MSW Online

Social work programs in Los Angeles

Written by Amy Forman – Last updated:

Los Angeles. For some, the city is synonymous with the entertainment industry. But there is more to Los Angeles than the facade we see in the movies and on television. Real people live in Los Angeles, and they face the same challenges as everyone else.

This is where social workers enter the picture. The demand for social workers across all disciplines is high. Hospitals and medical centers, schools, counseling and family service centers, immigration and refugee organizations, and the city and county of Los Angeles, among others, all need social workers. The outlook for social workers in Los Angeles is strong.

In this guide

In fact, the Employment Development Department (EDD) of the state of California projects double digit growth for social workers between 2018 and 2028 in many areas. 

For example, the EDD projects that between 2018 and 2028 the demand for healthcare social workers in Los Angeles County will increase by 20.8 percent, the demand for mental health and substance abuse social workers will increase by 18.9 percent, and the the demand for child, family, and school social workers will increase by 9.8 percent.

Be sure to check out the full social work and MSW in California guide for more info.

Fortunately, for any student interested in pursuing a social work career in Los Angeles, there are over a dozen traditional and online social work programs for students to choose from, as well as hundreds of field placement opportunities. 

After graduation, licensure is required for the majority of MSW positions in the state of California. Graduates from California-based programs may apply immediately to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for their Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) license. After working as an ASW and meeting the requirements listed below, social workers can apply to the BBS to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

MSW Programs in Los Angeles

Traditionally, social work students would attend a program in person, physically attending all of their classes and engaging in on-site fieldwork. These programs still exist and thrive today. 

The following list of campus-based MSW programs in the Los Angeles area includes only Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited programs, as only graduates of an accredited program will be eligible for licensure in the state of California. All costs are current at the time of this writing.

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University offers both MSW programs and advanced standing MSW programs (for people with a bachelor of social work degree.

Admissions requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
  2. Completion of a statistics course with at least a “C’ grade.
  3. Application fee.
  4. Official transcripts.
  5. Resume.
  6. Admission interview. 
  7. Writing sample.
  8. Two academic or professional references.
  9. Personal statement. 
  10. Acknowledgement of a review of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

Additional advanced standing requirements

  1. BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within seven years of application date. 
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average.
  3. Minimum “B” grade in all social work classes.
  4. Reference from BSW field instructor.

Cost

  • The estimated cost of a traditional MSW program is $47,700. The estimated cost of an advanced standing program is $28,620. Financial aid, scholarships, grants, and stipends are available, including the LADCFS + UCLA Academy of Workforce Excellence Child Welfare Stipend Program.

Concentrations and certificates

  • APU offers specializations in Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families as well as Community Leadership and Program Administration. The program also offers a Human Services Management Certificate and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance.

Advanced standing

  • APU offers two advanced standing options for graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs. The full-time option is a 10 month program while the part-time option is a two year program. Both options require an additional six units of bridge coursework during the summer session before classes start, and both waive foundational MSW coursework.

California Baptist University

Based in Riverside, California Baptist University offers an MSW program:

Admissions requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 
  2. Minimum 2.75 grade point average. 
  3. Application fee.
  4. Official transcripts.
  5. Two recommendations, with one from a professor or instructor preferred. 
  6. Completion of a statistics course with a minimum of a “C” grade. 
  7. Personal essay.
  8. Interview.

Additional advanced standing requirements

  1. BSW from a CSWE accredited institution within seven years of application.
  2. Minimum 3.0 GPA in all social work practice and fieldwork courses.
  3. At least one reference from a social work faculty member or field instructor. 

Cost

  • The cost of the MSW program is estimated to be $788 per course unit. The program consists of sixty units for traditional students, and thirty units for advanced standing. 

Advanced Standing

  • The Advanced Standing program follows the second year curriculum. The fieldwork requirement is reduced from 900 hours to 500 hours.

California State University, Bakersfield

The California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) in Antelope Valley MSW program is offered through the CSU Bakersfield extended education program. All classes are taught by CSUB faculty and instructors. The CSUB Antelope Valley MSW program is a hybrid in-person/online program. In-person classes are held on Saturdays. 

Admission requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a focus on liberal arts.
  2. Minimum 2.5 grade point average.
  3. Application fee.
  4. Official transcripts.
  5. Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
  6. Three professional references. These can include faculty references.
  7. Resume.
  8. Personal essay.
  9. Complete Cal State apply application.

Cost

The approximate total cost of the CSUB Antelope Valley MSW program is estimated to be $40,770. 

Advanced standing

  • CSUB Antelope Valley offers an advanced standing program. The program requires 480 hours of fieldwork rather than the 980 hours that traditional students must complete.

California State University Dominguez Hills

The CSU Dominguez Hills MSW program curriculum is focused on Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality in Social Work Practice. Additional specializations are offered in the areas of children, youth and families, community capacity building, and community mental health. Part-time students, however, may only specialize in community mental health.

Admission requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university including three courses in the social and behavioral sciences, two courses in the humanities, one course in the human lifespan, and one course in statistics.
  2. Minimum 2.75 grade point average.
  3. Official transcript.
  4. Three professional or academic references.
  5. Application fee.
  6. Personal essay.
  7. Resume.
  8. Complete Cal State Apply application.

Cost

  • The annual cost to attend a CSU Dominguez Hills graduate program is estimated to be $8,493 for full-time students and $5,481 for part-time students. 
  • Stipends in public child welfare are available to full-time students. Stipends in mental health and geriatric social work are available for both full-time and part-time students.

Concentrations and certificates

  • The CSU Dominguez Hills MSW program curriculum is focused on Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality in Social Work Practice. Additional specializations are offered in the areas of children, youth and families, community capacity building, and community mental health. Part-time students, however, may only specialize in community mental health.

California State University Fullerton

The MSW program at California State University Fullerton offers child welfare and community mental health concentrations to both full and part-time students. An additional concentration in aging is available to full-time students.

Admission requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree including coursework in human diversity, human behavior, human development, communication, social policy, and research methods.
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average for the last 60 semester/90 quarter units.
  3. Application fee.
  4. Official transcripts.
  5. Three professional or academic references. At least one letter must be from an academic source and one letter must be from a professional source.
  6. Resume.
  7. Personal essay.
  8. Paid, volunteer, or internship experience related to social welfare.
  9. Interview.
  10. Complete Cal State Apply application

Cost

  • As of the 2018-2019 school year, full-time graduate tuition at CSU Fullerton was estimated to be $28,620.

Concentrations and certificates

  • Child welfare and community mental health concentrations are offered to both full and part-time students. An additional concentration in aging is available to full-time students.

California State University Long Beach

California State University Long Beach MSW program offers specializations in child and family wellbeing, adulthood and aging, and integrated health.

A Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential specializing in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance is also available.

Admissions requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program including coursework in elementary statistics with a minimum “C” grade.
  2. Minimum 2.5 grade point average.
  3. Application fee.
  4. Official transcripts.
  5. Three professional or academic references. At least one letter must be from an academic source and one letter must be from a professional source.
  6. Resume.
  7. Personal essay.
  8. Paid, volunteer, or internship experience related to social welfare.
  9. Possible interview.
  10. Complete Cal State Apply application.

Additional advanced standing requirements

  1. BSW completed within the last 5 years.
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Cost

  • Tuition for California residents is estimated to be $22,150 per year. Tuition for non-residents is estimated to be $29,278 per year.
  • CSULB offers several stipends including the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) child welfare stipend, the Geriatric Social Work Leadership Internship stipend, the LA Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and UCLA Workforce Excellence Program stipend, and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Stipend.

Advanced standing

  • The CSU Long Beach Advanced Standing program consists of a summer bridge program followed by 30 units of advanced coursework in the fall and spring semesters. Advanced standing students complete one 660-hour field practicum that lasts throughout the entire program.

California State University Los Angeles

California State University Los Angeles social work program has moved from a concentration model to an urban generalist focus.

Admissions requirements

  1. Complete Cal State Apply application.
  2. Application fee.
  3. Official transcripts.
  4. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 
  5. Minimum 2.75 grade point average in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units
  6. Minimum “C” grade in three prerequisite courses: one statistics course and two upper level social science courses. 
  7. Three letters of reference including at least one academic reference and one professional reference. The third reference can be either academic or professional.

Additional advanced standing requirements

  1. BSW from a CSWE accredited college or university within seven years of application date. 
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average.
  3. Three references including one academic reference, one field supervisor reference, and one from an Integrative Seminar Instructor. 
  4. One year of work experience in social services or human services is preferred.

Cost

  • Tuition for the two year program is estimated to be $16,432. Tuition for the three year program is estimated to be $24 648. Advanced standing tuition is estimated to be $17,325.
  • CSU Los Angeles offers the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Stipend, the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) Title IV-E Program stipend, the LA County MSW DCFS stipend, and the Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC) stipend.

Advanced standing

  • CSU Los Angeles offers a one-year advanced standing program at the Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) campus. First year foundation courses are waived. The program begins with a summer session and includes coursework in the following fall and spring semester, including 24 hours of fieldwork per week. 

California State University Northridge

California State University Northridge offers one specialization in advanced generalist practice with a focus on urban communities.

Admission requirements

  1. Complete Cal State Apply application.
  2. Application fee.
  3. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  4. Minimum 2.5 grade point average in at least the last 60 semester/90 quarter units.
  5. Official transcripts.
  6. Personal essay.
  7. Resume.
  8. Three letters of recommendation including at least one professional and one academic reference. The third letter may be either a professional or academic reference, but an academic reference is preferred.

Cost

  • The two year full-time program tuition is estimated to be $16,944 for California residents. The three year part-time program tuition is estimated to be $27,350 for California residents. Non-residents pay an additional $396.00 for each course unit.
  • CSU Northridge offers the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Stipend, the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) Title IV-E Program stipend, the LA County MSW DCFS stipend, and the Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC) stipend.

California State University San Bernardino

All MSW students at California State University San Bernardino are required to select a specialization for the advanced generalist year (typically the second year in a full-time program). This specialization can be a social issue, a client population, or a field of practice. 

Admission requirements

  1. Complete Cal State Apply application.
  2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university including coursework in social science research methods, human behavior, and human physiology with a minimum of a “C” grade.
  3. Minimum 3.0 grade point average in at least the last 60 semester/90 quarter units.
  4. Liberal arts academic background with a preference for social and behavioral sciences.
  5. Social work-related employment, internship, or volunteer service, with a preference for at least the equivalent of one year of full-time experience.

Additional advanced standing requirements

  1. BSW from a CSWE accredited program within the past five years.
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average for at least the last 60 semester/90 quarter units

Cost

  • Tuition for the full-time two year program is $16,832. Tuition for the part-time three year program is $25,248. 
  • The CSU San Bernardino MSW program offers the Title IV-E stipend to students who agree to work for either the California County Department of Child Welfare Services, the California Department of Social Services, Child Welfare Division or the California Indian Tribal organization for at least one year for every year that they receive the stipend.

Dual degrees

  • CSU San Bernardino offers a dual Master of Social Work/Master of Public Administration (MSW/MPA) degree program. 

Advanced standing

  • CSU San Bernardino offers a twelve-month Advanced Standing Program.

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University offers certificates in both play therapy and drug and alcohol counseling. All students receive a specialization in clinical practice. 

Admissions requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
  2. Personal statement.
  3. Application fee.
  4. Official transcripts.
  5. Minimum three letters of recommendation.
  6. Interview.

Additional advanced standing requirements

  1. BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the last five years. 
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average in field practicum.

Cost

  • The estimated cost of a traditional MSW program is $67,236, while the estimated cost for the advanced standing program is $43,100. Work study stipends are available for some field placements.

Dual degrees

  • Loma Linda University offers dual MSW/MS degrees in gerontology and criminal justice.

Advanced standing 

  • The advanced standing program is available in one and two-year options. All accepted students receive $1,000 toward a School of Behavioral Health global practice international trip and a tuition waiver for either the Play Therapy or Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate. A $1,500 book allowance is also available to students with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

University of California at Los Angeles

University of California at Los Angeles offers concentrations in Child and Family Well-Being, Health and Mental Health Across the Lifespan, and Social and Economic Justice.

UCLA offers several certificates and credentials including the Global Public Affairs Certificate, the Human Services Management Certificate, Mental Health Training Programs, Public Child Welfare Training Programs, and the Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC).

Admissions requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average.
  3. Completion of one course in elementary statistics with a minimum “B” grade.
  4. Completion of four prerequisite courses in the socio-behavioral sciences including one course in human cognitive development and content, and three courses in the humanities.
  5. Application fee.
  6. Official transcripts.
  7. Personal essay.
  8. Resume.
  9. Three letters of recommendation. At least one must be an academic reference and one must be a professional letter. The third can be either academic or professional.

Cost

  • Tuition for California residents is estimated to be $8,642 per semester. Tuition for non-residents is estimated to be $12,920 per semester.
  • UCLA offers several stipends for MSW students including the CALSWEC and UCCF Child Welfare programs, the CALSWEC Mental Health stipend, and the Geriatric Social Work Education Center stipend.

Dual degrees

  • UCLA offers dual degrees in Asian American Studies (MSW/MA), Law (MSW/JD), Public Health (MSW/MPH), and Public Policy (MSW/MPP).

Advanced standing

  • UCLA does not offer an advanced standing option. However, students who have completed their BSW may opt out of up to four entry level classes and replace them with other classes — including approved courses in other departments. These students will also need to complete all MSW fieldwork hours.

University of Southern California 

University of Southern California offers concentrations in Adult Mental Health and Wellness, Social Change and Innovation, Children, Youth and Families, School Social Work, and Military Social Work. 

USC also offers several certificates. These include the graduate certificate in Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice, the Advanced Integrative Social Work and Nursing Practice graduate certificate, the Aging and Health graduate certificate, the Child and Family Well-Being graduate certificate, the Ending Homelessness graduate certificate, the Law, Social Justice and Diversity graduate certificate, the LGBTQ+ Affirmative Care graduate certificate, the Social Inquiry for Community, Social and Environmental Justice graduate certificate, the Social Work Administration graduate certificate, the Social Work Practice in Addiction graduate certificate, the Trauma-Informed Practices in Educational Settings graduate certificate, the Visual Social Work graduate certificate, and the Youth Justice graduate certificate. 

In addition, USC’s School Social Work Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential.

Admission requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university including a minimum of 18 units of coursework in humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, and natural sciences.
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average.
  3. Application fee.
  4. Resume.
  5. Personal Essay.
  6. One academic and one professional reference, with an optional third reference of either type.
  7. Official transcript.

Additional advanced standing requirements

  1. BSW from a CSWE-accredited school of social work within the past five years.
  2. Minimum overall 3.0 grade point average. 
  3. Minimum 3.0 grade point average in social work courses.
  4. Letters of recommendation from a BSW professor and your field placement supervisor. 

Cost

  • Tuition is estimated to be $85,890. 
  • USC offers a merit-based scholarship and several “endowed and philanthropic” scholarships. USC also offers stipends from the Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC), the Next Generation Partnership Project, the Primary Care Project (PCP) scholarship, the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (LA DCFS) stipend, and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH).

Dual degrees

  • USC offers eight dual degree options. These include law (MSW/JD), business (MSW/MBA), gerontology (MSW/MSG), jewish nonprofit management (MSW/MAJNM), urban planning (MSW/MUP), public administration (MSW/MPA), public health (MSW/MPH), and a PhD in Social Work.

Advanced standing

  • USC offers a twelve month advanced standing program that waives the foundational courses for students who hold a BSW. Advanced standing students can choose either an adult mental health and wellness specialization or a children, youth, and families specialization. 

Accelerated

  • USC offers a twelve month accelerated MSW program for people who are already working in human services. One field placement requirement is waived.

Online social work degrees in Los Angeles

Some Los Angeles-based schools offer online or hybrid social work degrees. This can be a good option for students who need more flexibility. Students who want to move to Los Angeles from out of state after graduation might also consider these programs, since MSWs who did not receive their degree from a California-based school must take additional coursework in order to be eligible for licensure. 

The following list of online and hybrid MSW programs based in the Los Angeles area includes only CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) accredited programs, as only graduates of an accredited program will be eligible for licensure in the state of California.

California Baptist University 

The California Baptist University online MSW program is a hybrid, asynchronous program. Students are required to attend four in-person residencies as a part of the program. These residencies consist of a two day duration, eight hours each day. Fieldwork requirements are the same for distance learning students and campus-based students.

Admissions requirements 

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university including completion of a statistics course with a minimum of a “C” grade. 
  2. Minimum 2.75 grade point average. 
  3. Application fee.
  4. Official transcripts.
  5. Two recommendations, with one from a professor or instructor preferred. 
  6. Personal essay.
  7. Interview.

Additional advanced standing requirements

  1. BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution within seven years of application.
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average in all social work practice and field work courses.
  3. Minimum of one reference from a social work faculty member or field instructor. 

Cost

  • The cost of the MSW program is $788 per course unit. The program consists of sixty units for traditional students, and thirty units for advanced standing. This cost does not include additional fees.

Advanced standing

  • The advanced standing program follows the second year curriculum. The field work requirement is reduced from 900 hours to 500 hours.

California State University Bakersfield Antelope Valley 

The CSUB Antelope Valley MSW program is offered through CSU Bakersfield extended education. All classes are taught by CSUB faculty and instructors. The CSUB Antelope Valley MSW program is a hybrid program. In-person classes are held on Saturdays.

Admissions requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a focus on liberal arts.
  2. Minimum 2.5 grade point average.
  3. Application fee.
  4. Official transcripts.
  5. Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
  6. Three professional references. These can include faculty references.
  7. Resume.
  8. Personal essay.
  9. Complete Cal State Apply application

Cost

  • The approximate total cost of the CSUB Antelope Valley MSW program is $40,770. 

Advanced standing

  • CSUB Antelope Valley offers an advanced standing program. The program requires 480 hours of fieldwork rather than the 980 hours that traditional students must complete.

California State University, Northridge 

The Cal State Northridge MSW online program is a two-year full-time program. Students take two eight-week courses at a time for a total of 20 classes/60 graduate units, plus ongoing 16-week field education classes. All classes except field classes are asynchronous. Students are required to complete 16 hours of fieldwork each week for the duration of the program.

Admission requirements

  1. Complete Cal State Apply application.
  2. Application fee.
  3. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  4. Minimum 2.5 grade point average in at least the last 60 semester/90 quarter units.
  5. Official transcripts.
  6. Personal essay.
  7. Resume.
  8. Three letters of recommendation including at least one professional and one academic reference. The third letter may be either a professional or academic reference, but an academic reference is preferred.

Cost

  • Tuition to the online MSW program is estimated to be $45,120.
  • The CSU Northridge online program offers the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Stipend, Title IV-E Program stipend, the LA County MSW DCFS stipend, and the Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC) stipend to students who are available to complete their field placements in Los Angeles.

Concentrations and certificates

  • CSU Northridge offers one specialization in advanced generalist practice with a focus on urban communities.

California State University San Bernardino 

The online option at CSU San Bernardino is called the Pathway Distance Education Program. It is a three-year, 60 semester unit program. Note that a three day in-person orientation is required. 

Admission requirements

  1. Complete Cal State Apply application
  2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university including coursework in social science research methods, human behavior, and human physiology with a minimum of a “C” grade.
  3. Minimum 3.0 grade point average in at least the last 60 semester/90 quarter units.
  4. Liberal arts academic background with a preference for social and behavioral sciences.
  5. Social work-related employment, internship, or volunteer service, with a preference for at least the equivalent of one year of full-time experience.

Cost

  • Tuition for the Pathway Distance Education Program is estimated to be $39,000. 
  • The CSU San Bernardino online MSW program offers the Title IV-E stipend to students who agree to work for either the California County Department of Child Welfare Services, the California Department of Social Services, Child Welfare Division or the California Indian Tribal organization for at least one year for every year that they receive the stipend.

Concentrations and certificates

  • All students are required to select a specialization for the advanced generalist year (typically the second year in a full-time program). This specialization can be a social issue, a client population or a field of practice. 
  • Dual degrees

CSU San Bernardino offers a dual Master of Social Work/Master of Public Administration (MSW/MPA) degree program. 

Loma Linda University

The Loma Linda University online MSW program is offered in three year and four year options. The online programs are only available to California residents. Courses are taught in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Fieldwork consists of a minimum of one in-person weekday each week. Placement sites must be pre-approved, and can be located up to seventy-five miles away from the students residence.

Admission requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
  2. Personal statement.
  3. Application fee.
  4. Official transcripts.
  5. Minimum three letters of recommendation.
  6. Interview.

Cost

  • The estimated cost of the online MSW program is $67,236. Work study stipends are available for some field placements.

Concentrations and certificates

  • All MSW students receive a specialization in clinical practice. Loma Linda University also offers certificates in both play therapy and drug and alcohol counseling. The play therapy certificate is an online-only program.

Dual degrees

  • Loma Linda University offers dual degrees in both Gerontology and Criminal Justice.

University of Southern California 

USCs online MSW program is very similar to its campus-based counterpart. 

Admission requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university including a minimum of 18 units of coursework in humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, and natural sciences.
  2. Minimum 3.0 grade point average.
  3. Application fee.
  4. Resume.
  5. Personal Essay.
  6. One academic and one professional reference, with an optional third reference of either type.
  7. Official transcript.

Additional advanced standing requirements

  1. BSW from a CSWE-accredited school of social work within the past five years.
  2. Minimum overall 3.0 grade point average. 
  3. Minimum 3.0 grade point average in social work courses.
  4. Letters of recommendation from a BSW professor and your field placement supervisor.

Cost

  • Tuition is estimated to be $85,890. 
  • The USC online MSW program offers several of the same merit-based scholarships, “endowed and philanthropic” scholarships, and stipends as the in-person program including stipends from the Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC), the Next Generation Partnership Project, the Primary Care Project (PCP) scholarship, and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH).

Concentrations and certificates

  • The USC online MSW program offers concentrations in Adult Mental Health and Wellness, Social Change and Innovation, Children, Youth and Families, School Social Work, and Military Social Work. 
  • The program also offers several certificates. These include the graduate certificate in Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice, the Advanced Integrative Social Work and Nursing Practice graduate certificate, the Aging and Health graduate certificate, the Child and Family Well-Being graduate certificate, the Ending Homelessness graduate certificate, the Law, Social Justice and Diversity graduate certificate, the LGBTQ+ Affirmative Care graduate certificate, the Social Inquiry for Community, Social and Environmental Justice graduate certificate, the Social Work Administration graduate certificate, the Social Work Practice in Addiction graduate certificate, the Trauma-Informed Practices in Educational Settings graduate certificate, the Visual Social Work graduate certificate, and the Youth Justice graduate certificate. 

USC also offers the School Social Work Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential to California residents.

Advanced standing

  • USC offers a twelve month advanced standing program that waives the foundational courses for students who hold a BSW. Advanced standing students can choose either an adult mental health and wellness specialization or a children, youth, and families specialization. 

Accelerated

  • USC offers a twelve month accelerated MSW program for people who are already working in human services. One field placement requirement is waived.

Social work fieldwork and internship opportunities in Los Angeles

Fieldwork is an integral facet of social work education. Los Angeles offers several opportunities for field placements. In fact, the Azusa Pacific University social work program states that they work with over 380 agencies to provide practicum experience, and the Dworak Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California reports field partnerships with over 700 agencies. 

A quick glance at indeed.com shows opportunities in all areas of social work. Clinical opportunities are available at several programs in the area, including, at the time of this writing, Casey Family Programs, Counseling Partners of Los Angeles, Advocacy for Respect and Choice-Long Beach, Florence Crittenton Services of Orange County, and Long Beach City College, just to name a few. Additionally, some agencies advertise opportunities for social work practicums on their own websites including Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles.

Social work licensing in Los Angeles

Our guide to social work programs in California provides a detailed overview of licensing in the state. Briefly, to be a licensed social worker in the state of California, you must first earn your master’s degree from a CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) accredited institution.

After graduation, students from schools in California may apply immediately to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for their Associate Clinical Social Work (ASW) license. Social workers who were educated out of state will need to take an eighteen hour class in California law and professional ethics before they can apply. 

Once you receive your ASW, you can work towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). 

To be eligible to take the LCSW exam, ASWs must have 3,200 hours of supervised work experience including 2,000 hours in the areas of clinical diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and counseling, and 750 hours of individual or group psychotherapy. Additionally, social workers must have 52 hours of post-ASW individual supervision. Further coursework is required as well.

Once all of these requirements have been met, the next step is to apply to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to take the California Law and Ethics exam. After passing this exam you will be eligible to take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical exam. After passing the ASWB exam, you can apply to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for licensure.

To maintain licensure, the license must be renewed every two years. For the first renewal, this requires 18 hours of continuing education credits (CEU’s). Moving forward, LCSW’s must complete 36 hours of continuing education during each two year cycle.

Social work job descriptions and employers in Los Angeles

The following job outlook and salary information comes from the Employment Development Department (EDD) of the State of California and the O*NET Online database, which is sponsored by the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

As mentioned above, in Los Angeles county, there is a strong and growing demand for social workers, with projected growth of 9.8 percent for child, family, and school social workers, 20.8 percent growth for healthcare social workers, 18.9 percent growth for mental health and substance abuse workers, and 12.9 percent growth for all other social workers between 2018 and 2028.

In 2021, the median annual salary for child, family, and school social workers was $63,310 with a range of $39,110 to $98,560, the median annual salary for healthcare social workers was $79,740 with a range of $47,670 to $124,890, the median annual salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers was $77,640 with a range of $39,000 to $123,210, and the median annual salary for all other social workers was $51,500 with a range of $30,800 to $98,560. 

A review of the social work jobs listed on indeed.com at the time of this writing finds over 2,500 listings for social workers in the Los Angeles area. These jobs include healthcare social workers, case managers, clinical social workers, palliative care/hospice social workers, and school social workers, just to name a few. 

Meanwhile, Los Angeles County currently has openings for a Psychiatric Social Worker I with a salary range of $67,554.72 to $86,231.04, Psychiatric Social Worker II with a salary range of $77,370.72 to $98,757.84, and a Children’s Social Worker II in the Department of Children and Family Services (DFCS) with a salary range of $68,224.32 to $78,136.32.

Given these statistics, students looking for a career in social work can find both educational and employment opportunities in Los Angeles.