Social Welfare
Enhancing human well-being and promoting social and economic justice for disadvantaged populations through innovative research and practice.
Education with Impact
The UCLA Department of Social Welfare offers the Master of Social Welfare (MSW) and a PhD in Social Welfare. Joint degrees offer an even broader range of skill and expertise development. For undergraduate students interested in social welfare, UCLA Luskin offers an undergraduate BA in Public Affairs, Minor in Public Affairs, and Minor in Gerontology.
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
Dual Degrees
By the Numbers
National ranking
We are ranked #8 in the nation for graduate Social Welfare programs by U.S. News & World Report, and #2 in California, reflecting our faculty’s leadership in social work research and specialized curriculum.
Year of establishment
As the oldest and largest department at UCLA Luskin, we lead the way in social work scholarship, training the next generation of practitioners to address complex global needs.
Faculty-to-student ratio
With a small faculty-to-student ratio, we offer students personalized mentorship, close collaboration with faculty, and a more supportive, community-centered learning environment.
Students receiving financial aid
We offer robust fellowship support, including diversity, merit- and need-based awards, and most PhD students receive full tuition and fee coverage.
Why UCLA?
World-Class Faculty & Specialized Curriculum
Learn from extraordinary scholars who are leaders in social work research and practice. Our curriculum allows you to specialize your expertise in one of three advanced areas:
- Child and Family Well-Being
- Health and Mental Health across the Life Span
- Social and Economic Justice
A Diverse Community in a Global Hub
Join a passionate cohort of bright, diverse advocates from around the world. Based in Los Angeles—arguably the most dynamic region for social action—our students bring backgrounds in sociology, psychology, and public service to tackle the demographics and challenges of a changing nation.
Lifelong Professional Network
Join a diverse student community and gain lifelong access to UCLA’s global alumni network of more than 450,000 Bruins leading change and advancing social impact in communities and organizations around the world.
Social Welfare Events
Our Student Community
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.
Contacts
Department of Social Welfare
Luskin School of Public Affairs
3250 Public Affairs Building
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656
phone: (310)Â 825-2892
Poco D. Kernsmith
Chair
(310) 825-5932
poco@luskin.ucla.edu
Shelly Brooks
Manager
(310) 825-1429
brooks@luskin.ucla.edu
Amy Tinoco
HCAI Student Services Advisor
(424) 442-6532
atinoco@luskin.ucla.edu
Carmen Mancha
Administrative Analyst, Practicum Education Office
(310) 825-2257
cmancha@luskin.ucla.edu
Ervin Huang
Assistant Director of Student Advising
(310) 825-5581
ervin@luskin.ucla.edu
Lorraine Rosales
PPSC Coordinator
(424) 259-5051
lorraine@luskin.ucla.edu
Oliver Ike
Admissions Officer
(310) 825-7737
oliver@luskin.ucla.edu
Tanya Youssephzadeh
Director of Student Services
tyousseph@luskin.ucla.edu
Alex Avendaño
Student Services Advisor
alexavendano@luskin.ucla.edu
Tera Sillett
CalSWEC Administrative Analyst
(310) 206-6048
tsillett@luskin.ucla.edu