MSW Admissions Information

2026 Cohorts

Fall 2026 MSW 2- and 3-Year Cohort Applications Now Open!
Apply by January 30, 2026 via Cal State Apply.

Summer 2026 MSW 1-Year/Advanced-Standing Cohort
The application will be available February 1–28, 2026 in Cal State Apply.

Consideration for admission requires an application to CSUB and the CSUB MSW Program through Cal State Apply. The Department of Social Work reviews applications after the deadline and provides admissions decisions in the spring.

The information provided on this page applies specifically to the CSUB MSW Program offered at the CSUB Main Campus in Bakersfield. If you're interested in the MSW Program at the Antelope Valley Campus, please visit the CSUB Extended Education MSW Program site for more information.  

Admissions

Application Cycles 

The CSUB MSW Program offers two application cycles based on cohort type.
Applicants to the 2-Year and 3-Year Cohorts will apply for Fall 2026 admission. The application will be open in Cal State Apply from October 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026.

Applicants to the 1-Year (Advanced-Standing) Cohort will apply for Summer 2026 admission. This application will be available in Cal State Apply from February 1–28, 2026.

For more details about each cohort, please visit our Curriculum Page.

Overall Evaluation

Admission to the MSW Program is based on an overall evaluation of the applicant on the following criteria:
1) intellectual and academic potential, 2) relevant human services experience, 3) leadership potential, and 4) quality of reference letters.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• A cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
  • The Department of Social Work may consider applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.50 and 2.99. Applicants may request that their last 60-semester units or 90-quarter units GPA be considered instead of their cumulative GPA if their cumulative GPA is below 3.00. The last 60-semester or 90-quarter units GPA must be higher than the cumulative GPA. Applicants wanting to make such a request should answer the applicable questions in Cal State Apply.
• Proof of writing proficiency as determined by the Department of Social Work.
  • The department reviews the applicant's MSW Writing Exam to determine writing proficiency.

Additional Requirements for Advanced-Standing

• A BSW degree earned from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Completion of the BSW within five years prior to admission to the graduate program
• An overall (cumulative) GPA of 3.00 or higher for the BSW degree
• A grade of B or better in all social work courses

Application Process

The application to CSUB and the CSUB MSW Program will be available through Cal State Apply.
Here is what you need for Cal State Apply:

• Your personal information (name, address, etc.)
• Your academic history for all colleges and universities attended (GPA, etc.)
• Your resume (using the template provided by the Department of Social Work)
• Verification of all employment and volunteer experiences listed on your resume
• Names and email addresses of two references (academic or professional)
• Documents for the California Title IV-E Education Program (if applying for the stipend)

All applicants also need to:

• Provide official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Complete the MSW Writing Exam at the CSUB Testing Center

Review the application checklist provided by the department for more details about the application process.

International Applicants

We welcome applications from international students! This page outlines admissions requirements specific to the Master of Social Work program. For university-wide admissions guidance—including visa requirements, financial documentation, and other steps—please visit CSUB’s International Students and Programs Office website.

Important Admissions Notes

Please note: Submitting a complete application by the deadline, including all required materials and meeting eligibility criteria, does not guarantee admission to the CSUB MSW Program. Admission is competitive and space is limited. Meeting the minimum requirements does not ensure acceptance. Applicants who were previously admitted and later withdrew from the program are not guaranteed re-admission in a future term. 

The department does not provide individual feedback on admissions decisions. 

Funding Opportunities

The department encourages applicants to learn more about the various funding opportunities available to assist with the costs of graduate education.

• The Department of Social Work offers two funding opportunities:
  • For students pursuing social work in public behavioral health (PBH)
  • For students pursuing social work in public child welfare (California Title IV-E Education Program)
• The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships helps students learn more about financial aid opportunities.
• The Graduate Student Center provides a list of funding opportunities for graduate students.
• The NASW Foundation provides information on funding opportunities designed for students pursuing degrees in social work.
• The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) provides information on funding opportunities designed for students pursuing degrees in social work.

Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

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Is your program offered online?

Our program is not offered online.

How long is your program?

Our program offers three programs of study:

• 1-Year: For advanced-standing students (typically begins in Summer)
• 2-Year: For full-time students (begins in Fall)
• 3-Year: For part-time students (begins in Fall)

Can I apply to both the full-time and part-time cohorts?

Applicants can indicate their preferred cohort (either the 2-Year or 3-Year option) when completing their application through Cal State Apply. This preference will be considered during the application review process.

How competitive is admission to the program?

Admission to the program is competitive. Strong applications to the program often include: 

• A GPA above 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
• Direct verifiable experience (work/paid or volunteer/unpaid) in human services/social work
• References who can speak to the applicant's academic or professional skills
• Proficiency in more than one language 
• Graduate-level writing proficiency  

How many practicum hours do I need each week?

You need 20 hours each week once you start your practicum experience.

• Advanced-standing students start practicum in their first semester.
• Full-time students start practicum in their second semester.
• Part-time students start practicum in their fifth semester.

When does practicum take place?

Typically, practicum takes place between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for advanced-standing and full-time students. Part-time students can complete practicum between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Can I complete my practicum hours at my employer?

Yes, you can complete your practicum hours at your employer with approval from your employer and the Department of Social Work. More information about employment-based practicum can be found in the practicum manual.

Can I work and complete the program at the same time?

We encourage applicants to consider the time commitment needed to complete the CSUB MSW Program. Advanced-standing and full-time students complete fifteen (15) units per semester and part-time students complete nine (9) units per semester. These units are in addition to assignments, practicum hours, and other individual commitments.

How much does the program cost?

We encourage applicants to review the cost of attendance provided by the CSUB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Questions? Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (661) 654-3016 or finaid@csub.edu.

Where do I send my transcripts?

Please send your transcripts to incomingtranscripts@csub.edu.

Where can I find information about the MSW Program offered at Antelope Valley?

Visit the CSUB Extended Education MSW Program site to learn more about the MSW Program offered at Antelope Valley through CSUB Extended Education.