MSW Frequently Asked Questions
1. What programs do you offer and how long is the program?
A: We offer Three (3) Options for the MSW programs:
I. The 11-month MSW Advanced Standing Program (ASP) is only for qualified applicants
with a BASW degree.
II. The Full-time Two (2) year program and
III. The Three Year (3) year program.
The Two (2) year program is a four-semester, 60-semester unit program which includes
fieldwork/internship. Classes are held all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays and require 16 hours per
week of internship in the first year and 20 hours per week in the second year.
The Three (3) year program is a six-semester, 60-semester unit program, including
fieldwork/internship. Classes for the 3-year program are held one evening a week and all-day
Saturday. The internship starts in the second year of the program and requires 16 hours per week. The
last year (year 3) requires 20 hours per week.
The ASP program is offered at the Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) campus and is an 11-month, 33-
semester unit program (3 semesters) including fieldwork/internship. Classes are held on Mondays and
Tuesdays all day (fall and spring semesters) and the internship is completed Wednesdays, Thursdays,
and Fridays for a total of 24 hours per week. Summer semester classes are three days per week for
four weeks.
2. Is the program accredited?
A: Yes, our MSW program has been accredited since 1999 by the Council on Social Work Education
https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/directory/?pg=&program_state=CA&program_level=Master%27s.
3. What is the cost of the program?
A: The costs listed below are approximate and reflect the current academic year. Tuition is subject to
change upon approval of the Board of Trustees.
The cost of the Advanced Standing Program (ASP) is $17,325.00,
The cost of the Two (2) year program is $16,493.00, and
The cost of the Three (3) year program is $24,739.00.
4. Do I need to have a degree in Social Work to apply to the 2-year or 3-year MSW program?
A: As long as you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and satisfy the
three prerequisites you may apply to the MSW program. Please note, that your degree must be
conferred for you to begin a graduate program. You will need to submit official transcripts to the Office
of Enrollment Services to verify that your bachelor’s degree has been conferred.
5. What is the minimum GPA?
A: The minimum GPA requirement for the Two (2) year and Three (3) year programs is 2.75, in the
last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units.
For the ASP program, the GPA requirement is 3.0 cumulative.
GPA Calculator (https://www.registrar.iastate.edu/students/grades/gpa-calc)
6. What are the academic prerequisites required for admissions?
A: There are three (3) prerequisites for the Two-year and Three-year programs that must be passed
with a “C” grade or better. The prerequisites are research methods and statistics, which can be met
with any elementary or introductory statistics course. The remaining two prerequisites are two (2)
upper-division social science courses. Upper-division refers to junior and senior-level classes.
CSULB has an extensive list of approved statistics courses, please click the link below to see if the course you
took is listed there.
https://www.csulb.edu/sites/default/files/2023/documents/School%20of%20Social%20Work%20Appro
ved%20Elementary%20Statistics%20Courses%20June%202023.pdf
If the course you took is not included on the posted list, you must submit a course syllabus to the
admissions coordinator ([email protected]) to find out if it satisfies the requirement.
There are no prerequisites for the ASP program as all prerequisites are met with the required BSW
degree.
7. Do I need to have completed all the requirements and/or prerequisites before applying for the
MSW program?
A: Applicants need to have 2 of the 3 prerequisites completed at the time their application is
submitted. Please note that all requirements and/or prerequisites must be formally completed before
actually enrolling in the program.
8. Do I need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
A: No, the GRE is not required.
9. Do you have an online MSW program?
A: No, we do not have an online program, our MSW program is taught in person.
10. Do you offer tracks or concentration?
A: No, Cal State LA, School of Social Work no longer offers concentrations. We have an advanced
urban generalist focus that prepares students to provide service across the spectrum of practice.
Capitalizing on CSLA’s location, this focus offers students the opportunity to learn effective and
responsive strategies for working in any urban environment at the micro (individual/family), mezzo
(group/community), and macro (policy/societal) levels.
11. When is the deadline for admission?
A: The deadline for application submission is January 15, 2024, for the traditional 2-year and 3-year
programs. The priority deadline for the 2 and 3-year program is November 15, 2023. The filing period
for the ASP program is February 1 to 28, 2024, with the deadline being February 28, 2024.
Applicants are accepted on a rolling admissions basis, which means applications will be reviewed on a
first-come, first-served basis until spaces are filled. Please note that your application must be
complete, and all required documents must be submitted and received by the application deadline of
January 15, 2024, or February 28, 2024, for the ASP program to be reviewed for admission.
12. Can I apply in the Spring or Summer semester?
A: No, the traditional MSW program admits students only once per year for the Fall semester and,
summer semester matriculation for ASP only.
13. How many recommendations do I need? Do I need an academic and a professional reference?
A: Yes, three (3) references are required to apply to the MSW program. For the Two (2) year and
Three (3) year programs, one reference must be from an academic source (i.e., a professor or
instructor), and one reference must be from a professional source (i.e., a supervisor in a volunteer or
paid position), and the third reference can be either an academic or professional source. Personal
references are not appropriate and will not be accepted. Examples of a personal reference include
a family friend, therapist, pastor, or coworker.
Please note that if you graduated more than eight years ago, you could submit a professional
reference in place of an academic reference. However, you must provide a brief explanation as to why
you were unable to submit an academic reference. Regarding your references please be aware that
you will be submitting the name and email addresses of the people who will be completing the
reference form. Once you submit their names, they will be emailed the reference form to complete.
For the ASP program, you need three references: one academic, one from your integrated seminar
instructor, and one from your field instructor.
14. What is the deadline to apply to the university?
A: The university application deadline for the Two (2) year and Three (3) year programs is January 15,
2024. The ASP university deadline is February 28, 2024. Please note that the ASP program begins
summer semester and is only offered at the Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) campus.
15. Can I apply to the ASP and either the Two (2) year or Three (3) year program?
A: Yes, however, you will be applying for two separate start terms and campuses. The ASP program
begins in the summer semester, and classes are held at the DTLA campus. The Two (2) year and
Three (3) year programs begin in the fall, and classes are offered at the main campus.
16. Do you offer Financial Aid, Stipends, or Grants?
A: Yes, our program offers four stipends for students with specific interests. More information is
available at https://www.calstatela.edu/hhs/sw/field-education. Please be aware that you must first
be admitted to the MSW program to apply for a stipend.
CalSWEC Program stipend is for students with an interest in Public Child Welfare. The Stipend is a
two-year stipend for students in the Two (2) year program. The CalSWEC Program is also available to
County Public Child Welfare employees in the Three (3) year program.
Los Angeles County Title IV-E DCFS Internship Program is open to both Two (2) year and Three (3)
year students who are interested in Public Child Welfare. This is a one-year stipend, available to
students in their final year of the program.
Los Angeles County Mental Health stipend is open to Two (2) year, Three (3) year, and ASP students.
This is a one-year stipend, available to students in their final year of the program. Students are
required to have a Department of Mental Health Internship.
HCAI Fellowship supported by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information
(HCAI). The SSW-HCAI Fellowship Program awards stipend and behavioral health training to newly
admitted MSW students who are passionate and committed to serving underprivileged individuals,
families, and communities challenged by behavioral health issues. This fellowship is open to ASP 1-
year and 2-year students.
CalSWEC - Adult Protective Services (APS) Training Program its purpose is to better prepare MSW
students to provide effective, evidence-based professional social work services in public Adult Protective
Services units. APS is for students interested in working with the elderly. APS is open to all MSW options
(ASP 1-year, 2-year and 3-year students).
Geriatric Social Work (GSWEC) Stipend is open to both Two (2) year and Three (3) year program
students. This is a one-year stipend, available in the last year of the program. To qualify, students must
have a GSWEC-approved agency internship.
The Public Behavioral Health MSW Training Program (PBH) funded by the California Office of Health Care
Access and Information (HCAI) as part of statewide behavioral health workforce development initiative. It is
open to all MSW options (ASP 1-year, 2-year and 3-year students) in their advanced year. The fellowship
program is for recent MSW graduates who are committed to training and working in publicly funded
behavioral health care settings.
Each stipend program has its own set of criteria, the application process, and terms associated with the
stipend award. Stipends are competitive and require a separate application and an interview.
17. Do I need a car and valid auto insurance to enroll in the MSW program?
A: A car is not required; however, students are expected to spend between 16-24 hours a week in a
community-based practicum agency. Many agencies will require that student interns have a car and
valid driver’s license, and auto insurance. Please note: There is no guarantee that your placement will
be near your home. If a student does not have reliable transportation, this may impede the practicum
placement process, and that will limit where they are placed.
18. I have a misdemeanor and/or felony on my record. Can I still apply?
A: Yes, you may apply. Be aware that if you do not successfully match with a field agency after three
(3) attempts, your MSW acceptance may be rescinded. Applicants should be mindful that they are
required to pass a Live Scan and/or complete a background check. If you have ever been arrested or
convicted of a crime (e.g., misdemeanor and/or felony) please consider getting your record expunged
before applying to the MSW program, as it may preclude you from entering a practicum internship.
There are certain fieldwork and professional social work settings that will not allow people on-site if
they have certain misdemeanors or felonies in their background. Students should consult with the
Practicum Director immediately with concerns about their ability to be placed with an agency, or their
future employability in the social work field.
19. What is considered Social Work experience?
A: Experience in working in the social work field, case management, health, and human services,
and/or has been supervised by a credentialed social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Ph.D., or
D.S.W.).
20. Does CSLA have services available for veterans?
A: Yes, CSLA Veterans Resource Center provides veterans with information about applying for
admissions to CSLA. Check out their website for more information http://www.calstatela.edu/vets
21. Does CSLA offer services for students with disabilities?
A: Yes, The Office of Students with Disabilities assists students with disabilities as they secure their
university degrees at CSLA. Check out their website http://www.calstatela.edu/osd
22. What can I do with a social work degree?
A: For more information please click the link below
https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/what_can_i_do_social_work_degree.pdf
For more in-depth information about our MSW program, we invite interested applicants to attend one of our
MSW Information Meetings. Information meetings will be held virtual during the months of Octoer to January.
The information meetings offer prospective applicants an opportunity to learn more about the program, and the
application process, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and meet others who are interested in social
work.
Information meetings will be offered via zoom at the dates and times listed below. To RSVP for a
meeting please click the link below.
http://www.calstatela.edu/hhs/sw/msw-information-meeting-rsvp
Saturday, October 7, 2023, 10:00 to 11:30 A.M.
Saturday, October 21, 2023, 10:00 to 11:30 A.M.
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. in-person on the main campus in SH C99
Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 6:00 to 7:30 P.M
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 10:00 to 11:30 A.M.
Saturday, December 16, 2023, 9:00 to 10:30 P.M
Saturday, December 16, 2023, 11:30 to 1:30 P.M. (ASP Option only DTLA campus)
Saturday, January 6, 2024, 10:00 to 11:30 A.M.
Saturday, January 27, 2024, 10:00 to 11:30 A.M. (ASP Option only)
Please continue to check the website for more information and updates. In the meantime, please visit
https://www.calstatela.edu/hhs/sw/masters-social-work for detailed information about our program criteria and
application process. Additional questions may be emailed to the admissions coordinator, at
mlightburn@cslanet.calstatela.edu.
For problems with the application please contact the Application Helpline 857-304-2087.
For additional campus Information please see the links below.
• Cal State LA Admissions Deadlines:
o http://www.calstatela.edu/admissions/deadlines
• Cal State LA English Language Proficiency Requirement for Admission
(TOEFL):
o http://www.calstatela.edu/admissions/english-language-proficiency
• Admissions Office – Submitting Documents:
o http://www.calstatela.edu/admissions/submitting-documents
