San Jose State University Online Master of Social Work, California

Why San Jose State University?

The online Master of Social Work offered by San Jose State University recruits students who hold an undergraduate degree in any subject, with coursework in humanities, social sciences, and arts.  San Jose State University is a large public research university in San Jose, California. Applicants must be resident in California while completing the program.

Standardized test scores are not required, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.50  is expected.  

Program Snapshot

University Name	San Jose State University
Location	San Jose
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	$475.00
Tuition for Entire Program	$28,500
Test Requirements	No
Minimum GPA	2.50
Prerequisite Courses and Skills	Coursework in humanities, social sciences, and arts
Campus Visit Required?	Orientation Required
Typical Time to Complete	2 years
When Can Students Start the Program?	Fall
Program Concentrations	none
Synchronous Classes	Some
Required Courses	Social Work Graduate Writing Social Policy and Services: History and Values Social Policy Analysis Human Behavior in Social Environment I and II Transcultural Generalist Practice I and II Social Work Practicum I, II, III and IV Research Methods and Design 1 course in Advanced Practice 1 course in Advanced Policy Special Study A and B
Does the Program Include a Capstone?	Yes
Does the Program Include a Practicum or Internship?	Yes
Other Features that Make the Program Unique	required course in writing;  must be resident in California; during summer prior to first semester, students are required to complete readings, complete a writing skills course and attend a required field internship fair and orientation event; low cost
Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program)	Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior; Engage diversity and difference in practice; Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice; Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice; engage in policy practice; Engage, assess, intervene and evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
Program Description	Offered by a leader in online education, the SJSU online MSW includes more on-campus learning opportunities than some other programs. Students complete 60 credits and a required internship, including required orientation, required writing course, and a required capstone.  This lower-cost option also connects students to internships via an in-person internship fair.

What will I Learn?

Students in the SJSU Master of Social Work program are expected to become ethical and professional leaders in the field of social work, familiar with the underlying theory and evidence of the profession and able to understand and apply concepts of human rights and social and environmental justice. Students gain the skills and experience to become practitioners with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Research and assessment skills are emphasized throughout the program.

Students in the SJSU program must complete a required course in Social Work Graduate Writing, and a course in Research Methods and Design. Their required practicum coursework is accompanied by Social Work Practicum courses 1-4, as well as Transcultural Generalist Practice I and II. Students learn and debate key professional values in Social Policy and Services: History and Values, and Social Policy Analysis. They learn to understand their clients in Human Behavior in Social Environment I and II. Students have the choice of 1 course in Advanced Practice and 1 course in Advanced Policy, as well as Special Study courses  A and B.

During the summer prior to their first semester, students are required to complete readings, complete a writing skills course and attend a required field internship fair and orientation event.

How much will the program cost?

Students finish their degree within 2 years and pay $475.00 per credit for a total of 60 credits, or $28,500.

How does the program fit into my life?

San Jose State University offers a wide variety of online programs and faculty and staff therefore have extensive experience with this type of program. Students are expected to attend a required on-campus orientation. They are also connected to internships through an in-person field internship fair. Students of the program must be resident in California.

 Some courses in the program are offered synchronously, with students and professors meeting online at set times. Some courses are asynchronous, offering greater flexibility. 

Summary

With a lower-than-average required GPA for application, San Jose State University’s online program offers an accessible and lower-cost alternative for students wishing to pursue a graduate education in social work. In return, however, SJSU students must complete more required coursework than students at some other programs, including a required course in writing and a compulsory on-campus visit. With many other online programs also offered at SJSU, students at this school can be confident that staff and faculty at the university are experienced in the online mode of instruction and that the university prioritizes the needs of remote students.