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.

University of Southern California
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The MSW@USC is the online Master of Social Work from top-ranked USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. USC offers virtual and in-person field education, and students focus on adults, youth or social change.
- Minimum completion time: 16 months
- Online classes taught by USC faculty
- Virtual field training to build skills and confidence
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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 | Format | Enrollment Type |
---|---|---|
California State University, Northridge | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
California State University, San Bernardino | Online | Part-Time |
Humboldt State University | Online | Part-Time |
University of Southern California SPONSORED | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Sponsored Online MSW Programs
University and Program Name | Study Length | Enrollment Type | Field Placement Support |
---|---|---|---|
University of Denver
Master of Social Work (MSW) SPONSORED | As few as 12 months | Full-Time and Part-Time | Support Available |
Fordham University
Master of Social Work (MSW) SPONSORED | As few as 16 months | Full-Time and Part-Time | Support Available |
Simmons University
Master of Social Work (MSW) SPONSORED | As few as 9 months | Accelerated Full-Time Part-Time | Support Available |
Howard University
Master of Social Work (MSW) SPONSORED | As few as 12 months | Full-Time and Part-Time | Support Available |
University of Southern California
Master of Social Work (MSW) SPONSORED | As few as 16 months | Full-Time and Part-Time | Support Available |
Syracuse University
Master of Social Work (MSW) SPONSORED | As few as 24 months | Full-Time and Part-Time | Support Available |
Case Western Reserve University
Master of Social Work (MSW) SPONSORED | As few as a year and a half | Full-Time and Part-Time | Support Available |
Baylor University
Master of Social Work (MSW) SPONSORED | 12-36 months | Accelerated Full-Time Part-Time | Support Available |
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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 | Format | Enrollment Type |
---|---|---|
California State University at Long Beach | Hybrid | Part-Time |
California State University at Chico | Hybrid | Part-Time |
San José State University | Online | Full-Time |
Online MSW Programs that Accept Students from California
University | Format | Enrollment Type |
---|---|---|
Adelphi University | Online | Part-Time |
Arizona State University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Baylor University SPONSORED | Online | Accelerated Full-Time Part-Time |
Boise State University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Boston University | Online | Part-Time |
California State University, Northridge | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
California State University, San Bernardino | Online | Part-Time |
Campbellsville University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Capella University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Case Western Reserve University SPONSORED | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Columbia University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Delaware State University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Edinboro University | Online | Full-Time |
Florida State University | Online | Part-Time |
Fordham University SPONSORED | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
George Mason University | Online | Part-Time |
Humboldt State University | Online | Part-Time |
Indiana University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Louisiana State University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Metropolitan State University of Denver | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
New Mexico State University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Ohio State University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Ohio University | Online | Part-Time |
Our Lady of the Lake University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Portland State University | Online | Full-Time |
Rutgers University | Hybrid | Part-Time |
Samford University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
San José State University | Online | Full-Time |
Simmons University SPONSORED | Online | Accelerated Full-Time Part-Time |
Syracuse University SPONSORED | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Temple University | Online | Part-Time |
Texas State University – San Marcos | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
The Catholic University of America | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
Tulane University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
University at Buffalo (SUNY) | Online | Part-Time |
University of Arkansas, Little Rock | Online | Part-Time |
University of Central Florida | Online | Part-Time |
University of Denver SPONSORED | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
University of Houston | Online | Part-Time |
University of Kentucky | Online | Full-Time |
University of Louisville | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
University of Nevada, Reno | Online | Full-Time |
University of New England | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
University of New Hampshire | Online | Full-Time Part-Time |
University of North Dakota | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
University of South Florida | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
University of Tennessee at Knoxville | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley | Online | Full-Time |
West Virginia University | Online | Part-Time |
Western New Mexico University | Online | Full-Time Part-Time |
Winthrop University | Online | Part-Time |
Yeshiva University | Online | Full-Time and Part-Time |
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.

University of Southern California
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Doctorate of Social Work (DSW)
Professionals from a variety of fields learn to develop solutions to poverty, homelessness and other social issues with USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work’s online Doctorate of Social Work. Complete the program in 28 months part time with a master’s degree.
- Earn a doctorate from USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.
- Study part time without attending classes on campus.
- Complete the online DSW program in 28 months.
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Last updated: September 2020