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Loma Linda University's CSWE-accredited online MSW program brings advanced clinical social work training to working professionals across California—without requiring you to step away from your career or community. Designed as a flexible 3-year part-time program with evening classes and local practicum placements, the program delivers the same rigorous curriculum as the on-campus MSW, rooted in a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach to whole person care. You'll graduate prepared for LCSW licensure and equipped to lead in behavioral health, healthcare, and community settings.
🔔 Admissions & Program Requirements
- Applications are now open for Fall 2026 (apply by May 15, 2026) and Winter 2026 (apply by October 15, 2026)! No application fee required.
- This program is open to California residents who are U.S. citizens.
- Courses use a combined synchronous and asynchronous format, with class meetings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30–9:30 PM.
- Practicum is completed in person at an approved site within 75 miles of your residence, a minimum of one weekday per week.
📸 Program Snapshot
- 78 quarter units (equivalent to 52 semester units)
- 3-year part-time program designed around your schedule
- 1080 hours of practicum, including 5 quarters of generalist practice and 6 quarters of advanced clinical practice
- Same curriculum and core faculty as all other Loma Linda University MSW program options
- Courses taught online with class attendance on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30-9:30 PM; practicum one weekday per week
- Work-study available to qualified students in the amount of $18,511
- Specialization in clinical practice
- Embedded curriculum for practice with active-duty military and veterans
- Embedded professional self-care practices
- Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Rooted in a Christian commitment to compassionate, whole person care and respect for all persons
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🔎 More About Our Online Social Work Master's Program in California
The Loma Linda University Online MSW program emphasizes the biopsychosocial-spiritual approach to advanced clinical social work practice in behavioral health institutions and agencies. Students gain expertise in evidence-based, trauma- and resiliency-informed interventions that support prevention, early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. Experiential learning through Loma Linda University Health's internationally recognized health system and specialized community agencies provides students with advanced learning opportunities in integrated behavioral health, inpatient care, and global practice settings.
The program emphasizes a whole person care approach to promote wellness for individuals and families, shaped by the institutional and professional values of compassion, integrity, excellence, freedom, and justice.
The Loma Linda University MSW program is specifically designed to provide you with:
- Advanced clinical skills and a credential recognized for LCSW licensure in California
- Required courses needed for LCSW licensure
- Preparation for advanced community and global practice within a variety of behavioral health settings
- Preparation for clinical and administrative leadership in behavioral health
🗓️ Program Timeline
These sample plans of study are provided as general guides to illustrate the typical sequence of courses for this program. Course offerings, sequencing, and scheduling are subject to change based on curricular revisions, faculty availability, and student progression. Students who take a Leave of Absence (LOA) or enroll on a part-time basis should expect their program completion term to be extended. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor for individualized academic planning.
Classes are generally held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Note: For additional sample plans of study, please contact the department at [email protected].
Sample Plans of Study
3-Year Option
Most 3-year candidates enter the online MSW program in Fall Quarter and complete at the end of Spring Quarter of their third year. This requires eleven quarters of coursework and commitment to the practicum experience. Summer Quarter attendance is required during the second and third year.
Year 1
| Fall | Units | Winter | Units | Spring | Units |
| SOWK 513 | 4 | SOWK 517 | 4 | SOWK 510 | 3 |
| SOWK 505 | 2 | SOWK 585 | 3 | SOWK 514 | 4 |
| SOWK 757A | 10* | SOWK 757A | 10* | SOWK 757B | 10* |
| SOWK 700 | 96* | SOWK 700 | 96* | SOWK 700 | 96* |
| SOWK 578 | 0 | ||||
| Total Quarter Units | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Total Year 1 Units: 20 units
Year 2
| Summer | Units | Fall | Units | Winter | Units | Spring | Units |
| SOWK 518 | 3 | SOWK 519 | 3 | SOWK 548 | 5 | SOWK 613 | 4 |
| SOWK 520 | 3 | SOWK 574 | 3 | SOWK 662 | 4 | SOWK 681 | 2 |
| SOWK 757B | 10* | SOWK 757C | 20* | SOWK 787A | 10* | SOWK 651 | 2 |
| SOWK 700 | 96* | SOWK 700 | 96* | SOWK 705 | 100* | SOWK 787A | 10* |
| SOWK 705 | 100* | ||||||
| Total Quarter Units | 6 | 6 | 9 | 8 |
Total Year 2 Units: 29 units
Year 3
| Summer | Units | Fall | Units | Winter | Units | Spring | Units |
| SOWK 620 | 2 | RELR 540 | 3 | SOWK 695B | 2 | SOWK 647 | 3 |
| SOWK 648 | 3 | SOWK 695A | 2 | SOWK 695C | 2 | SOWK 617 | 3 |
| SOWK 663 | 3 | SOWK 661 | 4 | BHCJ 550 | 2 | SOWK 787C | 10* |
| SOWK 787B | 10* | SOWK 787B | 10* | SOWK 787C | 10* | SOWK 705 | 100* |
| SOWK 705 | 100* | SOWK 705 | 100* | SOWK 705 | 100* | ||
| Total Quarter Units | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Total Year 3 Units: 29 units
Total Program Units: 78 units
*These courses reflect practicum hours, which are charged at a lower rate than academic units.
Please Note: A Qualifying Review must be taken before the end of the second Fall Quarter. A total of 480 SOWK 757ABC practicum hours and 60 seminar hours must also be completed by the end of the second Fall Quarter. Additionally, a total of 600 SOWK 787ABC practicum hours and 60 seminar hours must be completed by the end of the third Spring Quarter. This averages approximately 10 to 12 hours per week.
4-Year Option
Most 4-year candidates enter the online MSW program in Fall Quarter and complete at the end of Spring Quarter of their fourth year. This requires fifteen quarters of coursework and commitment to the practicum experience. Summer Quarter attendance is required during the second, third, and fourth years.
Year 1
| Fall | Units | Winter | Units | Spring | Units |
| SOWK 513 | 4 | SOWK 585 | 3 | SOWK 514 | 4 |
| SOWK 505 | 2 | SOWK 548 | 5 | ||
| Total Quarter Units | 6 | 8 | 4 |
Total Year 1 Units: 18 units
Year 2
| Summer | Units | Fall | Units | Winter | Units | Spring | Units |
| SOWK 518 | 3 | SOWK 519 | 3 | SOWK 517 | 4 | SOWK 510 | 3 |
| SOWK 520 | 3 | SOWK 574 | 3 | SOWK 757A | 10* | SOWK 651 | 2 |
| SOWK 578 | 0 | SOWK 700 | 96* | SOWK 757B | 10* | ||
| SOWK 757A | 10* | SOWK 700 | 96* | ||||
| SOWK 700 | 96* | ||||||
| Total Quarter Units | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 |
Total Year 2 Units: 21 units
Year 3
| Summer | Units | Fall | Units | Winter | Units | Spring | Units |
| SOWK 663 | 3 | RELR 540 | 3 | SOWK 662 | 4 | SOWK 613 | 4 |
| SOWK 757B | 10* | SOWK 695A | 2 | SOWK 787A | 10* | SOWK 681 | 2 |
| SOWK 700 | 96* | SOWK 757C | 20* | SOWK 705 | 100* | SOWK 787A | 10* |
| SOWK 700 | 96* | SOWK 705 | 100* | ||||
| Total Quarter Units | 3 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
Total Year 3 Units: 18 units
Year 4
| Summer | Units | Fall | Units | Winter | Units | Spring | Units |
| SOWK 620 | 2 | SOWK 661 | 4 | SOWK 695B | 2 | SOWK 647 | 3 |
| SOWK 648 | 3 | SOWK 787B | 10* | SOWK 695C | 2 | SOWK 617 | 3 |
| SOWK 787B | 10* | SOWK 705 | 100* | BHCJ 550 | 2 | SOWK 787C | 10* |
| SOWK 705 | 100* | SOWK 787C | 10* | SOWK 705 | 100* | ||
| SOWK 705 | 100* | ||||||
| Total Quarter Units | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
Total Year 4 Units: 21 units
Total Program Units: 78 units
*These courses reflect practicum hours, which are charged at a lower rate than academic units.
Please Note: A Qualifying Review must be taken before the end of the third Fall Quarter. A total of 480 SOWK 757ABC practicum hours and 60 seminar hours must be completed by the end of the second Fall Quarter. Additionally, a total of 600 SOWK 787ABC practicum hours and 60 seminar hours must be completed by the end of the third Spring Quarter. This averages approximately 10 to 12 hours per week.
💬 Student Story
My experience at Loma Linda University has been so meaningful. All of the professors in the MSW program are both knowledgeable educators and practicing clinical social workers who bring real-world experience into every class. Their support has made such a huge difference in my learning. I know LLU's academic rigor and clinical focus will provide me with a strong foundation that will carry over into my future career in the social work field. I am incredibly proud to be a student at LLU and part of such an amazing community.
➕ Add a Certificate to Your Online MSW Program
Students entering an MSW degree program within the Department of Social Work and Social Ecology who are interested in obtaining certification in Play Therapy or Drug and Alcohol Counseling will receive a tuition waiver for the certificate program of their choice. Please note that courses taken as part of the Play Therapy certificate do not count toward the MSW degree (core requirements and electives). Students taking the Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate can apply 6 units to their MSW program; however, these units do not qualify for a tuition waiver and must be specified by their academic advisor.
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💡Frequently Asked Questions
Are the online program requirements the same as the on-campus MSW?
Yes. All program requirements—including coursework, field hours, grading policies, conduct expectations, advancement criteria, and graduation requirements—are identical to those of the on‑campus program. The online cohort simply completes coursework in an online modality.
Is field practicum completed online?
No. All field practicums are completed in-person, regardless of program modality. Online students must reserve one full weekday (Monday–Friday) during regular business hours for practicum.
How many field hours are required in the online program?
Online MSW students complete:
- 480 hours Generalist Practicum at ~10 hrs/week
- 600 hours Advanced Clinical Practicum at ~10 hrs/week
Total MSW practicum = 1,080 field hours
Can online students complete practicum in the evenings or on weekends?
No. Practicum must take place during regular business hours (Monday–Friday). Weekend or evening field placements are not permitted.
How are field placements arranged for online students?
Placements are arranged only through the Director of Field Education. Students must:
- Complete a field application in the online field practicum documents portal
- Attend Field Orientation (SOWK 578)
- Participate in a matching interview
Are background checks required?
Yes. Online students must complete:
- A University background check
- A separate agency background check (e.g., Live Scan)
Costs may fall to the student.
What are the expectations for supervision?
Online students receive:
- Individual supervision at least every other week (minimum 1 hour)
- Group supervision may supplement but cannot replace individual supervision
What assignments are required for field courses?
Online students must complete:
- Learning plan
- Time logs
- Process recordings every 4 weeks
- Wholeness journal
- Quarterly evaluations
- All documentation is completed in the online field practicum documents portal
How far might I travel for a practicum site?
Students must have reliable transportation. Sites may be >45 minutes from the student's home, and public transit is not viable.
Can online students work full time while enrolled?
Yes. Online MSW students must reserve at least one full weekday for field and meet all academic standards.