San Diego, CA · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs Near San Diego, California
Where Can You Earn an MSW Near San Diego?
3 schools offer a campus or hybrid MSW within 50 miles of San Diego, the closest being San Diego State University (5 miles), Point Loma Nazarene University (9 miles) and California State University-San Marcos (22 miles). Online MSW programs from schools elsewhere are also open to California residents.
- schools within 50 miles
- 3
- closest: San Diego State University
- 5 mi
- offer advanced standing
- 3
- part-time options
- 2
Campus and Hybrid MSW Programs Within 50 Miles of San Diego
| School and program | Distance | Format | CSWE | Est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego State University: Master of Social Work (San Diego campus; 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year plans)Master of Social Work (San Diego campus; 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year plans) · San Diego, CA | 5 mi | On campus | CSWE | |
| Point Loma Nazarene University: Master of Social Work (hybrid)Master of Social Work (hybrid) · San Diego, CA | 9 mi | Hybrid | Candidacy | |
| California State University-San Marcos: Master of Social Work (2-year hybrid and 1-year Advanced Standing hybrid, San Marcos)Master of Social Work (2-year hybrid and 1-year Advanced Standing hybrid, San Marcos) · San Marcos, CA | 22 mi | Hybrid | CSWE |
Straight-line distance from the center of San Diego (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 San Diego
With a CSWE-accredited BSW, you can shorten the degree at 3 programs within 50 miles: San Diego State University's 38-credit advanced standing track (5 mi), Point Loma Nazarene University's 33-credit advanced standing track (9 mi) and California State University-San Marcos's 30-credit advanced standing track (22 mi).
Working while you study? 2 programs near San Diego offer a part-time schedule, the closest at San Diego State University, 5 miles away.
Lowest-Cost CSWE-Accredited Online MSWs for San Diego 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 San Diego. 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 Temecula47 mi away · 6 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Ladera Ranch59 mi away · 13 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Laguna Hills63 mi away · 13 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Perris68 mi away · 6 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Orange79 mi away · 14 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Redlands86 mi away · 5 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