Understanding CSULB MSW Tuition Costs and Program Overview

For individuals dedicated to fostering a just society and pursuing a career in social work, understanding the financial implications of a Master of Social Work (MSW) program is crucial. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) offers a comprehensive MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), preparing graduates for diverse practice settings. This article delves into the tuition costs associated with the CSULB MSW program, along with an overview of the program's structure, specializations, and financial aid opportunities.

CSULB Social Work Program

The School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is committed to educating diverse, ethical, and competent social work students, engaging in community-based research, and providing service to the community. The mission is to prepare students to enter professional, multicultural social work practice.

The CSULB MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and prepares graduates to serve as professional social workers who excel in all levels of practice in economically and socially diverse environments. Students learn to practice as professional social workers with persons and groups representing the range of human diversity and with all size systems (individuals, families, groups, communities and institutions). In addition, students are prepared for advanced, specialized practice in one of the following specializations: Child and Family Wellbeing, Adulthood and Aging, or Integrated Health.

A Look at Tuition and Fees

Understanding the costs associated with the CSULB MSW program requires a detailed look at tuition, fees, and other potential expenses. Keep in mind that all listed fees, other than mandatory system-wide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester begins.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition

The cost of tuition at CSULB varies significantly for California residents compared to non-residents. For undergraduates, the following breakdown applies:

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Tuition (In-State): \$5,742
Tuition (Out-of-State): \$17,622
Fees: \$1,266 (both In-State and Out-of-State)
Books and Supplies: \$1,490 (both In-State and Out-of-State)
On-Campus Room and Board: \$15,612 (both In-State and Out-of-State)
On-Campus Other Expenses: \$4,306 (both In-State and Out-of-State)

Non-resident students should also be aware of additional costs per unit. If you are not a resident of California, you must add \$471.00 for each unit of credit you take to your tuition total.

For example, non-resident tuition for an undergraduate taking 12 units would be calculated as follows:

Total California Resident Tuition and Mandatory Fees: \$4,365.00
Multiply the number of units (12) by \$471.00: = \$5,652.00
Add the two amounts together for total non-resident tuition: \$4,365.00 + \$5,652.00 = \$10,017.00

However, students may be exempt from non-resident classification if they are a teacher, military service member, California high school graduate who has attended a California high school at least three years, or a dependent child of California residents.

Additional Fees

Beyond tuition, students should anticipate other potential fees, including:

Application or Reapplication Fee: \$70
Course Fees: Varies depending on the course
Apply to Graduate Fee: \$125
Dishonored Check Charge: \$20
Enrollment Deposit: \$150
Disputed Credit Card Fee: \$20
Installment Plan Fee: \$33
Late Payment Fee: \$10
Late Registration Fee: \$25
Refund Processing Fee: \$10
Replacement CSULB ID Fee: \$5
Official Transcript Fee: \$12
Charges by Other University Departments: Varies
Student Involvement and Representation Fee (SIRF): \$2 per fall and spring term (voluntary, can opt-out)

Cost of Attendance

Tuition and fees represent only a portion of the total education costs. At Cal State Long Beach, the following elements are included in standard Cost of Attendance estimates:

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Tuition and Mandatory Fees
Living Expenses (Housing and Food)
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
Transportation
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
Federal Student Loan Fees

The Cost of Attendance, or budget, is broadly defined as the average cost to attend CSULB for one 9-month academic year consisting of the fall and spring semesters.

MSW Program Plans

The School of Social Work at CSULB offers three program plans for completing the MSW degree:

2-Year MSW Program
3-Year MSW Program
Advanced Standing MSW Program

2-Year MSW Program

Students admitted to the 2-Year MSW program must complete 60-semester units of coursework. Students enroll in 15 units of coursework (5 courses total) each semester for four (4) semesters as follows: Fall/Spring/Fall/Spring. Students attend classes on Mondays and Fridays during the daytime.

Each student must complete two practicum placements: one in the first year of the program and one in the second year of the program. Each placement involves 500 hours of practicum experience, with a total of 1000 hours completed to fulfill degree requirements. Students complete 16 hours of practicum placement each week between the months of September and May. Practicum hours are completed Tuesday through Thursday in either two 8-hour weekdays, or one 8-hour weekday & two 4-hour weekday periods.

3-Year MSW Program

Students admitted to the 3-Year MSW program must complete 60-semester units of coursework. Students enroll in 6-9 units of coursework each semester for eight (8) semesters as follows: Fall/Spring/ Summer/Fall/Spring/Summer/Fall/Spring. Students attend classes on Monday evenings, Wednesday evenings, and Saturdays during the daytime.

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Each student must complete two practicum placements: one in the second year of the program and one in the third year of the program. Each placement involves 500 hours of fieldwork, with a total of 1000 hours completed to fulfill degree requirements. Students complete 16 hours of practicum placement each week between the months of September and May. Practicum hours are completed Monday through Friday in either two 8-hour weekdays, or one 8-hour weekday & two 4-hour weekday periods.

Advanced Standing MSW Program

Since 2005, our Advanced Standing program has offered students with an undergraduate degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program the opportunity to obtain their MSW degree within 12 months (one summer, one fall & one spring semester). Upon successful completion of an intensive Summer Bridge Program, Advanced Standing MSW students complete 30 units of advanced coursework in the fall and spring semesters. Advanced Standing MSW students attend classes on Mondays and Fridays during the daytime (with additional days in the summer) and complete one 660-hour practicum experience that starts in June and ends the following May. Students complete 16 hours of practicum placement each week (Tuesday through Thursday) in either two 8-hour weekdays, or one 8-hour weekday & two 4-hour weekday periods.

Distance Education

The MSW program is also offered at off-campus locations throughout the state. Current distance education sites are in the Sonoma County and Ventura County areas. Courses are taught using face-to-face instruction, as well as interactive television and web-based instructional support. The distance education MSW is offered using a 3-year program plan in the Child and Family Wellbeing specialization. Students attend classes on Saturdays and complete practicum experience requirements during the second and third academic years of the program.

Areas of Specialization

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree offers an opportunity for study in one of three areas of specialization:

Child and Family Wellbeing
Adulthood and Aging
Integrated Health

Students are assigned a specialization during their first year in the program. The second-year courses and practicum experience will be determined by this specialization. Program stipend recipients and students who choose to complete the Pupil Personnel Services Credential will be assigned to a specific specialization.

Child and Family Wellbeing Specialization

The Child and Family Wellbeing specialization prepares students to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches to promote positive child and family functioning across diverse populations. Through coursework and practicum experiences, students will acquire and enhance their skills to effectively engage, assess and intervene with children and families both preventively and with those experiencing challenges. Students will also gain knowledge of the policies most salient to the lives of children and families and skills to effectively influence such policies. This specialization provides a solid framework for students interested in working in child protective services, schools, and other public agencies or community-based non-profits.

Adulthood and Aging Specialization

The Adulthood and Aging specialization prepares students to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches to promote positive adult, older adult, and family functioning across diverse populations. Through coursework and practicum experiences, students will acquire and enhance their skills to effectively engage, assess, and intervene with adults and older adults. Students will gain knowledge of the unique psychosocial needs facing adults, older adults, and their families. Students will examine adulthood and the aging processes from multiple perspectives: biomedical, psychological, socioeconomic, spiritual and cultural while examining contemporary trends that are shaping aging policy, practice, and theory. This specialization provides a solid framework for students interested in working in the areas of adult protective services, supportive services for family caregivers, Alzheimerâs and dementia care services, hospice services, the prison system and community corrections, promotion of healthy aging, long-term care, and health care collaborations.

Integrated Health Specialization

The Integrated Health specialization prepares students to use strength-based and evidence-based approaches to meeting the changing needs of people from diverse populations with physical, behavioral health, and substance use challenges. Through coursework and practicum experiences, students will acquire and enhance their skills to effectively engage, assess, and intervene with individuals who face chronic diseases and co-occurring conditions of mental health challenges and/or substance use. Students will learn to utilize prevention and brief intervention models critical to integrated care and how to work effectively on an interdisciplinary team. Students will learn how evidence-based practice, along with recovery-oriented and strengths-based care philosophies, can foster changes in practice settings and policies.

Practicum Experience

The practicum education sequence has an integral role in the MSW curriculum. The experience offers an opportunity for students to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and social work practice and intervention skills in a community agency setting under the supervision of a qualified practicum instructor. A variety of agencies within the surrounding counties are utilized, reflecting the diverse settings in which social workers are employed. University practicum faculty select the most appropriate practicum placement site for students.

Each student has two practicum placements and concurrent enrollment in practice courses during the course of study. Each placement involves 500 hours of internship in a community agency setting and attendance and participation in an integrated practicum seminar that meets weekly on campus. The practicum education sequence encompasses a total of 1000 hours, for which 12 units of academic credit are given. The academic year schedule begins in September and continues through mid-May. Practicum work includes attendance in a practicum seminar as well as an internship in the community. Students complete 16 hours per week. This must include either two 8-hour weekdays or one 8-hour weekday and two 4-hour weekday blocks. No weekend placements are available. Students admitted to the Advanced Standing program complete one field placement for a total of 660 hours that begins in June and continues through mid-May.

Students who are employed in social service agencies may request that their agency be evaluated as a site for the second-year practicum internship only. The agency must be able to meet all criteria established by the School of Social Work to ensure the educational focus of practicum education and provide a significantly different experience than the student's current job duties.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet certain minimum requirements for admission to our MSW program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission to our program. Please refer to the Fall 2026 admission requirements below for our MSW program plan options.

2-Year MSW / 3-Year MSW / Distance Education MSW

Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university no later than Spring 2026
Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Completion of an Elementary Statistics prerequisite course with a letter grade of âCâ or better no later than Spring 2026 [NOTE: A grade of âC minus (C-)â does not meet this requirement.]

Advanced Standing MSW

Completion of a baccalaureate degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited social work program no later than Spring 2026 (degree must have been completed within the last 5 years)
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
Completion of an Elementary Statistics prerequisite course with a letter grade of âCâ or better no later than Spring 2026 [NOTE: A grade of âC minus (C-)â does not meet this requirement.]

Applicants are admitted to the CSULB Master of Social Work (MSW) program for the Fall semester only; we do not offer Spring admission. Applications are accepted on a rolling admission basis beginning October 1, 2025, and are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis until spaces are filled. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application early. The deadline for all application materials is January 15, 2026.

Financial Aid Opportunities

CSULB offers various forms of financial aid opportunities that are available to students depending on eligibility. Remember, your financial aid package will always align with your unit load (for example, if you drop a class and have 6 units of coursework vs. 9 units, this may impact your financial aid amount as you will move from being considered a full-time-student to a part-time student). If your financial or educational situation changes after you have applied for aid, you may apply for an appeal.

Available aid programs may include, but are not limited to:

Scholarships
Federal Grants
State Grants
CSULB Grants
Federal Student Loans
Federal Work-Study

The CSULB Financial Aid and Scholarships team is here to support you with resources and tools that may help you apply for aid and fund your educational goals. The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office is the official hub for scholarship information at CSULB. They collect, organize, and distribute information on hundreds of external scholarships as well as administer university scholarships for the campus.

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