Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs in New York (N.Y.) – Online and On-Campus

From Albany to New York City, New York state has several universities that offer MSW programs, many of which offer concentrations for students interested in specialty areas. This resource provides information on MSW programs in New York that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and offer advanced-standing enrollment opportunities to Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) graduates. Learn more about selecting an MSW program to help prepare you for a career in social work as a licensed master social worker (LMSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in New York.

Social Work Degree Programs in New York

Prospective social work students can choose from a range of degree programs throughout the state. From well-known schools in New York City to flexible programs in upstate New York, individuals have the choice to stay local or move to a different part of the state to pursue their degree online and in person. They may have to complete prerequisites and/or send in recommendations and GRE test scores as part of their application.

In addition to learning organizational theory and leadership skills, social work students can specialize in topics like addiction, child welfare and geriatrics. Students can earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree in social work from programs in New York.

Online social work degree programs often provide greater flexibility compared to traditional on-campus learning options. To complete supervised clinical training, your school may require you to live within a certain distance of campus, so keep that in mind when you apply.

With an online MSW program, students may take classes at certain times of the week. For example, some schools may offer classes in the evenings to accommodate students working full-time jobs. Flexible social work programs allow you to complete your MSW coursework from anywhere, but usually require candidates to complete in-person clinical hours which are essential for licensure.

Learn more about MSW programs:

• Advanced Standing MSW Programs Online
• Clinical MSW Online Programs
• Online MSW Programs With No GRE Requirement

Education Requirements

Applicants for advanced standing social work programs at New York universities must have earned a BSW from a program accredited by the CSWE.

Similar to other graduate degree programs, many MSW programs in New York may require letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, field experience, official transcripts and a minimum GPA. To learn more about an MSW program and its prerequisites, visit the school's website or reach out to an admissions advisor.

Curriculum

Some MSW programs in New York offer specializations or concentrations in one or more facets of social work. MSW students typically complete a foundational year or curriculum, regardless of their chosen specialization. Requirements for traditional programs may include coursework in:

• Human behavior theory
• Social work theory
• Foundations of social work
• Social policy
• Psychopathology
• Field internships

If you choose to specialize when earning your MSW degree, you can expect coursework in your second year to hone in on your chosen area of expertise, along with field internships. Curriculum can vary, so be sure to check with your preferred university for more information.

What Can I Do With an MSW Degree in New York?

As of May 2024, there are more than 67,470 social workers in New York. This total includes child, family, and school social workers (27,220); healthcare social workers (22,880); mental health and substance abuse social workers (14,180); and social workers, all other (3,190). The state also employed an estimated 1,770 postsecondary social work teachers (social work professors).

By earning an MSW degree in New York, you can pursue licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and meet the graduate-education requirement to work toward Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure (which also requires supervised clinical experience and the required exam). In CSWE’s most recent annual survey summary, New York accounted for 10.7% of U.S. MSW enrollment in the 2023–2024 academic year, making it one of the top states for MSW enrollment. (CSWE reports MSW degree-conferral percentages using the latest available graduate year in the same summary; for that metric, New York is also listed as the top state.)

MSW graduates in New York may pursue social work careers, such as a school social worker in the New York State Education Department (NYSED) or a military social worker at one of the state’s military bases or with the Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative. Learn how to become a social worker and the various opportunities in the field. More specifically, learn about how to become a social worker in New York, as well as how to pursue social work licensure.