humboldt – Distributed Learning MSW program
Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State) offers a unique part-time Distributed Learning MSW program tailored specifically for students dedicated to serving rural and Indigenous communities. Delivered almost entirely online, this program provides exceptional flexibility, making it one of California’s most accessible MSW options.
While the coursework is completed online, students come together once annually for an intensive on-campus weekend in January. These in-person sessions offer practical workshops, hands-on learning opportunities, and valuable professional networking, enriching your online education and connecting you directly with peers and faculty.
Duration: 3.5 years, 75 credits
Mode: Online
Cost: $540/credit
Curriculum:
- Social Work Practice in Native American and Rural Communities
- Human Development, Diversity, & Relationships: Change through the Life Course
- Dynamics of Groups, Agencies, Organizations, and Communities
- Social Policy
- Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation and Data Analysis
- Wellness and Sustainability
- Clinical Social Work Practice
- Advanced Practice and Indigenous and Rural Communities
- Child and Family Welfare
- Communities & Organizations
- Values & Ethics – The Philosophy of Social Work
Student Help Center: Common MSW Questions Answered
1. Do I need a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) to apply for an MSW program?
No, you don’t need Bachelor’s in Social Work to apply for most California MSW programs. Students often come from diverse backgrounds like psychology, sociology, education, or even unrelated fields. Without a BSW, you’ll complete the traditional MSW track (usually 60 units in two years). Admissions committees prioritize academic performance, relevant experience, and dedication to human services.
2. Do MSW programs in California require the GRE?
Most California MSW programs no longer require the GRE for admission. Schools increasingly focus on your academic achievements, personal experiences, and professional recommendations rather than standardized test scores. Even programs that list GRE requirements often waive them for applicants with strong GPAs or existing graduate degrees. Always confirm with your specific program.
3. How do field placements work for online MSW students?
As an online MSW student in California, you’ll collaborate closely with your program’s field education office to secure a placement near your home. After discussing your interests—such as mental health, healthcare, or schools—your program matches you with a local approved agency.
Experienced social workers supervise you during your placement. Online students typically complete the same number of field hours as on-campus peers (approximately 900 hours for traditional tracks or 500 hours for advanced standing).
4. What are the steps to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California after I graduate?
- To become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California, you must:
- Earn an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited school.
- Register as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) with California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
- Complete 3,000 supervised hours over at least 104 weeks (2,000 clinical hours, with 750 in face-to-face psychotherapy).
- Take required California-specific coursework, including Law and Ethics, Child Abuse Reporting, and additional mandated topics.
- Pass two exams: the California Law and Ethics Exam and the national ASWB Clinical Exam.
- Submit your application and documentation to the BBS, including fingerprinting and fees.
5. Are online MSW degrees respected by employers and eligible for the same careers as traditional degrees?
Yes, an online MSW degree from an accredited program is equally respected by employers and licensing boards as a traditional on-campus degree. The critical factor is accreditation: as long as your program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)—like all the programs highlighted in this guide—it fully meets professional standards and qualifies you for the same career opportunities.
MSW Graduate Salaries in California
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Social Workers | $39,580 | $104,580 | $63,770 |
| California | Social Workers | $41,060 | $120,870 | $63,680 |
| Bakersfield, CA | Social Workers | $37,610 | $91,940 | $45,680 |
| Chico, CA | Social Workers | $46,830 | $103,880 | $74,070 |
| Fresno, CA | Social Workers | $38,250 | $99,380 | $57,120 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | Social Workers | $52,130 | $79,320 | $67,670 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Social Workers | $41,060 | $117,310 | $62,820 |
| Modesto, CA | Social Workers | $39,050 | $93,140 | $62,610 |
| Napa, CA | Social Workers | $48,780 | $132,340 | $87,730 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | Social Workers | $36,260 | $95,890 | $51,660 |
| Redding, CA | Social Workers | $43,350 | $93,870 | $59,680 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Social Workers | $38,870 | $124,400 | $83,350 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | Social Workers | $40,260 | $122,100 | $60,030 |
| Salinas, CA | Social Workers | $57,050 | $119,660 | $78,840 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | Social Workers | $39,660 | $127,960 | $65,400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | Social Workers | $46,680 | $124,160 | $67,140 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Social Workers | $47,180 | $126,690 | $75,400 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | Social Workers | $52,820 | $113,760 | $77,020 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | Social Workers | $42,380 | $136,180 | $61,250 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | Social Workers | $41,770 | $118,270 | $88,720 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | Social Workers | $53,100 | $135,220 | $98,710 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | Social Workers | $39,800 | $128,400 | $59,030 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | Social Workers | $50,440 | $130,210 | $75,090 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | Social Workers | $37,880 | $62,480 | $46,000 |
| Yuba City, CA | Social Workers | $38,290 | $109,900 | $66,870 |
Source: Social Workers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Social Workers | 68,400 | 72,900 | 4,500 | 6.60% |
| California | Social Workers | 8,700 | 9,900 | 1,200 | 13.80% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Resources for Californian MSW Students
California provides numerous resources for MSW students and social work professionals, including networking opportunities, continuing education, clinical supervision, licensing guidance, and scholarship information. These organizations help you build connections and skills crucial for career advancement in social work across diverse communities.
- California Association of Black Social Workers (CABSW)
The California affiliate of the National Association of Black Social Workers, the CABSW is a professional association of social workers dedicated to the promotion of positive family preservation within the African American community. There are seven chapters located throughout the state. - California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW)
Association of active and retired California social workers, social work graduate students, and other school professionals. Its mission is to promote professional development of school social workers to enhance the education experiences for California students and their families. Student memberships are available for a reduced fee. - California Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW)
Professional organization specifically focused on advancing and promoting the practice of clinical social work in California as well as advocating for the interests of clinical social workers and their clients. Membership benefits include free continuing education units, networking and workshop events, free ethical consultations, and more. - National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – California Chapter
The NASW is a professional association of social workers whose mission is to enhance member professional growth and development, create and maintain professional social work standards, and to advance sound social policies. Each member is part of one of nine regional groups within the state, some of which have additional smaller city-based or county-based units. - State of California Employment Development Department (EDD)
The EDD’s website is a great resource connecting employers and job seekers in all career fields throughout the state. Use the search engine on its California Occupational Guides webpage to find tons of helpful information on social work careers in a variety of specialized practice areas.
Best Online MSW Programs in CA
As with lots of other majors, distance learning has become a common component of MSW programs in California and around the nation. In fact, many California colleges and universities now offer their MSW programs with academic coursework that can be accessed and completed entirely online.
The exemplary California MSW online programs featured in our rankings below can serve as a great starting point for your college search. These schools rank highly on key features like CSWE accreditation, quality instruction, robust student services, and flexible class schedules. Learn more about our top picks and see if one is a good match for your budget, schedule, and career goals.
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Arcata, California
Public
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California
Public
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, California
Public
