California is home to the largest concentration of CSWE-accredited MSW programs in the United States. The state's public university systems, the UC and CSU systems, offer accredited programs at a fraction of the cost of private institutions, with in-state tuition typically under $16,000 per year. Private programs from USC, Loma Linda, Azusa Pacific, California Baptist, and University of the Pacific add clinical depth and flexible delivery options, including online tracks.
Graduates who plan to practice in California should account for the state's LCSW requirements, which differ from most other states. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) requires 3,200 post-degree supervised hours, more than double the requirement in many states, along with a California-specific Law and Ethics Exam in addition to the ASWB Clinical exam. Planning for licensure from the time of enrollment affects which practicum sites and supervision arrangements students should seek out.
All 25 Campus-Based CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in California
Scored on the same seven-factor model used in the national ranking. All data sourced from the CSWE accreditation directory and official program pages (.edu). Accreditation years are Initial Accreditation Dates from the CSWE directory. Four online-only programs are not included in this ranking.
- #1 National #8
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Los Angeles, CA · On-Campus or Online
9.1
64 (standard) / 32 (Advanced Standing) credits 1,200 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1922Why It Ranks Here
USC's Dworak-Peck school holds one of the longest continuous CSWE accreditation records in the country, with initial accreditation dating to 1922. The program requires 1,200 practicum hours, the highest field education mandate of any program in this state ranking, split across a generalist and a specialist placement. Both on-campus and fully online tracks are available, and a San Diego campus location was added in 2023. Multiple dual degree options are available, including combinations with Law, Public Health, Public Policy, Business Administration, and Urban Planning. USC also appears in the national top-15 ranking.
View program page → - #2
UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare
Berkeley, CA · On-Campus
9.0
48 credits 900 field hours No Advanced Standing Accred. since 1928Why It Ranks Here
UC Berkeley's School of Social Welfare holds CSWE accreditation dating to 1928, among the longest records of any program in the country. The school requires only 48 credits for completion, making it one of the most credit-efficient MSW degrees from a Research I university. Concentrations include Mental Health and Children and Family Services. Dual degree options with Law, Public Health, and Public Policy are available. The program consistently draws strong peer-assessment scores in U.S. News graduate social work rankings.
View program page → - #3 National #13
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Social Welfare
Los Angeles, CA · On-Campus
8.9
72 credits 1,000 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1949Why It Ranks Here
UCLA's social welfare MSW requires 72 credits, reflecting a curriculum structured around four concentrations: Mental Health, Health, Children and Families, and Community and Systems Change. Field education totals 1,000 hours across two placements. UCLA has held CSWE accreditation since 1949 and ranks among the top peer-assessed programs in U.S. News graduate social work surveys. Advanced Standing is available for eligible BSW holders. Dual degrees with Law, Public Health, and Public Policy are offered. UCLA also appears in the national top-15 ranking.
View program page → - #4
San Diego State University School of Social Work
San Diego, CA · On-Campus
7.9
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1966Why It Ranks Here
San Diego State holds CSWE accreditation since 1966 and offers one of the more affordable accredited MSW options in Southern California through the CSU system. The program operates a second campus in Calexico, providing access to the U.S./Mexico border region and a distinctive bilingual practice environment. Concentrations include Direct Social Work Practice and Community Development. A dual degree with Public Health is available. Advanced Standing is offered for recent BSW graduates.
View program page → - #5
San Jose State University, Department of Social Work
San Jose, CA · On-Campus or Online
7.8
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1973Why It Ranks Here
San Jose State's MSW program holds CSWE accreditation since 1973 and is one of two CSU-system programs serving the San Francisco Bay Area. An online track is offered alongside the San Jose campus. Multiple certifications are available, including Child Welfare, Gerontology, School Social Work, and Public Health, an unusually broad set of credential options for a CSU-system program. Advanced Standing is available for eligible BSW graduates. Practicum placements draw from the dense public and nonprofit agency network across Silicon Valley and the broader Bay Area.
View program page → - #6
California State University, Sacramento, Division of Social Work
Sacramento, CA · On-Campus
7.7
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1966Why It Ranks Here
Cal State Sacramento's Division of Social Work holds CSWE accreditation since 1966 and is situated in the state capital, providing students with proximity to Sacramento County DHHS, the California Department of Social Services, and state-level policy environments. Concentrations span Children and Family Services, Mental Health, and Gerontology. A Child Welfare certification track and articulation agreements with county agencies support structured pathways from practicum into employment. Advanced Standing is available.
View program page → - #7
San Francisco State University, School of Social Work
San Francisco, CA · On-Campus
7.6
60 credits 900 field hours No Advanced Standing Accred. since 1971Why It Ranks Here
SFSU's School of Social Work has held continuous CSWE accreditation since 1971 and draws on Bay Area and Northern California practicum networks. Concentrations include Community Mental Health, Gerontological Social Work, and Family and Children Services. The program emphasizes social justice and multicultural practice, reflecting the diverse urban context of San Francisco. The program is offered on a full-time schedule; no Advanced Standing or online track is currently listed.
View program page → - #8
California State University, Fresno, Department of Social Work Education
Fresno, CA · On-Campus
7.5
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1966Why It Ranks Here
Fresno State's Department of Social Work Education holds CSWE accreditation at both BSW and MSW levels, with initial MSW accreditation dating to 1966. The program occupies a distinct role in California's social work landscape, training practitioners for the Central Valley, one of the most underserved regions in the state for licensed social work professionals. Practicum placements draw from Fresno County DHHS, Valley Children's Hospital, and regional nonprofits. A Gerontology certification and Advanced Standing track are available.
View program page → - #9
California State University, Long Beach, Department of Social Work
Long Beach, CA · On-Campus
7.4
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1987Why It Ranks Here
Cal State Long Beach holds CSWE accreditation since 1987 and operates across multiple locations, including Ventura and Santa Rosa in addition to the Long Beach main campus, making it one of the more geographically distributed MSW programs in the CSU system. Specializations include Aging, Child Welfare, Health, Mental Health, and School Social Work. A School Social Work certification and Pupil Personnel Services credential are available. Advanced Standing is offered for recent BSW graduates.
View program page → - #10
Loma Linda University, Department of Social Work and Social Ecology
San Bernardino, CA · On-Campus or Online
7.3
63 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1995Why It Ranks Here
Loma Linda University's MSW holds CSWE accreditation since 1995 and is grounded in a Christian/Seventh-day Adventist institutional mission emphasizing whole-person care. Specializations in Clinical Practice and Mental Health reflect the program's health-social work orientation, reinforced by its proximity to Loma Linda University Medical Center. At 63 credits, the curriculum is slightly larger than most CSU-system programs. A dual degree with Criminal Justice is available. Certifications in Addictions are offered. Advanced Standing and an online track are both available.
View program page → - #11
California State University, San Bernardino, Department of Social Work
San Bernardino, CA · On-Campus or Online
7.2
60 (standard) / 35 (Advanced Standing) credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1989Why It Ranks Here
CSUSB holds CSWE accreditation since 1989 and serves the Inland Empire through its San Bernardino campus, a Palm Desert location added in 2024, and an online pathway. Advanced Standing is available for qualifying BSW graduates, reducing the credit load to 35 units. A concurrent MSW/MPA dual degree is available at 73 total units for students pursuing administrative careers. Practicum placements are coordinated through Inland Empire county agencies and regional nonprofits.
View program page → - #12
California State University, Los Angeles, Division of Social Work
Los Angeles, CA · On-Campus
7.1
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1999Why It Ranks Here
Cal State LA's Division of Social Work holds CSWE accreditation since 1999 and primarily serves working adult students in the greater LA region, maintaining practicum partnerships across Los Angeles County's public human services network. Concentrations are available in Children and Family Services, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice, and Behavioral Health. A Gerontology certification is offered. Advanced Standing is available for eligible BSW graduates.
View program page → - #13
California State University, Northridge, Department of Social Work
Northridge, CA · On-Campus or Online
7.0
60�63 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2004Why It Ranks Here
CSUN's Department of Social Work received initial CSWE accreditation in 2004. The program offers three scheduling tracks: a two-year full-time daytime cohort, a three-year part-time evening cohort, and a fully asynchronous online option, making it one of the more format-flexible programs in the CSU system. The curriculum emphasizes advanced generalist practice in urban communities, reflecting the diverse population of the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles. Advanced Standing is available for eligible BSW graduates.
View program page → - #14
Cal Poly Humboldt, Department of Social Work
Arcata, CA · On-Campus or Online
6.9
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2003Why It Ranks Here
Cal Poly Humboldt holds CSWE accreditation since 2003 and occupies a distinct niche in California's MSW landscape, training social workers for advanced generalist practice with an emphasis on rural communities and Indigenous populations. Located in Arcata in Humboldt County, one of the most rural counties in the state, the program draws practicum placements from tribal social services, county agencies, and rural healthcare systems across Northern California. An online track is available for students who cannot relocate to Humboldt County. A School Social Work certification is offered. Advanced Standing is available.
View program page → - #15
California State University, Stanislaus, Department of Social Work
Turlock, CA · On-Campus or Online
6.8
60 credits 900 field hours No Advanced Standing Accred. since 1996Why It Ranks Here
CSU Stanislaus holds CSWE accreditation since 1996 and serves the Central Valley through its Turlock campus, a Stockton location added in 2024, and an online track. The program emphasizes advanced generalist practice and draws practicum placements from Stanislaus County, San Joaquin County, and surrounding rural and semi-rural communities. Multiple cohort start dates and evening/weekend scheduling options are designed for working adults in the region. Advanced Standing is not currently offered.
View program page → - #16
Azusa Pacific University, Department of Social Work
Azusa, CA · On-Campus
6.7
60�66 (standard) / 36�42 (Advanced Standing) credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2007Why It Ranks Here
Azusa Pacific University holds CSWE accreditation since 2007 for its MSW program, offered across Azusa and San Bernardino campuses. The program provides one-year, two-year, and three-year degree timelines, including Advanced Standing options for eligible BSW graduates. Two concentrations are available: Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families, and Community Leadership and Program Administration. APU has developed partnerships with community agencies across multiple Southern California counties for field placements.
View program page → - #17
California State University, Bakersfield, Department of Social Work
Bakersfield, CA · On-Campus
6.6
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2002Why It Ranks Here
Cal State Bakersfield's MSW program holds CSWE accreditation since 2002 and serves the southern San Joaquin Valley through its Bakersfield main campus and a Lancaster satellite location, providing access to the Antelope Valley. The program emphasizes advanced generalist practice and maintains practicum partnerships with Kern County agencies, regional healthcare systems, and Antelope Valley social services organizations. Advanced Standing is available for eligible BSW graduates. Both full-time and part-time enrollment are offered.
View program page → - #18
California State University, Chico, Department of Social Work
Chico, CA · On-Campus or Online
6.5
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2003Why It Ranks Here
CSU Chico's MSW program holds CSWE accreditation since 2003 and serves the northern Sacramento Valley and surrounding rural communities through its Chico campus and an online track. The program emphasizes advanced generalist practice and offers Advanced Standing for eligible BSW graduates. Multiple cohort start dates and evening/weekend scheduling options are available. The online track expands access to students in rural Northern California who cannot commute to campus.
View program page → - #19
California State University, East Bay, Department of Social Work
Hayward, CA · On-Campus or Online
6.4
60 credits 900 field hours No Advanced Standing Accred. since 2003Why It Ranks Here
CSU East Bay (formerly California State University, Hayward) holds CSWE accreditation since 2003 and serves the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area from its Hayward campus and an online track. Specializations in Children and Families and Mental Health are offered. Practicum placements draw from Alameda and Contra Costa county agencies, regional nonprofits, and Bay Area healthcare systems. Evening and weekend scheduling options are available. Advanced Standing is not currently offered.
View program page → - #20
California State University, Fullerton, Department of Social Work
Fullerton, CA · On-Campus (Evening)
6.3
60 credits 1,050 field hours No Advanced Standing Accred. since 2007Why It Ranks Here
CSU Fullerton's MSW program earned CSWE accreditation in 2007 and requires 1,050 field hours, the second-highest practicum requirement among California programs in this ranking, exceeded only by USC. Three concentrations are available: Aging, Child Welfare, and Community Mental Health. Evening scheduling is designed for working professionals, a distinguishing feature for students employed in human services during their degree. The program draws practicum sites from Orange County and greater LA social services agencies. Advanced Standing is not offered.
View program page → - #21
California State University, Dominguez Hills, Department of Social Work
Carson, CA · On-Campus
6.2
60 credits 900 field hours No Advanced Standing Accred. since 2007Why It Ranks Here
Cal State Dominguez Hills received CSWE accreditation in 2007. The program is grounded in Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, with students taking a Critical Race Studies in Social Work Practice course in their first semester, an explicit curricular commitment not commonly formalized at other programs. CSUDH serves the South Bay and greater Los Angeles area, drawing practicum placements from LA County human services agencies. Specializations in Children, Youth, and Families and Community Development and Social Systems are offered. Advanced Standing is not available.
View program page → - #22
California State University, Monterey Bay, Department of Social Work
Seaside, CA · On-Campus
6.1
60 credits 900 field hours No Advanced Standing Accred. since 2010Why It Ranks Here
CSU Monterey Bay's MSW program holds CSWE accreditation since 2010 and serves the Monterey Bay region from its Seaside campus. The program emphasizes advanced generalist practice and draws practicum placements from Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties, a region with a significant agricultural workforce and a distinct set of rural health and human services needs. Full-time enrollment only. No online track or Advanced Standing is currently offered.
View program page → - #23
California State University, San Marcos, Department of Social Work
San Marcos, CA · On-Campus or Online
6.0
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2013Why It Ranks Here
CSU San Marcos holds CSWE accreditation since 2013 and added an online track in 2023, expanding access beyond the San Diego North County region it primarily serves. Advanced Standing is available for eligible BSW graduates. Three certifications are offered: Child and Family, School Social Work, and Behavioral Health, a strong set of credential options for a program of its accreditation age. Part-time and evening/weekend scheduling options are available. Practicum placements are coordinated through San Diego County agencies and regional nonprofits.
View program page → - #24
California Baptist University, Department of Social Work
Riverside, CA · On-Campus or Online
5.9
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2016Why It Ranks Here
California Baptist University holds CSWE accreditation since 2016 and offers its MSW from a Riverside campus and an online track. The program operates within a Christian institutional framework and emphasizes advanced generalist practice. Advanced Standing is available for eligible BSW graduates, with multiple cohort start dates per year for accelerated completion. Evening and weekend scheduling options are available. Practicum placements are coordinated through Inland Empire and Southern California human services agencies.
View program page → - #25
University of the Pacific, Department of Social Work
Sacramento, CA · On-Campus or Online
5.8
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2020Why It Ranks Here
University of the Pacific's MSW received initial CSWE accreditation in 2020, making it the newest accredited program in this ranking. The program operates from a Sacramento location with an online track added in 2024. Specializations in Healthcare and Behavioral Health reflect UOP's health sciences institutional context. Advanced Standing is available for eligible BSW graduates. As the newest program on this list, it carries a shorter accreditation history than the programs ranked above it, though it holds full current CSWE standing.
View program page →
Job Market for MSW Graduates in California
California employs more social workers than any other state. The state's large public social services infrastructure, including county departments of health and human services, state agencies, hospital systems, and a dense nonprofit sector, creates ongoing demand for licensed and credentialed social workers across all specialty areas.
Wages in California run above the national median across all social work specialties. Healthcare social workers benefit from California's large hospital and medical center sector, including UC Health, Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and the VA health system. County public agency positions (child welfare, mental health, adult protective services) offer defined benefit pensions and public service loan forgiveness eligibility, making them financially competitive with higher-paying private settings over a full career.
The California Department of Social Services and county-level DHHS agencies are among the largest employers of MSW graduates in the state. Many MSW programs, particularly the CSU schools, maintain formal articulation agreements with county agencies that structure field placement pipelines into hiring.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, California; California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
How We Ranked These Programs
Each program is scored on the same seven-factor model used in the national ranking. The state ranking uses identical criteria and weights. No California-specific adjustments are made. Programs are ordered by composite score. For the full methodology, see our ranking methodology page.
- CSWE Accreditation (25%): Active accreditation status and continuous accreditation history.
- Program Leadership (15%): Faculty credentials, research output, and peer-assessment scores.
- Pathways (15%): Concentration variety, Advanced Standing availability, and dual-degree options.
- Delivery Format (15%): Online, hybrid, and in-person availability; start-term flexibility.
- Employer Signal (15%): Field placement hours required, practicum site depth, and documented placement infrastructure.
- Cost & Affordability (10%): Published tuition per credit or per year, in-state vs. out-of-state differential.
- Reputation (5%): U.S. News peer-assessment scores and institutional recognition.