Master of Social Work, Concentration in Advanced Standing

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Join our accelerated and highly selective MSW Advanced Standing program. Graduate in just one year and begin your advanced career in social work. 37 units complete this program, with in-person internship requirements.

The Master of Social Work Advanced Standing option is created for highly qualified students who already hold a bachelor of social work degree. Like our other MSW programs, this program prepares you for professional practice: to advocate, support and work competently with diverse communities and families. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and a minimum grade of A- in all social work major courses to be eligible to apply.

As a student of the MSW Advanced Standing program, you will begin with a set of bridge courses in the summer before entering the specialized final year of the program and completing your internship.

Program Snapshot

37

units

$22,200

for degree*

Fall

admission

*Fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate.

Program Features

Diverse community

A rich community with a diverse student body, passionate faculty, and active alumni and donors make up the School of Social Work.

CSWE accredited

Our MSW program has been accredited continuously by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1973. This accreditation helps guide our program through core competencies.

Small cohorts

Join a small group of very qualified students to complete your MSW. This opportunity brings lasting connections and networking opportunities.

School of Social Work ranking

SJSU is #5 in College Factual’s 2024 Best Social Work Schools in California.

Career Opportunities

  • Careers in social work are growing at about 74,700 openings for social workers each year for the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • California comes out on the top compared to most other states for social worker salaries according to indeed.com.

Apply To The Program

Learn more about how to apply below.

 
  • Admission Requirements
    • Bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE at the time of admission or within the last seven years.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.5 and a minimum grade of A- in all BSW/BASW (social work major) courses
    • At least 400 hours of recent social work-related experience (cumulative internship, paid, or volunteer experience) in addition to the minimum internship hours required for the BSW/BASW degree
    • Three letters of recommendation specific to qualifications for Advanced Standing, in addition to the usual scored recommendation forms
    • Evaluations from BSW/BASW field internships
    • Personal statement and personal interview
    • An English language proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE) is required if a student's baccalaureate was earned outside of the US. For more information visit the graduate admissions site.

    For more information and how to apply visit MSW Admissions.

    *Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. Currently, the MSW program is only accepting students residing in California. If admitted, students must be able to study and do their internships in California.

  • How to Apply

    The application process for the MSW Advanced Standing program requires submitting two applications, one to SJSU through Cal State Apply, and one to the School of Social Work through the MSW Program Application Portal available in Fall.

  • Application Deadlines

    Fall 2025

    • Application is expected to open in October 2024
    • Application Deadline:
      December 1, 2024*

    *These dates are not final and are subject to change.

  • FAQs

    For FAQs related to your application, visit the program site.

News

For news or events check out the School of Social Work Newsletter.

Events

Webinars are held each semester. Check back for updated event information.

Past Events

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    Related Programs

    Social Work

    Our two-year Master of Social Work (MSW) hybrid program offers online classes with an in-person internship component. Two years of continuous enrollment and completion of 60 units is required for this degree.

    Pupil Personnel Services Credential

    The Post-Master Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC), designed for professionals with an MSW, qualifies you for certification with the state of California as a school social worker. This 10-credit program includes four units of externship done in a school setting.

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