If you’re eager to take the first steps in your social work education but aren’t ready to take on a four year bachelor’s program, getting an Associate Degree of Social Work can be an excellent place to start.
An Associate’s Degree of Social Work will lay the foundations from which you can build a thriving social work career, offering an entry point into the field and a strong basis from which you can continue your education.
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There are numerous excellent accredited social work programs in California offering degrees at the associate level, meaning prospective students all over the state should be able to find the opportunity that’s right for them.
So what is an Associate of Social Work degree, and what can recipients do with them? Read on to learn everything you need to know so that you can choose the educational path that’s right for you.
Associates Degrees in Social Work: An Overview
Associate’s degrees are designed for students who have not completed any form of higher education, i.e. bachelor’s degrees. It is intended as a preliminary level of education that can help motivated students build up their foundational knowledge of a given subject, qualifying them for entry-level positions in their chosen field and providing valuable course credits that can be put toward higher degrees in the future.
Associate Social Work programs typically take two years to complete, as opposed to the traditional four years of a bachelor’s program. This can be advantageous for students who aren’t able to take on a full four years of bachelor’s coursework.
Over the course of your Social Work Associate Degree program, you’ll be equipped with the skill and expertise needed to take on supportive roles in social work organizations, as well as transferable credits that you can use toward your bachelor’s degree down the line.
While this degree level alone is not enough to qualify you for California state social work licensure, it will allow you to play an indispensable role assisting licensed practitioners in delivering quality care.
A Note on Social Work Associate Degree Types
You may notice that the programs featured on this list offer a variety of degrees and degree types, including Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. The degree type you end up with will depend on the department offering your program (typically, they are hosted by Sociology, Human Services, or Behavioral Science departments).
No matter what type of associate’s degree you end up with, you should be eligible to transfer your credits in most bachelor’s programs.
That said, each type of associate’s degree is likely to include a slightly different set of core classes. Those who hold AA degrees may have more credits in humanities-related courses, while those in AAS or AS programs may have more science or psychology-related credits. This is something to keep in mind if you are hoping to use your course credits to help expedite your bachelor’s program down the line – the closer your associate’s degree aligns with your ultimate academic goals, the more transfer credits you will have at your disposal.
What You’ll Learn in a California Social Work Associate Degree Program
The Social Work Associate Degree curriculum in California can vary depending on the specific program you’re attending, but it will touch upon a variety of key subjects in the social work field. These include:
- High school diploma or GED
- Academic transcript with GPA
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) (Some schools do not require these)
- Personal statement
- Academic or professional reference letters
This framework will give students the foundational knowledge needed to take on assistant and aide roles in social work organizations, as well as potentially guiding students toward the social work specializations they may pursue further into their careers.
Admission Requirements
California social work degree admission requirements will vary by school, but across the board you can expect to be asked for the following:
- Foundations of social work practice
- The history of social work in the United States
- Focus areas in social work
- Ethics and responsibilities of social work practitioners
As you prepare to apply for schools, it’s crucial to look at the exact application requirements of each school on your list, as each school will have its own expectations. Learning what is required of you at the outset of applying will help you tailor your applications to meet each school’s specifications, making you the best candidate possible for your chosen programs.
Associate’s Degree of or Bachelor of Social Work? Deciding Between Educational Paths
Associate’s degrees are intended for students who haven’t yet attended undergraduate programs in any subject. Meanwhile, those who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees also have the opportunity to take on Social Work majors. So what is the difference between these two options, and how can students decide between the two?
First things first: an Associate Degree in Social Work is a two-year program, while a Bachelor of Social Work is a four-year program. This means that for many students, the key difference between the two options is the program duration.
Students who aren’t able to take on the rigorous coursework of a four-year bachelor’s degree right away can benefit from the more manageable schedule of an associate’s program, which will help expedite their bachelor’s coursework later on.
Another key distinction is that a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) will qualify you to apply for Master of Social Work (MSW) programs, continuing on your path to becoming a licensed social worker in California. (In fact, you can hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject to pursue your MSW – a BSW will simply help expedite your academic journey.) One will not be eligible for master’s programs with only an associate’s degree.
That said, those who obtain associate’s degrees can put their course credits toward BSW degrees down the line. This is one of the primary reasons why students elect to enroll in associate’s programs in the first place, offering a more affordable alternative to a bachelor’s program that can later expedite BSW coursework. This can be a great plan for those who aren’t ready to pursue bachelor’s degrees, as it can help speed up your bachelor’s program once you are ready to take on more academic coursework.
Social Work Associate Programs in CA
The following is a list of affordable social work associate degree programs in California, including on-campus and online, full-time and part-time options to accommodate students with a variety of needs and learning styles. These include offerings at traditional colleges and universities as well as community colleges all over the state.
It’s worth noting that some of the following programs offer degrees in Human Services rather than Social Work. These are similar course offerings to Social Work programs and will render graduates eligible for the same positions in social work organizations.
Take a look at our index of the best social work programs in California below:
Allan Hancock College
Location(s): Santa Maria, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,288
Allan Hancock College offers a foundational education in social work through their Human Services Associate of Science degree pathway. The coursework of this program takes a generalist approach, touching upon diverse topics within the social work field that range from practical skills to contextual and philosophical underpinnings of the social work profession, based around three rubrics: Interpersonal Helping Skills, Ethics and Boundaries, and Documentation. Within these categories, students will be able to choose between electives focused on specialization areas within the social work arena, with course offerings including Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Addiction; Human Sexuality; and Group Dynamics.
The AS of Human Services program at Allan Hancock College is equally designed for students who intend to transfer to bachelor’s programs at California universities as well as those who wish to pursue entry-level social work positions as soon as they’ve obtained their associate’s degrees.
American River College
Location(s): Sacramento, CA
Format(s): In-person, hybrid
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Human Services
Associate of Arts (AA) in Chemical Dependency
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $840
American River College is a school of the Los Rios Community College District. It offers two associate degree tracks for students interested in entering the social work profession: the AA in Human Services and the AA in Chemical Dependency. The former of these takes a generalist approach to the social work field, including what the school defines as the “twelve helper core function applications”: client screening, intake, assessment, orientation, counseling, consultation, client’s rights, confidentiality, crisis intervention, client’s education, professional ethics, and reports and record keeping. The latter aims to instill the same skills in students with a specific focus on these practices within addiction support service environments, funneling them more directly toward substance abuse service careers in the future. Both programs are offered by the department of Human Services.
Students who are seeking scheduling flexibility in their educational experience can take advantage of ARC’s hybrid delivery model, which includes both in-person and online courses to minimize commuting time for students with outside responsibilities. The school’s Associate of Arts programs are also available on a part-time basis for those who wish to take fewer courses per semester.
Bakersfield College
Location(s): Bakersfield, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $874
Bakersfield College’s AA in Human Services degree path offers an interdisciplinary approach to the social work field, drawing from disciplines including Sociology, Psychology, and Child Development. This curriculum is designed to enrich students’ knowledge of key issues in the social work profession, procedures and methods in care delivery, and cultural competence as social service practitioners.
Those who wish to get started with hands-on social work training will find an excellent opportunity to do so at Bakersfield College, which requires Human Services students to complete a field work internship at an accredited social work organization in their second year of school. For those who wish to see the day to day responsibilities of a social worker up close, this is an excellent opportunity to do so.
Berkeley City College
Location(s): Berkeley, CA
Format(s): In-person, hybrid
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,470
Bay Area-based students who seek flexibility in their social work education can find an excellent option in Berkeley City College. The school offers its AA in Social Work and Human Services both in-person and online, and additionally offers nighttime classes for students who are holding down outside employment during the daytime. This can be tremendously advantageous for prospective students who otherwise might not be able to take on the rigorous coursework of an associate’s degree program.
The coursework in BCC’s Social Work and Human Services program is oriented toward practical career education, designed to help students break into the social work field quickly. This is ideal for those who wish to pursue entry-level work in social service organizations as soon as they’re done with school. That said, those who wish to ultimately transfer to bachelor’s programs will also earn credits that will be eligible for transfer at most California universities.
Cabrillo College
Location(s): Aptos, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) in Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,380
Those seeking hands-on training in social work organizations will find the opportunity to get their feet wet in the field in Cabrillo College’s AS of Human Services program, which includes on-the-ground service learning internships at local community programs as part of students’ coursework. This is intended to enrich students’ classwork, which covers a range of theoretical, historical, and practical topics to provide a broad overview of the social work field.
Human Services students at Cabrillo College have three options for concentrations while in school: the Generalist track, which provides a general survey of the variety of specializations and subtopics in the social work field; the Drug and Alcohol Studies track, for students who know they wish to pursue work as addiction counselors and specialists in the future; or, for especially motivated students, a concentration in another social work focus area of their choosing, to be arranged in coordination with a professor in the department. This is an excellent option for students who wish to receive focused training as soon as they begin their social work education.
Cañada College
Location(s): Redwood City, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts in Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $667
Students who know they wish to transfer to bachelor’s programs upon completing their associate’s degrees will be in an excellent position to do so at Cañada College, which offers an AA of Social Work and Human Services program specifically designed to help students easily transfer to a California State University (CSU) upon completion of their associate’s program. This is worth keeping in mind if obtaining a bachelor’s degree (particularly a Bachelor of Social Work degree) is part of your long-term career plan.
The coursework at Cañada College features an array of topics, including core curriculum requirements in the fields of Biology, Economics, Math, and Psychology, concentration courses that provide a survey of approaches to the social work field, and a field work requirement that gives social work students the opportunity to work directly for local social service organizations, developing hands-on skills and a firsthand knowledge of the ins and outs of the social work profession.
Cerro Coso Community College
Location(s): Ridgecrest, CA
Format(s): Hybrid, online
Website
Associate of Science in Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,365
The Human Services AS degree at Cerro Coso Community College is designed to prepare students for introductory work experiences in the social work profession. Available in fully or partially online formats, students with outside scheduling needs can benefit from the school’s scheduling and delivery flexibility. (There is no fully in-person option for Human Services students at Cerro Coso Community College.) The program can also provide transferable credits for those who wish to obtain bachelor’s degrees once they have completed their AA programs.
Cerro Coso’s curriculum includes an overview of key topics in the social work profession, including history, delivery models, cultural competence, and case management. Elective topics include an array of social work focus areas, including Child Growth and Development, Children with Special Needs, Psychology, Substance Abuse, and Lifespan Development. Students are also required to complete field work hours with a social work or human services agency, offering them their first professional experience in the social work arena.
Chabot College
Location(s): Hayward, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) in Human Services
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $529
There are two associate’s degree paths at Chabot College for students interested in pursuing social work: the AS in Human Services and the AA-T in Social Work and Human Services. The former is designed for students who intend to pursue entry-level positions in social work organizations as soon as they’ve completed their associate’s programs. The latter is designed for those who plan to pursue bachelor’s degrees once they have graduated, providing coursework aligned with the curricular requirements at California State University (CSU) schools, making it as easy as possible to transfer. Prospective students should keep their long-term plans in mind when selecting the pathway that’s right for them.
Both of the Human Services/Social Work associate’s programs at Chabot College include a fieldwork requirement, giving students the opportunity to gain first hand exposure to a social worker’s day to day career. These experiences will enrich students’ understanding of the social work profession, building hands-on skills and helping students refine their plans for their career paths once they’ve completed school.
City College of San Francisco
Location(s): San Francisco, CA
Format(s): In-person, online
Website
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Social Work
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): Potentially free (see below), $506 for California state residents
If you’re a San Francisco resident who’s eager to pursue a social work education, you have a tremendous opportunity in store for you: thanks to the city’s Free City program, San Francisco residents are eligible for free tuition at City College of San Francisco. To qualify, students must be a California resident for one year and a day and be San Francisco residents as well. This is a fantastic program designed to make quality education accessible to as many students as possible. You can learn more about the Free City program here.
City College of San Francisco offers a Social Work Associate’s degree designed for ease of credit transfer to CSU and UC bachelor programs upon completion. This program includes coursework in a variety of disciplines to equip students with a well-rounded perspective on the social work profession as well as hands-on fieldwork experiences at social service organizations to help build skills and firsthand knowledge of the daily duties of a social work practitioner.
Those who are interested in LatinX studies may find the course offerings at City College of San Francisco especially appealing, as the school has a designated major in the topic with some classes open to social work students. This can be an excellent choice for those who intend to pursue social work supporting California’s exceptionally large LatinX population, equipping students with targeted lessons to provide insights into the unique needs and values of LatinX communities.
Coastline Community College
Location(s): Fountain Valley, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) of Human Services
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) of Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,380
Coastline Community College offers two associate’s degree paths for those interested in entering the social work profession: the AA of Human Services, which is the best choice for students who wish to begin working at a social service organization immediately upon graduating from their associate’s program, and the AA-T of Social Work and Human Services, which features a curriculum specifically designed to provide a maximum number of transferable credits for students who intend to go on to pursue bachelor’s degrees at many Cal State University schools.
Beyond their connection to students’ chosen path in their lives after school, one of the key distinctions between these two programs is the opportunity to complete field work, which is part of the AA of Human Services but not part of the AA-T of Social Work and Human Services. This is because the AA of Human Services is designed to give students meaningful professional experience while they are still in school, making students more qualified for paid positions in social work organizations as soon as they graduate. This is worth keeping in mind as you plan your academic path at Coastline.
College of the Sequoias
Location(s): Visalia, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services (Social Work)
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,380
College of the Sequoias’ AS of Human Services is a particularly strong option for students who plan to enter the social work profession immediately upon graduating (and do not wish to pursue a graduate degree after completing the program). Though students may be able to transfer some of their credits within bachelor’s programs, the primary objective of College of the Sequoias is to build skills that can help entry-level social workers hit the ground running.
Students at College of the Sequoias will spend several semesters completing field work in social service organizations, building a wide breadth of knowledge of the responsibilities of social work practitioners in different key focus areas. They are also able to pick from a long list of elective courses so that they can tailor their educational paths to suit their individual career goals. Course offerings include (but are not limited to) Black American Studies, American Indian Studies, Chicano/a Studies, Asian American Studies, Issues in Family Violence, Social Psychology, Human Sexuality, and more.
Columbia College
Location(s): Sonora, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,380
Columbia College’s AA-T in Social Work and Human Services is specifically designed to support students who are certain they would like to eventually pursue bachelor’s degrees upon graduating. Its coursework is tailored to the curricular requirements of CSU schools, ensuring that graduates can do so as seamlessly and efficiently as possible.
In alignment with CSU’s core curriculum, the Social Work AA-T program includes courses in an array of academic subjects, including Math, Psychology, Sociology, Biology, and Economics. Students then have the opportunity to take electives in a variety of disciplines, allowing them to begin to focus their studies on the social work specialization of their choice. Course choices here include (but are not limited to) Child Development, Intercultural Communication, Race and Ethnicity in America, and Introductions to Drugs and Behavior, among others. This program also includes a practicum (field work) requirement, giving students their first exposure to daily work in social service organizations.
Contra Costa College
Location(s): San Pablo, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Health & Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): Free for qualifying full-time students; $1,302 for others
Students who feel daunted by the cost of higher education have a fantastic opportunity at Contra Costa College, which offers FREE tuition to full-time students. In order to qualify, students must be California residents enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits each term. They also must submit FAFSA or California Dream Act applications, even if they do not qualify for aid from these applications. (For more information on this program, visit Contra Costa College’s Full-time Free Tuition Program page here.)
The Health & Human Services AA degree program at Contra Costa College offers students a multi-pronged approach to social work education, providing course materials that survey the philosophical underpinnings of social work practice as well as introduce students to the professional responsibilities of social workers, with courses including topics such as case management, counseling skills, and group processes.
Cosumnes River College
Location(s): Eureka, CA
Format(s): In-person, hybrid
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Human Services, General
Associate of Arts in Chemical Dependency Studies
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Cosumnes River College is part of the Los Rios Community College District. The school offers two associate degree paths for aspiring social workers: the Generalist degree path and the Chemical Dependency Studies concentration path. Courses for both of these programs are partially available online, allowing students greater scheduling flexibility and reduced commuting time while in school.
If you’re hoping to transfer to a bachelor’s program after obtaining your associate’s degree, it’s worth noting that neither of these programs are specifically designed to meet CSU or other California university core curriculum requirements. That said, it is possible for students in the Generalist program to design their coursework with the assistance of a faculty advisor to maximize transferable credits while in this program. Those in the Chemical Dependency Studies concentration will have a harder time acquiring a significant number of transferable credits, meaning this program is primarily recommended for those who wish to immediately enter the social work profession to help those struggling with substance abuse and addiction.
Cuyamaca College
Location(s): El Cajon, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
The Cuyamaca College AA of Social Work program is designed equally for students who wish to pursue bachelor’s degrees upon completion as well as for those who wish to launch their social work careers right away. This generalist program allows students to get a rich overview of the social work field with unique attention to biological and health care related topics in social work, including Public Health and Psychobiological Human Development.
While students who are seeking transfer credits at Cuyamaca College will be able to find them, the AA of Social Work program is also intended to help students ascertain the type of work they wish to pursue once they become social work practitioners. Beyond helping students determine which social work focus area most calls to them, the program also educates students on the differences between micro, mezzo, and macro approaches to social work, exposing them to the many types of engagement social workers can get involved in.
Cypress College
Location(s): Cypress, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts in Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,432
Cypress College offers an AA of Human Services that offer both an expansive overview of social work as a discipline and an opportunity to focus on one of seven areas of specialty: Alcohol and Drug Studies, Conflict Resolution, Criminal Justice, Family Studies, Gerontology, Human Services Generalist, and Victimology. This provides fantastic exposure to the social work field as well as a chance for students to pinpoint their exact career goals while they’re still in school.
The AA of Human Services program at Cypress College is not explicitly designed for students intending to transfer to bachelor’s programs upon graduating. While it is still possible to acquire transfer credits within this program, students are advised to design their course schedules alongside academic advisors to ensure they will graduate with a significant number of usable course credits.
Folsom Lake College
Location(s): Folsom, CA
Format(s): In-person, online
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work/Human Services
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Social Work/Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Folsom Lake College is part of the Los Rios Community College District. Its AA in Social Work/Human Services program is designed to introduce future social workers to the central tenets of the field as well as the variety of focus areas that their work could address. The program also gives students the opportunity to build professional skills through field work experiences at local social service organizations, supplemented by focused technical courses on topics such as case management, assessment interviews, and group work.
Folsom Lake College offers multiple AA tracks: a general Social Work/Human Services track, which is best for students who are certain they intend to pursue work opportunities as soon as they’ve finished school, and multiple AA-T tracks designed around providing the course credits students will need at various universities, such as the Cal State system. Students who attend this program should be sure to speak to advisors as soon as they enroll to confirm that they are taking transferable courses if this is their goal.
Fresno City College
Location(s): Fresno, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services – Pre-Social Work
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Social Work
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,104
Fresno-based social work students can choose between associate’s degree paths at Fresno City College. The school offers two formats of a traditional social work associate’s degree, one for those who wish to immediately become paraprofessionals in social service organizations and the other designed for students who intend to transfer to bachelor’s programs upon obtaining their associate’s degrees. (The school’s AA-T degree coursework is primarily designed to meet the curriculum requirements of Cal State University schools.)
Those who are interested in pursuing work related to addiction and recovery can do so through Fresno City College’s AS of Alcohol and Drug Counseling, a third option that provides a curriculum chiefly focused on these issues, designed to build the targeted skills needed to work at substance abuse counseling centers. This includes two semesters of field work at local recovery organizations, giving students their first work experience to build the complex skills needed to support those struggling with addiction.
Glendale Community College
Location(s): Glendale, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) of Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $920
Prospective social work students in Glendale, Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas can obtain their associate’s degree from Glendale Community College, which offers a program specifically designed to help students transfer to bachelor’s programs upon completion. As with most transfer-focused associate’s degree programs in California, this coursework is designed to meet the core curriculum requirements of Cal State University schools.
This program is designed to equip students with a “biopsychosocial” understanding of social work as a discipline, drawing in courses from the Biology, Psychology, Child Development, and Sociology departments, in addition to core requirements in the English, Math, and History departments.
Las Positas College
Location(s): Livermore, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): Free
Recognized as one of the nation’s best community colleges, Las Positas is now offering an incredible opportunity to California residents: FREE tuition for full-time students. This brand-new program is an incredible boon for students who have been daunted by the cost of pursuing higher education, allowing them to acquire transferable credits for a bachelor’s program for no money at all.
As an AA-T degree, Las Cositas’ Social Work and Human Services program is specifically intended to help students acquire credits to be used toward a bachelor’s degree at a Cal State University school. This coursework draws from the Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, and Ethnic Studies departments to help students develop a well-rounded understanding of the social work field. Students will also complete core curriculum requirements in the Math and Economics department to round out their credits for bachelor’s programs down the line.
Long Beach City College
Location(s): Long Beach, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) of Social Work
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300 (FREE for LBUSD graduates)
Long Beach City College offers an AA of Social Work that can equip students with the skills they need to break into entry-level social work positions as well as earn credits that can be applied toward bachelor’s programs in the future. Required courses for this major touch on a particularly large number of social work focus areas, including (but not limited to) gerontology, victimology, disability rights, and domestic violence. Learning about these different specialization areas can help students figure out which causes they’d like to devote their careers to while they’re still in school.
For students who graduated from a high school within the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), there’s another compelling reason to attend LBCC: thanks to the school’s recently adopted Free Tuition Initiative, Long Beach City College is completely free to those who attended high school in the region. Even those who did not attend an LBUSD school are encouraged to look into this program, as it offers some options – such as the Viking Advantage program – that can make this path possible for other students as well.
Los Angeles City College
Location(s): Los Angeles, CA
Format(s): In-person, hybrid
Website
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
LACC’s Associate of Social Work program is specifically designed to help students transfer into Cal State University programs upon graduating. Incorporating courses from the Psychology, Sociology, and Ethnic Studies departments, the school ensures that students acquire the knowledge and core competencies needed to take on the delicate responsibilities of a social worker.
The final semester of this two-year program gives students the opportunity to do supervised field work at any number of Los Angeles-based social work organizations, giving them a wide array of choices that can help them find meaningful and rewarding work. Students can tailor their choices to the causes and communities they’d most like to support in their work, potentially leading them toward their long-term career paths as social workers in the years to come.
Madera Community College
Location(s): Madera, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) of Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,332
Madera Community College’s AA-T of Social Work and Human Services program is designed to promote five intended learning outcomes for students: the ability to conduct assessments, legal and ethical expertise in social work issues, facility in treatment planning, extensive and up-to-date knowledge of available community resources, and self-care methods to help them manage the stresses and difficulties that can come from the high responsibilities of a social worker.
In their last semester at Madera Community College, social work students complete a field work credit at the social service organization of their choosing. This step is an important investment in professional skill-building, giving students their first work experiences and the opportunity to see the career of a social worker up close.
Mendocino College
Location(s): Ukiah, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) – Human Services Paraprofessional
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Though Mendocino’s social work associate’s program confers upon students a “Human Services Paraprofessional” degree, the program is equally suited for those who wish to work directly after school as it is for those who plan to attend a bachelor’s program upon completion. This program includes major courses that cover the key skills needed to become a social work professional, as well as two semesters of field work to allow students to apply those skills in a hands-on setting.
It’s worth noting that since this program is not explicitly designed for students planning to transfer their credits, those who are planning to do so are encouraged to plan their course trajectory with a faculty advisor to ensure that they will obtain a useful number of credits to eliminate a significant amount of bachelor’s coursework.
Merced College
Location(s): Merced, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Merced College’s AA in Human Services program aims to enrich students’ knowledge of the social work profession through a variety of different lenses: philosophical, sociological, historical, practical, and more. Drawing from numerous disciplines, students receive an education that speaks to the multifaceted impact of social work practice as well as getting an opportunity to receive a hands-on social work internship at the end of their program.
Students of this program also have a long list of elective courses to choose from, helping them design an individualized curriculum that speaks to their own interests and long-term career goals. Topics include focused courses on marginalized demographics, such as Chicano/a Studies, History of African Americans in the US, and Southeast Asian Culture: Hmong; focus areas of social work, including Family Violence, Marriage and the Family, and Drugs and Alcohol; and broader topics such as Social Anthropology and Comparative Cultures.
Merritt College
Location(s): Oakland, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Community Services
Associate of Arts (AA) in Substance Abuse
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300 (first year FREE)
Oakland-based students who are interested in social work have two options for associate’s programs at Merritt College: the Community Services track and the Substance Abuse track. The former is similar to a traditional generalist social work program, offering students skill-building and a wide base of knowledge to take on entry-level paraprofessional work in social service organizations. (It is also possible to transfer credits from this program to bachelor’s programs down the line.) The Substance Abuse track is more directly focused on addiction support, equipping students with skills ranging from diagnostic abilities to a variety of counseling modalities to direct intervention strategies. This culminates in an internship opportunity at an Oakland-based addiction recovery organization, where students will be able to put their education into practice to support those who are struggling. This track satisfies formal education requirements to become a California Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor.
Best of all, thanks to the Merritt Promise initiative, first-year college students enrolled in full-time coursework are eligible to attend their first year of school completely for free. All that is required is for students to be California residents and to apply to FAFSA or the California DREAM Act (even those who are not accepted will still qualify for free tuition). This can be game-changing for students seeking opportunities that won’t set back their finances.
Mira Costa College
Location(s): Oceanside, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) of Social Work & Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Mira Costa College is one of Southern California’s oldest community colleges, reaching its 90th anniversary in 2024. Its AA-T of Social Work & Human Services program is hosted by the department of Behavioral Sciences, though coursework includes classes in a range of subjects including Sociology, Biology, Psychology, Humanities, and more. This program provides students with an overview of social work topics, providing an extensive orientation that builds professional skill and a large breadth of knowledge.
As an AA-T degree program, Mira Costa College’s social work program is specifically tailored to the needs of students who plan to transfer to bachelor’s programs upon completion. Students are nevertheless encouraged to meet with faculty advisors to make an individualized plan so that they can ensure they will be able to use their credits upon enrolling in bachelor’s programs.
Modesto Junior College
Location(s): Modesto, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Human Services
Associate of Arts (AA) in Chemical Dependency Counseling
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Modesto Junior College offers two associate’s degrees related to the social work field: a traditional AA of Human Services, which provides a comprehensive overview under a Generalist rubric, and an AA of Chemical Dependency Counseling, a focused program that is accredited by the California Association of Drug and Alcohol Educators (CADAE), conferring students with certificates achievement upon graduating.
MJC also offers certificates in the areas of Gerontology and Psychosocial Rehabilitation which graduates can elect to add on to their associates degrees. Even those who do not choose to pursue these certificates can benefit from the in-depth curriculum and resources related to these topics that the school provides.
Monterey Peninsula College
Location(s): Monterey, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): FREE for first-time students
Monterey-based students seeking affordable educational options can do no better than Monterey Peninsula College, whose Promise program covers both years of an associate’s degree program completely free of charge. The only requirements of this program are that students be California residents, submit either FAFSA or DREAM Act, and that this is their first time attending a higher education program. This is a fantastic opportunity for students looking to build serious professional skills without taking on the debt that many programs can lead to.
The AS of Human Services program at MPC offers a Generalist curriculum designed to give students a broad understanding of the social work field, building skills that can be used in a variety of social work positions. This coursework is equally suited for students who intend to join the workforce as soon as they graduate as it is for students whose goal is to transfer to bachelor’s programs later on.
Moreno Valley College
Location(s): Moreno Valley, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services and Counseling Practices
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Moreno Valley College’s AS of Human Services and Counseling Practices offers an overview of the social work profession that places an emphasis on – you guessed it – counseling (though other aspects of the social work field are encompassed within this curriculum as well). Students will learn different approaches to providing direct services to patients as well as skills related to case management, advocacy, and ethical leadership in social work organizations.
Though not officially a transfer degree, students of MVC’s Human Services and Counseling Practices program will graduate with many transferable credits that can help expedite bachelor’s programs down the line. If this is your goal, it’s worth meeting with a faculty advisor early on into beginning the program to ensure that you are designing a course load that will be helpful to achieving this goal down the line.
Napa Valley College
Location(s): Napa, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) of Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Napa Valley College offers what the school describes as a “person-centered, strength-based” approach to the social work profession, helping students tap into their skills and talents to become the best care practitioners they can in their social work careers. Coursework is enriched by two semesters’ worth of field work experience, giving students extensive training and exposure to the daily life of a social work professional so that they can approach their professional goals with seasoned knowledge and insight.
Since Napa Valley College offers both an AS and an AA-T track, students should decide early if they would like to use their course credits to transfer into bachelor’s programs after graduating. While the AS degree program may provide some transferable course credits for bachelor’s programs, the AA-T is specifically designed to make the transfer process as easy and efficient as possible, making this the better choice for those who know their associate’s degree is only the first step of their education.
Palomar College
Location(s): San Marcos, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Palomar College allows students in its AA of Social Work and Human Services program a good deal of academic flexibility while in school, with elective course options in a wide array of topics including Alcohol and Drug Studies, Group Leadership, Co-Occurring Disorders, Sociology of Health, Psychology and Sociology of Aging, and Principles of Learning and Behavior Modification, among others. These choices encourage students to gravitate toward the topics that are most interesting to them, which in turn can become the basis for students’ longtime careers.
Many of the courses offered at Palomar College are transferable at Cal State Universities, UC schools, or both. It’s a good idea for students who plan on attending bachelor’s programs upon completion to think seriously about where they would like to transfer their credits down the line, as this will help you choose classes that will suit your long-term goals once you have graduated from your program.
Rio Hondo College
Location(s): Whittier, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Social Work and Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Rio Hondo College offers an AA-T program most suited for students whose goal is to attend bachelor’s programs in the future. Their coursework is planned in alignment with Cal State University’s course requirements, helping students to seamlessly transfer their associate’s credits upon beginning their bachelor’s programs.
Students in the Social Work and Human Services program at RHC take classes in a variety of departments, including Human Services, Sociology, and Psychology, with elective courses in the departments of Government, Political Science, History, Ethnic Studies, and more. Topics for these courses include Administration of Justice, Child Growth and Development, Race and Ethnic Relations, Intercultural Communication, and more, allowing students to develop customized areas of expertise in accordance with their interests and long-term goals.
Riverside City College
Location(s): Riverside, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social and Behavioral Studies
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): FREE for first-time college students
Riverside City College’s AA in Social and Behavioral Studies provides an expansive and well-rounded education to help students qualify for paraprofessional roles in social work organizations as soon as they’ve completed school. This is an excellent choice for students who are eager to launch their professional careers as social workers as soon as they’ve obtained their social work degrees. While some of the credits students acquire in this program may be transferable in bachelor’s programs, this is not the explicit emphasis of the program, so those who know they would like to receive transfer credits should work closely with advisors to ensure that this will happen.
Coursework for social work students at RCC includes a variety of subjects, including Administration of Justice, Communication Studies, Geography, Guidance, Human Services, Sociology, and more. Interested students also have the opportunity to take American Sign Language (ASL) classes, which can be particularly useful if you are interested in working with deaf or hearing impaired communities in your professional life down the line.
If you are a first-time college student (whether a recent high school graduate or not), you are eligible for Riverside City College’s Promise program, which covers the full cost of tuition for both years of your associate’s program, provided you attend full time. View their website for full details of eligibility and the application process.
Sacramento City College
Location(s): Sacramento, CA
Format(s): In-person, hybrid
Website
Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Social Work and Community Studies
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Sacramento City College is part of the Los Rios Community College District. Its AA of Social Work and Community Studies is hosted by the department of Sociology, which is the primary subject for students’ major requirements. However, students have a wide range of elective options outside of the Sociology department, including courses in Juvenile Delinquency (in the Administration of Justice department), Intercultural Communication (Communications), and Psychology of Death and Dying (Psychology), among others.
Many of the classes included in the AA of Social Work and Community Studies core requirements are available online, meaning students have the option to pursue their education in a hybrid format. This can be a great choice for students who don’t wish to commute to school daily, offering greater flexibility and convenience while still offering a top-quality education that will lead you to the next steps of your professional life.
Saddleback College
Location(s): Mission Viejo, CA
Format(s): In-person, hybrid
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services – Generalist
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services – Alcohol & Drug Studies
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services – Mental Health Worker
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Saddleback College offers three Associate of Science degrees in Human Services, with concentrations in Alcohol & Drug Studies, Mental Health, or a Generalist overview for students who don’t yet know which area of specialization they’d like to focus on while in school. The former two of these tracks will build key competencies for students with targeted career goals, instilling the skills and knowledge that will help them enter the workforce fully equipped for their professional expectations. The Generalist degree is a great path for students who want to get the lay of the land of the social work profession, touching on all of the different focus areas they can choose from in their future career path. The Alcohol & Drug program, it should be noted, is accredited by the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE), providing students with counseling certification upon graduating.
If you are hoping to attend a bachelor’s program upon completing your associate’s degree, it’s recommended that you pursue the HS-Generalist track at Saddleback College, as it is the one most directly intended to provide transferable course credits for students. That said, if you are interested in one of the other degree pathways, it is worth speaking with a faculty advisor to confirm that you will acquire a reasonable number of bachelor’s credits in one of these programs as well.
San Bernardino Valley College
Location(s): San Bernadino, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Human Services
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) of Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
San Bernardino Valley College offers two associate’s degrees in Human Services: a traditional Associate of Arts degree and a transfer-focused degree designed to provide thorough course credits for students who plan to transfer to bachelor’s programs upon graduating. Those in the regular AA program have the opportunity to additionally pursue one of three professional certificates: Addiction Studies, Case Management in the Public Sector, or Human Services. If you are not intending to attend a bachelor’s program after earning your associate’s, this can be a great way of boosting your qualifications for your first employment opportunities.
Those in the AA-T program will not have the opportunity to pursue certificates while in their associate’s program, as the remainder of their course work will be focused on acquiring credits that are transferable in Cal State University schools. This will allow the greatest ease of transfer upon commencing your bachelor’s program.
San Diego City College
Location(s): San Diego, CA
Format(s): In-person, hybrid
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Social Work
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,104
San Diego City College’s Associate of Science of Social Work program is hosted by the department of Behavioral and Social Science. This means that coursework draws particularly from applied science courses with a focus on human behavior, building up a knowledge of scientific and critical tools for understanding psychological and behavioral issues as well as applied methods to help those in need form better self-management strategies.
The AS of Social Work program at SDCC is not specifically designed for students who intend to transfer to bachelor’s programs, but motivated students can work with faculty advisors to design course schedules that will fulfill Cal State University core curriculum requirements.
Some courses in this program will be available for students to take online.
Santa Rosa Junior College
Location(s): Santa Rosa, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Arts (AA) in Human Services – Advocacy Major
Associate of Arts (AA) in Human Services – Addiction Studies
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,242
Santa Rosa Junior College offers two curricular tracks in Human Services. One is an Addiction Studies major which is certified by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE), meaning students who graduate from this program will be eligible to pursue licensure as a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist. Students in this track will complete focused coursework related to addiction studies as well as field work internships at substance abuse recovery organizations.
The other associate’s track at SRJC is a Human Services Advocacy major, which is uniquely focused on the responsibilities of social workers as advocates for human rights. This also includes an overview of the different social work focus areas as well as a field work requirement allowing students to hold internships at the social service organization of their choosing.
Solano Community College
Location(s): Fairfield, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) of Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
The Human Services Associate’s Degree program at Solano Community College provides students with the skills and training needed to qualify for entry-level positions in social work organizations, including case management, group work, serving special populations, and more. This program is available in two tracks: the AA, designed for students who intend to pursue entry-level employment in social work organizations immediately upon graduating, and the AA-T track, which features a course load designed specifically to meet Cal State University transfer credit requirements.
SCC’s Human Services degrees are offered through the Social & Behavioral Science Department, but topics will be approached through a variety of disciplines, including Sociology, Economics, Psychology, Politics, History, and more. This will ensure that students have a multifaceted understanding of the social work profession, enabling them to pursue positions in a variety of social work specializations.
Southwestern College
Location(s): Chula Vista, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) of Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,104
Aspiring social workers in Chula Vista have an excellent associate’s degree program in their own hometown. Offered through the Behavioral Sciences department, coursework is designed to build core competencies for delivering social services as well as a broad base of contextual and historical knowledge to equip future social workers with a thorough understanding of the field.
There are two AA of Human Services tracks available at Southwestern College: a traditional AA program designed for those who wish to hit the ground running in their social work careers as soon as they graduate, and an AA-T program for those hoping to enroll in bachelor’s programs upon graduation, providing transferable credits in accordance with the Cal State University system.
Woodland Community College
Location(s): Woodland, CA; Lake County, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services
Associate of Science (AS) of Chemical Dependency Counseling
Associate of Arts for Transfer (AA-T) of Human Services
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): FREE for first-time students; otherwise $1,300
If you’re looking for a high-quality Social Work Associate’s program with extensive online course options, good news: Woodland Community College offers three. In addition to their remote learning option, WCC’s Human Services programs are also available on the school’s Woodland and Lake County campuses, making it a convenient educational option for students all over California. To make matters even better, the WCC Promise Award grants FREE tuition for two years to first-time college students, an excellent opportunity for those feeling overwhelmed by the normal cost of higher education.
The three Human Services programs at Woodland College are as follows: the AS of Human Services, designed primarily for students who plan to join the workforce upon graduating; the AA-T of Human Services, designed for students planning to transfer to Cal State University schools or other California universities; and the AS of Chemical Dependency Counseling, which meets the standards for application for certification as a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor II (CATC II). All three programs involve supervised field work, meaning students who plan to enroll in online courses should still expect to have in-person obligations for their internships.
Yuba College
Location(s): Marysville, CA
Format(s): In-person
Website
Associate of Science (AS) of Human Services
Associate of Science (AS) of Chemical Dependency Studies
Estimated cost of tuition (per year, in-district): $1,300
Yuba College offers two types of associate’s degree for future social workers: an AS of Human Services and an AS of Chemical Dependency Studies. The former has a generalist orientation, providing an overview of the discipline of Human Services with elective options in a variety of subjects, including Criminal Behavior, Childhood/Adolescence, Correctional Studies, and more. The latter is specifically intended for those who wish to go into addiction support services, providing a focused curriculum that will help students grasp the complexity of chemical dependency from a variety of perspectives. Students who graduate from this program will be eligible for licensure from the California Certification Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
These degree paths can support students who intend to transfer to bachelor’s programs upon obtaining their associate’s degrees, with many courses meeting Cal State University credit requirements. That said, it is recommended that any student in the program meet with a faculty advisor upon beginning the program to ensure that they have designed a course load that will help them meet future academic goals.
As you can see, the state of California offers a nearly unrivaled number of social work associate degree programs, making it possible for students to pursue the next steps in their career path no matter where in the state they’re located.
Career Opportunities with an Associate of Social Work Degree in California
An Associate’s Degree in Social Work will qualify you for entry-level positions in social work organizations. These roles are not eligible for the full responsibilities of licensed social workers, meaning you are unlikely to be in a position to provide direct services to clients. However, you will be able to provide direct support to those who do, making their work significantly easier and helping your organization run more efficiently overall.
If you wish to get started quickly in a role in which you can support individuals and families in need, an Associate of Social Work degree will allow you to do so.
Some of the top job titles for those who hold Associate of Social Work degrees include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Behavioral health aide
- Clinical aide
- Assistant case worker
- Social services assistant
- Child welfare aide
- School counselor aide
These roles offer terrific ways for aspiring social workers to gain an on-the-ground understanding of a social worker’s responsibilities, as well as helping motivated individuals determine which social work focus area they’d like to pursue in the long term.
Salary Expectations for Those Who Hold Associate of Social Work Degrees in California
California is one of the nation’s top employers of social workers, ranking as the #1 employer of school social workers, mental health social workers, and other social workers outside of the healthcare profession. This makes it an especially attractive place for incoming social workers to lay down their career foundations.
Salaries for social workers in California also tend to exceed national averages, sometimes by a significant margin. It’s worth noting that this is oftentimes in proportion to the state’s high cost of living. Still, this can be a motivating factor for prospective social work students who are still figuring out where they’d like to practice.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following median annual salaries for California-based social workers in the four primary areas of the field:
- Child, family, and school social workers: $69,340
- Healthcare social workers: $93,200
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $81,330
- Social workers, all other: $72,320
As you review these figures, keep in mind that the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not sort data according to employees’ education level – all are encompassed under a single job category. This means that those in entry-level positions are likely to earn on the lower side of the salary spectrum among social workers, while those with higher qualifications and more experience are likely to earn more. This can give those who hold Social Work Associate’s Degrees an incentive to return to higher education and possibly pursue licensure down the line.
Job Outlook for Those Who Hold Associate of Social Work Degrees in California
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report job outlook by state, but national job growth projections for social workers are quite promising.
The BLS projects a job growth rate of 7% for social workers over the next ten years, exceeding national averages in many other fields.
This means that those who pursue social work degrees at any level can expect to find plentiful job opportunities once they enter the social work field. This goes to show that if you’re looking to start a career as a social worker, you’ve picked an excellent moment to make your dreams a reality.
All data taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2023 report, accessed July 2024.
FAQs
Do I need a license to become a social worker in California?
The only social workers who are required to be licensed in California are those who are performing clinical social work, e.g. counseling and therapy services. In order to hold such a role, one must be certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which requires applicants to hold Master of Social Work degrees. Those hoping for higher-level responsibilities in social work organizations will also benefit from obtaining their MSWs, while those with BSWs and even Associate’s Degrees are qualified for entry-level social work positions.
Am I able to use my Associate of Social Work course credits as transfer credits later on in my education?
Yes. If you plan on pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work degree down the line, chances are that you’ll be able to put most of your associate’s credits toward your bachelor’s degree. This system of social work degree transfer credits in California can make getting an Associate of Social Work a compelling choice for prospective students, as it carries the potential of reducing your requirements while getting a bachelor’s degree.
I already hold a bachelor’s degree. Do I qualify for an Associate Degree of Social Work?
No. An associate’s degree is a lesser degree to a bachelor’s, meaning it will not make sense for you to complete an associate’s program, even if your bachelor’s degree is in another subject.
Is there financial aid for social work programs in California?
Yes. Most schools offer their own financial aid packages to help students take on the high cost of schooling. There are also many independent social work scholarships in California that applicants can apply to directly for additional sources of funding. Many of these programs’ applications are due around the same time as your program applications, so it’s imperative to track them down early into the application process. For our complete guide to scholarships, grants, and academic fellowships for social workers in California, visit our guide here.
Is it possible to enroll in part-time social work programs in California?
Yes. There are many part-time programs designed to allow students to maintain outside responsibilities, such as employment or family obligations. These programs reduce each semester’s coursework but extend the overall duration of the program, meaning students taking part-time courses should assume their program will last two to three years total.
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2024.