Online & Offsite Programs
The MSW online program is a two-year (four-semester), asynchronous, full-time program with the exception of a weekly synchronous practicum education class. This means that students do not have to be online at a specific time for the academic classes, but must attend a weekly, one-hour (synchronous) online practicum education class. Students take two eight-week courses at a time for a total of 20 classes (60 graduate units), plus ongoing 16-week practicum education classes.
Students will not be required to come to the CSUN campus or any other affiliate university campus during the four-semester online MSW program.
Practicum hours will be 16 hours per week during the entire duration of the program. Students must be available for practicum placement Monday-Friday, from 9am-6pm. Evening and weekend practicum placements are unavailable. It is not possible for students to complete a practicum internship at their place of employment. Practicum placement days and times are determined by the CSUN MSW Practicum Education Department, based on agency needs, student schedules and employer approval. If offered admission to the CSUN Online MSW Program, students are required to successfully complete a practicum internship interview. All applicants are advised to review the Practicum Education Manual and Student Manual for the policies governing the practicum internship and academic program prior to applying to the CSUN Online MSW Program.
More information or Apply to Online Program
Contact: Tseng College at collexl@csun.edu
Visit the Tseng College MSW website for more information and how to apply.
The CSUN Department of Social Work received national initial accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 2004. The Department was re-accredited in 2012 and 2020. Accreditation has been reaffirmed by the CSWE Commission on Accreditation (COA) through the year of 2028, at which time the Department will seek reaccreditation. Reaccreditation is required every 8 years.
The Department of Social Work invites applications from those who are interested in making a positive difference in the lives of the residents of San Fernando Valley, and the Greater Los Angeles Region. The Admissions Committee reviews all applications and accepts candidates who demonstrate personal and academic qualifications necessary for success as a graduate student and as an autonomous social work practitioner. Please note that your writing samples provided in application materials will be considered for writing effectiveness, as this program relies greatly on written work submissions in coursework.
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. A liberal arts background with some coursework in the social, behavioral and biological sciences is strongly preferred.
Applicants must present evidence of the ability to complete graduate study. Ideally, applicants will have attained a GPA of 3.0.
Individuals applying should demonstrate evidence of personal maturity, including the ability to withstand difficult emotional challenges, a commitment to interpersonal processing within the parameters of cultural expectations, respect for others and for their life decisions, a readiness to learn advanced clinical and macro practice and research skills, a commitment to social justice and to the profession's Code of Ethics and a capacity for flexibility and creativity.
Preference will be given to applicants who have had post-baccalaureate work experience. Academic credit, however, cannot be given for prior life and work experience.