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 Clinical Social Work Advanced Standing (Specialized) program is intended for students who enter the program with a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). 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 clinical courses and undertake 450 hours of clinical internship. Combined with the BSW internship hours, this enables graduates to leave the MSW program with the minimum 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.
Incoming students to the Advanced Standing program must demonstrate knowledge in the areas of mental health assessment and recovery models. Students who cannot demonstrate this knowledge will be required to take SWK 502 and/or SWK 505 prior to enrollment in 600 level courses.
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 a comprehensive exam 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 in the specialization year. Upon graduation from this program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
