Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in California

Social workers play a critical role in society by supporting and advocating for the most vulnerable people in our communities. Do you feel called to a social work career in California? You’ll need a master’s in social work from an accredited program to receive your social worker license.

Attending an MSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in California will help you launch your social work career. In California, only graduates from accredited programs qualify for licensure.

To begin your search for a program that fits your interests and career goals, we compiled a list of CSWE-accredited MSW programs in California. Then, we explain how to become a social worker in California.

Some social work jobs in California, such as caseworkers, may not require licensure. But for social work careers that do require a license, such as clinical mental health work, it’s important to know the steps to earning your license.

In California, the Board of Behavioral Sciences licenses social workers. Licensed California social workers need a master’s degree from an accredited social work program. They must also pass a clinical exam, gain 3,000 hours of clinical experience after graduation, and pass a background check.

Completing the social worker requirements in California generally takes two years after graduating from an MSW program.

Before becoming a licensed clinical social worker, you’ll need an associate clinical social worker license in California. This section walks through how to become a social worker in California after attaining a bachelor’s degree.

California offers two social work licenses. Both require a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work.

Common MSW admission requirements include:

An MSW meets the requirements for clinical social work jobs. After completing an MSW program accredited by CSWE, you can apply for your license.

In California, social workers must complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). MSW graduates complete their LCSW requirements as an associate clinical social worker.

You can register as an ASW with the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Currently, an ASW license costs $150. You’ll also submit official transcripts showing your MSW and fingerprints for a background check. As an ASW, you will complete clinical and nonclinical hours under the supervision of an LCSW or approved supervisor.

Your ASW license is good for one year. You can renew up to five times, for a total length of six years. During that time, you’ll need to complete the LCSW requirements.

You’ll need to meet California’s pre-licensure coursework requirement to earn your LCSW license.

California also requires suicide risk assessment and intervention training.

Before receiving your California LCSW license, you’ll need to pass two exams: the California Law and Ethics Exam and the ASWB clinical exam.

The California Law and Ethics exam tests your knowledge of confidentiality, mandated reporting, professional competence, and therapeutic services. You’ll also answer questions on consent and professional practice. Out-of-state applicants complete a 12-hour course before taking the $150 exam. The ASWB clinical exam is a national licensure exam that costs $260. It covers human development, assessment and treatment planning, clinical interventions, case management, and professional values.

You must pass both exams to apply for your LCSW license.

Submitting your application is the final step to becoming a social worker in California. Once you complete the 3,000 supervised hours and pass both licensure exams, you can apply for your social work license.

After you pass the ASWB clinical exam, you will receive a notification from the Board of Behavioral Sciences stating that you’ve completed the examination requirements for your social work license. Within one year, you need to submit your LCSW application.

Submit your initial license application to the Board of Behavioral Science. The application fee is $200. The board aims to process applications within 30 days.

Becoming a licensed social worker in California takes around eight years. First, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years. Then, you’ll need a master’s in social work degree. Most programs take two years.

Finally, you’ll need to complete the social worker requirements for California licensure. An LCSW license requires at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience. Most clinical social workers meet this requirement within two years of earning their MSW degree. During that time, you’ll also pass two licensure exams and a background check.

California social workers report average salaries of between $50,000-$100,000. In fact, California ranks among the highest-paying states for child, family, and school social workers, child, family, and school social workers, mental health social workers, and healthcare social workers.

Location, experience, and industry all shape salaries. On the lower end, child, family, and school social workers in Redding, California, report an average salary of $61,000 per year, as of May 2023, according to the BLS. On the higher end, healthcare social workers in San Francisco earn an average annual pay of $98,340, the BLS reports.

A master’s degree can help social workers increase their earning potential.

Social workers aren’t known for earning high salaries. And with California’s high cost of living, is it worth it to become a social worker?

If you’re looking for a high-earning career path in California, social work might not be the right option. But if you want to make a meaningful contribution to your community, social work can be worth it.

When considering your options, weigh the cost of earning a social work degree against the salary potential. Factor in the cost of living. The average rent in 2024 for a two-bedroom apartment in California ranges from around $958 in Modoc County to over $4,000 in Santa Cruz.

Finally, factor in the hidden benefits of social work careers. You can qualify for public service loan forgiveness. Social workers in public sector jobs also typically receive generous benefits packages.