The UCLA Department of Social Welfare offers the Master of Social Welfare (MSW) and a Ph.D. in Social Welfare. Joint degrees offer an even broader range of skill and expertise development. An undergraduate Minor in Public Affairs is also available.
The UCLA Department of Social Welfare’s research and teaching guide policy makers, shape practice and programs in such areas as welfare, aging, health care, mental health, children and families, and long-term support. UCLA Social Welfare faculty members are committed to placing their knowledge at the service of communities and empowering the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.
Academic Programs
UCLA Luskin’s Master of Social Welfare is a full-time, two-year program. In addition to our core curriculum, you can participate in an advanced research course or research project focused on an issue of interest to you. Two field placements with social work agencies let you put into action what you have learned in the classroom, providing invaluable real-world experience.
The Ph.D. in Social Welfare is a national leader in educating the next generation of social welfare scholars. Whether your interest is in service delivery or scholarly research, you will design your own advanced education aimed at pursuing your own intellectual interests.
The Undergraduate Minor in Public Affairs complements a liberal arts or science major through a systematic examination of a broad range of issues, mainly through the analysis of specific social, political and economic problems. An Undergraduate Minor in Gerontology is also available.
Concurrent Degree Programs include four joint graduate degrees: Social Welfare MSW / Asian American Studies MA; Social Welfare MSW / Law JD; Social Welfare MSW/Public Health MPH, and Social Welfare MSW / Public Policy MPP.
International Study Opportunities include summer programs, internships, international/comparative planning workshops and international exchange agreements.
Visitor Programs attract and highlight visiting scholars, post-doctoral and graduate researchers, international professionals and trend-setting work by students at other institutions.
CSWE Accreditation
As a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, our MSW program measures and reports student learning outcomes. Click the link below for the most recent data, which is updated every two years.
News
A Research Spotlight on the World’s Vulnerable People UCLA Luskin launches international outreach to identify strategies to empower women and children
UCLA Luskin launches international outreach to identify strategies to empower women and children
Graduating Students Seek Out Solutions Near and Far The capstone research projects that are now part of all UCLA Luskin programs tackle local challenges or examine issues that extend far beyond campus and California
The capstone research projects that are now part of all UCLA Luskin programs tackle local challenges or examine issues far beyond campus and California
Her Personal Journey Forged a Path for Others Founder of outreach to women in the sex business is named alumna of year by UCLA Luskin Social Welfare
Founder of outreach to women in the sex business is named alumna of year by UCLA Luskin Social Welfare
Latoya Small is one of several recent additions to the outstanding Social Welfare faculty. Find out more about Small and her research in a recent profile by the Center for HIV Identification, Prevention and Treatment Services.
Why Study Social Welfare at UCLA?
The UCLA Department of Social Welfare’s research and teaching guide policy makers, shape practice and programs in such areas as welfare, aging, health care, mental health, children and families, and long-term support. UCLA Social Welfare faculty members are committed to placing their knowledge at the service of communities and empowering the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.
Students in our programs come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are attracted to the diversity and vitality of Los Angeles from across the country and around the world. They represent a broad range of undergraduate degrees including psychology, sociology, social work, business administration, political science, literature, and world arts.
The programs attract individuals with a strong interest in public service who share a passion for assisting those in need. Our program reflects the commitment to making a difference that is common among social workers nationwide and reflected in recent public service announcements from the National Association of Social Workers.
LGBTQ Youth PSA
Single Parents PSA
Older Adults PSA
Typically, students who are accepted into UCLA’s program have a minimum of 1-2 years of work and/or volunteer experience.
Most students live off campus and spend a significant percentage of their time in field placements. The Department of Social Welfare and the students themselves have compiled a list of department and university resources to aid them in their studies here at UCLA.
Contacts
Department of Social Welfare
Luskin School of Public Affairs
3250 Public Affairs Building
Box 951656
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656
phone: (310) 825-2892
fax: (310) 206-7564
Laura Abrams
Chair
abrams@luskin.ucla.edu
(310) 825-5932
Shelly Brooks
Manager
(310) 825-1429
brooks@luskin.ucla.edu
Tanya Youssephzadeh
Graduate Advisor
tyousseph@luskin.ucla.edu
Oliver Ike
Admissions Officer
(310) 825-7737
oliver@luskin.ucla.edu
Steven King
Administrative Specialist
(310) 825-2892
king@luskin.ucla.edu
Carmen Mancha
Administrative Analyst, Field Education Office
(310) 825-2257
cmancha@luskin.ucla.edu
Tera Sillett
CalSWEC Administrative Analyst
(310) 206-6048
tsillett@luskin.ucla.edu
