California’s private university of choice

Since 1851, we’ve made the choice to look forward, create change and deliver education that puts our students first. We offer an experience that produces successful alumni who lead in their communities, in California and beyond. Our mission is to provide a superior, student-centered learning experience integrating liberal arts and professional education and preparing individuals for lasting achievement and responsible leadership in their careers and communities.

The Master of Social Work Program at University of the Pacific is accredited through the Council on Social Work Education

Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the WASC Senior College and University Commission

#3 Best Value in California
U.S. News & World Report, 2025

#11 Best Private University in the
West Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, 2024

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At Pacific, our tradition is innovation

University of the Pacific provides personalized learning and small class sizes, with professors passionate about their students’ success.

School of Health Sciences

The School of Health Sciences was built on Pacific’s long-standing reputation for educating health care professionals and features innovative curricula, accelerated programs, extensive experiential learning and clinical training for all students. All programs include interprofessional education experiences designed to prepare students to deliver health care in a team-based model.

Excellence in teaching

We embrace the tradition of teaching excellence at Pacific. Faculty are empowered to pursue excellence in teaching and effective pedagogical methods. Innovations in teaching and learning allow us to respond to a rapidly changing environment of technology and learners to serve students more effectively.

Interprofessional training

The School of Health Sciences (SHS) embraces interprofessional education (IPE) as a critical means to prepare students for real world collaborative practice. When health professionals work together, patients benefit. We believe the classroom is an ideal setting to learn effective team–based approaches to patient care.

Practice-ready graduates

Experiential clinical education is fundamental to the educational philosophy at the School of Health Science. We provide every student with high-quality patient contact, guided by skilled clinicians to prepare practice ready graduates.

Connect with us

Meet Master of Social Work professor Nurit Fischer-Shemer

“We have a very strong emphasis not only on the clinical training, but the ability of our students to work with cultural humility and cultural sensitivity and diversity sensitivity with all populations. And that is integrated throughout our curriculum.”

Nurit Fischer-Shemer, Asst. Clinical Professor

Meet Master of Social Work graduate Ana Garcia

“The reason I chose University of the Pacific is because of the background in health care and being able to do my internship at a hospital. There’s nothing like it. You get everything from this program, and you are starting off with the opportunity to learn your therapy from day one, basically.”

Ana Garcia

Meet Master of Social Work student Adri Martinez

“The reason I decided to do a social work degree is the versatility. I really became a lot more attracted to social work because of different career choices I have."

Adri Martinez