Santa Cruz, CA · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs Near Santa Cruz, California
Where Can You Earn an MSW Near Santa Cruz?
3 schools offer a campus or hybrid MSW within 50 miles of Santa Cruz, the closest being California State University-Monterey Bay (26 miles), San Jose State University (26 miles) and California State University-East Bay (47 miles). Online MSW programs from schools elsewhere are also open to California residents.
- schools within 50 miles
- 3
- closest: California State University-Monterey Bay
- 26 mi
- offer advanced standing
- 4
- part-time options
- 2
- median estimated tuition nearby
- $39,720
Campus and Hybrid MSW Programs Within 50 Miles of Santa Cruz
| School and program | Distance | Format | CSWE | Est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 26 mi | On campus, Hybrid | CSWE | |
| 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 | 26 mi | On campus | 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 | 47 mi | On campus | CSWE |
Straight-line distance from the center of Santa Cruz (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 Santa Cruz
With a CSWE-accredited BSW, you can shorten the degree at 4 programs within 50 miles: California State University-Monterey Bay's advanced standing track (26 mi), San Jose State University's 37-credit advanced standing track (26 mi), San Jose State University's 37-credit advanced standing track (26 mi) and California State University-East Bay's advanced standing track (47 mi).
Working while you study? 2 programs near Santa Cruz offer a part-time schedule, the closest at California State University-Monterey Bay, 26 miles away.
The lowest estimated tuition within 50 miles is $39,720 for Online/Hybrid Master of Social Work at San Jose State University; 3 of the 3 schools nearby are public. Estimates are the published rate times the credits required, before fees.
Lowest-Cost CSWE-Accredited Online MSWs for Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz. 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 Stanford32 mi away · 6 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Fremont36 mi away · 7 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Antioch71 mi away · 8 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near San Francisco76 mi away · 3 within 50 mi
- MSW programs near Merced89 mi away · 9 within 100 mi
- MSW programs near Santa Rosa108 mi away · 8 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