Social Work (M.S.W.) Traditional Entry

The online Master of Social Work program prepares students to work as clinicians who support individuals, families, groups, and communities in hospitals, private practice, schools, and social service settings. This program offers both the coursework and the 900 hours of work in the field  as required by the  New York State Education Department and as necessary to sit for the entry-level licensing exam in the state of New York.

The Traditional Entry program is intended for students who enter the program without a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). This program has two sequential phases. The program begins with a strong generalist foundation of social work education and 450 hours of clinical experience at an external agency or organization. The duration of this first phase is eight 16-week semesters. After completing this generalist phase, students move to the specialist level of the program. At this point, courses are focused on the field of clinical social work with an emphasis on recovery models. At this specialist level of the program, students engage in a second round of clinical courses for another 450 hours, which enables graduates to leave the MSW program with the 900 clinical hours required by the program and to fulfill the internship requirements of CSWE, the accrediting body for social work education.

Students can enter the program at the beginning of the Fall, Spring, or Summer Semesters. Students may enroll in up to two classes per 8-week part of term.   

Retention and Graduation Requirements 

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in the program, must complete all degree requirements, and must pass the comprehensive exam that is taken as a program requirement during the final semester in the program.

Student Learning Goals

Outcomes for the MSW are based on the nine core competencies set out by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students will begin work towards proficiency in the competencies through coursework taken at the generalist level and will revisit each core competency at the specialization level. Upon graduation from this program students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
4. Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
5. Engage in Policy Practice
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities