MSW Advanced Standing

Applicants who have an accredited Bachelor's degree in Social Work may apply to enter the "Advanced Year" of the Program (See Curriculum Plans for MSW Program and Program Comparison Charts)

In order to qualify for admission in the Advanced Standing Program:

• an applicant needs to meet the criteria listed under MSW Admissions
• have completed their undergraduate social work degree in a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program with a GPA of 3.5 or better
• a grade of B or better in all SW courses
• have completed their degree in the last five years (petitions for exceptions are available)

Advanced standing students on campus will complete their degree in one year.

Advanced standing students in the part-time Distributed Learning program will complete their degree in two years.

All advanced standing students are required to participate in summer bridge courses to prepare them for joining the existing MSW cohorts. You will be provided further information regarding this coursework upon being accepted to the MSW Program.

Note: Advanced Standing Summer Bridge Courses are offered through the College of Extended Education and are currently $540/unit. *Spring 2026 the cost per unit will be $572.

BBS website, https://www.bbs.ca.gov/serp.html?q=asw is where you will find information for Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) and Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW). https://www.bbs.ca.gov/applicants/lcsw.html . Our generalist MSW degree does not require you to do more coursework. Go to "Social Work Schools in California" then to the CSU drop down menu. Our University will be listed at the top.