Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing
Transform Lives Through Social Work
Our accelerated Master of Social Work (MSW), Advanced Standing program is created for individuals who already hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. Rooted in a rich history of social justice that defines SJSU, our advanced curriculum lets you skip the foundational graduate year entirely and complete your master’s degree in just 12 months. In-person internship requirements will also occur throughout the program.
The skills you gain will give you an edge in careers as licensed clinical social workers, change agents and program administrators. With focused training across the lifespan — including mental health interventions, family practice, trauma-informed care and community organizing — you will gain the exact field internship hours and portfolio skills modern employers look for.
You will also connect with premier health networks, county social services and school districts across California and nationwide. SJSU has been a trusted leader preparing elite social work professionals for over 50 years and has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1973.
Program Information
Modality
Hybrid
Program Length
1 year · 37 units
Cost Per Unit
$695* for Fall 2027 · Financial aid and scholarships available
Applications Open
August 1 – December 1 for Fall start
Start Terms
Fall
How to Apply
General Requirements
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Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited program by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at the time of admission, or within the last seven years.
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Minimum overall GPA of 3.5 and a minimum grade of A- in all undergraduate social work courses.
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At least 400 hours of previous social work-related experiences, in addition to the minimum internship hours required for your BSW/BASW degree.
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Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
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A personal statement/essay and a personal interview.
Out-of-State Requirements
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Currently, the MSW Advanced Standing program is only accepting students residing in California. If admitted, students must be able to study and do their internships in California.
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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.
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Application opens August 1; deadline of December 1 for Fall admission.
The application process for the MSW Advanced Standing program requires submitting two applications:
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Apply through Cal State Apply and submit the required documents.
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Submit a School of Social Work application through the MSW Program Application Portal.
Attend a Virtual Info Session
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Valuable Learning Experiences
Gain hands-on experiences that explore cutting-edge social work theory, receive mentorship and complete supervised field internship hours.
- Become Versed in Social Policies: Courses offer an in-depth exploration of local, state and federal social welfare policies, equipping you with the tools to advocate for systemic equity and institutional change.
- Gain Expertise in Social Work Practices: You’ll learn evidence-based intervention methodologies for working effectively with individuals, families, groups and diverse communities.
- Receive Training in Social Work Research Methodologies: Qualitative and quantitative data collection, program evaluation and research frameworks to drive data-informed clinical decisions will be explored.
What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree in Social Work?
The Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing prepares you to pursue Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentialing and the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) school social work services credentials. The curriculum focuses on developing competencies in human development across all ages, social welfare policies, social work practices and research. You will graduate prepared with the tools to advocate for systemic equity and institutional change; and the ability to work effectively with individuals, families, groups and diverse communities.
- In-Demand Skills: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for social workers are projected to grow much faster than average due to an increasing demand for healthcare and mental health services.
- High-Value Markets: California employers post a significant number of social work, mental health and community leadership positions, ensuring strong regional career security.
- Bay Area Salaries: Social workers in the Bay Area earn an average annual salary of $62,000 - $94,000, according to Glassdoor.
Take a look at some of the top sectors, companies and job titles of our alumni, according to LinkedIn.
Top Job Titles
- Clinician
- Equity Policy Manager
- Executive Director
- Housing Coordinator
- Mental Health Specialist
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Counselor
- School Social Worker
Top Companies
- Kaiser Permanente
- Contra Costa County
- County of Santa Clara
- University of California, San Francisco
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
- Seneca Family of Agencies
- Solano County
- East Side Union High School District
Top Sectors
- Government - Local, State and Federal
- Healthcare Services
- K-12 Education
- Nonprofit organizations
- Social Assistance Services
Get the Spartan Edge
Gain momentum through intentional learning, meaningful support and real opportunity. Whether you’re starting your journey, advancing your education or expanding your professional skills, SJSU helps you go further.
Graduate Admissions
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Costs and Financial Aid
What you need to know about tuition, fees, financial aid and cost per unit.
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