Online MSW Programs in California

Students in California have several options when it comes to online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. California State University’s (CSU) system offers online MSW programs and hybrid MSW programs in several locations and online: CSU Chico, CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge and CSU San Bernardino. Humboldt State University, and San Jose State University also offer online MSW programs with separate requirements.

On OnlineMSWPrograms.com, we classify any program that requires two or fewer campus visits per year as an online MSW program. There are four online MSW programs in California accepting students across the US.

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Colleges in California with Online MSW Programs

If you live in California and wish to keep local but online, there are some options for your MSW program. Online MSW programs around Los Angeles are plentiful. Northwest of LA you have CSU Northridge or to the far east, you’ll find CSU San Bernardino, nestled in the mountains. Northern California is home to the online MSW program at Humboldt State University.

• CSU Northridge offers a 100% online MSW program open to students all over the US with 24/7 access to classwork.
• CSU San Bernardino is a fully online part-time MSW program with a 3-day on-campus visit each summer. with a 3-day on-campus visit each summer. CSUSB’s primary mission is student enrollment in Southern California’s inland areas but the program is open to students from any state in which California has an agreement with.
• Humboldt State University offers a part-time online MSW program with an advanced standing option for students who received their bachelor’s in social work (BSW). Humboldt State’s online MSW program requires annual extended weekend visits to its campus and emphasizes work with indigenous and rural communities.

Colleges in California with Hybrid MSW Programs

North of Sacramento, you’ll find the northern California hybrid MSW program at CSU Chico. But if you’re still craving the city life, CSU Long Beach’s hybrid online MSW program can be found just south of Los Angeles surrounded by many southern California cities such as Huntington Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim and Torrance. Interested in the bay area? San Jose State University - just outside of San Francisco, offers their hybrid part-time MSW program.

• CSU Chico offers a distributed learning MSW program which is primarily online. The program requires field practicum placement within one of the 18 designated northern California counties with two tweekend intensive visits to Chico each semester. Because of these on-campus requirements, CSU Chico’s program is classified as hybrid.
• CSU Long Beach offers a part-time hybrid MSW program with in-person visits by faculty and classes on Saturdays offered at Santa Rosa Junior College and Ventura County Community College campuses.
• San Jose State University (SJSU) offers a part-time online/hybrid MSW program but is only open to residents of California. They offer a fully online program to California residents as well.

Online MSW Programs that Accept Students from California

All online MSW programs require field education at a local health services agency. Programs that are 100% online do not require students to visit the campus during the program.

How to Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California

Does California Have Social Work License Reciprocity?

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) does not offer licensure reciprocity with any other state’s licensing board. All out-of-state applicants will need to adhere to the requirements set forth by the BBS to be issued their LCSW license. For more information on out-of-state LCSW requirements, refer to the BBS’ Guide to LCSW Out-of-State Applicant Requirements.

• Earn a Doctorate of Social Work in an accelerated 28-month program or a standard 36-month program.
• DSW@USC prepares experienced professionals to develop practical, applied solutions to large-scale social challenges.

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Information on this page was last updated on 3/31/2020. Please check the university's website for the most current information.