Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work degree at California State University - Northridge 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.