7 Top MSW Programs in San Francisco

Want to find MSW programs in San Francisco? You’re without doubt looking in the right state. California guides the nation in social work education and offers more CSWE-accredited programs than any other state. The state has approximately 27 fully accredited MSW programs as of 2026.

The Bay Area MSW landscape includes four California state universities that offer Master of Social Work degrees. These programs run through campus-based and hybrid formats that need much in-person attendance. Two Bay Area schools also provide advanced standing tracks designed specifically for Bachelor of Social Work degree holders. You can choose between a traditional program that takes two years of full-time study, or pick an accelerated option completed in as few as 12 months. The Bay Area’s impressive options align well with your career goals.

1. UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare

Ranked among the top 10 schools of social work and social welfare in the country, UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare is the life-blood of social work education in the Bay Area. Since 1944, the program has prepared over 11,000 social work professionals and scholars who now lead in their fields. Berkeley’s approach combines rigorous academics with hands-on experience.

Key features

Berkeley’s fully accredited Master of Social Welfare program creates multi-level practitioners. Students become skilled at techniques that make them valuable assets in today’s complex social service landscape. The program builds on several core elements:

• Knowledge integration from multiple disciplines
• Service delivery to people and communities in a variety of social systems
• Social and economic justice advancement through anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice
• Evidence-based strategies that reshape the scene at individual, family, organizational, community, and policy levels

Berkeley’s MSW program has managed to keep its CSWE accreditation since 1928, which makes it one of the oldest social work programs nationwide. Students learn to think critically while studying proven theories and intervention methods.

MSW specializations

Berkeley implemented a new MSW curriculum for 2024-2025. The program moved away from three fixed specializations. Now students can follow a more adaptable path instead of choosing a specialization when they apply.

Your first year includes foundation courses and a practicum placement. These cover nine competency standards set by the Council on Social Work Education. This year gives you the knowledge, values, and skills you need to succeed in complex social work environments.

After completing the foundation year, you can choose professional electives and apply for an advanced practicum that matches your career goals. This setup lets you customize your education while meeting CSWE requirements.

Tuition

Graduate Professional Fees apply to Berkeley Social Welfare master’s students. These include Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST) and health insurance. The UC Berkeley Registrar’s fee schedule shows these semester costs:

California residents pay:

• Tuition: $6,570
• Student Services Fee: $645
• Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition: $3,708
• Health Insurance Fee: $3,924
• Additional campus fees: $1,241.75

Non-residents must pay an extra $6,122.50 per semester.

The total comes to $16,203.75 per semester for California residents and $22,326.25 for non-residents. These amounts might change. The school usually confirms final costs by early summer for the next academic year.

Format and flexibility

Berkeley offers three MSW Program formats:

1. Full-time MSW Program: You can complete this traditional two-year program with 60 units (at least 12 units each semester). This option gives you the most access to certificate programs and concurrent degrees.
2. FlexMSW Advanced Standing: This one-year program runs from August to August. If you have a BSW from an accredited program, you can complete 27 units over three semesters. Classes happen mostly in evenings and on Saturdays.
3. FlexMSW Extended Program: This three-year part-time option lets working professionals complete the 60-unit curriculum over a longer period, including two summer sessions.

It’s worth mentioning that Berkeley Social Welfare won’t accept applications for Fall 2025 admission to either FlexMSW Program track. The full-time program remains the only choice for new students.

2. San Francisco State University School of Social Work

The School of Social Work at San Francisco State University develops ethical leadership for social justice. Their program focuses on professional support, versatility, activism, and cultural humility. SFSU stands among the top MSW programs in the Bay Area and directly addresses the needs of at-risk populations across the San Francisco region.

Key features

Students learn to become multi-role practitioners at SFSU. They can serve as caseworkers, case managers, leaders, facilitators, brokers, supporters, counselors, educators, and resource specialists. The program has several unique features:

• Practice methods that highlight individual strengths instead of deficits or pathology
• Focus on building coping abilities through strengthening processes
• Understanding diversity as a core part of culturally competent practice
• Education that builds critical awareness to support economic and social justice

The program also teaches students to understand different forms of power and their impact. Students learn to share power and build shared responsibilities in decision-making and problem-solving.

Specializations

SFSU focuses on one specialized area: Individuals, Families, and Groups (IFG), unlike other MSW programs in San Francisco that offer multiple concentrations. This concentration focuses on:

• Reducing stressors within life-course human development
• Helping practitioners enhance coping abilities of individuals, families, and groups
• Addressing interpersonal environment challenges through strengthening processes

Students can specialize further through several notable programs:

1. Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) – For students interested in working in public school settings
2. Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program – Provides stipends of $18,500 per year for students who commit to public child welfare work for at least two years after graduation
3. Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program – Offers $10,000 stipends to second-year MSW students committed to integrated behavioral health

Tuition

California residents pursuing graduate studies at SFSU pay approximately $9,362 per semester in tuition and fees. Total estimated costs vary based on living arrangements:

• On-campus: $38,518 per academic year
• Off-campus: $39,108 per academic year

Non-resident and international students pay an extra $444 per unit on top of regular tuition. SFSU ranks as California’s second most affordable college.

Students can offset costs through financial aid, and 66% receive some form of assistance. They have access to grants, work-study awards, loans, and over 700 scholarship opportunities.

Format and flexibility

The program uses a hybrid learning format. Students attend in-person classes on Mondays and Zoom sessions on Tuesdays. Program requirements include:

• 60 credits/units to graduate
• 1100 internship hours (450 in first year, 650 in second year)
• Internships run Wednesday through Friday
• First-year students complete two days of internship weekly
• Second-year students complete three days of internship weekly

The program maintains high admission standards with a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement in undergraduate work or last 60 semester units. While not required, paid or volunteer experience in social services gives applicants an edge.

This two-year, full-time program maintains its clinical social work focus. It prepares students for diverse practice in settings across the Bay Area and similar urban communities.

3. San Jose State University School of Social Work

San Jose State University’s School of Social Work opened its doors in 1969. The school started with a mission to educate social workers who would serve Spanish-speaking populations in California. This 54-year old vision has grown into a detailed MSW program that proudly maintains CSWE accreditation since 1973.

Key features

SJSU’s MSW program excels in advanced generalist social work practice with a transcultural multi-systems point of view. This approach pervades the curriculum and shapes faculty scholarship. The program shows steadfast dedication to:

• Advocating for social justice
• Honoring strengths of diverse cultures
• Boosting community well-being

Students in the foundation year move through classes together as a cohort. This shared learning environment prepares graduates to work with Latinos, minority groups, and communities that face marginalization.

SJSU students must complete 1,200 hours of field internship in approved social agencies or community settings. These hands-on experiences build vital professional skills and help students apply classroom knowledge to ground situations.

Specializations

SJSU offers one specialization area (advanced generalist). The program uses a Transcultural Perspective (TCP) in three connected areas:

1. Children, youth, and families
2. Mental health
3. Health and aging

Students develop boosted competencies in all aspects of advanced generalist practice: knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive/affective processes. Graduates learn to work with diverse populations in settings of all types, from healthcare facilities to school systems.

Tuition

The traditional on-campus MSW program at SJSU offers affordable tuition rates:

• In-state full-time graduate tuition: $7,176
• Out-of-state full-time graduate tuition: $16,680

The Online/Hybrid MSW program runs through SJSU Professional and Continuing Education with different fees that increase over time:

• Fall 2024 to Summer 2025: $600 per unit
• Fall 2025 to Summer 2026: $630 per unit
• Fall 2026 to Summer 2027: $662 per unit

Students in the 60-unit Online/Hybrid format can expect total costs between $28,500 and $33,000, not including books and other expenses.

Format and flexibility

SJSU gives students unique options through three MSW program models:

1. Full-time On-campus MSW Program

• Students graduate in two years
• First year: Four classes per semester (Mondays/Fridays or Wednesdays/Fridays) with 16 hours weekly internship (Tuesdays/Thursdays)
• Second year: Four classes per semester (Mondays/Tuesdays) with 24 hours weekly internship (Wednesday through Friday)

2. Three-year On-campus Evening MSW Program

• Perfect for working professionals
• Students complete coursework and field practicum over three academic years
• Most courses happen during evenings and weekends

3. Online/Hybrid MSW Program

• Two-year program with ongoing part-time enrollment
• Students complete academic courses online (asynchronous and synchronous evening sessions)
• Field education happens in-person during regular agency hours
• Students need minimum 16 hours weekly for internships between Monday and Friday

BSW graduates might qualify for Advanced Standing, which reduces program requirements from 60 to 37 units. This faster path includes bridge courses and the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement during summer before fall semester begins.

SJSU has crafted its MSW programs to fit different student needs. The school maintains high academic standards and field education requirements that prepare graduates to make an impact throughout the Bay Area.

4. California State University, East Bay

California State University, East Bay’s Department of Social Work has grown into a cornerstone of social work education in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2003. More than 1,000 alumni serve local communities, and the program celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023.

Key features

Urban communities of the San Francisco Bay Area shape the CSU East Bay MSW program’s foundation. Students graduate as culturally responsive social workers specializing in Children, Youth, and Families and Community Mental Health. The curriculum focuses on:

• Social justice advocacy using a strengths-based point of view
• Person-in-environment approaches that tackle inequalities
• Skills to work in multicultural settings

Students learn to address inequalities of class and identity, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, and religion. The program blends coursework with internship experiences to help students work in diverse and complex social environments.

Specializations

CSU East Bay currently offers two concentrations:

1. Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) – Students prepare for careers in child welfare and family service agencies
2. Community Mental Health (CMH) – Students develop skills for mental health agencies and crisis intervention services

The program will adopt an Advanced Generalist curriculum starting Fall 2025. This change will give graduates the skills to work in practice settings of all types.

Five specialized stipend training opportunities are available, including the Adult Protective Services MSW Training Program, CalSWEC Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program, and the San Francisco Bay Area Integrated Behavioral Health MSW Training Program. Eligible students can receive substantial financial support, with some stipends up to $10,000.

Tuition

Graduate tuition at CSU East Bay breaks down as follows:

For California residents:

• Full-time tuition and fees: $9,607 per academic year
• Books and supplies: $1,054
• Total estimated cost (including living expenses): $28,279 to $38,685 depending on living arrangement

For international and non-resident students:

• Additional $420 per unit charge on top of resident tuition
• Health insurance requirement: $1,304

Eligible California residents enrolled at least half-time can receive the State University Grant that covers mandatory tuition fees.

Format and flexibility

Students can choose from three program options:

• Traditional Program – Students complete this full-time, in-person program in 2 years at the Hayward campus. First-year classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays, with 12-16 academic units per semester.
• Extended Program – Working professionals can complete this mostly online format in 3 years. Students attend Tuesday and Wednesday evening synchronous Zoom classes and two in-person meeting days monthly for practice skill labs.
• Advanced Standing Program – BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs can complete this one-year accelerated option. Students start with summer courses before joining either the traditional or extended program format.

Students must complete 1,080 hours of practicum-internship experience in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. This requirement makes the program ideal for students who want to serve local communities.

The program’s student population shows remarkable diversity. Hispanic/Latino students make up 42.03%, Black or African American 24.64%, Asian 13.77%, and White or Caucasian 7% of the graduate student body.

5. Alliant International University

Alliant International University’s CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program helps students master clinical practice while preparing for Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensure. This online program stands out among MSW programs in the Bay Area through its combination of academic excellence and hands-on experience.

Key features

The Alliant MSW program blends classroom learning with ground experience to create skilled professionals. Students benefit from several distinctive elements:

• Advanced generalist training that gives you skills to work in various practice areas with individuals, families, groups, and communities
• A clinical curriculum that builds exam preparation into courses
• Practical learning activities that link theory with real practice
• Deep focus on cultural competency, cultural humility, and inclusive awareness
• Research elements that build critical thinking and evidence-based practice skills

The program wants to develop professionals who make meaningful contributions in clinical settings while pushing forward social justice principles. Students learn to spot community needs, create intervention strategies, and boost wellness in different populations.

Specializations

Unlike other MSW programs in San Francisco with fixed specialization tracks, Alliant’s program lets you choose your focus areas:

Students learn both micro practice (individual, family, and group work) and macro practice (community and organizational levels). After core courses, you can pursue interests in:

• School social work – Helping students and families in educational settings
• Child welfare services
• Public health agencies
• Mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Forensic social work – Getting ready to work in legal settings

Students can shape their education while building a broad foundation that works in settings of all types – from hospitals to government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Tuition

Current tuition at Alliant’s MSW program runs $820 per unit. The 60-unit program costs about $49,200 before extra fees. Required university fees include:

• Institutional Services Fee: $130 per semester
• Application fee: $65
• Degree Conferral Fee: $100
• Materials & Assessment Fee: $150 for applicable courses

Students might qualify for a $2,500 Social Work Opportunity Scholarship when enrolling from August 2025. The Board of Trustees sets rates that may change, so plan your budget accordingly.

Format and flexibility

You can complete the online MSW program in 24 months, making it perfect for working professionals. The program gives you freedom through:

• Online courses with live and recorded sessions
• Semester and trimester options
• Help finding clinical placements that fit non-traditional schedules
• A balanced approach that puts learning first while fitting your personal life

Field education plays a central role. Students complete 900 internship hours over three semesters in small groups. These placements happen at partner organizations where you learn assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, and crisis intervention.

Bay Area students looking for maximum flexibility will find Alliant’s online format gives them location freedom and schedule control while maintaining high academic standards.

6. Palo Alto University

Palo Alto University’s Master of Social Work program stands out with its focus on culturally informed behavioral health practice. The program caters specifically to California’s diverse populations and will welcome its first students in Fall 2025. Graduates will be ready to take on clinical practice and leadership roles in the state’s public behavioral health system.

Key features

PAU’s MSW program shapes clinical social workers who excel in behavioral health settings. Students learn:

• Ways to provide culturally sensitive care to diverse populations
• Evidence-informed behavioral health interventions
• Specialized care methods for vulnerable communities
• Steadfast dedication to social, racial, economic, and environmental justice

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has approved the program. While it hasn’t received Council on Social Work Education accreditation yet, PAU will submit a candidacy application. This process typically results in accreditation within three years.

Specializations

The program offers a main specialization in Culturally Informed Behavioral Health Practice. Students can choose between two focused tracks:

1. Children and Youth Track (CY) – This track emphasizes work with young people in schools and communities. Students complete 56 units and can opt for additional leadership certificate courses
2. Adults in Public Behavioral Health Track (PBH) – Students prepare to work in county behavioral health services, veteran programs, facilities for unhoused individuals, correctional institutions, and substance use programs

Tuition

Each unit at PAU costs $652 with an additional $65 per-unit fee, totaling $717 per unit. Most students receive financial support, with over 70% benefiting from various aid options.

Format and flexibility

Students complete this full-time program in two calendar years. The program features:

• Synchronous online classes through distance learning
• Three-day on-campus immersion residencies throughout the year
• Weekly live remote classes via Zoom
• Course materials through Canvas learning system
• Field education experiences in person

The program requires 88 quarter units (56 for Advanced Standing students) and 900 hours of field education split between two 450-hour placements. Students pursuing the Pupil Personnel Services Credential for School Social Work in California need 1,000 internship hours, including 600 hours in public schools.

7. Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University has launched its Master of Social Work program that emphasizes healthcare integration recently. Students join on a rolling basis to create a vibrant student community dedicated to positive social change.

Key features

Samuel Merritt’s MSW program excels with its complete education that connects theory and practice. The program concentrates on:

• Learning through real-life healthcare settings
• Opportunities to explore social work environments of all types
• Networking and mentoring with experienced professionals
• Development of practicums with local health providers

Specializations

Samuel Merritt’s program differs from other Bay Area MSW programs by offering one dedicated specialization in integrated health, behavioral health, and medical social work. Students can build deeper expertise in healthcare settings through this targeted approach.

The program’s curriculum follows a well-laid-out path. It starts with Generalist Practice covering six core areas: Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy, Introductory Research, Diversity/Race Gender & Inequality in Health, Generalist Practice, and Field Seminar and Internship. Students then move to specialized practice that matches the Council on Social Work Education’s nine competencies.

Tuition

Samuel Merritt University charges the same tuition to all accepted students, whatever their residency status. Full-time domestic and international students currently pay $56,837 per academic year. Students also pay an institutional services fee of $528 per semester.

Format and flexibility

The program uses a three-year, part-time hybrid model that works well for professionals. Students can expect:

• Live Zoom sessions on weeknight evenings (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) starting at 6:30 PM
• Saturday in-person classes at the Oakland campus beginning at 9:30 AM
• Some afternoon sessions for third-year students when needed

Samuel Merritt might add more online components as enrollment grows—some university programs already offer between 50% to potentially 100% online synchronous formats. Each student must complete 900 hours of internship placements under experienced MSW providers’ supervision.

Samuel Merritt’s Department of Social Work has reached candidacy status with the Council on Social Work Education and advanced to Benchmark 3—the final step before full accreditation.

Comparing SF MSW Programs

Find Your SF MSW Today

Your career aspirations and personal circumstances should guide your choice of an MSW program. The San Francisco Bay Area has seven exceptional social work programs, each with its own strengths and opportunities.

California leads the way in social work education. The Bay Area programs give you many paths toward professional practice. UC Berkeley’s prestigious research-oriented curriculum and Samuel Merritt’s focus on integrated health and medical social work show the range of options available.

Many prospective students need flexible study options. These programs let you choose between traditional full-time study, extended part-time options, hybrid delivery, and fully online coursework. You can pick what works best with your commitments and priorities.

Program costs vary by a lot between schools. San Jose State charges around $7,000 yearly while Samuel Merritt costs over $50,000. In spite of that, you’ll find substantial financial aid opportunities. Many programs offer specialized stipends if you want to work in high-need areas like child welfare or behavioral health.

Each program has different specialization options. San Francisco State focuses on specific practice methods. Alliant International University takes a broader advanced generalist approach. This variety helps you find a program that matches your career goals.

Field education is the life-blood of MSW training. Programs require between 900 and 1,200 hours of supervised experience. These placements are a great way to get professional development and networking opportunities you’ll need after graduation.

The San Francisco Bay Area has MSW programs for almost any educational need. Your choice depends on what matters most – affordability, scheduling flexibility, specialized training, or location.

Visit campuses, talk to current students or alumni, and reach out to program advisors with questions about curriculum, field placements, or financial support. These steps help you pick the MSW program that sets you up for success in your social work career.