Cal Poly Humboldt MSW

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Department of Social Work excels at serving Indigenous and rural communities throughout California. Students learn to build meaningful relationships with communities while preparing themselves to make a difference in underserved areas.

This program takes a unique approach by focusing on decolonizing mainstream social work practice. Students experience this philosophy in every aspect of their education, from course design to field placements. The curriculum supports students with deep community roots and helps them apply their knowledge to real-life situations.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s MSW program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education meets national quality standards. This accreditation matters greatly when students pursue licensure or advanced positions after graduation.

The program’s faculty reflects its dedication to diversity. A team of 19 faculty members includes 6 full-time and 13 part-time instructors. The gender distribution shows 17 female and 2 male instructors, bringing varied views to the educational experience.

Student demographics highlight the program’s diversity. Among 115 graduate students, the racial/ethnic breakdown shows: 60% White or Caucasian, 15.65% Hispanic/Latino, 10.43% American Indian or Alaska Native, 5.22% identifying with two or more races, 3.48% Black or African American, 1.74% Asian, 0.87% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 2.61% unknown. The student body consists of approximately 84% female and 15% male students.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Social Work program’s core values are the foundations of learning:

• Cultural humility and compassion
• Partnership and empowerment
• Non-expert relational paradigms
• Critical reflection and social action for justice

These values shape students’ framework for practice under the guidance of personal and professional ethics.

Students enjoy a beautiful campus setting in Arcata, California. Dr. Cesar Abarca leads the program as Graduate Program Coordinator.

The department champions progressive practice based on peace, justice, and inclusiveness principles. Students can experiment and take risks to develop their professional identity that matches their vision of becoming social workers.

The department connects students with local agencies through personalized field experiences. These opportunities are a great way to get skills and secure employment after graduation.

Programs offered

Cal Poly Humboldt’s MSW program gives you several flexible paths based on your career goals and life situation. The program’s advanced generalist approach prepares you to work with multiple systems and levels. Students and practitioners work together to build resilience by leveraging existing strengths.

The traditional full-time MSW program needs 60 units over two years. Students with a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program can choose the Advanced Standing Program. This optimized option needs just 36 units across three semesters. The program starts with 6 units through the College of Extended Education & Global Engagement in summer.

The department offers a part-time Distributed Learning MSW Program lasting 3.5 years for students who can’t study full-time. This flexible format includes:

• Online coursework
• Annual on-campus intensives
• Different learning methods

Students complete foundation coursework in the first five semesters and advanced coursework in the final five. Part-time students also take a 1.5-unit “Distributed Learning Community Seminar” each semester.

Students can also choose a Part-Time Advanced Standing Distributed Learning option. This takes two years plus 6 units of summer bridge courses before starting advanced work.

Cal Poly Humboldt focuses on serving Indigenous and rural communities across all programs. The coursework aims to decolonize mainstream social work practice. Students learn to develop their practice framework guided by personal and professional values and ethics.

Field experience plays a vital role in your education no matter which format you pick. The program pairs MSW students with experienced social work practitioners for community placements. These opportunities help combine theory with hands-on practice.

The department also offers something extra – a post-master’s Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work (PPSC-SSW). This credential helps graduates work in school social work. Students complete two 3-unit online courses each summer through the College of Extended Education & Global Engagement.

The online program was created with county and tribal social service providers in far northern California. It aims to build a workforce ready to serve rural and tribal communities in that region.

About the online program

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Distributed Learning MSW program serves California residents who want to pursue their social work education remotely. The program combines online coursework with in-person elements to create a comprehensive educational experience.

This program goes beyond typical online learning. It takes an interactive, locally-based, networked approach that puts student needs first. Students get the same high-quality curriculum as the campus-based program, with added flexibility for those who can’t relocate or study full-time.

Success in this program depends heavily on time management. Students need at least 25 hours weekly to complete their coursework. Live webinar sessions happen every Thursday evening and require both audio and video participation. Students must also come to campus for initial orientation and attend yearly January intensives during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

The program emerged from mutually beneficial alliances with county and tribal social service providers across northern California. Its focus lies in preparing a workforce ready to serve rural and Indigenous communities. The program works actively to decolonize mainstream social work education through:

• Building reciprocal relationships between you and your home community
• Connecting curriculum content with your lived experiences
• Promoting intentional online learning communities among students and faculty

Students complete their field practicums in their local areas, which helps build community connections while gaining professional experience. Each semester includes a “Distributed Learning Community Seminar” that builds community, connects curriculum concepts, and develops online learning strategies.

The program offers affordable tuition with specific financial aid options. More than half the students receive scholarships or stipends through grants from the Mental Health Services Act, Superior Region Mental Health Workforce, Education and Training Partnership, and CalSWEC.

Students can choose between a part-time 3.5-year program or a 2-year Advanced Standing option. Both paths cover the same curriculum as campus-based students, with extra online support systems designed for student success.

Accreditation

The Cal Poly Humboldt MSW program’s quality education stands on the foundation of proper accreditation. The program has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This will give a solid education that meets national professional standards.

CSWE accreditation matters, and with good reason too. You need this credential to qualify for your license after graduation. Without it, you’ll face major hurdles applying for professional roles or getting state licensure as a social worker. Most employers look for CSWE-accredited degrees when filling senior positions.

Your degree carries the same professional weight whatever path you choose. The accreditation covers all program formats at Cal Poly Humboldt—including online distributed learning. CSWE confirms that accreditation applies to all approved locations and delivery methods from accredited programs.

Advanced Standing applicants must complete their undergraduate social work degree at a CSWE-accredited program. A minimum 3.5 GPA qualifies you for this accelerated option.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s institutional excellence shows in its accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission. The university’s 1949 accreditation history reflects its steadfast dedication to educational excellence. Current accreditation status shows full compliance with WASC standards.

CSWE reviews programs regularly to maintain quality. Programs fall under these categories:

• Fully Accredited: Programs meeting all standards
• Accredited (Conditional): Programs that must fix documented issues within a year
• Accredited (Withdrawal in Progress): Programs with planned closure dates
• Candidacy: Programs that completed at least one year moving toward full accreditation
• Pre-Candidacy: Programs with draft-approved standards

Cal Poly Humboldt proves its dedication to top-tier social work education through continued accreditation. The next WASC review includes an off-site assessment in fall 2025 and campus visit in spring 2026.

These thorough external evaluations help the MSW program maintain professional standards. Your education prepares you for successful practice and career growth in social work across California and nationwide.

Admission Requirements

Your first step to join Cal Poly Humboldt’s MSW program starts with meeting the admissions criteria. The department has managed to keep selective standards with an acceptance rate of approximately 61%. Recent application cycles showed 47 successful applicants from a total of 77 applications.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s MSW program requires:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year liberal arts institution
• A recommended GPA of 3.00 or better on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of academic coursework
• An elementary statistics course (math, psychology, or sociology; note that MATH 103 doesn’t fulfill this requirement)
• A course related to Native American studies that covers a general introduction to Native peoples’ history in America and the unique sovereign relationship between tribal nations and governments

Students in the online program can meet the Native American studies prerequisite by taking SW 420, Decolonizing Social Work with Indigenous Communities, with a minimum C grade.

Cal Poly Humboldt provides conditional program admission if you don’t have these prerequisites. All the same, you must finish all undergraduate coursework before starting the master’s program.

Advanced Standing eligibility requires these additional criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program
• A minimum 3.5 GPA in your social work program
• B or better grades in all social work courses
• BSW degree completion within the last five years (exceptions possible through petition)

Advanced Standing students must take summer bridge courses after acceptance to prepare for joining existing MSW cohorts. These bridge courses through the College of Extended Education & Global Engagement cost about $540 per unit.

Domestic students pay a $70 application fee, and applications get processed on a rolling basis. International students must also submit TOEFL scores with a minimum paper score of 500.

Tuition

Understanding the complete financial picture will help you plan your MSW education at Cal Poly Humboldt. The estimated tuition and fees for graduate students will be $10,438 in the 2025-2026 academic year. This amount represents just one part of your educational investment.

Your living situation determines the total cost of attendance. Students living on campus should expect to pay around $30,140, while off-campus costs run approximately $30,852. Living with parents reduces the total cost to about $27,670. These figures include $890 for books and supplies, $1,908 for transportation, and $2,598 for personal expenses.

Students from outside California who don’t qualify for the Western Regional Graduate Program must pay an extra $444 per unit. A typical graduate course load of 9 units per semester (18 units annually) adds $7,992 in non-resident fees. This brings the total cost to about $38,672 for off-campus non-resident students.

Cal Poly Humboldt provides excellent value compared to other MSW schools. Traditional two-year MSW programs across California typically cost around $29,000 for in-state students.

Many financial support options can help fund your education. The Department of Social Work provides specific funding opportunities through scholarships and grant-funded stipends. More than half of the online students receive these financial supports.

Social work graduates can access specialized loan forgiveness programs beyond standard financial aid:

• National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program offers up to $60,000
• California Department of Healthcare Access and Information programs provide up to $50,000
• Indian Health Service offers up to $25,000 per year for two years
• Public service loan forgiveness after 10 years of full-time employment in public service

School-based mental health stipends between $10,000 and $16,000 per year are available to students who complete placements in qualifying schools.

Cal Poly Humboldt makes education available to more students, with about 80% receiving some form of financial aid.

Additional Information

Cal Poly Humboldt’s MSW program goes way beyond the core curriculum to prepare you for a variety of professional paths after graduation. MSW graduates build careers in specialized fields like addictions, child welfare, mental health, public health, and public policy. They work as psychiatric social workers, social services directors, probation officers, and adoptions caseworkers.

Your professional development’s substance comes from hands-on practicum experience. Students complete 960 documented hours over two academic years, which means about 16 hours of supervised field work each week. This valuable experience happens in schools, tribal services, non-profit organizations, county social services, and behavioral health centers.

The financial support doesn’t stop at graduation. Social work professionals can access several loan forgiveness programs. The Health Professions Education Foundation Allied Healthcare Scholarship offers up to $4,000 per academic year when you serve in medically underserved areas.

The campus provides detailed support services to help you succeed. Students can access counseling and psychological services, financial aid help, student health services, and specialized support through programs like the Indian Tribal & Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP).

The program helps you develop a balanced yet caring approach to ethical practice. Your professional growth stems from core values like cultural humility, partnership, and social action for justice.