Social Work (M.S.W.) Traditional Entry - HEGIS Code 1201.00

The online Master of Social Work program prepares students to become social workers and offer a wide-range of therapies and other social work services to individuals, families, groups, and communities in hospitals, private practice settings, schools, and social service settings. The MSW program offers the 60 credits of coursework and the 900 hours of field education credit necessary to earn the MSW degree, as well as meet the requirements of the New York State Education Department, both of which are necessary to take the entry-level licensing exam in the New York State (and other US states).

The Traditional MSW Program is intended for students with a bachelor’s degree, with the exception of those students entering with bachelor,s degree in social work (BSW) who may be admitted to the Advanced Standing MSW Program.  Students can enter the program at the beginning of the Fall, Spring, or Summer Semesters, and the program has two sequential phases. The program begins with a strong generalist foundation of social work education and 400 hours of social work field placement experience at an external agency or organization. The generalist-level courses are taken over eight, eight-week terms consecutively over the summer, fall and spring semesters. After completing the generalist phase, students move to the specialist level of the program. The specialist-level courses have stronger emphasis on clinical social work and recovery approaches. At the specialist level, students engage in advanced courses and participate in field placement for another 500 hours.  The specialist-level courses are also taken over an additional eight, eight-week terms consecutively over the summer, fall and spring semesters. In total, graduates leave the MSW program with a minimum of 60 graduate credits, in addition to the 900 field practicum hours as required by CSWE, the accrediting body for social work education. 

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