Alliant International University MSW: Your Guide to Admission Requirements & Program Options
Alliant International University is a private for-profit university with its main campus in San Diego and five other locations across California—San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville), Los Angeles, Irvine, Sacramento, and Fresno. The university also has a campus in Phoenix, Arizona. The university is 22 years old, created in 2001 when the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) merged with United States International University (USIU). Today, it serves approximately 4,000 students, and 95% of them study at the graduate level.
The university has six academic schools that specialize in different professional fields:
- California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP): This 54-year-old school started in 1969 as one of the first independent professional psychology schools in the country. Students can earn graduate degrees in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, clinical counseling, organizational psychology, psychopharmacology, and social work.
- California School of Education (CSOE): Students can earn degrees, certificates, and credentials to build careers in teaching, counseling, leadership, and administration.
- California School of Management and Leadership (CSML): The school helps business professionals gain competitive advantages in technology and quantitative fields.
- California School of Forensic Studies (CSFS): Students learn to prevent, investigate, and reduce conflict and violence.
- San Francisco Law School (SFLS): This 114-year-old institution joined Alliant in 2010. It makes legal education available through part-time evening classes.
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS): Healthcare students get hands-on experience in simulation centers and clinical beds.
Each campus location brings its own benefits. The San Diego campus sits in Scripps Ranch suburb with multiple classroom buildings, a large lecture hall, the University Student Center, and student housing. Students at the Fresno campus can explore Yosemite National Park and find opportunities in the area’s medical and correctional facilities. Irvine’s campus enjoys great weather near beaches and mountains, while Los Angeles connects students with businesses and medical centers.
The Sacramento campus puts students close to political, financial, and medical organizations for internships and networking. In Emeryville, the San Francisco Bay Area campus gives students access to law firms, healthcare companies, and biotech organizations.
The WASC Senior College and University Commission accredits all Alliant’s programs. The American Psychological Association (APA) accredits the psychology programs, and the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education approves the marital and family therapy programs. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits the clinical counseling program.
Students who need flexibility can choose online programs in psychology, education, business and management, and forensic behavioral studies. These options help them earn degrees while balancing work and family life.
Programs offered
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Alliant International University gives you a complete educational experience to build a successful career in advanced social work. This CSWE-accredited online program takes just 24 months to complete and provides a flexible learning environment that fits your schedule while building essential professional skills.
The MSW curriculum has 60 total credit units—54 core credits and 6 elective credits. Students learn both micro (individual) and macro (community) elements of social work practice. Core coursework covers significant areas like Social Justice, Human Behavior, Human Service, and the Social Environment. You’ll gain knowledge that advances professional social work practice through innovative deliveries and technologies.
Students can choose from several specialized elective options, each worth 3 units:
- Management and Organizational Development for Social Workers
- Social Work in Health Care
- Forensic Social Work
- Social Work and Aging
Alliant’s MSW program stands out with its focus on hands-on experience. Students complete 900 internship hours over three semesters in small cohort settings. These field placements happen at various locations where Alliant has built relationships across the United States for over five decades. Students can work at:
- Community mental health centers
- Child welfare services
- Medical settings
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- School-based settings
- Senior services and hospice care
Students involve themselves in individual and family counseling, assessments, treatment planning, case management, and crisis intervention during these placements. These skills are vital for professional practice.
The program builds on four core goals: preparing students with knowledge and skills for clinical practice, promoting ethical, competent, and inclusive social work, developing critical research understanding based on evidence, and helping graduates advance social, economic, and environmental justice.
Graduates become ready for licensure and various career paths. The program works best especially when you have interest in clinical work. Classroom learning combines with real-life experiences to prepare you for professional clinical social work responsibilities. The broad curriculum also qualifies you for community practice and specialized roles. School social work lets you support students and families in educational settings.
Cultural competency, cultural humility, and inclusive awareness remain central throughout the curriculum. Students learn to identify community needs, develop intervention strategies, and promote community health and wellness.
About the online program
The online MSW program at Alliant International University meets the needs of working professionals by blending flexibility with academic excellence. Students can complete this fully accredited program in just 24 months. The convenient learning environment helps you reach your career goals without disrupting your life.
This CSWE-accredited online curriculum balances theory with hands-on practice. Students gain more than classroom knowledge as the program includes hands-on experiences through practicum settings. These settings prepare you for professional clinical social work responsibilities. Theory transforms into practice through supervised training.
Field education is the core of the online MSW experience. Students connect classroom concepts with practice settings through several key activities. These include the learning contract/field education evaluation tool, field seminar, field visits, and targeted assignments. Field seminars run alongside practicum courses. Here, students discuss their experiences, explore theories, examine supervisory relationships, and tackle professional ethics.
The program goes beyond technical skills to build cultural competency and inclusive awareness. Students learn cultural humility principles that help reduce inequities in social service delivery. The curriculum teaches you to work with community members and partners. You’ll identify needs, develop interventions, and boost community health and wellness.
Adult learners juggling multiple responsibilities benefit from the online format. Courses blend synchronous and asynchronous sessions with discussion forums and virtual simulations. This approach lets you complete coursework around your schedule while receiving quality education.
Alliant’s online MSW program prepares students for clinical practice and licensure. Then, graduates can work in various roles including social work with children, families, and schools. They also become healthcare social workers and professionals in mental health, substance abuse, and social justice.
The cohort model creates a strong sense of community and motivation. Students progress through the curriculum with their peers and build lasting professional networks.
The program’s thoughtful design covers both micro and macro elements. It gives you the knowledge and skills needed for professional success in settings of all types.
Accreditation
Your Master of Social Work degree’s credibility depends on proper accreditation. Alliant International University’s MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). This recognition shows the program meets high quality standards for professional social work education.
CSWE accreditation stands as the gold standard for social work education in the United States. This credential shows the program meets specific quality standards and prepares you well for professional practice. Licensed clinical social workers need this accreditation because most states require a CSWE-accredited program before granting licensure.
The curriculum lines up with nine CSWE core competencies that are the foundations of social work practice:
- Demonstrating ethical and professional behavior
- Engaging diversity and difference in practice
- Advancing human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
- Engaging in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engaging in policy practice
- Engaging with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Assessing individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Intervening with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Evaluating practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Alliant International University maintains accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This institutional accreditation confirms the university’s academic quality and integrity.
The MSW program’s accreditation shows its steadfast dedication to preparing graduates who can help clients that don’t deal very well with challenges in a variety of settings. You’ll learn to apply cultural competency and inclusive awareness principles to help reduce service delivery inequities and disparities.
After completing this CSWE-accredited program, you can apply for licensure through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). It’s worth mentioning that each state has different licensure requirements, so you should check specific requirements in your intended practice location.
The CSWE-accredited status applies to all approved program locations and delivery methods, including online format. Whatever way you complete the program, your degree carries the same accreditation status and professional recognition.
Admission Requirements
The path to joining Alliant International University’s MSW program is straightforward once you understand the requirements. Alliant stands out from other graduate schools because it takes applications throughout the year. You could start advancing your career just a month after getting accepted, based on your chosen program and location.
The first step is filling out an online application through the university’s portal. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in any field to qualify for the MSW program. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) helps, but degrees in behavioral sciences are great foundations too. These include psychology, sociology, communications, or political science.
After submitting your application, send your official transcripts from all schools you’ve attended. Mail them to the Admissions Processing Center in San Diego or submit them electronically if they meet the requirements. Students still completing their bachelor’s degree can apply during their final academic year. The degree must be completed before starting the program.
International students need extra documentation. Non-English transcripts must come with certified English translations and copies of the original records. These students also need to prove their English skills through documentation of English-language instruction or minimum scores on tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or similar exams.
The admissions team checks applications for completeness before sending them to academic departments for an integrated candidate review. Some programs might need interviews, either one-on-one or in groups with faculty and staff.
If your application gets denied, you can reapply to the same program up to three times. Each time, you’ll need a new application and essay if required. Your original documents stay on file for a year, though some materials might need updating.
Students who meet all requirements except English proficiency should think about Alliant’s ESOL program as a stepping stone to the MSW program.
Tuition
Getting your MSW education at Alliant International University requires a substantial financial investment that brings long-term professional rewards. The Master of Social Work program’s current cost stands at $820 per unit. A 60-credit curriculum brings the total program tuition to roughly $49,200 before extra fees.
Your overall educational expenses include several mandatory university fees. Students must pay a $130 Institutional Services Fee each semester, along with a $65 application fee for non-CSPP Clinical Psychology programs, and a $100 Degree Conferral Fee. Variable costs include a Materials & Assessment Fee of $150 for applicable courses. Graduate programs also require books and supplies estimated at $112.005 per semester.
Alliant’s Board of Trustees sets the tuition rates. Students should expect increases in tuition and fees during their enrollment. The actual cost can change based on whether you study full-time or part-time, have transfer credits, fail courses, or take classes beyond the simple program curriculum.
The university can adjust tuition and fees without advance notice. These changes apply to current students, but won’t affect coursework already completed.
Students have several ways to manage these costs. A new “$2,500 Social Work Opportunity Scholarship” helps qualifying students who enroll in the online MSW program starting August 2025. Financial support comes through scholarships, grants, part-time work, and loans from federal government, state government, Alliant, and private sources. Private donors, foundations, and businesses offer extra scholarship options.
Students with questions about tuition, fees, expenses, or payment methods can reach out to Student Finance. Financial options vary greatly, so talking to financial advisors early in your application process helps you plan your educational investment better.
Additional Information
Alliant International University offers comprehensive support services that go beyond the core curriculum to boost your MSW experience and career prospects. The Career Services team provides expert guidance on resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and job search strategies. Students can use the Career Impact portal or book one-on-one sessions.
The Student Assistance Program stands ready to support your wellbeing. Licensed clinicians are available round-the-clock to help with everything from academic stress to personal challenges. The program also includes health monitoring tools, financial services, and legal consultations.
Your academic success gets a boost from the Academic Support Center. Face-to-face tutoring and online resources help develop writing skills, quantitative abilities, and dissertation expertise. These tools build a strong foundation for academic excellence and professional growth.
Field education plays a vital role in the MSW program. Students gain hands-on experience in community mental health centers, medical facilities, and correctional institutions. Each placement offers practical exposure to individual counseling, assessments, and crisis intervention.
Graduates become part of a thriving network of over 45,000 alumni worldwide. This connection provides ongoing access to career services, professional development resources, and the Impact Network platform for building meaningful professional relationships.