California · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in California
Where Can You Earn an MSW in California, and How Do You Get Licensed?
33 schools in California offer 48 MSW programs we verified, including Alliant International University-San Diego, Azusa Pacific University and California Baptist University. 15 can be taken online and 34 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $20,272 to $111,456 before fees. After the MSW, California's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (California Law and Ethics Exam (must be taken annually until passed to renew the ASW registration, and passed to receive a subsequent registration))For the ASW
- Log supervised clinical hoursMinimum 3,000 hours over a minimum of 104 supervised weeks, including …
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in California
- 48
- schools
- 33
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 30
- offer advanced standing
- 34
- online programs
- 15
The California Social Work License Path
California Social Work Licenses
California Board of Behavioral SciencesASWMaster's
Associate Clinical Social Worker (Registration)
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work, plus board-specified additional coursework
- Exam
- California Law and Ethics Exam (must be taken annually until passed to renew the ASW registration, and passed to receive a subsequent registration)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
LCSWClinical
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work, plus board-specified additional coursework
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- Minimum 3,000 hours over a minimum of 104 supervised weeks, including at least 2,000 clinical hours (at least 750 hours of face-to-face individual or group psychotherapy) and at most 1,000 non-clinical hours; at least 52 weeks of individual or triadic supervision (13 weeks by an LCSW) and 1 hour individual/triadic or 2 hours group supervision per week.
- Independent practice
- Yes
AlsoNotes
- State exam
- California Law and Ethics Exam required (LCSW path, including ASW registrants)
From California Board of Behavioral Sciences, reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
California Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Baptist UniversityRiverside · Private nonprofit | 2 | Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $49,800 |
| California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| California State University-Dominguez HillsCarson · Public | 2 | Campus | CSWE | $24,000 | |
| California State University-East BayHayward · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| California State University-Long BeachLong Beach · Public | 2 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $20,924 |
| California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles · Public | 2 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $50,220 |
| California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $20,272 |
| California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos · Public | 2 | Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $33,600 |
| California State University-StanislausTurlock · Public | 2 | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | $37,500 | |
| Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| San Diego State UniversitySan Diego · Public | 2 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| San Jose State UniversitySan Jose · Public | 2 | Campus, Online, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $39,720 |
| University of the PacificStockton · Private nonprofit | 2 | Online, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $54,615 |
| USCLos Angeles · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $111,456 |
| Alliant International University-San DiegoSan Diego · Private for-profit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $48,600 |
| California State University-BakersfieldBakersfield · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| California State University-ChicoChico · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| California State University-FresnoFresno · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| California State University-FullertonFullerton · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| California State University-Monterey BaySeaside · Public | 1 | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | |
| California State University-SacramentoSacramento · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| National UniversitySan Diego · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Pacific Oaks CollegePasadena · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $76,980 |
| Samuel Merritt UniversityOakland · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | $63,113 | |
| San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | ||
| UC BerkeleyBerkeley · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | ||
| UCLALos Angeles · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | ||
| University of Massachusetts GlobalIrvine · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $46,200 |
| Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | Candidacy | Yes | $46,200 |
| Palo Alto UniversityPalo Alto · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes | $57,376 |
| Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid | Candidacy | Yes |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in California
48 programs in California
Master of Social Work (on Campus and Hybrid; Los Angeles and San Diego Academic Center) at USC
USC · Los AngelesFormatOn campus, Hybrid1,200 field hoursCredits48Est. tuition$111,456$2,322/creditAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work at USC
USC · Los AngelesFormatOnlineCredits48Est. tuition$111,456$2,322/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Long Beach Campus: 2-Year, 3-Year and Advanced Standing Plans) at California State University-Long Beach
California State University-Long Beach · Long BeachFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$20,924published totalAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work Distance Education Program (Sonoma State and CSU Channel Islands Sites) at California State University-Long Beach
California State University-Long Beach · Long BeachFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$31,500$525/creditAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work at University of Massachusetts Global
University of Massachusetts Global · IrvineFormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$46,200$770/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (on Campus: 2-Year Full Time and 3-Year Evening) at San Jose State University
San Jose State University · San JoseFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$5,632per term · general rateAccreditationCSWEOnline/Hybrid Master of Social Work at San Jose State University
San Jose State University · San JoseFormatOnline, HybridCredits60Est. tuition$39,720$662/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (on Campus: 2-Year Full Time and 3-Year Evening) at California State University-Northridge
California State University-Northridge · NorthridgeFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$10,038per year · general rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work (the Tseng College) at California State University-Northridge
California State University-Northridge · NorthridgeFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$50,220$837/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (in-person/hybrid) at California Baptist University
California Baptist University · RiversideFormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$49,800$830/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Online Track) at California Baptist University
California Baptist University · RiversideFormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$49,800$830/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Traditional 2-Year and 3-Year Programs, Main Campus) at California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles · Los AngelesFormatOn campusCredits–Est. tuition$9,648per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work - Advanced Standing Program (Downtown LA) at California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles · Los AngelesFormatOn campusCredits–Est. tuition$595per creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Azusa and Inland Empire) at Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University · AzusaFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$48,600$810/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (San Bernardino and Palm Desert Campuses: 2-Year, 3-Year and Advanced Standing Options) at California State University-San Bernardino
California State University-San Bernardino · San BernardinoFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$20,272published totalAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work Pathway Distance Education Program (Online) at California State University-San Bernardino
California State University-San Bernardino · San BernardinoFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$41,340$689/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (San Diego Campus; 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-Year Plans) at San Diego State University
San Diego State University · San DiegoFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$8,548per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work - Imperial Valley Cohort at San Diego State University
San Diego State University · San DiegoFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$8,548per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (2-Year, 3-Year and One-Year Advanced Standing Programs) at California State University-Fullerton
California State University-Fullerton · FullertonFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$8,548per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$17,042per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$7,608per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$24,000$400/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Turlock Stateside Program, 2-Year or 3-Year) at California State University-Stanislaus
California State University-Stanislaus · TurlockFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$5,670per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work Hybrid Program (Stockton Campus) at California State University-Stanislaus
California State University-Stanislaus · TurlockFormatHybridCredits60Est. tuition$37,500published totalAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Welfare (MSW) at UCLA
UCLA · Los AngelesFormatOn campusCredits91Est. tuition$32,279per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (1-Year Advanced Standing, 2-Year Full Time and 3-Year Part Time Cohorts) at California State University-Bakersfield
California State University-Bakersfield · BakersfieldFormatOn campus960 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$5,326per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (2-Year Hybrid and 1-Year Advanced Standing Hybrid, San Marcos) at California State University-San Marcos
California State University-San Marcos · San MarcosFormatHybridCredits60Est. tuition$5,522per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work Three-Year Regional Online Program at California State University-San Marcos
California State University-San Marcos · San MarcosFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$33,600$560/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work - Traditional Program (Full Time, in Person, Hayward) at California State University-East Bay
California State University-East Bay · HaywardFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$8,548per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work - Extended Program (Mostly Online Classes) at California State University-East Bay
California State University-East Bay · HaywardFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$8,548per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (2-Year Full Time or 4-Year Part Time; Advanced Standing) at California State University-Fresno
California State University-Fresno · FresnoFormatOn campus600 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$8,548per year · general rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Two-Year Full-Time, Advanced Standing, Three-Year Weekend/Part-Time) at California State University-Sacramento
California State University-Sacramento · SacramentoFormatOn campus768 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$5,683per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits–Est. tuition$5,502per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits–Est. tuition$572per creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Two-Year, Three-Year and Hybrid Pathways) at California State University-Monterey Bay
California State University-Monterey Bay · SeasideFormatOn campus, Hybrid960 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$8,548per year · general rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits36Est. tuition$8,368per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work at San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University · San FranciscoFormatHybridCredits60Est. tuition$5,267per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$76,980$1,283/creditAccreditationCSWE
Online Master of Social Work (MSW) at Alliant International University-San Diego
Alliant International University-San Diego · San DiegoFormatOnlineCredits–Est. tuition$850per creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$46,200$770/creditAccreditationCandidacy
Master of Social Work (on Campus; 2-, 3- and 4-Year Options) at Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University · Loma LindaFormatOn campus480 field hoursCredits78quarter creditsEst. tuition$37,421per year · general rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline480 field hoursCredits78quarter creditsEst. tuition$17,695per year · general rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Online; Generalist Track and Advanced Standing Track) at National University
National University · San DiegoFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$776per credit · general rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits88quarter creditsEst. tuition$57,376$652/creditAccreditationCandidacy
Master of Social Work (Hybrid) at Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University · San DiegoFormatHybridCredits60Est. tuition–AccreditationCandidacyMaster of Social Work (Three-Year Hybrid, Part Time) at Samuel Merritt University
Samuel Merritt University · OaklandFormatHybridCredits55Est. tuition$63,113published totalAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits55Est. tuition$54,615$993/creditAccreditationCSWE
Hybrid Master of Social Work (Sacramento Campus) at University of the Pacific
University of the Pacific · StocktonFormatHybridCredits55Est. tuition$57,475$1,045/creditAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in California
21 California programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $20,272 at California State University-San Bernardino to $111,456 at USC. The California median is $48,600, against $40,180 nationally.
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in California
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), USC has California's largest program, followed by California State University-Long Beach and University of Massachusetts Global. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online MSW Options for California Residents
You aren't limited to schools in California: 246 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll California residents online and arrange your field placement in California.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in California
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median | Jobs in California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $65,200 | $59,550 | 60,310 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $89,660 | $67,880 | 17,690 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $79,000 | $60,280 | 19,860 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $63,010 | $71,900 | 6,430 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
MSW Programs Near California Cities
- MSW programs near Antioch8 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Auburn8 campus programs within 100 miles
- MSW programs near Folsom10 campus programs within 100 miles
- MSW programs near Fremont7 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Imperial4 campus programs within 100 miles
- MSW programs near Ladera Ranch13 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Laguna Hills13 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Lake Los Angeles6 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Long Beach12 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Los Angeles11 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Merced9 campus programs within 100 miles
- MSW programs near Monrovia14 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Orange14 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Pasadena13 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Perris6 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Redlands5 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near San Diego4 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near San Francisco3 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Santa Cruz4 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Santa Rosa8 campus programs within 100 miles
- MSW programs near Stanford6 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Temecula6 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near Thousand Oaks7 campus programs within 50 miles
- MSW programs near University of California-Santa Barbara8 campus programs within 100 miles
- MSW programs near Visalia3 campus programs within 100 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in California?
We verified 48 MSW programs at 33 schools in California; 30 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does California Issue?
California's board (California Board of Behavioral Sciences) issues ASW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after Minimum 3,000 hours over a minimum of 104 supervised weeks, including at least 2,000 clinical hours (at least 750 hours of face-to-face individual or group psychotherapy) and at most 1,000 non-clinical hours; at least 52 weeks of individual or triadic supervision (13 weeks by an LCSW) and 1 hour individual/triadic or 2 hours group supervision per week.
Can California Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond California's own programs, 246 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll California residents and place you in a field practicum in California. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in California?
Estimated tuition for California programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $20,272 to $111,456 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 33 California schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025