Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs in California (CA) – Online and On-Campus

Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in California

Various California MSW programs offer one- to four-year plans to earn an MSW degree. Many MSW degree programs in California are offered both on-campus and online for distance learning.

Learn more about MSW programs:

• Advanced Standing MSW Programs Online – Advanced standing online MSW programs are for students who have earned a CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. These programs may be completed in less than two years.
• Clinical MSW Online Programs – Clinical online MSW programs may help you prepare for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). These programs focus on clinical approaches to social work and working with communities.
• Online MSW Programs, No GRE – There are some online MSW programs that do not require a GRE score for admission.

Social Work Degree Programs in California

California offers many opportunities to study social work at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. In the U.S., CSWE (through its accreditation arm) maintains the directory of accredited baccalaureate and master’s social work programs, including those in California.

For the most recent published “school-year” snapshot (2023–2024 academic year) in CSWE’s 2023–2024 Annual Survey summary (© 2025), participating BSW programs reported 39,647 students enrolled during the 2023–2024 academic year, and participating MSW programs reported 55,935 students enrolled during the 2023–2024 academic year.

View our page on social work licensure or our state-specific page to learn about what it takes to become a social worker in California.

Education Requirements

While admissions requirements vary by school, some MSW programs in California require you to have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher. Some programs also require you to pass the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Other MSW programs may have additional requirements to help determine your readiness for the course of study. Some require you to have taken an undergraduate statistics course and spent a certain number of hours volunteering, interning, or working with a diverse, vulnerable population.

Curriculum

Curriculum for many MSW programs in California includes coursework in counseling, social work intervention, social welfare, social justice and diversity.

Alongside these core courses, some universities offer specialized courses and electives. These may include courses on micro-theory and human development, diversity and social justice, and organizing for community change. Other MSW programs offer classes on human behavior and the social environment, marginalized populations and social work with survivors of human trafficking.

In addition, MSW programs include field work with community organizations, school districts, inmate services, foster care agencies and more. By teaching social work skills, practices, ethics and communication methods, MSW curricula can help to prepare you to work in a variety of settings.

What Can I Do with an MSW Degree in CA?

An MSW is required to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California. That license allows you to provide clinical services or psychotherapy. But the field of social work is vast, which means your day-to-day duties may not be limited to the clinical sphere. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that California had the second highest level of employment of social workers in 2024.

If you have a master’s degree and a license to practice in California, you may be able to pursue a career in social work. As you set out on the path to become a social worker, you may want to consider where it is that you want to work as well as who you want to work with. An MSW degree may prepare you for a social work position at a welfare or adoption agency, hospital, drug clinic or prison, among other places.

• Some social workers end up in educational services as a school social worker, supporting children, families and school staff.
• Others work with members of the military and their families as a military social worker—teaching them how to navigate the complex life challenges that come with the work they do. Still, others may work for federal or state governments as a social work administrator.
• A typical day in the life of a child and family social worker can vary, from helping families find housing and apply for food stamps to intervening to protect children from abuse and helping find a foster or adoption family. If you work at a school, you may be tasked with supporting teachers and administrators to deal with issues like bullying, aggression or repeated absences.
• For healthcare social workers, a typical day may include helping patients transition from the hospital to their home, providing information about support groups or home healthcare and advising doctors on how a disease may affect a patient’s mental health.
• Other social workers help clients overcome substance use disorder or balance their mental health through 12-step programs or related healthcare services.

Social work salaries can vary depending on your specialization, location and level of education. In California, social workers across various specialties earn an average of $81,480 per year, according to 2024 data from BLS.

How much does an MSW program cost? How long does it take to become a social worker? Is it worth it? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about MSW programs in California.

For more information about becoming a clinical social worker in California, review the Board of Behavioral Sciences’ table of LCSW licensure requirements.