Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) Online MSW Program

The Department of Social Work at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) offers a part-time, online Distributed Learning (DL) MSW program designed for students who are rooted in their communities and would not otherwise have access to graduate social work education. The program was created in partnership with county and tribal social service providers in far northern California, with the specific goal of developing a workforce prepared to serve rural and Indigenous communities. Students in the online program must live in California while enrolled.

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The program is an advanced generalist MSW with an emphasis on working in rural and Indigenous communities. This distinctive focus is woven throughout all coursework, field placements, and the required on-campus January Intensive. All applicants are required to have completed a course in Native American Studies as a prerequisite, reflecting the department’s longstanding commitment to decolonizing social work practice.

While the majority of coursework is delivered online, the Distributed Learning program is not purely asynchronous. Students attend weekly live webinar sessions throughout the program, come to campus for a mandatory orientation at the start of their program, and return to campus once each year to participate in a January Intensive (approximately 3 days). Travel to and from campus is at the student’s expense.

The online MSW follows the same curriculum as the on-campus program. Class sizes are small to maintain a strong student-to-instructor ratio. All courses follow a sequential plan and are offered only once per year.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The university is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Program Overview

Department: The Department of Social Work at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt)
Phone: (707) 826-4443 or (707) 826-4448
Degree Types: Traditional Standing (3.5 years part-time); Advanced Standing (2 years part-time) — both online options are part-time only
Concentration: Advanced Generalist Practice with an emphasis on rural and Indigenous communities
Program Structure: Online (Distributed Learning) with local field placements; mandatory campus orientation and annual January Intensive required
Instruction Methods: Mix of synchronous (weekly live webinar sessions) and asynchronous; cohort model; courses offered once per year in sequence; campus visits required (orientation + once annually for January Intensive)
GRE: Not required
Eligibility: California residents only (students must live in California throughout the program)
Funding note: Over half of the students benefit from scholarships or stipends. Program-specific funding opportunities include the CA Title IV-E Child Welfare Program, the Adult Protective Services MSW Training Program, the Rural and Tribal Behavioral Health Distributed Learning Advanced Standing MSW Fellowship (RTBH DLAS MSW), and the School-Based Mental Health Stipend Program.

Program Information – Traditional Standing Students

The traditional standing Distributed Learning program is a part-time, 3.5-year pathway for students who do not hold an accredited BSW. Students begin in January (Spring semester) and work through a sequential curriculum emphasizing generalist practice with rural and Indigenous communities. The program mirrors the on-campus curriculum and is supplemented by a community seminar designed to support online students’ success.

Program Requirements

Field Education Requirements: 960 hours total across two practicum placements over the course of the program. Field placements are local to the student and arranged with guidance from the Director of Community Placement and Practicum Education. Students complete the same coursework, total hours, and supervision expectations as on-campus students. Placement planning begins during the two semesters prior to starting field.
Number of Credits: Consistent with the full MSW curriculum (courses follow a set sequence)

Program Length

3.5 years part-time (10 semesters)
Start Date: Spring (January)

Admission Requirements

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in any field
GPA of approximately 3.0 or better in the last 60 units (GPAs below 2.5 cannot be accepted)
Completion of a course in Native American Studies with a grade of C or better (approved courses must demonstrate content on Federal Indian Law, Sovereignty, and Indigenous Nations Self-Determination; email the department if your course is not on the approved list)
Unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and Native American Studies course)
Resume (include estimated total hours for each position listed)
Personal statement (essay format; guidelines provided)
Three reference contact emails submitted via Cal State Apply (1 academic + 2 professional recommended; references due by application deadline)
Official transcripts sent directly to the university as soon as possible (may take several weeks to process)
GRE: Not required
Statistics prerequisite: Not required

Program Information – Advanced Standing Students

The Advanced Standing Distributed Learning program is a part-time, 2-year pathway exclusively for students who hold an accredited BSW. Advanced Standing students begin with summer bridge courses, then join the existing MSW cohort in the advanced year. Summer Bridge courses are offered through the College of Extended Education (currently $540/unit; increasing to $572/unit in Spring 2026).