Social Welfare

University of California, Berkeley

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). S tudents 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.

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

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.

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:

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:

Course List
CodeTitleUnits
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:

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:

Course List
CodeTitleUnits
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.

Course List
CodeTitleUnits
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.

Course List
CodeTitleUnits
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.

Course List
CodeTitleUnits
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:

Course List
CodeTitleUnits
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.

Course List
CodeTitleUnits
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

  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:

Course List
CodeTitleUnits
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 217CAging and Public Health3

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:

Course List
CodeTitleUnits
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

  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: