Master of Social Work, M.S.W.

The MSW program will prepare you to become a clinically and culturally competent social work practitioner, capable of engaging in scientific inquiry and critical thinking as you advocate for social and economic justice by addressing policies that create socio-economic disparity, oppression, and discrimination.

Educational Objectives

Our school social work specialization will prepare you to earn the Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC), also known as the School Social Work Credential, with which you’ll be ready to serve as an effective school leader, change agent, and advocate for children and youth.

Our Child Welfare and Attendance Credential (CWA) is offered as an add-on specialization that will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience to advocate for youth with a special emphasis on at-risk and underachieving youth with attendance barriers.

Our robust practicum educational component will provide you with exceptional opportunities to apply what you’ve learned and hone your professional skills working in collaboration with community agencies throughout our region.

Our emphasis on the needs of the California Central Coast region means you’ll be uniquely prepared to work with local communities and meet the specific needs of individuals and families who call our distinctive geographic region home.

Complete all of the following core courses:

• SW 501 - Diversity & Social Justice Units: 3
• SW 510 - Foundations of Social Work Units: 3
• SW 520 - Generalist Practice: Individuals and Families Units: 3
• SW 530 - Generalist Practice: Groups Units: 3
• SW 531 - Generalist Practice III: Community and Organizational Practice Units: 3
• SW 540 - Cross-Cultural Human Behavior in the Social Environment Units: 3
• SW 550 - Social Work Research Units: 3
• SW 570 - Social Policy and Analysis Units: 3
• SW 596 - Field Practicum I Units: 3
• SW 598 - Field Practicum II Units: 3
• SW 600 - Applied Social Work Research Project Units: 3
• SW 620 - Advanced Generalist Practice: Engagement and Assessment Units: 3
• SW 630 - Advanced Generalist Practice: Intervention and Evaluation Units: 3
• SW 670 - Social Policy & Advocacy Units: 3
• SW 696 - Advanced Field Practicum I Units: 3
• SW 698 - Advanced Field Practicum II Units: 3

FOUNDATION PRACTICE ELECTIVES

Complete two or three of the following Foundation Practice elective courses:

• SW 561 - Leadership & Administration Units: 3
• SW 562 - Social Work with Latino Families Units: 3
• SW 563 - Social Work Conflict Resolution Units: 3
• SW 564 - Trauma-Informed Practice Units: 3 *
• SW 565 - School Social Work Units: 3 *
• SW 566 - Crafting a Grant Proposal Units: 3
• SW 567 - Forensic Social Work Units: 3

ADVANCED PRACTICE ELECTIVES

Complete at least one or two of the following Advanced Practice elective courses:

• SW 610 - Social Work Practice in Behavioral Health Units: 3
• SW 611 - Social Work with Children Youth & Families Units: 3 *
• SW 612 - Gerontological Social Work Units: 3
• SW 621 - DSM Analysis & Application Units: 3
• SW 660 - Substance Abuse Intervention Units: 3
• SW 662 - Family Therapy Units: 3
• SW 663 - Crisis Intervention Units: 3
• SW 664 - Advanced Models of Clinical Practice Units: 3
• SW 666 - Integrated Health Care Units: 3
• SW 669 - Veterans & Military Families Units: 3

The MSW program was founded in response to a call of local social work leaders for the development of a high-quality graduate-level social work program. As such, the program maintains a special focus on the community issues of the California Central Coast region and will position you to advocate with a heightened set of skills specifically designed for local communities.