Monroe County is home to a host of outstanding opportunities to either kickstart your career in social work or explore new ways to be an agent for real change in this fulfilling profession. Plenty of county agencies like the Office of Children and Family Services, the Office for the Aging, the Office of Addiction Service and Supports, and the Department of Human Services employ their share of social workers, but so do big healthcare systems like the University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health.
Social workers are always on the payroll at schools throughout the county, including charter schools like the Rochester Academy of Science Charter Schools. They’re also important members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams at nursing homes and rehabilitation centers like Waterview Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Rochester and Wedgewood Rehab and Nursing Center in Spencerport. And they’re working tirelessly to help youth and their families at places like Pittsford Youth Services and in the county court system.
The Full Scope of Practice as a Monroe County Social Worker Comes Through an MSW and State LicensureÂ
Though settings and job duties for social workers often vary from one employer to the next, education, qualifications, and licensure remain set in stone through the New York State Education Department, which oversees the credentialing for the state’s Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) and Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW).
Whether you’re seeking the LCSW or the LMSW credential (the LCSW allows social workers to practice clinical counseling and requires an additional period of supervised experience in diagnosis and psychotherapy), you’ll need to earn a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW).
There are two paths that will take you to the MSW: (1) Earn a bachelor’s degree in a human services field and then complete a traditional, two-year MSW; or (2) earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) that will qualify you for an advanced standing MSW that takes just one calendar year to complete.
Remembering Rev. Lewis Stewart, a Champion for Social Justice in Rochester
On October 27, 2023, Rochester’s United Christian Leadership Ministry (UCLM) announced the passing of its president emeritus and co-founder, Rev. Lewis Stewart – religious leader and activist who used the power of words to fight for social causes aimed at economic and racial inequities.
Before co-founding UCLM in 2013, Rev. Stewart served as chaplain of the NYS Department of Corrections, where he counseled inmates while simultaneously advocating for prison reform. At UCLM, his fight for justice system reform continued. His work at UCLM between 2013 and 2022 was, by all accounts, incredibly successful, as he was able to implement a number of significant reforms to Rochester’s criminal justice system.
For example, he created the program that led to the implementation of body cameras for both the Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. He also helped form annual police and community summits that were designed to bring law enforcement and the community together to build bridges and engage in meaningful dialogue. And he developed and instituted a number of community programs that work to address gun violence and educate the community about the problem of gun violence.
Dr. Dwight Fowler, who succeeded Rev. Stewart as UCLM president in 2022, spoke of Rev. Stewart’s enduring legacy in Rochester, saying: “He was, as I am, a drum major for justice, and he wanted to do what he could to irradiate implicit bias, explicit bias, racism, oppression as one who operated as a liberator.”
Monroe County is home to three universities that offer both BSW and MSW programs:
Roberts Wesleyan University
Department of Social Work
Rochester, NY
MSW (online, on-campus)
Also Offers:
- BSW
Roberts Wesleyan University’s MSW program offers a comprehensive education with a specialized focus on Mental Health and Child/Family Services. The curriculum integrates a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural perspective, encouraging self-awareness and critical thinking. Courses are delivered online in a synchronous, 15-week semester format, accommodating adult learners with late afternoon and evening classes. Students can choose between part-time and full-time options, with the standard program taking 24 to 48 months to complete, while the advanced standing program, for those with a BSW, ranges from 11 to 22 months. The intimate class sizes, with fewer than 20 students, ensure personalized attention from experienced faculty.
Nazareth University
Graduate of Social Work Program
Pittsford, NY
MSW (online, on-campus)
Also Offers:
- BSW
Nazareth University’s social work programs offer both BSW and MSW degrees with flexible formats to accommodate diverse student needs. The MSW program, available in both in-person and online formats, allows students to choose from specializations such as Play Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, and School Social Work. Boasting an interprofessional approach, the program integrates experiential learning opportunities in collaboration with the York Institute for Wellness and Rehabilitation. Students gain practical experience through field education partnerships with over 250 agencies. The university also offers unique international opportunities, including study abroad trips to India, Jamaica, and Finland, which provide a global perspective on social work practice. Graduates of Nazareth’s MSW program boast a high employment rate, with 98% securing jobs within six months of graduation.
SUNY Brockport
Department of Social Work
Brockport, NY
MSW (on-campus)
Also Offers:
- BSSW
SUNY Brockport’s Department of Social Work offers robust BSSW and MSW programs designed to equip students with a broad skillset for work in diverse settings. The MSW program features both a 36-credit Advanced Standing track for recent BSW graduates and a 60-credit track for those from other disciplines. Students benefit from day and evening courses held in Rochester, and practical fieldwork is integrated throughout the curriculum. Field placements with more than 250 local agencies provide real-world experience in settings such as healthcare facilities, public health clinics, and mental health programs, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for clinical, supervisory, and administrative roles in various sectors.