Social Work (MSW)

Is the Master of social work for you?

Do any of the following describe you?

• Passionate about advocating for human rights and social and economic justice.
• Committed to addressing complex problems.
• Want to work with families, children, youth, or older adults.
• Care about helping at-risk populations.
• Interested in providing mental health counseling.
• Dreaming of leading a social service agency.
• Enjoy working with diverse populations.
• If you’re this kind of person, the master’s in social work might be worth exploring.

Do these jobs sound interesting to you?

Our alumni are:

• Behavioral health social worker
• Licensed clinical social worker
• Probation officer
• Hospital social worker

Other possibilities are:

• Addiction program director
• Adoption agency social worker
• Agency administrator
• Family resource officer
• Lobbyist
• Policymaker

Is this the kind of salary you are seeking?

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows the following outlook for Social Workers(opens in new window):

Median Pay
$50,390 per year/$24.23 per hour

Job Outlook
9% (Faster than average)

Environment
Social workers are employed in a variety of settings, including child welfare and human service agencies, healthcare providers, and schools. Most work full-time, and some work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

What if my bachelor’s isn’t in social work?

You can still pursue this degree if your undergraduate degree was in a different field. It will require prerequisites to bring you up to speed. Talk to the graduate coordinator for details.

How long will it take?

• The master of social work can be completed as a one-year, 36-unit, program for students with a bachelor’s in social work.
• Students without a BSW may complete a two-year, 61- to 63-unit, program.
• Or students may opt for a three-year, distributed learning program with the same curriculum as the two-year program, but delivered through blended learning formats (online technology with face-to-face classes two to three weekends per semester with a possible Friday evening in the concentration year

Getting You Ready

• Training based on an advanced generalist practice model.
• Focus in concentration year on mental health services, family/child/ youth services, or gerontology.

Real World Opportunities 

• Opportunities for field education in local agencies supervised by an MSW level social worker (16–24 hours per week).
• Integration of coursework and other activities with field education.
• Regular consultations with faculty.

Lots of Benefits

• Opportunities for a specialized stipend program: the Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend.
• Excellent employment prospects—program track record of virtually 100 percent employment upon graduation.

Continuing Your Education 

• A number of our graduates have come back to teach in the School of Social Work, and others have gone on to get a PhD.

Behavioral Health & Child Welfare Support

• Many of our graduates work in the behavioral health field, counseling and supporting people with mental health challenges, running programs, and supervising other clinicians.
• Many graduates work in child welfare supporting families and ensuring that kids are safe.

Working In The Community

• Our graduates are working as school counselors and hospital workers throughout the North State and beyond.
• Some graduates have started nonprofit organizations or developed programs within larger agencies.