Los Angeles, CA · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs Near Los Angeles, California
Where Can You Earn an MSW Near Los Angeles?
8 schools offer a campus or hybrid MSW within 50 miles of Los Angeles, the closest being UCLA (4 miles), USC (7 miles) and California State University-Dominguez Hills (14 miles). Online MSW programs from schools elsewhere are also open to California residents.
- schools within 50 miles
- 8
- closest: UCLA
- 4 mi
- offer advanced standing
- 5
- part-time options
- 8
- median estimated tuition nearby
- $31,500
Campus and Hybrid MSW Programs Within 50 Miles of Los Angeles
| School and program | Distance | Format | CSWE | Est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA: Master of Social Welfare (MSW)Master of Social Welfare (MSW) · Los Angeles, CA | 4 mi | On campus | CSWE | |
| USC: Master of Social Work (on campus and hybrid; Los Angeles and San Diego Academic Center)Master of Social Work (on campus and hybrid; Los Angeles and San Diego Academic Center) · Los Angeles, CA | 7 mi | On campus, Hybrid | CSWE | $111,456 |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills: Master of Social Work (2-year full time)Master of Social Work (2-year full time) · Carson, CA | 14 mi | On campus | CSWE | |
| California State University-Los Angeles: Master of Social Work (traditional 2-year and 3-year programs, main campus)Master of Social Work (traditional 2-year and 3-year programs, main campus) · Los Angeles, CA | 14 mi | On campus | CSWE | |
| California State University-Northridge: Master of Social Work (on campus: 2-year full time and 3-year evening)Master of Social Work (on campus: 2-year full time and 3-year evening) · Northridge, CA | 17 mi | On campus | CSWE | |
| California State University-Long Beach: Master of Social Work (Long Beach campus: 2-year, 3-year and Advanced Standing plans)Master of Social Work (Long Beach campus: 2-year, 3-year and Advanced Standing plans) · Long Beach, CA | 24 mi | On campus | CSWE | $20,924 |
| Azusa Pacific University: Master of Social Work (Azusa and Inland Empire)Master of Social Work (Azusa and Inland Empire) · Azusa, CA | 31 mi | On campus | CSWE | $48,600 |
| California State University-Fullerton: Master of Social Work (2-year, 3-year and one-year Advanced Standing programs)Master of Social Work (2-year, 3-year and one-year Advanced Standing programs) · Fullerton, CA | 32 mi | On campus | CSWE |
Straight-line distance from the center of Los Angeles (U.S. Census Gazetteer) to each school's main campus (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). Some programs meet at other sites; check the program page.
Advanced Standing and Part-Time MSW Options Near Los Angeles
With a CSWE-accredited BSW, you can shorten the degree at 5 programs within 50 miles: USC's 24-credit advanced standing track (7 mi), California State University-Los Angeles's 33-credit advanced standing track (14 mi), California State University-Long Beach's advanced standing track (24 mi), Azusa Pacific University's advanced standing track (31 mi) and California State University-Fullerton's 30-credit advanced standing track (32 mi).
Working while you study? 8 programs near Los Angeles offer a part-time schedule, the closest at USC, 7 miles away.
The lowest estimated tuition within 50 miles is $20,924 for Master of Social Work (Long Beach campus: 2-year, 3-year and Advanced Standing plans) at California State University-Long Beach; 6 of the 8 schools nearby are public. Estimates are the published rate times the credits required, before fees.
Lowest-Cost CSWE-Accredited Online MSWs for Los Angeles Residents
| Program | 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 |
Online programs still place you in a supervised field practicum, so confirm the school can arrange one near Los Angeles. Compare all of them on the online MSW programs and most affordable online MSW pages.
Getting Licensed in California
- 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
California license tiers from its board · Every MSW program in California
MSW Programs Near Other California Cities
- MSW programs near Pasadena18 mi away · 13 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Long Beach22 mi away · 12 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Monrovia26 mi away · 14 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Thousand Oaks29 mi away · 7 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Orange35 mi away · 14 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Laguna Hills51 mi away · 13 within 50 mi
Sources
- Official program pages of each school listed, reviewed September 2026
- CSWE directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 Gazetteer places file
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS institutional characteristics