Since 1949, University of the Pacific has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Pacific’s last review was conducted in 2019, and current accreditation is valid through 2027.

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

A recent survey of MSW graduates shows a large majority working in mental health settings as a clinical social worker, rather than in organizational or other social work-related roles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 9% social work job increase through 2030 across the profession.

• Clinical social worker with specializations in mental health, trauma, substance use, grief
• Administrative and leadership roles in non-profits, health systems, and policy analysis
• Medical social worker
• Child welfare caseworker 

• Military   
• Child and family services 
• Advocacy and community organizing   
• Aging - hospice and palliative care 
• Hospitals and medical centers 
• Justice and corrections   
• Policy and legislation 
• Behavioral health settings  

The hybrid MSW advanced standing program at Pacific costs $1,025 per credit hour for a total program cost of $32,800, alongside additional wellness and activity fees. Tuition is subject to regular updates. Scholarships and financial aid may be available to our hybrid students.

The online MSW program at University of the Pacific costs $983 per credit hour for a total program cost of $54,065 and is subject to regular tuition updates. Financial aid may be available to our online students.

The online MSW advanced standing program at University of the Pacific costs $983 per credit hour for a total program cost of $31,456 and is subject to regular tuition updates. Financial aid may be available to our online students.

The hybrid MSW program at University of the Pacific costs $1,025 per credit hour for a total program cost of $56,375, alongside additional wellness and activity fees. Tuition is subject to regular updates. Scholarships and financial aid may be available to our hybrid students.

Your dedicated field placement team collaborates with you to secure quality experiential learning sites that reflect your educational goals and desired practice specialty. They ensure all experiences meet Council of Social Work Education accreditation standards, and the agencies and field instructors are approved prior to the start of your fieldwork.

Concurrent coursework and field experiences connect theory with practice. Field placement provides real-world, hands-on social work experience. Your field placement team helps coordinate required paperwork and can assist with identifying placement sites that meet program requirements as needed so you can focus on your coursework and build your skills.

Your student online experience coach and faculty guide you through the entire process. They give you a realistic idea of the field experience to ensure you are ready to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Students can research placement sites and provide names of the organizations they are interested in. However, the university will initiate contact with the organization to secure the placement.

University of Pacific’s MSW program faculty have years of experience as licensed social workers. They are at the top of their field and here to guide you throughout your social work education.

University of the Pacific offers two specializations for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program: behavioral health and health care.

The online MSW program at Pacific is a 55-credit hour program that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time program takes 16 months or four trimesters to complete. The part-time program takes 24 months or six trimesters to complete.

The online MSW advanced standing program at Pacific is a 32-credit hour program that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time program takes 12 months or three trimesters to complete. The part-time program takes 20 months or five trimesters to complete.

The hybrid MSW program at University of the Pacific is a 55-credit hour program taken on a full-time basis. The program takes 16 months or four trimesters to complete.

The hybrid MSW advanced standing program is a 32-credit hour program presented on a full-time basis. The program takes 12 months or three trimesters to complete.

The minimum GPA required to apply is 2.75 for the online MSW program.

To qualify for Pacific’s online MSW advanced standing program, you must hold a baccalaureate degree in Social Work earned within the past five years from a CSWE-accredited program with a B+ or higher and a 3.3 minimum GPA in the last 60 units.

The minimum GPA required to apply is 2.75 for the traditional 16-month program.

To qualify for Pacific’s hybrid MSW advanced standing program, you must hold a baccalaureate degree in Social Work earned within the past five years from a CSWE-accredited program with a B+ or higher and a 3.3 minimum GPA in the last 60 units.