University of the Pacific’s specialized and supportive online MSW programs are designed for aspiring clinical social workers with or without a bachelor’s degree in social work. Graduates who become agents of change with excellent client care skills, who value diversity and inclusion, and advocate to promote economic and social justice for individuals, groups, and communities.
- Online MSW traditional pathway: with your bachelor’s degree in any field as your foundation, reach your goal to become a social worker in as few as 16 months.
- Online MSW advanced standing pathway: with your existing BSW, complete your social work education in as few as 12 months.
Don’t have your bachelor’s or BSW yet?
Traditional pathway
For students with a bachelor's degree in any field.
The profession of social work centers on improvement of the quality of life for all people and the enhancement of human potential for full, productive participation in society. Our online MSW traditional program is designed to prepare you to practice in an increasingly complex environment.
Our expert, supportive social work faculty, who are at the top of their field, will guide you through your educational journey. You will become a skilled and compassionate professional who provides comprehensive and culturally sensitive clinical care using evidence-based approaches.
- Three intakes per year: fall, spring, and summer
- 100% online coursework with no campus visits
- Your choice of program pace:
- Full-time (16 months / four trimesters)
- Part-time (24 months / six trimesters)
- Your choice of specialization:
- Health care
- Behavioral health
- 1,104 field practicum hours with placements near your community
- 55 total credit hours
- $983 per credit hour; $54,065 total estimated tuition cost*
- Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
*Tuition is subject to regular updates.
- Must be a California resident to apply to the program, and throughout the duration of the program.
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 2.75 minimum GPA
- Transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Interview may be requested
Advanced standing pathway
For students with academic and career experience in social work.
The profession of social work centers on improvement of the quality of life for all people and the enhancement of human potential for full, productive participation in society. Our online MSW advanced standing program prepares you to further influence change through comprehensive client care and advocacy for social justice and diversity.
Our expert, supportive social work faculty who are at the top of their field will guide you through your educational journey. Expand your skills and further your social work knowledge as a compassionate professional who applies cultural humility and evidence-based approaches to clinical care.
- Three intakes per year: fall, spring, and summer
- 100% online coursework with no campus visits
- Your choice of program pace:
- Full-time (12 months / three trimesters)
- Part-time (20 months / five trimesters)
- Your choice of specialization:
- Health care
- Behavioral health
- 720 field practicum hours with placements near your community
- 32 total credit hours
- $983 per credit hour; $31,456 total estimated tuition cost*
- Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
*Tuition is subject to regular updates.
- Must be a California resident to apply to the program, and throughout the duration of the program.
- Baccalaureate degree in Social Work (BSW) 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
- Transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Interview may be requested
Admission to the MSW program is based on a holistic review of each applicant’s academic background, professional experience, and personal commitment to the field of social work. In addition to meeting general admission requirements, all students must satisfy the program’s Technical Standards, which outline the essential abilities and behaviors required to enroll in, progress through, and successfully complete the program. These standards reflect the expectations of professional conduct, ethical behavior, and readiness for advanced social work practice.
Please view our state authorization page here.
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.
OUTCOMES: CSWE Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes - Form AS 4(M)
Assessment outcome data will be made available in Fall 2026.
Online MSW sample curriculum
For a complete list of courses and course descriptions, access your digital program guide.
This course introduces students to the concepts and language of mental health and mental disorders with a primary focus on the widely used classification system of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Students learn to distinguish mental health diagnostic categories and gain skills in the diagnostic process. The goals of the course are to further students’ competence in incorporating strengths in a comprehensive, multidimensional assessment and prepare students to practice in integrated health care settings. Students in other Pacific graduate programs may take this course as an elective with the permission of the instructor. (3 units)
This course builds on generalist social work theory and practice with the addition of more intensive focus on assessment and intervention techniques with clients and constituencies. Students will develop service delivery plans based on the selection of appropriate theories, intervention models and evidence-informed intervention utilizing a practice orientation that attends to human rights and social justice for diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Students in other graduate programs may take this course as an elective with the permission of the instructor. (3 units)
This course builds on basic understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis. Students gain knowledge and skills to use appropriate research methods for empirically based knowledge building and to enhance program and practice effectiveness. Content includes single system and group design and formative and summative approaches to practice and program evaluation. Students in other Pacific graduate programs may take this course as an elective with the permission of the instructor. Prerequisite: successful completion of all previous courses in the SOCW course sequence or permission of instructor. (3 units)
A field internship to develop integrative practice skills for supporting individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities within an area of specialized practice related to health social work in an interprofessional practice setting. Students are expected to attend their field placements three days per week for 15 weeks. Prerequisite: successful completion of all previous courses in the SOCW course sequence or permission of instructor. (3 units)
Get more program details
- Tuition
- Admission requirements
- Curriculum details
We’re here to help you with enrollment and answer any questions!
Online MSW field placement
Experiential learning in your community is one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of earning your degree. The experience is guided and directed by faculty in collaboration with your on-site field supervisor at the agency where you complete the hours. Support to find field placement sites that align with your career goals is integrated into the program cost.
How does the field placement process work?
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.
How do field placement services help me?
Concurrent coursework and field experiences connect theory with practice. Field placement provides the required hours of 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.
How should I prepare for my field placement?
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.
Can I arrange my own field experiences?
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.
The online MSW traditional 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 online MSW traditional program at University of the Pacific costs $983 per credit hour for a total program cost of $54,065.*
The online MSW advanced standing program at University of the Pacific costs $983 per credit hour for a total program cost of $31,456.*
*Tuition is subject to regular updates. Financial aid may be available to our online students.
To qualify for Pacific’s online MSW traditional program, you must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 2.75 minimum GPA.
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.
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.
Pacific’s online 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.
Pacific offers two specializations for the online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs: behavioral health and health care.
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.
For more information about MSW careers in California, please visit our MSW Career Resources page.
- 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 program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience per the CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards 4.1.5..
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.”
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.”
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"
Why choose social work at Pacific?
Graduates will be prepared to become agents of change with excellent client care skills and to value diversity and advocate for social justice. Building on a generalist curriculum and clinical practice specialization, you will have an opportunity to focus in health care areas such as mental health, aging, and community and public health. The program's innovative clinically focused curriculum also prepares you to begin the clinical social work licensing process upon graduation.
