Master of Social Work, M.S.W.

The profession of social work is committed to social and economic justice, ethics, diversity, and advocacy. The Master of Social Work education prepares social workers with an advanced knowledge base and skills to address complex social problems and to promote the well-being of individuals and society.

The Central Coast Tri-County area in particular is facing a critical shortage of MSW-level social workers. The MSW program at CSUMB is a response to community needs and focuses on local multicultural diversity and social justice. The purpose of the MSW program is to fulfill the local needs that have been historically neglected. It will prepare future generations of MSW-level social workers to serve the needs of local residents and communities in California’s Central Coast.

The scope of the program focuses on preparing social work professionals with clinical skills of which the local communities are in dire need. The MSW program is devoted to provide quality graduate education, build alliances with social work employers, as well as maintain strong relationships with the local communities of diverse cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and economic structures.

For more information, please visit the Department of Social Work website.

Required Courses

Complete all of the following core courses:
SW 501 - Diversity & Social Justice Units: 3
SW 510 - Foundations of Social Work Units: 3
SW 520 - Generalist Practice: Individuals and Families Units: 3
SW 530 - Generalist Practice: Groups Units: 3
SW 531 - Generalist Practice III: Community and Organizational Practice Units: 3
SW 540 - Cross-Cultural Human Behavior in the Social Environment Units: 3
SW 550 - Social Work Research Units: 3
SW 570 - Social Policy and Analysis Units: 3
SW 596 - Field Practicum I Units: 3
SW 598 - Field Practicum II Units: 3
SW 600 - Applied Social Work Research Project Units: 3
SW 620 - Advanced Generalist Practice: Engagement and Assessment Units: 3
SW 630 - Advanced Generalist Practice: Intervention and Evaluation Units: 3
SW 670 - Social Policy & Advocacy Units: 3
SW 696 - Advanced Field Practicum I Units: 3
SW 698 - Advanced Field Practicum II Units: 3
Complete a minimum of three elective courses from the Foundation Practice and/or the Advanced Practice elective lists below.

Foundation Practice Electives

Complete none, one, or up to two of the following courses:
SW 561 - Leadership & Administration Units: 3
SW 562 - Social Work with Latino Families Units: 3
SW 563 - Social Work Conflict Resolution Units: 3
SW 564 - Trauma-Informed Practice Units: 3 *
SW 565 - School Social Work Units: 3 *
SW 566 - Crafting a Grant Proposal Units: 3
* Courses you should select and complete if you are a student who plans to pursue the Pupil Personnel Services Credentials (PPSC)

Advanced Practice Electives

Complete at least one of the following courses:
SW 610 - Social Work Practice in Behavioral Health Units: 3
SW 611 - Social Work with Children Youth & Families Units: 3 *
SW 612 - Gerontological Social Work Units: 3
SW 660 - Substance Abuse Intervention Units: 3
SW 662 - Family Therapy Units: 3
SW 663 - Crisis Intervention Units: 3
SW 664 - Advanced Models of Clinical Practice Units: 3
SW 666 - Integrated Health Care Units: 3
SW 669 - Veterans & Military Families Units: 3
You have completed the requirements of the MSW degree program. Students who wish to pursue Pupil Personnel Services Credentials should complete the following courses to be eligible for the credential(s).

Elective Pathways

By successfully completing the following coursework, students will earn their MSW degree and be eligible for the Pupil Personnel Services Credentials in School Social Work and/or in Child Welfare & Attendance.

PPSC: School Social Work

To be eligible for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work, students must successfully complete the following course:

SPED 560 - Inclusionary Practices Units: 3

PPSC: Child Welfare & Attendance

To be eligible for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in Child Welfare & Attendance, students must successfully complete the following course:

MAE 645 - Educational Policy and Advocacy for Students and Families in P-12 Units: 3

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes below are directly aligned to the core competencies, as required by the Council on Social Work Education for accreditation.

SW LO 1 ~ Ethics

Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.

SW LO 2 ~ Diversity

Engage diversity and difference in practice.

SW LO 3 ~ Social Justice

Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

SW LO 4 ~ Research

Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.

SW LO 5 ~ Policy

Engage in policy practice.

SW LO 6 ~ Engagement

Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

SW LO 7 ~ Assessment

Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

SW LO 8 ~ Intervention

Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

SW LO 9 ~ Evaluation

Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.