California State University Sacramento

The Master of Social Work program is a 60-unit program that prepares students for advanced, autonomous Social Work practice. The curriculum is composed of two semesters of professional foundation and two semesters of a specialized curriculum.  In the foundation part of the program, all students take a core of courses designed to provide them with the knowledge and skills expected of all professional Social Workers. The advanced curriculum prepares graduates for specialized practice in 1 of 3 areas; behavioral health; child, adolescent and family; or health and aging.  The curriculum consists of a generalist practice foundation year and an advanced practice second year.  Also required are advanced courses in Social Work practice and policy, and specialized practice electives are recommended.   

Graduate students enroll for two years of field instruction. In the first year, they are assigned to a social service agency for two days a week (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday). First year students must be available Thursdays and Fridays (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for field instruction in order to complete the concurrent program. In the second year, they are assigned to an agency in their specialized practice area for three days a week (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday). These field instruction requirements may only be fulfilled during regular working hours. Students are responsible for their own transportation to field instruction sites and for required professional liability insurance.

Students must be capable of meeting field site/organization eligibility requirements which include obtaining a Department of Justice clearance (passing a criminal background), being free of communicable diseases, having a valid driver's license, and automobile insurance. In addition to the prerequisites and corequisites noted below, other eligibility requirements are delineated in the Field Curriculum and Policy Guide which is accessible from the Division's field website. Admission into the graduate program does not guarantee enrollment in field instruction.

Students should develop a realistic plan for financial support for the period of time they are in school. Information about Financial Aid is included in the University's Application for Admission booklet. The Division of Social Work cannot guarantee courses on days and times that will not conflict with employment hours. The program offers some courses on weekends and all required courses have at least one evening section. In addition to the two-year full time program, the division also offers a three-year program option, a weekend cohort program, and advanced placement.

Note: Please contact the Division of Social Work for a copy of the evaluation criteria for admission to the Master of Social Work program.