Master of Social Work
The MSW Program at SJSU was founded in 1969 and was originally designed to educate and train social workers to work with Spanish speaking populations in California. We currently have three MSW Program models. In each model, the curriculum prepares students for professional practice, and enables them to work competently with Latinos, other minority groups, and those communities, groups, families, and individuals who are disenfranchised, oppressed, and/or marginalized.
To learn more about our advanced generalist focus, please see the video below:
The program uses a cohort-based enrollment and learning strategy, in which students progress take foundation year classes with the same group of students.
Full-time On-campus MSW Program
3-year On-campus Evening-only MSW Program
For more information about the MSW program policies including Field Education internship information and policies click here: MSW Program Student Handbook
MSW Program Mission and Goals
The mission of the Masters of Social Work (MSW) Program in the School of Social Work (SSW) at San José State University is to prepare social work professionals at the advanced generalist level for effective, ethical practice, and to equip graduate students to strengthen skills and assume leadership roles from a transcultural perspective with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
In the service of this MSW mission, the school is active in scholarship, professional leadership endeavors, in the area of advanced generalist practice along with areas of interest, that advance the field of social work and respond to emerging and diverse needs of clients, communities, and systems. The transcultural perspective is infused throughout the MSW curriculum, informs faculty scholarship, and reflects an enduring commitment to advocating for social justice, honoring the strengths of diverse cultures, and enhancing the well-being of all.
The MSW program at SJSU has five goals. They are as follows:
- Goal 1: The MSW program prepares advanced generalist social workers for ethical social work and use of the transcultural perspective with diverse and marginalized populations in the context of all areas of practice.
- Goal 2: The MSW program prepares social workers for specialized practice from a transcultural multi-systems perspective with individuals and families across the lifespan, and with groups, organizations, and communities, and in the context of all areas of practice
- Goal 3: The MSW program prepares advanced generalist social workers to assume leadership in advocating for change and innovation in policies and practices to enhance social justice and the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in the context of all areas of practice.
- Goal 4: The MSW program prepares social workers for critical inquiry beyond the generalist level to improve, design, and develop solutions to advance effective social work in all areas of practice.
- Goal 5: The MSW program contributes to social work through professional leadership and scholarship that advances social work knowledge, practice, and values in the context of all areas of practice.
