• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SDSU School of Social Work

San Diego, California

How to Apply to SDSU MSW Program
Visit SDSU  |   Give  |   Intranet
  • << CHHS Home
  • About
    • Director’s Updates
    • History, Mission, Vision
    • Advisory Board
    • Strategic Plan
  • Programs
    • Undergraduate Programs
      • BA in Social Work
        • BASW Overview
        • BASW Curriculum
        • BASW Curriculum Map
        • BASW Specializations
        • BASW Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program
        • BASW Application Procedure
      • BA in Gerontology
        • BA Gerontology Overview
        • BA Gerontology Curriculum
        • BA Gerontology Curriculum Map
        • BA Gerontology Course Sequence Guide
        • BA Gerontology Application Procedure
      • Minor in Social Work
      • Minor in Gerontology
      • Undergraduate International Opportunities
    • Graduate Programs
      • Master of Social Work
        • MSW Admissions
        • MSW Overview
        • MSW Advanced Specializations
        • MSW Curriculum
        • MSW Curriculum Map
        • MSW Stipend Programs
        • MSW Info Sessions
        • MSW Personal Statement Prompt
      • MSW Advanced Standing Program
      • Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health(MSW/MPH)
      • MSW Imperial Valley
      • PhD in Interdisciplinary Research on Substance Use
    • Certificates/Credentials
      • Advanced Certificate in Social Work Administration
      • Human Services Management Certificate
      • Certificate in Early Childhood-Transdisciplinary Education and Mental Health (EC-TEaMH)
      • Pupil Personnel Service Credential
    • Stipend Programs
    • Board Fellows Program
    • Outcomes Assessment
  • Student Resources
    • Student Spotlight
    • Canvas
    • my.SDSU
    • First-Generation Student Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Transfer Students
    • Advising
      • Meet Your Advisor!
      • Course Sequence Guides
      • SDSU MyMap! for Undergrads
    • References
      • BASW Handbook
      • MSW Handbook
      • MSW Qualifying Exam
      • MSW Comprehensive Exam or Publishable Paper
      • NASW Code of Ethics
      • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California
      • Domestic Violence Resource Guide
      • Trauma Informed Care and Criminal Justice Resources
    • Financial Aid
      • Scholarships
      • Assistantships
      • ECRT
    • Important Contacts
    • Important Forms
    • Field Education Site
    • Alumni Tutoring & Mentoring Program
    • Student Organizations
  • Research
    • Faculty Research Areas
    • Funded Research
    • Research Centers & Institutes
      • Academy for Professional Excellence
      • Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies
      • Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity
      • Consensus Organizing Center
      • Social Policy Institute
    • Faculty Publications
  • People
    • Faculty
    • Staff
    • Emeritus
    • Faculty Spotlight
  • Careers
    • Jobs Board for Students and Grads
    • Open Faculty Positions
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Spotlight
    • MSW Alumni Resource List
    • Alumni Association
    • Alumni Update Form
You are here: Home / Degrees & Programs / Graduate Programs / Master of Social Work / MSW Overview

MSW Overview

MSW Handbook
Subscribe to the MSW Interest List

San Diego State University School of Social Work offers 1, 2, 3, and 4-year plans for obtaining the MSW degree.  In addition, the School of Social Work also offers two dual degree programs: Master in Social Work Degree / Master in Public Health Degree (MSW/MPH) and a Master in Social Work Degree / Juris Doctor Degree (MSW/JD).

MSW Program Mission Statement

The Mission of the MSW Program is to prepare graduates competent to work in public and private sector health and human service agencies. Using both generalist and advanced specialist frameworks, graduates work both with and on behalf of diverse and vulnerable populations in the Southern California border region and beyond. Graduates enhance human and community well-being and eliminate social disparities. Grounded in the ethics of the social work profession, graduates apply evidence-based approaches in their work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and the agencies that serve them.

Program Goals

The goals of the graduate program are to implement the mission by preparing advanced practitioners in the specialized areas of Direct Practice or Administration/Community Development who

  1. are well-grounded in the values and ethics of the profession;
  2. have multiple competencies that can be used in a wide variety of settings, with systems of various sizes and with diverse and vulnerable populations;
  3. are able to critically examine issues of social, economic and environmental justice and are committed to the realization of human rights;
  4. utilize research evidence in practice decision making;
  5. are committed to lifelong professional development;
  6. are prepared to be leaders in the profession.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) adopted a competency-based framework for baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in social work education in the United States. The curricula for BASW and MSW degrees within the SDSU School of Social Work are based on the nine competency-centered learning outcomes and are designed to build capacity for student achievement from generalist (BASW) to advanced specialist (MSW) practice.

  1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  4. Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
  5. Engage in Policy Practice
  6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Program Structure

The MSW Program is organized around two distinct methods of concentrations, Direct Practice/Clinical or Administration and Community Development, and focus areas (mental health, children/youth/families, and health/aging). The first-year foundation courses present an orientation to social work practice and provide the necessary base upon which to build the more advanced body of knowledge, practice principles and skills offered in the second year.

All students must complete a multiple choice exam at the completion of 31 units of work (i.e., qualifying exam). In the final year of the program, students choose between completion of a thesis (Plan A) or a Comprehensive Exam (Plan B). A data driven article suitable for publication is also an option for eligible students under Plan A . Those who select the thesis will be required to complete a substantive research project directed by a faculty thesis committee recruited by the student. Students selecting the comprehensive exam must pass a 4-hour multiple choice exam.

Additional Program Details

A detailed description may be found in the Social Work section of the SDSU Graduate Bulletin.

Included are admission requirements, course and electives listings, and detailed program requirements. 

 

 

  • Master of Social Work
  • MSW Admissions
  • MSW Overview
  • MSW Advanced Specializations
  • MSW Curriculum
  • MSW Curriculum Map
  • MSW Stipend Programs
  • MSW Info Sessions
  • MSW Personal Statement Prompt

San Diego State University

SDSU School of Social Work

Hepner Hall room 119
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4119
(see map)

email: socwork@sdsu.edu

tel: (619) 594-6865
fax: (619) 594-5991

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

© 2023 · SDSU College of Health and Human Services

SDSU Digital Privacy Statement   |   Document Readers