Master of Social Work

The Department of Social Work offers a two-year and a three-year professional program leading to a Master of Social Work. The goal of the Master of Social Work program is to prepare students to enter professional, multicultural social work practice. Students also learn to practice as professional social workers with persons and groups representing the range of human diversity and with all size systems (individuals, families groups, communities and institutions). In addition, students are prepared for advanced, specialized practice in concentrations of Children, Youth and Families or Older Adults and Families.

The master's program emphasizes ecological systems, a perspective that focuses on the interaction of a person or system in relation to their environments. Within this perspective, knowledge, values and skills are used in a change-oriented process within a multicultural context to help individuals and social units achieve improved quality of life and social participation. The program includes a focus on advocacy for non-profit institutions and equitable access to opportunities and resources for the disenfranchised.

The field work sequence plays an integral role in the Master of Social Work curriculum. The field experience offers an opportunity for students to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and social work practice and intervention skills in a community agency setting, under the supervision of a qualified field instructor.

Each Master of Social Work student has two field placements during their course of study. Each placement involves 500 hours in a community agency setting and attendance at a weekly mandatory field work seminar. The Department of Social Work field faculty designate approved placement sites, make student placement assignments, and monitor student progress throughout the field work placement periods.

Application materials and information are located on the right-hand side of this page and if you have additional questions please contact us at socwork@csulb.edu.

Program Structure and Model

The Master of Social Work degree requires completion of 60 semester units.
The CSULB residency requirement for full-time status as a graduate student is nine credit hours. Scheduling of classes is dependent on resources. Generally, courses needed for the advanced standing, two-year, and three-year program models are offered each term.
Program models are detailed in the Information Brochure (see link to the right)

UPDATES

For information and updates on MSW admissions for Fall 2010 and deferrals from Fall 2009, please click on the following link: MSW Admissions News & Updates

MSW Department Application

The Fall 2010 Department Application is now available. Please click the "Department Application" link (above) to download the PDF file.

Applications may be submitted from October 2009 through March 1, 2010 for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Thank you for your interest in the CSULB Department of Social Work.

Helpful Links

External Links