Social Welfare

University of California, Berkeley

About the Program

Berkeley Social Welfare educates students for leadership in the field of social welfare and the profession of social work.  Since 1944 we have prepared over 11,000 social work professionals and social work scholars for leadership in a range of research, teaching, advanced practice, and management roles. We offer two graduate degrees: the professional Master of Social Welfare (MSW); and the academic Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD).

Master of Social Welfare (MSW)

Berkeley Social Welfare offers the professional Master of Social Welfare (MSW) degree, which is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students are prepared to practice with specialized skills at specific intervention levels and are thoroughly grounded in social science knowledge, social welfare policies, and social service organizations. 

  • We train social workers for a range of leadership and advanced practice roles in the profession.
  • We create a spirit of critical inquiry and emphasize the use of tested knowledge and theory in developing and applying intervention methods.
  • We prepare students for professional responsibility in the field of social welfare and the institutional systems that comprise it.
  • We educate students to advance social justice.

All MSW students complete a foundation curriculum in generalist social work practice; an advanced curriculum that prepares them for practice in a chosen area of specialization; and a practicum education curriculum including agency-based practicum placements and integrative practicum seminars.

Full-time MSW Program

The Berkeley MSW Program is a two-year, full-time degree program. All students follow a prescribed, full-time 60-unit (minimum 12 units per semester) program of work, preparing them for both generalist and specialized practice.

FlexMSW Advanced Standing Program

The FlexMSW Advanced Standing degree program is available to qualified working professionals in the field of social work who have a professional baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). FlexMSW Advanced Standing students complete a 27-unit program of study over a one year period.

FlexMSW Extended Program

The FlexMSW Extended Program is a three-year MSW degree track option for qualified working professionals in the field of social work and otherwise qualified students who are not able to participate in a traditional full-time MSW professional degree program. FlexMSW Extended Program students enroll on a part-time basis and complete the same 60-unit program of study as traditional full-time MSW students, only over a period of three part-time years (inclusive of two summer sessions), instead of two full-time years.

NOTE: Berkeley Social Welfare will not be accepting applications for Fall 2025 admission to either FlexMSW Program track. 

Certificate Programs

Additional special program options include the School Social Work Credential Program; a Social Work with Latinos Certificate; and the Graduate Certificate in Aging.

Concurrent Master's Degrees

Berkeley Social Welfare offers a Concurrent MSW/MPH Degree with the School of Public Health; and a Concurrent MSW/MPP Degree with the Goldman School of Public Policy. Applicants must be accepted to both programs to pursue a concurrent degree.

The PhD in Social Welfare

Berkeley Social Welfare's doctoral program develops scholars who challenge conventional wisdom and make significant contributions to the field of social welfare and the profession of social work through excellent research, teaching, policy development, and administration. Berkeley doctoral students become proficient in research methodology and experts in their area of interest, ultimately demonstrating scholarly competence by publishing a dissertation. 

NOTE: Berkeley Social Welfare will not be accepting applications for Fall 2025 admission to the Social Welfare PhD Program.

Visit School Website

Admissions

All applicants to graduate study at Berkeley (regardless of degree program) apply for graduate admission through UC Berkeley's online Graduate and Professional Application for Admission. The online application becomes available in early September each year. A separate application to the School of Social Welfare is not required. Berkeley Social Welfare does not participate in the Social Work Centralized Application Service (SocialWorkCAS). Applicants may apply to only one single degree program or one established concurrent degree program per admission term. Berkeley Social Welfare only admits for the fall semester each academic year; no spring or summer admissions are offered.

The Berkeley Social Welfare Admissions Office offers admissions advising, group presentations and recruitment events, and online resources to guide potential graduate applicants through the application process. For more information about our programs, application requirements, admission process, or informational sessions and recruitment events, please visit Berkeley Social Welfare Admissions.

Master's Degree Program Admissions Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for admission to any Berkeley Social Welfare master's degree program, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Possession of a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.
  2. A satisfactory scholastic average, generally a minimum grade-point average of B or better (3.0 on a 4-point scale).
  3. Sufficient undergraduate preparation and training for graduate study in social welfare. Applicants for admission to the MSW program must have strong academic preparation in the liberal arts and sciences, including coursework in the social and behavioral sciences.
  4. A college-level, introductory course in statistics. This requirement must be satisfied prior to matriculation if you are offered admission.
  5. The equivalent of one full year of paid or voluntary experience related to social welfare or human services. To satisfy the experience requirement for admission eligibility, all experience hours must be acquired by the application deadline.
  6. For international applicants from a country or political entity where English is not the official language, a satisfactory score on the TOEFL exam or other acceptable equivalent evidence of English language proficiency to do graduate work is required.
  7. Applicants to concurrent master’s degree programs (e.g., MSW/MPH; MSW/MPP) and the Combined MSW/PhD Program must meet eligibility requirements for and admissions standards of both programs, including any examination requirements (GRE, etc.) of other programs. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission to the MSW-only and MSW/PhD programs. 

For complete details please visit Berkeley Social Welfare's MSW Admission Eligibility Requirements.

NOTE: Berkeley Social Welfare will not be accepting applications for Fall 2025 admission to the Combined MSW/PhD Program nor to either FlexMSW Program track.

Doctoral (PhD) Program Admissions Eligibility Requirements

Berkeley Social Welfare prefers applicants who hold a master's degree in social work or social welfare, or have comparable preparation in a closely related field; and who show evidence of intellectual and other qualifications essential to successful doctoral study. Applicants must possess the intellectual qualifications essential to successful performance in the program, and in reviewing applications we seek to determine whether the applicant’s particular objectives can be met in our doctoral program at Berkeley.

To be considered for admission to the Social Welfare PhD Program, all applicants must:

  • Satisfy the minimum requirements for admission to graduate study at Berkeley.
  • Have a master's degree in social work or social welfare, or comparable preparation in a closely related field.
  • Demonstrate evidence of intellectual and other qualifications essential to successful performance in the doctoral program.
  • For international applicants from a country or political entity where English is not the official language, a satisfactory score on the TOEFL exam or other acceptable equivalent evidence of English language proficiency to do graduate work is required.

NOTE: Berkeley Social Welfare will not be accepting applications for Fall 2025 admission to the Social Welfare PhD Program.

Applying for Graduate Admission

Thank you for considering UC Berkeley for graduate study! UC Berkeley offers more than 120 graduate programs representing the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary scholarship. The Graduate Division hosts a complete list of graduate academic programs, departments, degrees offered, and application deadlines can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Prospective students must submit an online application to be considered for admission, in addition to any supplemental materials specific to the program for which they are applying. The online application and steps to take to apply can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Admission Requirements

The minimum graduate admission requirements are:

  1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;

  2. A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and

  3. Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

For a list of requirements to complete your graduate application, please see the Graduate Division’s Admissions Requirements page. It is also important to check with the program or department of interest, as they may have additional requirements specific to their program of study and degree. Department contact information can be found here.

Where to apply?

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

NOTE: Berkeley Social Welfare will not be accepting applications for Fall 2025 admission to the PhD in Social Welfare program.

To be granted the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare, students must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  1. Complete a course of study in the school and related departments of the University specified by the school, designed to achieve proficiency in the areas of social work theory, social welfare policy and/or administration, history and philosophies of social welfare, and social research methods.
  2. Pass qualifying examinations indicating proficiency in the areas mentioned above.
  3. Pass an oral examination before a committee appointed in accordance with rules of the Graduate Council.
  4. Be admitted to candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy according to procedures established by the Academic Senate.
  5. Complete a dissertation dealing with some problem of significance to the field of social welfare and of such character as to show power to prosecute independent investigation.
  6. Spend a minimum of at least two years of graduate study in residence at the University of California, Berkeley.

There is no total unit requirement for the PhD degree in Social Welfare, but doctoral students must enroll full-time (12 units/semester, no more than 4 of which may be earned as credit for working as a Graduate Student Researcher or Graduate Student Instructor) until taking and passing the qualifying exam.

Course of Study

Doctoral coursework includes seminars in research methods, statistics, theory, and other related courses; along with individual tutorials with members of the faculty.  

Required Courses in Social Welfare

The following courses must be completed prior to the Qualifying Exam:

SOC WEL 279Seminar in the History and Philosophy of Social Welfare2
SOC WEL 287Research Resources and Processes2
SOC WEL 289AResearch Methods and Techniques in Social Welfare4
SOC WEL 295Writing and Publication Seminar2

Coursework in Statistics and Methods

Social Welfare doctoral students are required to complete at least six courses in statistics and/or methods. At least four courses must be approved statistics courses. The remaining two courses may be either statistics or methods. These courses are intended to deepen a skill set needed for an ongoing program of research. Students work with their PhD faculty advisor to choose these courses from among those approved by the Doctoral Curriculum Committee. Courses must be graduate-level courses (200 and above) and may be offered by any department on campus.

Elective in Social Science Theory

Social Welfare doctoral students are required to complete at least one letter-graded course focused on basic-discipline social science theory, before or during the semester of the Qualifying Exam.

First Year Comprehensive Exam

At the end of their first year in the program, students are required to demonstrate mastery of a broad base of knowledge in social welfare by completing a competency exam based upon knowledge gained in SOC WEL 279 and SOC WEL 289A. 

Qualifying Paper

A Qualifying Paper (QP), which serves as a preliminary examination, is due at the end of the second year of the PhD program. Students work with their primary faculty advisor to submit a 1-2 page statement of their proposed Qualifying Paper topic to the PhD Faculty Chair for approval by October of the second year. The QP is expected to synthesize and critically evaluate an important, broad body of literature about an intellectual question related to a social problem. After the QP is satisfactorily completed, students must (a) declare two fields of expertise on which he or she will be examined by a Qualifying Examination committee, and (b) complete a Dissertation Prospectus. The fields of expertise may relate to the QP, must represent two broad and important bodies of literature related to a social problem(s), and must be approved by the PhD Chair in consultation with the student’s PhD Faculty Advisor. The fields of expertise must be broad (e.g., poverty/inequality and mental health; child development and domestic violence; substance abuse and prevention science).

Dissertation Prospectus

A Dissertation Prospectus must be completed well in advance of taking the Qualifying Examination. The prospectus must summarize the relevant literature, describe the issue or problem to be addressed (with clear study aims), and focus on the plan of research—including the proposed methodology, data sources, and/or analyses to be used, and a tentative timeline for project completion.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination is a three-hour oral exam assessing mastery of the student's chosen fields of study and written materials submitted for the examination. It is conducted by a committee of five faculty members proposed by the student and approved by the Graduate Division. When passed, this examination marks the completion of required course work, mastery of the fields of study, and advancement to candidacy.

Dissertation

Once advanced to candidacy, doctoral students pursue a research agenda that will offer an original contribution to knowledge in the field. The dissertation is the final demonstration of scholarly, research, and professional abilities. Upon final signature of approval by the dissertation committee and submission to the Graduate Division, students are awarded the doctoral degree.

Master's Degree Requirements (MSW)

The Berkeley MSW requires two years of full-time study (at least 12 units/semester) that total a minimum of 60 units. To be eligible for degree conferral, all MSW students must complete:

  • 20 units of Generalist Practice coursework required of all students.
  • 10 units of professionally relevant elective coursework, 2 units of which must be individual & family intervention and 2 units of which must be community & organizational intervention and/or policy
  • 6 units of social research methods, inclusive of the Berkeley master's capstone requirement.
  • 24 units of practicum education, which includes two years of practicum placement and concurrent practicum integration seminars.

Generalist Practice

All MSW students must successfully complete a foundational generalist practice curriculum, consisting of eight required courses taken in the first and second semester:

First Semester:
SOC WEL 200Theories for Multilevel Practice2
SOC WEL 220Foundations of Social Welfare Policy2
SOC WEL 240Anti-Oppressive Frameworks for Social Work Ethics and Justice2
SOC WEL 241Foundations of Multilevel Practice4
Second Semester:
SOC WEL 254Policy Practice in Social Work2
SOC WEL 241AFoundations of Multilevel Practice: Assessment & Intervention Planning with Individuals and Families3
SOC WEL 241BFoundations of Multilevel Practice: Assessment & Intrvn Planning w Groups Organizations Communities3
SOC WEL 280Critical Research Literacy2

All Generalist Practice requirements must be successfully completed in order to progress to the Advanced curriculum. Students may not enroll into Social Research Methods courses (SOC WEL 282A & SOC WEL 282B) or begin their Advanced Practicum Placement (SOC WEL 412A & SOC WEL 412B) until they have successfully completed all Generalist Practice courses.

Elective Courses

All MSW students must successfully complete 10 units of professionally relevant elective coursework, 2 units of which must be individual & family intervention and 2 units of which must be community & organizational intervention and/or policy. 

Individual & Family Intervention Courses

MSW students may complete any of the following courses to satisfy the 2-unit individual & family intervention course requirement.

SOC WEL 205Psychosocial Problems and Psychopathology2
SOC WEL 210BInfant Development2
or SOC WEL 212 Child Development from Infancy to Adolescence in Its Social Context
SOC WEL 210CA Multilevel Approach to Working with Older Adults2
SOC WEL 250BFamily Therapy2
SOC WEL 250CSolution-Focused Brief Therapy2
SOC WEL 250JSocial Work with Latino Populations2
SOC WEL 250LHuman Sexuality2
SOC WEL 250MDeath and Dying2
SOC WEL 250NPublic Child Welfare Services2
SOC WEL 250TSocial Work Practice in School Settings2
SOC WEL 250USubstance Abuse Treatment2
SOC WEL 250XDomestic Violence: Assessment and Intervention2
SOC WEL 250ZCognitive Behavioral Methods2
SOC WEL 260ACritical Disability2
SOC WEL 265MMotivational Interviewing2
SOC WEL 265TTrauma-Informed Multilevel Approaches2

Community & Organizational Intervention Courses

MSW students may complete any of the following courses to satisfy the 2-unit community & organizational intervention and/or policy course requirement.

SOC WEL 210CA Multilevel Approach to Working with Older Adults2
SOC WEL 210IGroup, Organizational, and Community Dynamics2
SOC WEL 232Social Work and Education Policy2
SOC WEL 250ASocial Work with Groups2
SOC WEL 250JSocial Work with Latino Populations2
SOC WEL 250LHuman Sexuality2
SOC WEL 250USubstance Abuse Treatment2
SOC WEL 250XDomestic Violence: Assessment and Intervention2
SOC WEL 255Community Organizing2
SOC WEL 260ACritical Disability2
SOC WEL 265TTrauma-Informed Multilevel Approaches2
SOC WEL 274Immigrants and Refugees in the U.S2

Policy Courses 

MSW students may complete any of the following courses to satisfy the 2-unit community & organizational intervention and/or policy course requirement.

SOC WEL 230Social Policy: Children and Families2
SOC WEL 232Social Work and Education Policy2
SOC WEL 238CHealth Policy--A Social Welfare Perspective2

Social Research Methods and Master's Capstone Requirement

All MSW students must complete successfully complete the following two courses in methods of social research:

SOC WEL 282ASeminar in Social Welfare Research I2
SOC WEL 282BSeminar in Social Welfare Research II4

The Berkeley master’s capstone requirement is satisfied by the successful completion of SOC WEL 282B.

Practicum Education

All MSW students must successfully complete SOC WEL 402 four times concurrently with their practicum courses. All MSW students must earn a total of 24 units in practicum education, inclusive of agency-based practicum experience and the required integrative practicum seminar. Full-time MSW students are generally in practicum placement sites two days a week in the first year, and three days a week in the second year. 

Foundation Practicum (First Year)
SOC WEL 410AFoundation Practicum I4
SOC WEL 410BFoundation Practicum II4
Advanced Practicum (Second Year)
SOC WEL 412AAdvance Practicum I6
SOC WEL 412BAdvanced Practicum II6

Concurrent Degree in Social Welfare and Public Health

Berkeley Social Welfare and the School of Public Health offer a Concurrent Degree program option for interdisciplinary preparation in the fields of social welfare and public health, leading to the Master of Social Welfare (MSW) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees. A major characteristic of public health social work is the combination of an epidemiological approach from Public Health and a bio-psychosocial approach from Social Work. The combined interventions focus on population groups within the context of the community.

To complete the MSW/MPH Concurrent Degree program and earn both the MSW and MPH, a student must be admitted to the program and complete 90 units of coursework in Social Welfare and Public Health, which includes 23 units related to off-campus practicum education, over 3 years. One year each is dedicated to the foundation curriculum in social welfare and public health. The third year is a combination of advanced social welfare and public health curriculum that results in a joint Master's capstone that addresses the knowledge of both fields.

Prospective applicants may reach out to either school for more information about this program.

Concurrent Degree in Social Welfare and Public Policy

Berkeley Social Welfare and the Goldman School of Public Policy offer a Concurrent Degree program option that blends the substantive focus and professional social work training of the Masters in Social Welfare (MSW) with the rigorous methodological tools and policy breadth of the Masters in Public Policy (MPP). Students seeking a career in social service research, policy, or administration must be knowledgeable about the complexities of service delivery, a perspective supplied by the MSW Practicum Education and service-oriented course work; skilled in the “big picture” policy analysis based in the rigorous methodological training in economics, statistics, and policy research of the MPP; and able to effectively advocate for their programs and their constituents in the legislature and executive branches.

To complete the MSW/MPP Concurrent Degree program and earn both the MSW and MPP, a student must be admitted to the program and complete 88 units of coursework in Social Welfare and Public Policy, which includes 20 units related to off-campus practicum education, over 3 years. One year each is dedicated to the foundation curriculum in social welfare and public policy. The third year is a combination of advanced social welfare and public policy curriculum that results in a joint Master's capstone that addresses the knowledge of both fields.

Prospective applicants may reach out to either school for more information about this program.

Berkeley Graduate Certificate in Aging

To be eligible for the Berkeley Graduate Certificate in Aging, candidates:

  1. Must be registered and enrolled in a graduate degree program at UC Berkeley.
  2. Must be in good academic standing (e.g., GPA of 3.0 or better).
  3. Must submit a brief statement describing their interest and experience in social work practice with and on behalf of aging and elderly clients.

The Graduate Certificate in Aging requires a total of at least six (6) units, including:

  • one required anchor course:  SOC WEL 210C A Multilevel Approach to Working with Older Adults.
  • at least two additional, professionally relevant elective courses chosen from an approved list:​
SOC WEL 250MDeath and Dying2
SOC WEL 260ACritical Disability2
SOC WEL 298Group Study for Graduate Students (requires advance approval)1-12
PB HLTH C202BEthnic and Cultural Diversity in Health Status4
PB HLTH 204FCulture, Public Health Practice, and Eliminating Health Disparities: From Ideas to Action in the 21st Century3
PB HLTH 204GResearch Advances in Health Disparities: Multidisciplinary Perspectives1-3
PB HLTH 216ABiological Embedding of Social Factors2
PB HLTH 217CCourse Not Available3
  • Students may also petition to have additional courses added to the approved list by submitting a current course syllabus to the GSAO at swmswadvisor@berkeley.edu.
  • at least 120 hours of direct practice practicum experience with or on behalf of elderly clients.

For more information about approved elective courses, the practicum experience requirement, and how to apply, please visit the UC Berkeley Graduate Certificate in Aging.

School Social Work Credentials

Berkeley Social Welfare offers a curriculum in school social work practice, leading to eligibility for a recommendation for the Pupil Personnel Services Credentials (PPSC), which are issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

In addition to successfully completing all requirements for the MSW degree, students seeking the PPSC in School Social Work must take the following specific credential program courses as part of their program of study:

SOC WEL 212Child Development from Infancy to Adolescence in Its Social Context2
SOC WEL 232Social Work and Education Policy2
SOC WEL 250TSocial Work Practice in School Settings2

Students may also petition to waive the SOC WEL 212 requirement if they can provide proof of completion of another college-level course that addresses equivalent content and it is approved by our program. Students should submit a copy of the course syllabus to the PPSC advisor, swppsc@berkeley.edu.

PPSC candidates must also complete at least 1000 hours of practicum that includes at least 450 hours of practicum with school-age children, as well as meet other credential prerequisite and administrative requirements mandated by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. For information please visit Berkeley Social Welfare School Social Work Credentials.

Social Work with Latinos Certificate

To be eligible for the Social Work with Latinos Certificate, candidates:

  1. Must be registered and enrolled in a graduate degree program at UC Berkeley.
  2. Must be in good academic standing (e.g., GPA of 3.0 or better).
  3. Must demonstrate Spanish language proficiency at an intermediate level.
  4. Must submit a brief statement describing their interest and experience in Latino social work, and their goals for gaining the certificate.

The Social Work with Latinos Certificate requires a total of at least six (6) units, including:

  • one required anchor course: SOC WEL 250J Social Work with Latino Populations.
  • at least two additional elective courses chosen from an approved list:
    •  SOC WEL 274 Immigrants and Refugees in the U.S
    •  SOC WEL 275 Anti-Oppressive Social Work
    •  SOC WEL 250Z Cognitive Behavioral Methods
    •  SOC WEL 255 Community Organizing
    • Students may also petition to have additional courses added to the approved list by submitting a current course syllabus to the GSAO at swmswadvisor@berkeley.edu. 
  • a minimum of 120 hours of direct practice in an agency serving predominantly Spanish-speaking Latinx clients.

For more information about approved elective courses, the practicum experience requirement, and how to apply, please visit the Berkeley Social Welfare Social Work with Latinos Certificate.

Electives in Other Departments

The following courses offered in other departments are also approved as electives for the MSW degree:

African American Studies
AFRICAM 107Race and Public Policy3
Anthropology
ANTHRO 115Introduction to Medical Anthropology4
ANTHRO 149Psychological Anthropology4
ANTHRO 158Religion and Anthropology4
Asian American Studies
ASAMST 141Law in the Asian American Community4
ASAMST 145ACPolitics, Public Policy, and Asian American Communities4
Business Administration
MBA 209FFundamentals of Business3
MBA 292AStrategy and Leadership for Social Impact2,3
MBA 292SSocial Sector Solutions3
MBA 292TTopics in Business and Social Impact0.5-3
Chicano Studies
CHICANO 172Chicanos and the Educational System4
CHICANO 174Chicanos, Law, and Criminal Justice4
CHICANO 176Chicanos and Health Care3
City & Regional Planning
CY PLAN 113AEconomic Analysis for Planning3
CY PLAN 115Urbanization in Developing Countries4
CY PLAN 220The Urban and Regional Economy3
CY PLAN 230U.S. Housing, Planning, and Policy3
CY PLAN C256Healthy Cities3
Demography
DEMOG 220Human Fertility4
Development Practice
DEVP 233Law, Politics, and Policymaking3
Economics
ECON 157Health Economics4
ECON 174Global Poverty and Impact Evaluation4
Education
EDUC 114AEarly Development and Education4
EDUC 200ACulture and Cognitive Development: Theoretical Perspectives3
EDUC 200BSocial Development3
EDUC 207CAssessment of Developmental, Learning, and Socio-emotional-behavioral Disorders in Children4
EDUC 207DAssessment and Education of Exceptional Pupils in Regular Classes2
EDUC 213DEducational Interventions for the School Psychologist3
EDUC 260AIssues in Educational Administration and Policy3
EDUC 261AOrganization Theory in Education and Other Social Services3
EDUC 276AIntroduction to Program Evaluation3
Environmental Science, Policy, & Management
ESPM C254Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Health Status4
Ethnic Studies
ETH STD 240Series in Comparative Transnational Theories and Methods4
ETH STD 250Research Seminar: Selected Issues and Topics4
Legal Studies
LEGALST 155Government and the Family4
LEGALST 160Punishment, Culture, and Society4
LEGALST 163Adolescence, Crime and Juvenile Justice4
LEGALST 168Sex, Reproduction and the Law4
LEGALST 170Crime and Criminal Justice4
LEGALST 182Law, Politics and Society4
LEGALST 183Psychology of Diversity and Discrimination in American Law4
Native American Studies
NATAMST 101Native American Tribal Governments4
Political Science
POL SCI 171California Politics4
POL SCI 181Public Organization and Administration4
POL SCI 273Urban Politics4
Psychology
PSYCH 130Clinical Psychology3
PSYCH 131Developmental Psychopathology3
PSYCH 141Development During Infancy3
PSYCH 160Social Psychology3
PSYCH 180Industrial-Organizational Psychology3
Public Health
PB HLTH 202GAdvanced Alcohol Research Seminar1
PB HLTH 203ATheories of Health and Social Behavior3
PB HLTH 205Program Planning and Needs Assessment4
PB HLTH 206BFood and Nutrition Policies and Programs3
PB HLTH 210Foundations of Maternal and Child Health Policy, Practice and Science3
PB HLTH 213AFamily Planning, Population Change, and Health3
PB HLTH 214Course Not Available3
PB HLTH 217CCourse Not Available3
PB HLTH C217DBiological and Public Health Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease3
PB HLTH 218BEvaluation of Health and Social Programs4
PB HLTH 221Course Not Available2
PB HLTH 221BCourse Not Available2
PB HLTH 222ABiomedical Innovation Policy3
PB HLTH 223CStrategic Management and the Health Sector3
PB HLTH 226DGlobal Health Economics3
PB HLTH C233Healthy Cities3
PB HLTH 255ASocial Epidemiology4
PB HLTH 281Public Health and Spirituality2
Public Policy
PUB POL C164Impact of Government Policies on Poor Children and Families4
PUB POL 220Law and Public Policy4
PUB POL 251Microeconomic Organization and Policy Analysis3
PUB POL 260Public Leadership and Management4
PUB POL 270Kid-First Policy: Family, School, and Community4
PUB POL 280Ethics, Policy, and the Power of Ideas4
Sociology
SOCIOL 111Sociology of the Family4
SOCIOL 140Politics and Social Change4
SOCIOL 150Social Psychology4
SOCIOL 280AAAdvanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Sociology of Poverty3
SOCIOL 280LAdvanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Gender3
 

Master's Degree Requirements (FlexMSW)

NOTE: Berkeley Social Welfare will not be accepting applications for Fall 2025 admission to either FlexMSW Program track.

FlexMSW Advanced Standing

The FlexMSW Advanced Standing Program is a one-year MSW degree track option for eligible working professionals who already hold a baccalaureate professional degree in social work obtained from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Pursuing the MSW degree with Advanced Standing status allows eligible students with accredited professional baccalaureate degrees to bypass the foundational components of the MSW curriculum, given their prior exposure to social work foundational content in their undergraduate degree programs, and enter the specialized portion of the program directly.

Prospective students must apply and be admitted directly into the FlexMSW Advanced Standing degree track.

To be eligible for admission to the FlexMSW degree program, prospective applicants:

  • must hold an accredited professional bachelor's degree in social work (BASW or BSW), which must have been conferred within the past five years.
  • must meet all other admissions eligibility requirements for admission to a Berkeley Social Welfare master's degree program.

The FlexMSW Advanced Standing degree requires a minimum of 27 units for degree conferral, including 14 units earned in Practicum Education. The program is designed to be completed in one calendar year (August to August) over three consecutive semesters (fall, spring and summer). Upon successful completion of all requirements, students are awarded the Master of Social Welfare (MSW) degree, conferred in August.

FlexMSW Extended

Admission eligibility requirements for the FlexMSW Extended degree program are the same as for the full-time Berkeley MSW program.

Prospective students must apply and be admitted directly into the FlexMSW Extended Program degree track. Once admitted to any MSW degree track at Berkeley, students are not permitted to switch from full-time to the FlexMSW Extended option, or from the FlexMSW Extended option to the full-time MSW Program.

The FlexMSW Extended Program requires the same program of study and minimum total of 60 units as the full-time Berkeley MSW Program plan, including 24 units earned in practicum education. The FlexMSW Extended degree track is designed to be completed in eight semesters over three calendar years (August to August), inclusive of two summer terms. Upon successful completion of all requirements, students are awarded the Master of Social Welfare (MSW) degree, typically conferred in August.

For more information on class scheduling and practicum placement, please see the Berkeley Social Welfare FlexMSW Extended Program.

Professional Development Activities

Child Welfare Scholars Program

Students selected to participate as Child Welfare Scholars receive a training stipend for up to two academic years, in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment of at least two years in a California county public child welfare service agency.

Child Welfare Scholars complete a specialized curriculum that includes two years of field placement in either a county child welfare unit, or a closely related agency serving child welfare clients. Academic classes and internships emphasize working with children and families who have incidents of abuse and neglect. Special field seminar sections and coursework address the unique challenges that families in this system endure and present to their workers. World-renowned policy and practice instructors and researchers expose students to the most current research in public child welfare. Clinical instructors with significant employment experience in public child welfare provide practice courses and coordinate internships.

Courses

Contact Information

School of Social Welfare

120 Haviland Hall

Phone: 510-642-4341

Fax: 510-643-6126

socialwelfare@berkeley.edu

Visit School Website

Social Welfare Faculty and Staff Contacts

Please visit our directory:

http://socialwelfare.berkeley.edu/people

Back to Top