Master of Social Work (MSW)

1. Prepare advanced generalist practitioners who demonstrate the ability to use their knowledge, values, and skills to work at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice within local, national, and global contexts.
2. Educate graduates to utilize social justice and human rights frameworks in their work and to embrace social action practice.
3. Inspire graduates who lead efforts to improve health and wellness in the lives of all people and to create a more just and life-affirming society.
4. Promote the ability of graduates to engage in critical, self-reflective, and ethical practice.
5. Develop practitioners who utilize strengths-based, person-in-environment, and empowerment approaches in all their work that are informed by a respect for human dignity, diversity, and inclusiveness.
6. Educate practitioners who can engage in research-informed practice models and who can contribute to the creation of knowledge in the field of Social Work by engaging in practice-informed research processes.

The MSW program requires students to select a specialization in their second year. Three areas of specialization are offered:

• Community, Policy, and Political Social Action (CPPSA)
• Families, Youth, and Transition to Adulthood (FYT)
• Integrated Health: Physical, Psychological, and Social Well Being (IH)

Specializations build on the generalist practice competencies that students have mastered in their first-year courses and practicum placements. Through advanced practice courses and practicum placements, specializations offer students the opportunity to develop both a deep and broad understanding of a domain of practice, preparing them for a successful career path in that area of social work.

Students will learn about all practice levels within a particular field, from evidence-informed clinical practice with specific populations to policy and policy practice, community services, program development and leadership, and research. Specializations offer students a state-of-the-art understanding of social work with a special focus on either integrated health, families and youth, or community action and social policy. Students achieve advanced competencies in their chosen specialization and may note their achievements on their resume upon graduation. 

All three specializations are offered on the Long Island Campus and the Manhattan extension site.

Students who have graduated from a CSWE-accredited baccalaureate program in social work within the past five years may apply for the Advanced Standing program. Students applying for this option must demonstrate their readiness to function at the level of a second-year MSW student.

Students generally complete the program in one year, or may opt for a reduced program and complete the requirements in 1.5 to 2 years. Students spend three days in a field education setting over one academic year and must complete both the required and elective courses. Students in this program cannot use their place of employment for their practicum placement and must earn all 36 credits as matriculated students in the School of Social Welfare. Students in the Advanced Standing program must choose a specialization, but will generally follow the format listed above (Advanced Curriculum/Second Year Specialization).

This option is designed for students who choose not to follow the regular full-time schedule. Students must take a minimum of two courses per semester (6 credits) but may take up to three courses per semester (9 credits).

Part-time students begin practicum education during the fall semester of their second year. Social Work Practice courses must be taken concurrently with practicum education in the second year (HWC 513 with HWC 500; HWC 514 with HWC 501). HWC 505: Integrating Seminar must be taken in the spring semester of the second year. The degree requirements are typically completed in three to four years.

Part-time students will develop a curriculum plan with their advisors, designating in which semesters they will enroll in these required courses.

• Submit a $100 non-refundable application fee. Please see the application for more information about fee waivers.
• Applicants must hold or be in progress of pursuing a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university (CSWE) with a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 (2.8 preferred).
• Upload all unofficial transcripts* for any college credit earned (including college courses taken while in high school).
• Complete a personal essay that displays your understanding of the profession, the School of Social Welfare's Mission, and readiness for graduate social work education through the manner in which you address the identified issues and your use of examples that illustrate your points. Although you may include any information that you believe is pertinent to your application, please be sure to discuss the provided essay questions indicated on the application.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required from past or current professors and/or employers, supervisors, or health care professionals for whom you have worked in a paid or volunteer position.
• Resume.

There are no prerequisite courses or GRE test scores required for admission into the MSW program. Please do not send transcripts to the Graduate School. Applicants must upload transcripts through their application portal or mail them to the School of Social Welfare. Transcripts sent to the Graduate School may cause a delay in admissions review.

See Application Material Guidelines for more information about the admissions requirements.

NOTE: The Online Full-Time program spans two years and is currently accepting applications from candidates who can fulfill their practicum requirements within Long Island and the Five Boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island).  

We only admit for a fall semester start. We do not offer a spring semester start. Applicants can pursue the MSW program at our Long Island Campus or Manhattan location.

• Submit a $100 non-refundable application fee. Please see the application for more information about fee waivers.
• Applicants must hold or be in progress of a Bachelor of Social Work degree* from an accredited Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) college/university with a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Upload all unofficial transcripts for any college credit earned (including college courses taken while in high school).
• Complete a personal essay that displays your understanding of the profession, the School of Social Welfare's Mission, and readiness for graduate social work education through the manner in which you address the identified issues and your use of examples that illustrate your points. Although you may include any information that you believe is pertinent to your application, please be sure to discuss the provided essay questions indicated on the application.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required from past or current professors and/or employers, supervisors or health care professionals for whom you have worked in a paid or volunteer position.
• Resume.
• Submit the Advanced Standing Practicum Evaluation Form (located in the application).

*Applicants who have earned a Bachelor's of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program must have received the degree within the last five years.   

There are no prerequisite courses or GRE test scores required for admission into the MSW program. Please do not send transcripts to the Graduate School. Applicants must upload transcripts through their application portal or mail them to the School of Social Welfare. Transcripts sent to the Graduate School may cause a delay in admissions review.

See Application Material Guidelines for more information about the admissions requirements.

Students are required to complete nine credit hours of advanced elective courses. Advanced practice electives are only open to students who have completed their foundation courses. Advanced practice electives are part of the advanced generalist curriculum and address topics that consider specific populations, complex problem situations, or particular social work roles and functions relevant to advanced generalist practice. Electives are offered on different days, evenings, and weekends in order to respond to the varying needs of the student body.

Note that Electives vary by semester. All Electives are cross-cutting across specializations and are available to those in any specialization.

Students are eligible to take the advanced electives after completion of all classes in the generalist foundation year curriculum. The only exceptions are Program Evaluation and Proposal Writing, which students are eligible to enroll in after completion of HWC 511: Research 1 and HWC 513: Research 2. Electives may be taken across specializations.