Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs in New York (NY) – Online & On-Campus
From Albany to New York City, there are several cities with universities that offer MSW programs. Many of these programs offer varying options of concentrations to fine-tune your future practice. All of the below MSW programs in New York are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and offer advanced standing enrollment opportunities for those who have already earned their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Learn more about selecting an MSW program to pursue a career in social work as a licensed master social worker (LMSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in New York.
Sponsored Online MSW Program
Fordham’s Master of Social Work—Delivered Online
Fordham’s skills-based, online MSW program integrates advanced relevant social work competencies, preparing students to serve individuals and communities while moving the profession forward. This program includes advanced standing and traditional MSW options.
Sponsored Online MSW Program
Syracuse University’s Online MSW—No GRE Required
Syracuse University’s CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work program is preparing the next generation of social work leaders through an emphasis on digital innovation and social justice. No GRE scores are required to apply, and the program offers Standard and Advanced Standing tracks.
Social Work Degree Programs in New York
Prospective social work students can choose from a range of degree programs throughout the state. From prestigious schools in New York City to flexible programs in upstate New York, choices give candidates the option to stay local or move to a different part of the state to pursue their degree online and off. They may have to complete perquisites and/or send in recommendations and GRE test scores in order to gain acceptance to a program.
The skills students learn in social work school include organizational theory and leadership. They may choose to focus on specific topics like addiction, child welfare and geriatrics, among others, as well as earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate at social work programs in New York.
You may want to pursue an online degree in social work because it’s much more flexible than on-campus learning. To complete supervised clinical training, your school may require you to live within a certain distance of the school’s physical location, so keep that in mind when you apply. Some social work programs may let you work in your state; it all depends on the college’s requirements.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in New York
A CSWE-accredited university with a Master of Social Work program in New York will offer you the skills you need to become a social worker in New York. You will also do the required clinical training and prepare for your ASWB test.
| University | City | Concentration | Program Options |
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| Adelphi University | Garden City, NY | Certificate options in Bilingual School Social Work or Human Resources Management |
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| Binghamton University, SUNY | Binghamton, NY | None |
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| College at Brockport, SUNY | Brockport, NY | Gerontology Certificate Program Available |
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| College of Saint Rose | Albany, NY | None |
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| College of Staten Island | Staten Island, NY | Disability Studies |
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| Columbia University | New York, NY |
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| Daemen College | Amherst, NY | None |
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| Fordham University | Bronx, NY | None |
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| Hunter College, CUNY | New York, NY |
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| Keuka College | Keuka Park, NY | None |
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| Lehman College | New York, NY | None |
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| Long Island University | Long Island, NY |
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| Nazareth College of Rochester | Rochester, NY | Interdisciplinary Specialty Program in Autism (I-SPAN) |
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| New York University | New York, NY | None |
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| Nyack College | New York, NY |
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| Roberts Wesleyan College | Rochester, NY |
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| SUNY at Stony Brook | Stony Brook, NY |
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| Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY |
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| Touro College | New York, NY |
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| University at Albany, SUNY | Albany, NY |
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| University at Buffalo, SUNY | Buffalo, NY | None |
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| Yeshiva University | New York, NY |
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| York College, CUNY | New York, NY | Healthcare-Focused Social Work Practice |
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Online MSW Programs in New York
| University | City | Concentrations | Program Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelphi University | Garden City, NY |
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| Columbia University | New York, NY |
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| Fordham University Sponsored Program | New York, NY |
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| Syracuse University Sponsored Program | Syracuse, NY |
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| Touro College | New York, NY |
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| University at Buffalo (State University of New York) | Buffalo, NY | Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspective |
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| Yeshiva University | New York, NY | Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families, Group Work and Community Practice |
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With an online MSW program, students may take classes at certain times of the week; for instance, some schools may host classes in the evenings on weeknights so that students working full-time jobs can also participate. These flexible social work programs may allow you to complete your MSW coursework from anywhere, but you’ll still be expected to complete clinical hours in person to ensure you can earn your licensure.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
Learn more about MSW Programs:
Education Requirements
If you are pursuing an advanced standing program at any of the above New York universities, you will likely need to have already completed a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree accredited by the CSWE.
Similar to other graduate degree programs, some of these MSW programs in New York may require letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, human services experience, official transcripts, and a minimum GPA. Be sure to check with your preferred NY university above for more information on their MSW program.
Curriculum
Some MSW programs in New York offer specializations or concentrations which focus on one or more facets of social work. Whether you choose a specialization or not, there will likely be a foundational year, or foundational curriculum for traditional students. Requirements for traditional programs may include specific coursework in:
- Human Behavior Theory
- Social Work Theory
- Foundations of Social Work
- Social Policy
- Psychopathology
- Field Internships
If you choose to specialize your MSW degree, you may expect coursework in your second year to be centered on that topic with field internships. Curriculum will vary amongst the New York MSW programs, so be sure to check with your preferred university for more information.
What can I do with an MSW degree in NY?
As of May 2019, there are more than 60,000 social workers in New York. This includes child, family, and school social workers; healthcare social workers; mental health and substance abuse social workers and all others, as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition there are also 2,750 post-secondary social work teachers, or professors of social work.
By earning an MSW degree in New York you may prepare for licensure as an LMSW or to become an LCSW. In 2019, the CSWE reports that New York accounted for 12% of all MSW students, the highest of all states and had the highest number of graduates across the country with 12.6%.
MSW degree graduates in New York may pursue social work careers as a school social worker in the New York State Education Department (NYSED), a military social worker at one of the military bases in New York or pursue the Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative . Learn more on how to become a social worker and various opportunities for you. Learn more about how to become a social worker in New York or you may check out more on social work licensure.
FAQs
Which school has the best MSW program in New York (NY)?
All of the New York universities above have programs accredited by the CSWE as of November 2020. To determine which school has the best MSW program in NY is likely dependent on your own goals. If you want to become a school social worker, for example, you may want to pursue an MSW degree with a focus on school social work to help prepare you for appropriate licensure and certification.
What is the typical cost of an MSW program in NY?
The cost of an MSW program in NY will vary by university, type of program and type of enrollment. Be sure to check with your preferred program for more information. Regardless, each university with an MSW program in NY will have a financial aid office and likely opportunities to apply for social work scholarships, grants, and loans for financing your MSW degree.
Is it worth getting an MSW?
Earning a Master of Social Work degree is dependent on what your career goals are. If you are looking to earn licensure to practice as a social worker in New York, you will need to have completed an accredited MSW program. The projection of social work jobs is at 13% from 2019 to 2029, so there is a presumed need to fill those estimated 90,000+ roles.
How long does it take to become a social worker in New York?
Depending on your career pathway, your completed education may take up to five years, accounting for completing a BSW in four years and pursuing a one year advanced standing program. However, if you are pursuing an LCSW license and do not have an MSW, the time to become a social worker in New York may be longer for education requirements and postgraduate clinical experience hours required for licensure.
Information on this page was updated in November 2020.