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MSW Programs in California

Schools of Social Work in California and data to help you decide on which MSW Program

California is the most populous state and the third largest state in the nation; one out of every eight U.S. resident lives in this state (1). Housed in Sacramento, the California State Railroad museum is the biggest museum of its kind in North America, and the Hollywood Bowl is the world’s largest outdoor amphitheater. California also has the third longest coastline in the United States (2).

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Besides California’s attractions, the state is the first state to ever reach a trillion dollars in gross state product. California’s economy is the largest in the United States and ranks as the seventh largest economy in the world. One of California’s many nicknames is the “Grape State” because it produces 300,000 tons of grapes and 17 million gallons of wine annually. Located in California and within 100 miles of one another, Mount Whitney at 14,495 feet and Bad Water in Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level, are the highest and lowest points in the continental United States (3).

A Large State With Diverse Issues

California has a diverse population. Asians constitute 14.1 percent of the population and Latinos make up 38.4 percent. California has over double the national percentage of homes where English is not the primary language, providing opportunities for bilingual social workers (4). In fact, California is home to over ten million immigrants, which is one out of every four immigrants in the nation as a whole. The number of Asian immigrants to California is on the rise (56% of total immigrant arrivals), as is the number of Latin American immigrants to the state (29% of total immigrant arrivals) (5).

While immigrants are more likely to be employed than US-born citizens, they are also more likely to make less money. On average, the typical Californian household in which one or more of the adults in the household is an immigrant earns 20.9 percent less than Californian households of US-born citizens (6).

California is home to the largest population of any state in the United States. As such, there are more social workers working in the state than any other. Over 78,000 social workers were employed in the state as of 2019 (7). The state includes numerous densely populated metropolitan areas, as well as rural areas in the northern section of the state. While the salaries are higher than the national average, the cost of living in California is extremely high.

California is a huge state with a vast population and a myriad of needs for social services. It has been ranked in the top 9 states for services provided to citizens with disabilities (8). The areas of higher need, labeled as HPSAs (Health Professional Shortage Areas) are mostly located in the southern part of the state (9).

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Plenty of Educational Opportunities

If you’re thinking of staying in state as you pursue your master’s degree, you will find a plethora of opportunities in California. There are over 20 higher education institutions in the state that offer master’s in social work.

According the 2019 US News & World Report school rankings, three of the MSW programs in the state are ranked in the top 25 in the country. The University of California in Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare is ranked number 3 (tie), and the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work is ranked number 25. The University of California in Los Angeles’ Meyer and Renee Luskin School of Public Affairs is ranked number 13-tie (10). The University of California (Berkley) offers a MSW program that allows you choose from one of the following five concentrations: child and family services, community mental health, gerontology, health services or management and planning (11). Take a look at the online MSW programs option for California as well.

If you took out student loans while getting your degree, you will want to consider loan forgiveness programs such as the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC). This program offers loan forgiveness to social workers willing to work in a “Health Professional Shortage Area” (HPSA). You might also want to check on the latest in state loan repayment programs specific to California (SLRP) to see if you qualify for additional loan forgiveness.

Social Work Employment

If you’re looking to work in California, you will find plenty of job opportunities, especially if you’re interested in working as a healthcare social worker. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, healthcare social work positions are expected to increase by 21 percent (12). Mental health and substance abuse social work jobs are expected to increase by 16 percent, and child, family and school social work jobs are expected to increase by 13 percent (13) (14).

Healthcare social workers are well compensated (in comparison to other social work positions in the state). Medical and healthcare social workers earn a mean salary of $79,620, whereas the mean salary for a child, family or school social worker in California is $59,990. Mental health and substance abuse social workers are paid a mean salary of $65,020 (15).

Where you work in the state makes a difference. For example, child, family and school social workers in the Oxnard-Thousand/Oaks-Ventura area can expect to make a median salary of $62,700, which is significantly higher than the median salary for the state in this sector (16).

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

Schools of Social Work in California offering MSW Programs

Sources Cited

  1. United States, 2021. World Atlas Travel. http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/populations/usaareal.htm
  2. California Facts and Trivia, 2020. 50 States.com. http://www.50states.com/facts/calif.htm#.U8ASaY1dXgI
  3. California Facts and Trivia, 2020. 50 States.com. http://www.50states.com/facts/calif.htm#.U8ASaY1dXgI
  4. State and County QuickFacts, 2019. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045219?
  5. Just the Facts: Immigrants in California, 2017. Public Policy Institute of California. https://www.ppic.org/publication/immigrants-in-california/
  6. Just the Facts: Immigrants in California, 2017. Public Policy Institute of California. https://www.ppic.org/publication/immigrants-in-california/
  7. Statewide Statistics for California, 2019. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  8. California Ranks 9thAmong All States in Efforts to Serve Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Ancor Foundation.
    https://caseforinclusion.org/application/files/5315/4690/0033/California_2019_Case_for_Inclusion_Press_Release.pdf
  9. Shortage Areas, 2021. Health Resources and Services Administration Data Warehouse. https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas
  10. Graduate School Search – Social Work Programs, 2019. US News and World Report. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
  11. Concentrations and Curriculum, 2021. University of California Berkley School of Social Welfare. https://socialwelfare.berkeley.edu/msw-student-handbook/msw-degree-requirements
  12. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2021. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/careers/occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Healthcare%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102200&location=california
  13. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2021. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/careers/occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Mental%20Health%20and%20Substance%20Abuse%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102300&location=California
  14. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2021. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/careers/occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Child,%20Family,%20and%20School%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102100&location=California
  15. Statewide Statistics for California, 2019. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  16. Statewide Statistics for California, 2019. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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