Social Work, M.S.W.*

Program of Study

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at CSUSM is designed to develop culturally informed, ethical, and effective professionals for direct social work practice with diverse populations. The MSW program prepares students for direct practice in a variety of settings including public, private, and nonprofit agencies and organizations, in social services, child welfare services, human services, healthcare, and mental/behavioral health.

Mission

Grounded in principles of social justice, the mission of the Master of Social Work program is to prepare competent, committed, and conscientious social workers who engage in ethical and reflective advanced generalist practice in various contexts. Responsive to a diverse and multicultural global society, our program focuses on community engagement, service, advocacy, leadership, and research that enhances the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Southern California and beyond.

The MSW program specialization is advanced generalist, which prepares students for a broad scope of practice in a variety of settings. Program emphases are also available in children, youth, and family; behavioral health; and school social work.

Working primarily in public, private, and nonprofit agencies, MSW graduates help diverse individuals, families, organizations, and communities recognize their strengths, access needed resources, improve functioning, and reach their goals and full potential.

Program Goals

1. The goals of the MSW program are to prepare advanced generalist practitioners who:
   1. Identify as professional social workers committed to reflective, ethical, conscientious, and collaborative practice.
   2. Are grounded in core social work values and principles including: person in environment, strengths perspective, cultural humility, self-determination, recovery, and trauma informed approaches.
   3. Serve as leaders engaged in empathic, competent, interdisciplinary, and research-informed practice.
   4. Are committed to advancing social, economic, and environmental justice, promoting human rights, and engaging in social action that motivates and empowers culturally, economically, and socially diverse communities.
2. Engage in research and service activities that enhance social work practice and the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

The Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) for social workers are defined by the national accrediting body, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and encompass the following 9 competencies:

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice

3. Engage in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice

4. Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

5. Engage in Policy Practice

6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Professional Licensure and Certification 

• Information about Professional Licensure and Certification
• Information about Pupil Personnel Services Credential in the Department of Social Work  

Admission Requirements and Application

Admission into the Master of Social Work program requires an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Computer literacy is expected. The appropriateness of undergraduate preparation and relevant experience will influence admission to the program.

Specific admission criteria are:

• Applicant must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate studies at CSUSM.
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.
• Completion of an undergraduate course in statistics, preferably in the social and behavioral sciences, with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
• TOEFL/TWE if appropriate with a minimum TOEFL score of 550 and a 4.5 on the TWE.
• Submission of a completed MSW program application.
• One set of official transcripts from college and universities attended with official verification of graduation.
• A personal statement stating the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the MSW degree, describing the applicant’s relevant work/volunteer experience, and demonstrating the applicant’s past academic performance. The personal statement must conform to the guidelines as specified in the personal statement prompt.
• Three completed online references/recommendation forms; including either two academic and one professional, or two professional and one academic reference. (Please note: personal references will not be accepted.)
• A resume that includes a minimum of 300 hours of experience as a volunteer or employee in a social service setting. These 300 experience hours must be clearly indicated in the resume and the name and email address(es) of the supervisor(s) of these hours must be provided. A “social service” setting is an agency or organization that provides services designed to enhance or support the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in need.
• In accordance with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards, the MSW program does not grant academic credit for previous life or work experience.

Advanced Standing Applicants
In addition to meeting the above admission requirements, advanced standing applicants must have:
• A Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited institution received within the past 5 years.
• An overall minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed.

Degree Requirements and Courses

The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a graduate program that may be completed in one, two or three years. The one-year option, or advanced standing, requires 30 units of the advanced curriculum. The two-year program option consists of thirty (30) units in the generalist foundation year and thirty (30) unit in the advanced year which focuses on advanced generalist practice. 

For the three-year curriculum, students will take twelve (12) units of course work during the first year. During the second and third years, courses begin in summer semester and students will complete field internships during fall and spring semesters, taking twenty-four (24) units each year. 

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in the MSW program, earn credit in all Field Instruction courses and Culminating Experience course(s) and earn at least a C (2.0) in all other required courses to graduate. Any units applied to the MSW program and not earned in residence at CSU San Marcos must have approval by the admissions committee chair and the MSW Program Director or designee. All requirements for the MSW degree must be completed within five years from starting the MSW coursework. Those students electing to complete a traditional qualitative or quantitative thesis must secure IRB approval, have supervision by a thesis advisor, and successfully complete an oral defense of their thesis. Students not doing a traditional thesis must successfully complete a comprehensive exam. 

During the program, students will complete all required hours of field experience in local and regional social services or related agencies or organizations. 

Continuation

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and a grade of at least C in all classes; if the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters, the student will be dropped from the program. A student who earns less than a C in any course will be allowed to repeat the course one time with the next cohort. Students may repeat up to two (2) courses, where less than a C grade was earned, in order to meet graduation requirements. Failure to pass the course a second time with a C or better will provide justification for disqualification from the program. Students must be continuously enrolled unless they apply for a leave of absence. Students who are not continuously enrolled, or who have a leave of absence of longer than two semesters, must petition the program for continuation. All requirements for the degree must be finished within five years after the beginning of any coursework in the graduate program. The program will disqualify an enrolled student whose academic achievement or field practicum performance does not meet the minimum standards of the social work profession.

Course of Study

Full-Time (2 Year) Program

Students in the advanced standing program complete Year 2: Advanced Year Courses only. Students in the full-time (2-year) program will proceed with the graduate coursework in the following manner: 

3-Year Regional Online Program

*The Social Work, M.S.W. 3-Year Program is offered through the office of Extended Learning

Students in 3-year online program will proceed with the graduate coursework in the following manner: