California · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in California
Where Can You Earn a BSW in California, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
24 schools in California offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Azusa Pacific University, California Baptist University and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt. 4 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at California public universities start at $6,818 a year (2023-24). California licenses social workers only from the master's level.
- First years: general education and intro coursesPsychology, sociology, human biology, intro to social work
- Apply to the social work majorUsually in the second year, with a GPA minimum
- Senior field practicumAt least 400 supervised hours in an agency
- MSW to be licensed hereCalifornia licenses social workers from the master's level
- CSWE BSW schools
- 24
- BSW options
- 25
- online options
- 4
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $6,818
- BSW license
- None
Does California License BSW Graduates?
No: California licenses social workers from the MSW
The first license is the Associate Clinical Social Worker (registration) (ASW), with the California Law and Ethics Exam (must be taken annually until passed to renew the ASW registration, and passed to receive a subsequent registration) exam. A CSWE BSW shortens the MSW to about a year through advanced standing.
From California Board of Behavioral Sciences, reviewed 2026-09-30. California board of social work · BSW license checker
California BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles · Public | Campus | CSWE | $6,818$18,698 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| California State University-FresnoFresno · Public | Campus | CSWE | $6,980$18,860 out-of-state | Yes | |
| California State University-Long BeachLong Beach · Public | Campus | CSWE | $7,008$18,888 out-of-state | Yes | |
| San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco · Public | Campus | CSWE | $7,424$19,304 out-of-state | ||
| California State University-SacramentoSacramento · Public | Campus | CSWE | $7,602$19,482 out-of-state | Yes | |
| California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino · Public | Campus | CSWE | $7,675$19,555 out-of-state | Yes | |
| California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $7,913$19,793 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| San Jose State UniversitySan Jose · Public | Campus | CSWE | $7,992$19,872 out-of-state | Yes | |
| California State University-ChicoChico · Public | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | $8,064$19,944 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| San Diego State UniversitySan Diego · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,290$20,170 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of Massachusetts GlobalIrvine · Public | Online | CSWE | $12,520 | Yes | |
| Touro University WorldwideLos Alamitos · Private nonprofit | Online | CSWE | $14,600 | Yes | |
| Pacific Oaks CollegePasadena · Private nonprofit | Online | CSWE | $33,360 | Yes | Yes |
| Pacific Union CollegeAngwin · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $35,214 | ||
| Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $35,558 | Yes | Yes |
| La Sierra UniversityRiverside · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $35,910 | Yes | |
| California Baptist UniversityRiverside · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $39,720 | Yes | |
| Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $43,550 | Yes | |
| Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $43,600 | Yes | Yes |
| Whittier CollegeWhittier · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $49,864 | ||
| California State University-East BayHayward · Public | Campus | Candidacy | $7,055$18,935 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Simpson UniversityRedding · Private nonprofit | Campus | Pre-candidacy | $38,522 | ||
| Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles · Private nonprofit | Campus | Candidacy | $48,132 | ||
| University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · Private nonprofit | Campus | Candidacy | $68,237 | Yes |
Programs from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026; CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Tuition and fees are the federal figures for a full-time undergraduate year, 2023-24 (NCES College Navigator).
Every BSW Program in California
25 programs in California
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles school profile · Los AngelesFormatOn campus420-hour practicumTuition$3,419per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$3,419per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$37,990per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineTuition$500per creditAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at San Diego State University
San Diego State University school profile · San DiegoFormatOn campusTuition$8,290per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$3,419per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$3,419per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, Online400-hour practicumTuition$6,838per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, HybridTuition$6,838per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at California State University-San Bernardino
California State University-San Bernardino school profile · San BernardinoFormatOn campusTuition$7,675per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at San Jose State University
San Jose State University school profile · San JoseFormatOn campusTuition$3,419per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University school profile · San FranciscoFormatOn campusTuition$6,838per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$22,990per termAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University school profile · Los AngelesFormatOn campusTuition$51,034per yearAccreditationCandidacy- FormatOn campusTuition$52,677per year · with feesAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Traditional Track at La Sierra University
La Sierra University school profile · RiversideFormatOn campusTuition$35,910per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW), Evening Adult Degree Program at La Sierra University
La Sierra University school profile · RiversideFormatOn campusTuition$35,910per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWEOnline Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) at Touro University Worldwide
Touro University Worldwide school profile · Los AlamitosFormatOnlineTuition$400per creditAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at California Baptist University
California Baptist University school profile · RiversideFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$20,319per termAccreditationCSWESocial Work, B.A. at Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University school profile · San DiegoFormatOn campusTuition$49,500per yearAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$38,415per yearAccreditationCSWE
Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Pacific Oaks College
Pacific Oaks College school profile · PasadenaFormatOnlineTuition$917per creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$7,993per year · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCandidacy
- FormatOn campusTuition$40,336per yearAccreditationPre-candidacy
Bachelor of Social Work at University of Southern California
University of Southern California school profile · Los AngelesFormatOn campus440-hour practicumTuition$68,237per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCandidacy
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. Tuition is the program's own published rate where the school states one; otherwise it's the school's federal undergraduate tuition and fees for a full-time year, 2023-24 (in-state at public universities), from NCES College Navigator. "Resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What a BSW Costs in California
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at California's BSW schools run from $6,818 at California State University-Los Angeles to $68,237 at University of Southern California; the California median is $12,520, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 12 of 24 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| California State University-Los Angeles tuitionPublic | $6,818 | $18,698 |
| California State University-Fresno tuitionPublic | $6,980 | $18,860 |
| California State University-Long Beach tuitionPublic | $7,008 | $18,888 |
| California State University-East Bay tuitionPublic | $7,055 | $18,935 |
| San Francisco State University tuitionPublic | $7,424 | $19,304 |
| California State University-Sacramento tuitionPublic | $7,602 | $19,482 |
| California State University-San Bernardino tuitionPublic | $7,675 | $19,555 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt tuitionPublic | $7,913 | $19,793 |
| San Jose State University tuitionPublic | $7,992 | $19,872 |
| California State University-Chico tuitionPublic | $8,064 | $19,944 |
Full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees, 2023-24 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). Compare schools side by side with the BSW cost comparison.
From a BSW to an MSW in California
17 California schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Azusa Pacific University, California Baptist University, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, California State University-Chico, California State University-East Bay and California State University-Fresno and 11 more. Advanced standing is open to graduates of any CSWE BSW, so you can also move to another school.
How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works · Find a same-school MSW route
Largest BSW Programs in California
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), California State University-Los Angeles has California's largest program, followed by California State University-Sacramento and Fresno Pacific University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for California Residents
Beyond California's own schools, 128 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll California residents and arrange your field practicum in California.
| Lowest published per-credit rates, same for every state | Per credit |
|---|---|
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS)Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS) · Puerto Rico | $207 |
| University of the Cumberlands: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), OnlineBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), Online · Kentucky | $220 |
| Avila University: Bachelor of Social Work OnlineBachelor of Social Work Online · Missouri | $300 |
| Charter Oak State College: Bachelor of Science in Social WorkBachelor of Science in Social Work · Connecticut | $329 |
| Briar Cliff University: Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion)Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion) · Iowa | $340 |
| Capella University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Minnesota | $350 |
Compare every option on the online BSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Pay for BSW Jobs in California
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median | Jobs in California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $65,200 | $59,550 | 60,310 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $51,090 | $45,930 | 58,730 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $103,640 | $66,270 | 13,900 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $83,210 | $80,390 | 33,510 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with a BSW.
Social Work Programs Near California Cities
- BSW programs near Aliso Viejo9 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near American Canyon3 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near Fresno8 campus programs within 200 miles
- BSW programs near Fullerton10 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near Irvine10 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near Napa3 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near Newman6 campus programs within 100 miles
- BSW programs near Pittsburg5 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near San Diego8 campus programs within 100 miles
- BSW programs near San Marcos11 campus programs within 100 miles
- BSW programs near Santa Ana10 campus programs within 50 miles
- BSW programs near Santa Barbara3 campus programs within 100 miles
Social Work Majors Without CSWE Accreditation in California
This school offers a social work bachelor's that CSWE doesn't list as accredited or in candidacy (directory checked September 30, 2026). A non-accredited degree doesn't qualify you for a state bachelor's license or MSW advanced standing, so it isn't included in this site's lists: World Mission University: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW).
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in California?
24 schools in California run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 25 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in California?
No. California licenses social workers from the master's level (the ASW), so you'd need an MSW to be licensed. Many BSW jobs, such as case management and child welfare roles, don't require a license; a CSWE BSW also shortens the MSW through advanced standing.
Can California Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 4 California options are offered online, and 128 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll California residents and place you in a field practicum in California. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in California?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a California public university with a CSWE BSW are at California State University-Los Angeles ($6,818), California State University-Fresno ($6,980) and California State University-Long Beach ($7,008). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 24 California schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS: 2022-23 completions and 2023-24 tuition and fees
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025