California State University – San Bernardino Online Master of Social Work, California

Why California State University – San Bernardino?

 California State University – San Bernardino recruits applicants for its online Master of Social Work program. California State University – San Bernardino,  a large public research university in San Bernardino, California, accepts applicants with an undergraduate degree in liberal arts, with social and behavioral sciences preferred. Applicants should demonstrate completion of courses in human behavior, human physiology, and statistics. 

Standardized test scores are not required, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00  is expected.  The program prefers students who can demonstrate that they live far away from UC-SB and from any other university that offers a similar program and/or that they have other barriers to attending an in-person program.

Program Snapshot

University Name California State University – San Bernardino
Location San Bernardino
State California
Niche.com Grade B-
Name of Degree Master of Social Work
School or Department Administering Program School of Social Work
Credits 60
Cost per credit $650.00
Tuition for Entire Program $39,000
Test Requirements No
Minimum GPA 3.00
Prerequisite Courses and Skills liberal arts, with social and behavioral sciences preferred; courses in human behavior, human physiology, and statistics
Campus Visit Required? One Visit per Year
Typical Time to Complete 3 years
When Can Students Start the Program? Fall
Program Concentrations Advanced Generalist
Synchronous Classes Yes
Required Courses
  • Human Behavior in the Social Environment I and II
  • Social Welfare Institutions, Policies and Services; Issues in Policy and Service Delivery
  • Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice Practice
  • Micro Social Work Practice
  • Macro Social Work Practice
  • Foundation/Generalist Social Work Practicum I
  • Foundation/Generalist Social Work Practicum II
  • Research Methodology and Design
  • Social Justice and Injustice in Social Welfare Policies
  • Evidence-Based Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
  • Psychopathology
  • Mezzo Practice and Integrated Social Work Practice with Complex Cases
  • Program Evaluation in Social Work
  • Advanced Social Work Practicum I and II 
Does the Program Include a Capstone? No
Does the Program Include a Practicum or Internship? Yes
Other Features that Make the Program Unique Prefer students who can demonstrate that they live far away from UC-SB and from any other university that offers a similar program and/or that they have other barriers to attending an in-person program; program faculty has expertise in caregiving; AIDS services; social determinants of health, economic self-sufficiency and others.
Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program) Student demonstrates ethical and professional behavior; Student engages diversity and difference in practice; Student advances human rights and social, economic and environmental justice; Engage in practice informed research and research-informed practice; Engages in policy practice; Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; Intervenes with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; Evaluates practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Program Description This 60-credit program aimed at students who face barriers attending graduate school in person prepares professional social workers for social service careers. A capstone is not required but all students must complete a practicum, and visit the CSU-SB campus once per year. The curriculum is particularly strong in the area of policy. 

What will I Learn?

As with all programs that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the Master of Social Work program at Rutgers focuses on teaching students professional ethics and foundations.  Students learn to engage with issues of diversity and difference, and to understand the role of human rights and social justice in social work theory and practice. All coursework is guided by a basis in evidence and research, and students learn to assess and evaluate their own practice, and to be active in policymaking.

Students learn to understand their clients in Human Behavior in the Social Environment I and II and Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice Practice.  Graduates of the program are equipped to contribute to research and policy after taking required courses in Social Welfare Institutions, Policies and Services, Issues in Policy and Service Delivery, Research Methodology and Design, Social Justice and Injustice in Social Welfare Policies, and Program Evaluation in Social Work.

Students learn key professional skills in Micro Social Work Practice, Macro Social Work Practice, Evidence-Based Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups, Psychopathology, and Mezzo Practice and Integrated Social Work Practice with Complex Cases. The required practicum experience is accompanied by Foundation/Generalist Social Work Practicum I, Foundation/Generalist Social Work Practicum II Advanced Social Work Practicum I, and Advanced Social Work Practicum II. 

How much will the program cost?

Students finish their degree within 3 years and pay $650.00 per credit for a total of 60 credits, or $39,000 in total.

How does the program fit into my life?

Courses are synchronous, meaning that students attend “live” class sessions online each week at a scheduled time.  Students must visit the UC-San Bernardino campus once per year. Most students complete the program within 3 years. Students can enter the program in Fall.  

Summary

With “live” synchronous classes and one required visit to campus per year, the Master of Social Work program at the University of California San-Bernardino offers opportunities to build connections with instructors and peers. Faculty in the program have expertise in caregiving, AIDS services, social determinants of health, economic self-sufficiency and other topics. The program is a lower-cost than many similar programs.