Merced, CA · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs Near Merced, California
Where Can You Earn an MSW Near Merced?
7 schools offer a campus or hybrid MSW within 100 miles of Merced, the closest being California State University-Stanislaus (26 miles), California State University-Fresno (53 miles) and Fresno Pacific University (57 miles). Online MSW programs from schools elsewhere are also open to California residents.
- schools within 100 miles
- 7
- closest: California State University-Stanislaus
- 26 mi
- offer advanced standing
- 7
- part-time options
- 4
- median estimated tuition nearby
- $39,720
Campus and Hybrid MSW Programs Within 100 Miles of Merced
| School and program | Distance | Format | CSWE | Est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Stanislaus: Master of Social Work (Turlock stateside program, 2-year or 3-year)Master of Social Work (Turlock stateside program, 2-year or 3-year) · Turlock, CA | 26 mi | On campus | CSWE | |
| California State University-Fresno: Master of Social Work (2-year full time or 4-year part time; Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work (2-year full time or 4-year part time; Advanced Standing) · Fresno, CA | 53 mi | On campus | CSWE | |
| Fresno Pacific University: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) · Fresno, CA | 57 mi | On campus | Candidacy | $46,200 |
| University of the Pacific: Hybrid Master of Social Work (Sacramento campus)Hybrid Master of Social Work (Sacramento campus) · Stockton, CA | 65 mi | Hybrid | CSWE | $57,475 |
| San Jose State University: 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) · San Jose, CA | 77 mi | On campus | CSWE | |
| California State University-Monterey Bay: Master of Social Work (two-year, three-year and hybrid pathways)Master of Social Work (two-year, three-year and hybrid pathways) · Seaside, CA | 86 mi | On campus, Hybrid | CSWE | |
| California State University-East Bay: Master of Social Work - Traditional Program (full time, in person, Hayward)Master of Social Work - Traditional Program (full time, in person, Hayward) · Hayward, CA | 90 mi | On campus | CSWE |
Straight-line distance from the center of Merced (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 Merced
With a CSWE-accredited BSW, you can shorten the degree at 7 programs within 100 miles: California State University-Fresno's advanced standing track (53 mi), Fresno Pacific University's advanced standing track (57 mi), University of the Pacific's 32-credit advanced standing track (65 mi), San Jose State University's 37-credit advanced standing track (77 mi), San Jose State University's 37-credit advanced standing track (77 mi) and California State University-Monterey Bay's advanced standing track (86 mi), plus 1 more in the table above.
Working while you study? 4 programs near Merced offer a part-time schedule, the closest at California State University-Stanislaus, 26 miles away.
The lowest estimated tuition within 100 miles is $37,500 for Master of Social Work Hybrid Program (Stockton Campus) at California State University-Stanislaus; 5 of the 7 schools nearby are public. Estimates are the published rate times the credits required, before fees.
Lowest-Cost CSWE-Accredited Online MSWs for Merced 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 Merced. 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 Fremont81 mi away · 7 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Antioch86 mi away · 8 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Santa Cruz89 mi away · 4 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Visalia93 mi away · 3 within 100 mi
- MSW programs near Stanford93 mi away · 6 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Folsom101 mi away · 10 within 100 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