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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.
Sponsored Online MSW Program for California

- Complete in as little as 12 months with a BSW
- Features virtual and in-person field education in or near students’ own communities
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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.
University Name | City | Program Structure | Program Options |
---|---|---|---|
CSU Northridge | Northridge, CA | 100% Online |
|
CSU San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA | 100% Online with Annual Campus Visits |
|
Humboldt State University | Arcata, CA | 100% Online with Annual Campus Visits |
|
University of Southern California Sponsored Program |
Los Angeles, CA | 100% Online |
|
University Name | Live Classes | Traditional and Advanced Standing Options | Field Placement Services | No Campus Visit Required |
---|---|---|---|---|
University of Denver Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Fordham University Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Simmons University Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
University of Southern California (USC) Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Syracuse University Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Case Western Reserve University Master of Science in Social Administration |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Baylor University Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
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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.
University Name | City | Program Structure | Program Options |
---|---|---|---|
CSU Chico | Chico, CA | Some Online Coursework with Face-to-Face Formats |
|
CSU Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | Some Online Coursework with Face-to-Face Formats |
|
San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Some Online Coursework with Weekday Evening Classes |
|
Online MSW Programs that Accept Students from California
University Name | Program Structure | Program Options |
---|---|---|
Adelphi University | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Arizona State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Baylor University Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional FT & PT |
Boise State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Boston University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
California State University, Northridge | 100% Online | Traditional FT |
California State University, San Bernardino | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional PT |
Campbellsville University | 100% Online | Traditional FT, Advanced FT & PT |
Capella University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Case Western Reserve University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Columbia University | 100% Online | Traditional FT & PT, Advanced PT |
Delaware State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
Edinboro University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
Florida State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Fordham University Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
George Mason University | 100% Online | Traditional PT |
Humboldt State University | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Indiana University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Louisiana State University | 100% Online | Traditional FT & PT, Advanced FT |
Loyola University Chicago | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Metropolitan State University of Denver | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
New Mexico State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
Ohio State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Ohio University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Our Lady of the Lake University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Portland State University | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional PT, Advanced FT |
Rutgers University | 100% Online | Traditional PT, Advanced FT |
Samford University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
San Jose State University | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional PT |
Simmons University Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Syracuse University Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional PT, Advanced FT & PT |
Temple University | 100% Online | Traditional PT |
Texas State University - San Marcos | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
The Catholic University of America | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Tulane University | 100% Online | Traditional FT & PT, Advanced FT |
University at Buffalo (SUNY) | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
University of Arkansas | 100% Online | Advanced FT |
University of Central Florida | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
University of Denver Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
University of Georgia | 100% Online | Traditional PT |
University of Houston | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
University of Kentucky | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
University of Louisville | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
University of Nevada, Reno | 100% Online | Traditional 8 Semesters, Advanced 4 Semesters |
University of New England (UNE) | 100% Online | Traditional PT, Advanced Accelerated & PT |
University of New Hampshire | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
University of North Dakota | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional/Advanced PT |
University of South Florida | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
University of Tennessee at Knoxville | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley | 100% Online | Advanced FT |
West Virginia University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Western New Mexico University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Winthrop University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
Yeshiva University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
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
Common Steps to Become a LCSW in California
Step 1: Earn a CSWE accredited master’s degree in social work.
For any out-of-state applicants, you must pursue social work coursework on California Law and Professional Ethics, California Cultures and the Social and Psychological Implications of Socioeconomic Position, Child Abuse, and Suicide Rist and Intervention (Starting in January 2021).
Step 2: Ensure you have required additional coursework requirements met.
The following social work coursework should be included for all in-state applicants in undergraduate, graduate, or approved continuing education coursework:
Course | Hours |
---|---|
Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting [based on California law] | 7 hours |
Human sexuality | 10 hours |
Alcoholism and Other Chemical Substance Dependency | 15 Hours |
Spousal/Partner Abuse Assessment, Detection and Intervention | 15 Hours |
Aging, Long Term Care, and Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse | 10 Hours |
Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention (Requirement in Effect January 1, 2021) | 6 Hours Applied Experience or Coursework |
Step 3: Register as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW).
When registering as an ASW, you will need to complete a live scan for fingerprinting, pass a criminal background check and pass the California Law and Ethics Exam.
Step 4: Obtain Supervised Social Work Experience.
For a total of 3,000 hours over a minimum of 104 weeks, ASW accrue supervised social work experience.
Step 5: Pass the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) Clinical Exam.
Step 6: Request and Obtain LCSW License.
For more detailed information on becoming a LCSW in California, visit the Board of Behavioral Sciences. You can also refer to our guides on general requirements for becoming a social worker and how to
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.
Last updated: September 2020
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