Pacific Oaks College MSW Program

Pacific Oaks College prepares culturally competent practitioners in social work. Their social work programs enable students with the education and ground experience to address complex social challenges. The college’s educational philosophy centers on social justice and equity frameworks. Graduates of this school learn to promote change in traditionally underserved communities.

Students can become licensed clinical social workers in California through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. This detailed 60-credit program gives students flexibility with multiple completion paths. They can choose between a two-year full-time option (six semesters) or a three-year part-time track (nine semesters). Working professionals can maintain their careers while meeting rigorous academic standards.

The program’s ground training sets Pacific Oaks College MSW apart. Field experience is the foundation of the curriculum. MSW students must complete at least 900 supervised hours. Students train in their own communities with experienced staff mentors guiding them. Research shows that field experience ranks as the most important part of social work education. Students’ relationships with supervisors prove vital to their professional growth.

Students learn both macro and micro approaches to social work. They develop skills in policy change and program implementation at the community level. The curriculum also covers case management, care coordination, and direct client service. This preparation helps graduates tackle social challenges through various intervention strategies.

The Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA) has fully accredited Pacific Oaks College’s MSW program. This recognition means the program meets or exceeds quality standards through peer review. BOA verification covers all program options, including online delivery. This gives assurance about program quality and graduate competence.

Students need reliable internet access and a computer to work with course materials in the accelerated online MSW program. This makes quality social work education available to more aspiring professionals.

BSW graduates can advance their education through the MSW Advanced Standing Program. Students complete 35 credits over three semesters in an 8-week term format. The program includes 720 hours of field experience over two semesters. This builds on their existing professional foundation.

Pacific Oaks College creates culturally intelligent agents of change who boost quality of life in a variety of communities. Students learn theory and practical applications. Graduates promote social equity while ethically applying CSWE competencies.

Programs offered

Pacific Oaks College provides detailed social work education through multiple pathways that match student needs and career goals. Their social work programs blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience to prepare graduates for professional roles in the field.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program builds a strong foundation for entry-level positions in social work. Students need 120 credits to complete this online program – 46 credits of general education courses, 39 credits of upper-division social work core courses, and 35 credits of lower and upper-division general electives. Students with prior college experience can transfer up to 87 units based on completed prerequisites. The BSW curriculum covers both macro aspects like policy change and program implementation, and micro elements such as case management, care coordination, and health care.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) is the college’s advanced offering in social work education. This fully accredited 60-credit program helps students become licensed clinical social workers in California. Students have flexible completion options – full-time students finish in two years (six semesters), while part-time students complete it in three years (nine semesters). The MSW curriculum focuses on culturally appropriate practice and gives students plenty of ground training opportunities through its accelerated online format.

Pacific Oaks offers an MSW Advanced Standing Program for BSW graduates who want advanced credentials. This specialized track needs 35 credits over three semesters in an 8-week term format. Students complete two courses per term, which adds up to four courses each semester. Qualified students can earn their MSW faster through this efficient approach.

Field education is a vital part of all social work programs at Pacific Oaks. BSW students must complete 420 supervised hours with the Field Education Coordinator. MSW students need 900 hours of supervised experience, and MSW Advanced Standing students finish 720 hours over two semesters. These practical experiences are a great way to get hands-on experience in ground settings.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has accredited all social work programs at Pacific Oaks College. This recognition will give graduates the industry-standard preparation and education they need for social-work-related careers. The accreditation covers all program locations and delivery methods.

Graduates have different career paths based on their education level. BSW graduates can work as:

• Social and community service managers
• Social and human service assistants
• Child, family, and school social workers
• Postsecondary social work teachers

MSW graduates can pursue clinical licensure and work in advanced positions in mental health, substance abuse treatment, education, and many other fields.

These programs’ online format gives working professionals exceptional flexibility. Students just need internet access and a computer to complete their coursework. They can advance their education at their own pace while keeping up with work and personal commitments.

Pacific Oaks College shows its steadfast dedication to developing culturally competent practitioners through these well-laid-out programs. Their graduates serve in a variety of communities and promote social justice in their professional practice.

About the online program

Pacific Oaks College’s online MSW program prepares culturally competent practitioners to become licensed clinical social workers in California. The program needs 60 credits to complete. Full-time students can finish in two years (six semesters) while part-time students take three years (nine semesters).

Students in the online MSW program learn culturally appropriate practices. They get plenty of ground training through field education and internship hours. Students develop their skills by working in their own communities with experienced staff mentors. Research shows graduates value their field experience as the best part of their MSW education.

The program’s resilient infrastructure stands out with its field education requirement. Students must log 900 hours of supervised experience. The Field Education Director works with each student to meet this vital requirement. These placements help you gain practical experience. You’ll apply social work knowledge while embracing Pacific Oaks’ social justice values.

The accelerated online format requires:

• Reliable internet access
• A computer capable of handling online coursework
• Ability to participate with digital learning platforms

You can choose between a full-time two-year program or a part-time three-year program when you enroll. This lets you pick a pace that works best with your professional and personal life.

The program has earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. This recognition means the program meets quality standards through peer review. The accreditation covers all program options, locations, and delivery methods. It assures program quality and graduate competence.

Pacific Oaks believes strong relationships between supervisors and students accelerate learning and growth. Students blend knowledge and skills with theory throughout their coursework through this well-laid-out approach.

The Field Education Program aims to develop skilled, generalist social workers who show reflective practice guided by professional values of human dignity and social justice. Field experience, known as the “heart of social work education,” gives students structured preparation in social work practice. This hands-on component makes Pacific Oaks’ online social work education stand out.

The program covers individual practice, family and group dynamics, and organizational and community frameworks. Graduates leave ready to tackle the many challenges of professional social work practice.

Accreditation

Pacific Oaks College’s Master of Social Work program’s credibility stems from its full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. This prestigious recognition covers every program option, including online delivery. Pacific Oaks has managed to keep high educational standards whatever way students choose to learn.

CSWE accreditation is one of the most important milestones in social work education. This recognized programmatic accrediting agency makes sure social work programs in the United States follow strict academic and professional standards. The accreditation proves Pacific Oaks’ social work degree meets quality benchmarks in curriculum, faculty qualifications, field education opportunities, and student outcomes.

The program’s journey to full accreditation required a comprehensive evaluation. The program’s original Candidacy for Accreditation status suggested it had showed progress toward meeting quality criteria through peer review. This milestone reflected the program’s steadfast dedication to Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. The typical three-year candidacy gives no guarantee of accreditation, yet Pacific Oaks achieved full status with a soaring win.

Students gain these substantial benefits:

• Social work licensure eligibility in California and nationwide
• Degree recognition by employers across all states
• Better job market prospects
• Qualification for advanced degree programs
• Retroactive recognition for students who started during candidacy

Pacific Oaks College also holds institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior Colleges and Universities Commission (WSCUC). This gives an explanation about the institution’s overall educational quality.

CSWE and WSCUC’s dual recognition puts Pacific Oaks among California’s respected accredited MSW programs. Graduates now stand equal to those from other programs that are decades old—some dating back to 1922.

Students who want to know about program credibility can rest assured. These accreditations prove the Pacific Oaks MSW program meets national professional standards needed for license eligibility and professional recognition. Graduates step into their careers with credentials that licensing boards, employers, and educational institutions recognize throughout the United States.

Admission Requirements

Pacific Oaks College MSW program looks for candidates who are ready to handle the demands of social work education. The admission team reviews academic qualifications and dedication to social justice values.

Students who want to join the online MSW program need to submit a complete application package that matches the college’s mission. The admission team reviews these important components:

• Completed application form and application fee
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Professional resume with relevant experience
• Personal statement about career goals
• Official transcripts from all previous institutions
• Two letters of recommendation (including one from a professional source such as a supervisor or program director)
• An admission interview
• Essay about chosen specialization
• Proof of completing an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better (C- is not acceptable)

The program needs proof of at least 500 hours of paid or unpaid work with vulnerable populations of all types. Students can gain this experience in hospitals, mental health centers, advocacy programs, universities, treatment centers, churches, care facilities, or social service agencies. Your resume must show this experience with a reference letter from your supervisor.

BSW degree holders who want to join the Advanced Standing program need to meet extra requirements. They must:

• Have a degree from a CSWE-accredited BSW program earned in the last five years
• Have a 3.0 overall GPA in their BSW degree
• Submit two letters of recommendation (one from a field supervisor)
• Include two writing samples: an academic paper from a BSW capstone course and an applied work sample

Students can complete their application online and work on it multiple times using a secure username and password. They can pay application fees through a secure server or mail a check or money order.

The college takes a detailed look at each application to review academic records, professional experience, and how well candidates fit with the school’s values. The review process starts after students submit all materials and pay the application fee.

This careful selection helps ensure that Pacific Oaks College MSW program admits students who have both strong academics and personal qualities needed to succeed in an accredited MSW program in California.

Tuition

Pacific Oaks College MSW degree requires careful consideration of costs and financial resources. Graduate tuition rates for the 2025-2026 academic year starting Fall 2025 are set at $1,288 per credit hour. The complete MSW program needs 60 credits, bringing the total tuition to approximately $77,280 before any financial aid.

Students should budget for several additional fees in 2025-2026. These include a $55 application fee, $100 tuition deposit, $250 institutional services fee per semester, and a $100 graduation fee. Pacific Oaks College may increase these rates by up to 5% annually to boost teaching quality, learning resources, and student support services.

Pacific Oaks helps students manage educational expenses through multiple financial aid options. The college’s generous donors provide scholarship assistance that supports its mission. Federal and state grants become available based on financial need. Students can find meaningful employment through the Federal Work Study program if they qualify.

Pacific Oaks takes pride in its yellow ribbon school status. The college offers special tuition rates that make education more available to active-duty personnel, veterans, and their eligible dependents.

Students can plan their expenses better with the online Cost Calculator. This tool generates estimated expense overviews for one academic year and helps forecast direct costs billed through the school. The Loan Repayment Calculator shows how loan fees and interest rates affect total repayment amounts.

Students who need loans should understand their repayment obligations clearly. Undergraduate borrowers typically graduate with $21,875 in federal debt. Monthly payments average $239 when repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.

Pacific Oaks offers competitive pricing compared to other accredited California MSW programs. Traditional two-year MSW programs in California cost around $29,000 for in-state students. Financial planning becomes a vital part of your educational experience.