Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing)
Work to improve lives and communities as a social worker.
Program Overview
Accelerate your path to professional clinical practice. This track is specifically designed for students who have already laid a foundation in social work and are ready to transition directly into advanced clinical coursework.
The Advanced Standing MSW allows qualified students to skip foundational courses, focusing instead on advanced practice, policy, and clinical application.
- Total Credits: 30 credit units.
- Completion Time: Can be completed in as little as one year (three semesters).
- Format: Online, CSWE-accredited.
- Start Dates: May and September cohorts.
Eligibility & Admissions Requirements
To qualify for the Advanced Standing track, applicants must meet the following specific criteria:
- Degree: Must hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
- Recency: The BSW degree must have been earned within the last seven years.
- GPA: A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required
Not a BSW holder? If your bachelor’s degree is in another field, explore our Traditional MSW Track which provides the necessary foundational coursework to begin your career in social work.
Financial Information
While the Advanced Standing MSW offers a shorter path to graduation, please note the following regarding financial assistance:
- Federal Financial Aid: Because the Advanced Standing MSW is a newly established program, federal financial aid is currently unavailable for this specific 1-year track.
- Alternative Options: Several other financing options are available. Your admissions counselor can connect you with a student finance representative to discuss alternative payment and financing options.
- Transfer Credits: Alliant may accept up to 45 transfer credits toward your degree, depending on a personalized estimate.
Shared Program Excellence
Our Advanced Standing students benefit from the same high-caliber resources and community as our traditional MSW candidates. To learn more about the pillars of our program, visit the following:
- Meet Our Faculty: Get to know the diverse faculty at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) who bring real-world clinical experience to the online classroom.
- Accreditation & Quality: Learn about the significance of our CSWE accreditation and how it ensures your education meets rigorous national standards.
- Licensure Support: Explore how our curriculum prepares you for the ASWB licensure process and LCSW eligibility.
Career Outcomes
This accelerated track prepares graduates for advanced roles in:
- Healthcare and surgical hospital facilities.
- School social work and educational support.
- Mental health, substance abuse, and social justice settings.
- Policy advocacy and non-profit leadership.
