Master of Social Work (MSW) Online

About This Program

The urban setting of CSUN's graduate-level social work program supports its focus on urban community practice. Based in the heart of Los Angeles County’s San Fernando Valley, our program gives students the opportunity to work with vulnerable and at-risk populations and cultivates an appreciation of the planned-change process. ...

Unlike many social work programs, CSUN’s Master of Social Work expands students' career possibilities by offering a generalist approach. The curriculum also enables students to gain the skills and perspective to work at any level: individual/family (micro); group/community (mezzo); and societal/policy (macro).

Programs Highlights

Outstanding support - Students admitted to the program are guaranteed enrollment in all required courses. What’s more, the complete and on-going support of a designated Program Manager, from application to graduation, frees them to focus on their studies and their practicum placement requirements.

A cohesive and supportive learning community – The cohort format of this program facilitates on-time completion of the degree through student interaction on weekly assignments, which also leads to the development of strong professional relationships.

Well-designed, effective distance learning - As one of the first American universities to offer graduate degrees online, CSUN does not entrust its learning community to commercial providers. Rather, CSUN faculty and practitioners receive training and support to ensure instructional excellence. Students also benefit from the beginning-to-end support of the Tseng College's professional Distance Learning staff.

Job Outlook: Public Sector

CSUN ranks 3rd as a talent provider for occupations like Social and Community Service Managers, Chief Executives, General and Operations Managers, Legislators, Administrative Services Managers, and Managers, all other in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim.

Job Outlook: Social Services

CSUN ranks 1st as a talent provider for occupations like Social and Community Service Managers; Marriage and Family Therapists; Counselors, all other; Child, Family, and School Social Workers; Healthcare Social Workers; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers; Social Workers, all other; and Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim.

Master of Social Work (MSW) CSUN

All courses are taught by distinguished CSUN faculty members who are experts in their fields. Delivered fully online, the program offers outstanding instructional quality together with personalized support, at a state-university price. In fact, CSUN’s online program can prepare students in less time, and can cost half as much, as a private university program. All CSUN academic programs are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This program is also fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

What do MSW graduates do?

CSUN's MSW degree prepares students for careers as direct service providers, administrators, community advocates, counselors, policy makers, researchers, supervisors and service workers in a wide variety of settings, including community and government organizations, health care centers, schools, and more.

In addition to these roles, graduates have also gone on to hold titles such as:

Social and Community Service Managers
Marriage and Family Therapists
Counselors, Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Healthcare Social Workers
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Social Workers
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Board Certified Behavior Analysts
School Social Workers
Licensed Clinical Social Workers

Meet your Faculty

View more Faculty

Mark Abelson

MFA, MSW

Lecturer, Department of Social Work

Jodi Constantine Brown

Ph.D., MSW

Professor, Department of Social Work

Moshoula Capous-Desyllas

Ph.D., MSW

Professor, Department of Sociology

Maria Clemens

LCSW

Practicum Education Liaison

Mercedes Frierson

LCSW

Practicum Education Liaison

Julie Gould

MSW, LCSW

Family Crisis, Trauma and Grief

Allen Lipscomb

Psy.D., MSW, LCSW

Professor, Department of Social Work

Susan Love

Ph.D., MSW, LCSW

Professor, Department of Social Work

Katie Mortimer

MSW, LCSW

Faculty, Department of Social Work

José Miguel Paez

MSW, LCSW

Lecturer, Department of Social Work

Hyun-Sun Park

Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Social Work

Jolene Swain

MSW

Director of Practicum Education and Lecturer

Victoria Terrill

LCSW

Practicum Education Liaison

Darlene Woo

MSW

Assistant Director of Practicum Education, Lecturer

Career Opportunities

Unlock a world of career possibilities with our comprehensive support system. From internships to networking events, we empower students to thrive in their professional journeys and achieve their aspirations.