Advanced Standing Hybrid Option

Only individuals who have received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from an undergraduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education* can apply for admission to the CSUSM MSW Advanced Standing (one-year) Program. The advanced standing program requires completion of 30 credits, and classes are held both in-person at the San Marcos campus and online. Select weeks during each semester will have in-person classes at the San Marcos campus, courses in the remaining weeks will be held online.

 First year (generalist) courses are waived as students have received equivalent course content in their BSW program. In addition to meeting to all CSUSM MSW admission requirements, advanced standing applicants are expected to have a 3.5 GPA or higher in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed and a bachelor’s degree in social work awarded no longer than five years before the application date.

To apply for the advanced standing program, students must meet the above criteria and apply for the CSUSM MSW program meeting the requirements and process indicated in the How to Apply tab. In the online application, students will select 1-year advanced standing as the program option.

Program Overview

Individuals who have received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from and undergraduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Eduction can apply for admission to the one year, 30-unit, MSW Advanced Standing Program. The purpose of the Advanced Standing option is to allow those who meet the qualifications to advance directly to year two of the full-time Master of Social Work program.

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree in Social Work conferred within the past five years from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• 3.5 GPA or higher in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed
• Completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better
• Personal statement 
• Three letters of recommendation, including academic and professional references
• A resume including any volunteer, internship, or experience in social work or human service positions
• An interview (in-person or virtual)

CSUSM 1-year Advanced Standing Program Curriculum

Fall Semester Units

Fall Semester: 15 Units	Units
MSW 602  Clinical Assessment and Evidence Based Treatment	3
MSW 629  Trauma and Addiction	3
MSW 636  Policy and Administration	3
MSW 642  Advanced Field Instruction I	3
MSW 600-level MSW elective or 695 Thesis I	3

Spring Semester Unit

Spring Semester: 15 Units	Units
MSW 643  Advanced Field Instruction II	3
MSW 650  Program Evaluation and Research Methods	3
MSW 698  Culminating Experience/Thesis II	3
MSW 600-level MSW elective	3
MSW 600-level MSW elective	3