Social Work

The Master of Social Work degree at CSUN provides students with a strong academic program with professional skill development that provides social services to the San Fernando Valley and adjacent cities, as well as state, national and global communities. The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and offers one specialization: advanced generalist practice with a focus on urban communities. This full-time program consists of two academic years and 20 courses equaling 60 credits, of which 12 are in field internship placements. The first year or generalist year of the program consists of two semesters for all students, including core course content of social work micro, mezzo and macro practice; multicultural practice; DSM diagnosis; human behavior and the social environment; social welfare policy and advocacy; and social research and field placement. The second year or specialized year of the program builds on the core content taught in the first year and includes other required content for professional accreditation: social work values and ethics, populations at risk, diversity, and social and economic justice. The total units (minimum of 60) in the program meet the requirements for professional accreditation.

The evening student cohorts complete their course of study over a 3-year period. Students take two or three courses per semester taking place on weekday evenings and some Saturdays. The field placement for the 3-year, part-time program consists of a minimum of 16 hours of field internship per week during two of the 3 years.

A CSUN-UNAM cohort completes a course of study online over a 2-year period with students and faculty from the Autonomous National University of Mexico. In addition to Fall and Summer online academic courses, students complete two summers containing one academic course, a field seminar and a related internship. The first summer is in the United States and the second summer is in Mexico City.

A. Admission Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited University in Sociology, Psychology, the Liberal Arts or a similar program.
2. A GPA of 3.0 is recommended.
3. Submit a Social Work program application form that includes a personal statement.
4. Submit three letters of recommendation, at least two from an academic institution.
5. Official transcripts.
6. Applicant contract.
7. Resume.
8. Applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants must obtain a minimum score on the TOEFL of 88 and score a minimum of 22 on each of the four individual sections in order to meet the department requirement. Additionally, the University accepts the IELTS and PTE Academic tests. The Social Work department requires a minimum score of 7.0 on the IELTS.

B. Course Requirements

1. Foundation Courses (30-33 units)

SWRK 501 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3)
SWRK 502 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3)
SWRK 503 Psychosocial Assessment and Diagnostic Formulation (3)
SWRK 510 Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice I (3)
SWRK 520 Social Work Practice in Multicultural Contexts (3)
SWRK 521 Generalist Social Work Theory and Practice II (3)
SWRK 522/P Generalist Field Education I and Placement (2/1)
SWRK 523/P Generalist Field Education II and Placement (2/1)
SWRK 525 Social Welfare Policy and Services (3)
SWRK 535 Social Work Research Methods I (3)

2. Advanced Concentration Courses (30 units)

Focus: Advanced Practice with Urban Families

a. Required (27 units)

SWRK 601 Advanced Social Work Practice with Urban Families I (3)
SWRK 602 Advanced Social Work Practice with Urban Families II (3)
SWRK 621 Advanced Social Work Practice in Urban Communities (3)
SWRK 622/P Specialist Field Education with Urban Communities I and Placement (2/1)
SWRK 623/P Specialist Field Education with Urban Communities II and Placement (2/1)
SWRK 630 Family Crisis, Trauma and Grief (3)
SWRK 635 Social Work Research Methods II (3)
SWRK 645 Urban Social Policy and Advocacy (3)

Culminating Experience

SWRK 698 Capstone Project (3)

b. Electives (3 units)

SWRK 650A-Z Selected Topics in Social Work (3)

Total Units Required for the M.S.W. Degree: 60-63