There are many reasons why veterans choose to become military social workers, a career path that allows them to work with people who share a military background, turning their hardships into sources of strength and support for those in need. This is a career path that promises to be both engaging in the day-to-day and fulfilling in the long term, allowing you to make an impact in the lives of fellow veterans and service members.
For California-based veterans and active duty service members, there are numerous accessible education offerings to help you pursue a career as a social worker on your own terms.
From fully online programs to on-campus programs close to military bases, full-time schedules to more flexible part-time arrangements, there’s no shortage of options to help you take the reins on a thriving career in social work in the military.
In order to receive licensure and qualify for civilian social worker jobs in the military, you must hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. These programs, in turn, require applicants to hold bachelor’s degrees in any subject, though applicants with Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degrees can qualify for expedited master’s degree programs. This guide features an index of California’s most affordable social work programs, offering both BSW and MSW degree options that won’t break the bank.
Veterans Career Development Should Not Come at a High Cost
The schools included in this guide have been selected specifically for their affordability, but veterans and active duty service members have the opportunity to lower their costs further, in some cases eliminating them altogether.
Though there can be many considerations for veterans pursuing new career trajectories, affording your education shouldn’t be one of them thanks to the many military benefits at your disposal.
Indeed, the federal and state resources available for veterans include numerous educational benefits, such as scholarships and aid programs that can help fund your education at both the undergraduate and graduate level. You are urged to take a look at federal benefits available to support veterans’ and active duty service members’ education and to apply to relevant programs early into the admissions process.
California-based veterans also have the unique opportunity to make use of the California Military Department GI Bill Award Program, which can pay for up to 100% of tuition and fees at schools within the University of California (UC), Cal State University (CSU), and California Community College (CCC) systems, as well as numerous other private institutions. As you will see, many schools on the list below are part of these systems, meaning you are highly encouraged to take advantage of them to help fund your education.
The Origins of Military Social Work Explained
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the history of military social work in the US is seen as having originated in 1926. This is when the VA was founded, drawing from existing Red Cross operations to build a new supportive structure that more directly addressed the unique needs of veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families. Recognizing that reintegration into civilian life posed new difficulties for veterans and their families, programs arose to support military families through a host of issues, including mental and physical health and wellbeing, substance abuse and addiction recovery, poverty and homelessness, and more.
Critically, the VA has always been designed to evolve in step with the changing needs of veterans and military members. This has led to important advances in social work practice with the military, from trauma-informed care methodologies to more targeted professional training opportunities that can help veterans get back on their feet. As eyewitnesses to the lived struggles of veterans, civilian social workers for military organizations have helped direct the field toward more effective and deep-seated
Today, the VA is the largest employer of social workers in the United States, offering a range of supportive services to military members and their loved ones in every state in the country. By becoming a military social worker, you’ll be joining a legacy that you can be proud of.
Index of Social Work Programs (listed alphabetically)
Below is a list of the most affordable military-friendly social work programs in California. They have been selected for their low cost of tuition, their proximity to California military bases (within one hour’s driving distance), and their participation in benefit programs that can further reduce the cost of schooling. These include online, on-campus, and hybrid programs, as well as full-time and part-time options, meaning students with a huge variety of needs and goals should all be able to find what they’re looking for.
California State Polytechnic University – Humboldt
Location: Arcata
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): On-campus, online
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $10,928
MSW Specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
Nearby military bases: N/A
California State University – Dominguez Hills
Location: Carson
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $16,986
MSW Specializations:
- Community Mental Health
- Community Capacity Building
- Children, Youth, and Families
Nearby military bases: Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos
California State University – Fresno
Location: Fresno
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $14,352
MSW Specializations:
- Behavioral Health and Integrated Practice
- School Social Work
- Child Welfare
Nearby military bases: Naval Air Station Lemoore
California State University – Fullerton
Location: Fullerton
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $17,024
MSW Specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
Nearby military bases: Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach
California State University – Long Beach
Location: Long Beach
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): On-campus, online
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $16,884
MSW Specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
Nearby military bases: Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos
California State University – Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $16,496
MSW Specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
Nearby military bases: Los Angeles Air Force Base
California State University – Monterey Bay
Location: Seaside
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $14,352
MSW Specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
Nearby military bases: Presidio of Monterey, Naval Support Activity Monterey
California State University – Northridge
Location: Northridge
Website
Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): Online
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $17,048
MSW Specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
Nearby military bases: Los Angeles Air Force Base
California State University – Sacramento
Location: Sacramento
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $14,352
MSW Specializations:
- Behavioral Health
- Children and Families
- Health and Aging
Nearby military bases: Beale Air Force Base
California State University – San Bernardino
Location: San Bernardino
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Dual Degree: MSW/Master of Public Administration
Program delivery format(s): On-campus, online (part-time only)
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $14,352
MSW Specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
Nearby military bases: March Air Reserve Base
California State University – San Marcos
Location: San Marcos
Website
Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): Online (part-time), hybrid
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $14,352
MSW Specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
Nearby military bases: Camp Pendleton
San Diego State University
Location: San Diego
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
Dual Degree MSW/MPH
Program delivery format(s): On-campus
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $19,448
MSW Specializations:
- Administration
- Community Development
- Direct Practice/ Clinical Social Work
Nearby military bases: Imperial Beach, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Naval Base Point Loma, Naval Base San Diego, Silver Strand Training Complex
San Jose State University
Location: San Jose
Website
Bachelor of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
Program delivery format(s): On-campus, online, hybrid
Estimated cost of tuition (per year): $18,852
MSW Specializations:
- Advanced Generalist
Nearby military bases: Moffett Federal Airfield
FAQs
What degree do I need to perform social work in the military?
In order to become a military social worker (or any type of social worker in California), one must hold a Master of Social Work degree. This is a flat requirement in order to qualify for state social work licensure of any type, making it a necessary first step of any social worker’s career.
How can a Bachelor of Social Work help me in my career?
Though a BSW is not sufficient to qualify you for social work licensure, it can help you expedite your grad school process. BSW holders are uniquely qualified for Advanced Standing MSW programs, which take only a year to complete full-time. This makes a BSW an excellent choice of bachelor’s degree for those who haven’t yet completed their undergraduate education.
How can I qualify for military social work jobs when there are few programs offering concentrations in this focus area?
It’s true that few social work programs offer concentration pathways in social work and the military. This means that it is not a requirement in order to enter the world of military social work; many enter the field having pursued Advanced Generalist degrees or concentration pathways such as Clinical Social Work or Mental Health. However, you can begin to pursue military social work training through your field internship placement during your MSW program, providing on-the-ground experience before you leave graduate school.
What does military social worker pay look like in California?
Though the Bureau of Labor Statistics has not released a report on military social worker salary data specifically, its 2023 report on social workers in California can provide a broad guideline for incoming social workers. These statistics find a mean annual salary range from $69,340 to $93,200, depending on your responsibilities and place of employment. One can assume that the average military social work salary is within this range.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2024.