Below you will find answers to some of the frequently asked questions about this program. For additional information on admission requirements, curriculum, tuition and more, please visit the specific pages on the navigation menu above.
No, the application does not require letters of recommendation, and they will not be accepted or reviewed. Additionally, no interview is required or requested during the review process.
No, you may apply to only one graduate program at any CSU campus per admission term (e.g., Fall 2027). This means applicants to the Master of Social Work (MSW) program must choose to apply to either the MSW Online program or the MSW On-Campus program —but not both.
You DO NOT need a Cal State Apply or ApplyWeb application for the MSW Online program, only the Online Application linked in STEP 1 on our How-to-Apply page.
If you are interested in applying for ANY on-campus cohorts, please visit the On-Campus Admissions page for further instructions and deadlines.
Applying to the Online MSW Program requires only one online application which will be available in STEP 1 on the How-to-Apply page when the application is open. This one application counts as both an application to CSUN (the university) and the department.
When reviewing the application instructions, please pay close attention to the Document Guidelines in Step 1, as they are a critical part of the application review process.
After you submit your online application, please follow the other steps on our How-to-Apply page for guidance on submitting your official transcripts, activating your CSUN Portal and CSUN email, to complete your application. Applications may be considered incomplete if we do not receive and process all your official transcripts and documents.
After submitting your application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to activate your CSUN email account. Depending on your email settings, this message may be delivered to your spam or junk folder, so please be sure to check those folders.
If you do not receive the activation email, you can find instructions for activating your CSUN email on the Information Technology website:
https://www.csun.edu/it/software-services/services/email
Application updates are sent according to the program and term you applied for:
- Fall (2-Year Online MSW Program): Applicants can expect to receive additional information between March and early May.
- Spring (3-Year Online MSW Program): Applicants can expect to receive additional information between November and late December.
If you are interested in the Advanced Standing option, please submit an application for the Online Fall/2-year program application and follow all the same application instructions as listed on the How-to-Apply page.
All complete applications which are received for the Online 2-year Fall cohort are simultaneously reviewed and considered for Advanced Standing if they meet those requirements – there is no separate application just for Advanced Standing.
For more information about the Advanced Standing requirements, please view our Admissions Criteria.
In addition to completing regular online assignments, the MSW online program typically meets weekly for live, online sessions one weeknight per week, in each class, between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific Time. All classes (except practicum classes) are asynchronous, which means you can attend the live class or watch the recording later at a more convenient time, though live attendance is highly encouraged. The specific day and time for live sessions will be announced no later than one month before the cohort launch. Rare exceptions may apply. Practicum classes meet weekly for one hour at a time determined by the instructor and 7-8 students depending on their schedule. You can find more details about student expectations for these practicum courses on the Practicum Education page.
More details, sample schedules, as well as schedules for current and future cohorts are available on the Course Schedules page.
No, while the Practicum Education Program strives to place students at internship sites within a 90-minute commute from their residence, students of the program should expect to report on-site. Students should have reliable transportation (car, public transit, or rideshare) to meet practicum requirements.
Students living in remote or rural areas may have:
- Longer commute times to internship sites
- Fewer placement options
- More limited choices for second-year placements
You can find more details about student expectations and the placement process on the Practicum Education page.
No, the 2-year and 3-year program does not require any specific coursework before applying. Advanced Standing will require a Bachelor of Social Work among other requirements. For more information, please view our Admissions Criteria.
If approved by the Online MSW Program Academic Coordinator (“MSW Chair”), students may transfer up to nine credit hours of foundation coursework from a graduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Courses must have been completed with a grade of "A" or "B", and all transfer credits require departmental review and approval.
For more information about the program structure, you may refer to the MSW Program Requirements page.
For additional questions and answers, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
