Master of Social Work

Join the Master of Social Work at CSUMB! Prepare for a rewarding career addressing social justice issues in California's Central Coast. Apply now!

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers a transformative graduate learning experience that prepares social work practitioners to enhance their abilities and advance their careers in meeting the needs of multicultural, multilingual, and diverse populations while advocating for social and economic justice. The MSW program equips students to become clinically and culturally competent social work practitioners capable of engaging in scientific inquiry and critical thinking. Through this preparation, graduates are empowered to advocate for social and economic justice by addressing the policies and systems that contribute to socioeconomic disparity, oppression, and discrimination. Educational Objectives The program’s school social work specialization prepares students to earn the Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC), also known as the School Social Work Credential, enabling them to serve as effective school leaders, change agents, and advocates for children and youth. The Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) Credential is offered as an additional specialization, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to advocate for youth, with a focused emphasis on supporting at-risk and underachieving students facing attendance barriers. A robust practicum education component offers students exceptional opportunities to apply classroom learning, refine professional skills, and gain practical experience through collaboration with community agencies across the region. By emphasizing the specific needs of the California Central Coast region, the program uniquely prepares graduates to work effectively with local communities and to meet the distinct needs of individuals and families who call this diverse geographic area home.