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Created by NewYorkSocialWorkEDU.org Contributing Writer
CSWE-Accredited MSW & BSW Programs, Plus Associate Degrees for Future Social Workers in New York
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Social work isn’t a career that any New Yorker picks on a whim. It’s a tough job and it takes a long time and a lot of training to get into the field. You don’t walk this path unless you have a drive to make a difference in the lives of people struggling in this world.
The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.
~ Jane Addams, Nobel Prize winning American social worker
So it’s equally true that no one gets into social work to do anything less than their very best. When you recognize the stakes of the game, you understand that giving your all is the only option.
To be the best social worker you can be, it’s wise to get the preparation you need from the best program you can find.
And right here on this list is a collection of MSW, BSW, and associate degrees offered through New York’s most respected schools of social work.
Putting Top Options at Every Level of Social Work Study in New York in One Place
Since we’re presenting options at the undergrad and graduate levels, you’ll notice a few of the BSW and MSW programs are offered at the very same schools. That’s no accident. The ability to offer excellence in social work education at the graduate level is an effort that builds on a strong BSW foundation.
And since most students are ultimately aiming for licensed positions as an LCSW or LMSW, there’s every chance you’ll be working your way up through degree levels before you get to that key Master of Social Work degree required for licensure.
While there are plenty of differences between the social work training you get in a two-year associate degree and the high-end graduate education of a master’s, it’s possible to look at many of the same qualities to assess how good these programs can be.
For bachelor’s and master’s programs, our first necessary step is to ensure they hold specialty accreditation from CSWE, the Council on Social Work Education. That ensures that each school has gone through the wringer of an intensive third-party evaluation focused on the quality of their social work education.
The Points We Considered When Selecting Our Favorite MSW, BSW, and Associate Programs for Future New York Social Workers
But that’s true of every program that leads to New York state social work licensure, so we dug even deeper. Our considerations for program selection for this list at every level included factors such as:
Excellent Instructors and Support Staff
Something you’ll learn in any social work program is that personal connections are important. Empathy, encouragement, and genuine interest are crucial in bringing out the best in anyone. That’s just as true in social work education as it is in social work practice… so that’s a quality we look for and find in these elite degree programs. Faculty who have a strong reputation in the community or have been honored with induction into organization like the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare are good signs for schools with excellent programs.
The Right Resources to Boost Your Studies
Everyone needs and deserves sufficient resources to achieve their goals. When you’re on the job, you’ll work yourself ragged to get people what they need to find housing, to get clean from dangerous substances, to get childcare for their kids. As a student, you need a university that delivers research materials, access to advisors, and tutoring to help you across the finish line to a degree. These schools all deliver.
Extra Special Experiential Learning Opportunities
Social work is a field you can’t learn entirely out of a book. On-the-job experience is the only way to connect the classroom lessons to real-world practice. So we look for schools that meet and exceed requirements for getting you out to get your hands dirty in practical, on-the-streets social work training. A campus that has students devoting volunteer hours on their own time to help vulnerable individuals, that offers unique internships at places like the UN, or delivers overseas study options to enhance your cultural appreciation has a good chance of making the list.
Strong Social Justice Relationships and Community Connections
Social work is ultimately about connections. Just as you will cultivate one-on-one relationships with your clients and other providers, social work schools should have strong and deep ties to community assistance organizations and social services organizations in the area. These relationships help you network before you even graduate, opening up chances to participate and learn from ongoing justice and outreach efforts along the way.
Abundant Research Opportunities and Centers of Excellence
Master of Social Work degrees require at least some level of individual research and original thinking about hard problems in human services and society today. That process is made easier by schools that have a notable reputation for research, professors who regularly publish in reputable journals, campus centers for social justice, and partnerships with organizations like the Administration for Children’s Services. For undergraduates, these offer a taste of advanced social work education before you even enroll in a master’s program.
The Information You Need To Make the Best Choices When Preparing To Become a New York Social Worker
All these schools are absolutely first rate places to learn the business of social work. And being among the best schools in New York, the place where American social work was born, means being the best in the nation.
But as you’ll learn every day on the job, there’s no universal fit. Every one of us, as individuals, has our own wants and needs. Those preferences have to be acknowledged and respected.
So we give you a lot of extra detail about each of these programs to help you find the right fit. There’s no one top school in the game; each of them may be the best for any given student.
You’ll make that call for yourself on the basis of information about:
- Concentration options or certificates available with the degree
- Other related degree programs offered by the same school
- Whether the degree is available on campus, online, or in a hybrid format, and what kinds of flexible scheduling options are available
- Unique practicum or experiential placement options
- Opportunities to study social work abroad
- Campus centers of expertise or cooperative programs with noted social services agencies
- Outstanding support and participation in social justice movements changing the face of the state and of the nation
- Fellowship and scholarship opportunities that take the sting out of high tuition rates
Every day on the job as a social worker you’re going to give your all. You have every right to expect an education from a school that is going to deliver the same kind of commitment and dedication.
Editor’s Pick for the Top MSW Programs in New York
Columbia University
Columbia School of Social Work
New York, NY
![columbia university](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/columbia-university.jpg)
MSW (online, on-campus)
Areas of specialization include:
- Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice
- Policy Practice
- Advanced Generalist Practice & Programming
- Leadership Management and Entrepreneurship for Social Justice
Seven fields of practice:
- Aging
- Family, Youth & Children’s Services
- International Social Welfare and Streets to Immigrants and Refugees
- World of Work
- Contemporary Social Issues
- Health, Mental Health & Disabilities
- School-Based and School-Linked Services
Also Offers:
- PhD in Social Work
- MSW Dual Degrees: MEd, MBA, JD, MS in Urban Planning, MA in Jewish Studies, MPH, MPA/MIA, MDiv
Columbia University’s MSW lives up to the reputation. Situated in the first school of social work in the United States, the MSW is built on more than 125 years of academic theory and real-world practice and is designed to offer students a plethora of options for specializing their degree to fit specific needs and interests. Add to that the online MSW, which was launched back in 2015 and has since graduated hundreds of students across the country. It’s easy to see why Columbia’s social work education is second to none. Choose from a host of learning platforms (on-campus and online), program types (from traditional to advanced standing), concentrations, minors, and dual degrees to create a truly customized course of study. This is one MSW program that will prepare you to serve among New York’s most passionate advocates for marginalized and underserved individuals, groups, and communities.
- NY State Education Department-approved MSW - LMSW/LCSW
- First school of social work in the nation – created in 1898
- Superb selection of formats, specializations, platforms, minors, and dual degrees
- Range of program types, including traditional two-year, 16-month advanced standing, part-time/full-time/extended, one-year residency, five-term international
New York University
Silver School of Social Work
New York, NY
![new york university](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/new-york-university.jpg)
MSW (on-campus)
Also Offers:
- Doctorate in Clinical Social Work
- PhD in Social Work
- BSSW
- MSW dual degrees with Child Development, Public Health, Law, Public Administration
New York University’s MSW offers an exceptional course of graduate study for individuals interested in pursuing clinical social work. The program’s research-informed, hands-on curriculum is complemented with outstanding opportunities for field study with individuals, groups, and families. Students here study policy, community practice, and global social work, and many pursue international study opportunities in Scotland or Argentina. You’ll also love the program’s small classes, led by a nationally recognized faculty of scholars and practitioners. Dual degrees are plentiful here, thanks to partnerships with Sarah Lawrence College, NYU School of Law, NYU School of Global Public Health, and NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Choose from two-year, advanced standing, 16-month accelerated, extended, extended one-year residence, hybrid, 32-month or the trailblazing Shanghai-New York MSW for a uniquely customized experience that aligns perfectly with your goals and interests.
- Home to the Shanghai-New York MSW – the only MSW program through an American university in China
- Outstanding selection of dual degrees available
- Intensive study abroad opportunities available in Scotland and Argentina
Adelphi University
School of Social Work
Garden City, NY (other locations including Brooklyn & Long Island)
![adelphi university](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/adelphi-university.jpg)
MSW (on-campus, online, hybrid)
Also Offers:
- BSW
- PhD in Social Work
Adelphi University’s top-ranked MSW is laser-focused on social justice, equity, and inclusion. For more than 70 years, Adelphi’s School of Social Work has been producing social advocates and activists, and the MSW continues this legacy of excellence in social work. Students here study in the heart of New York, the forefront of social work, to become transformative practitioners who drive the practice of ethical social work. We love the small class sizes here, the convenience of multiple locations, and the esteemed faculty of social work scholars and practitioners who are recognized leaders in their respective areas of expertise. Study in Garden City, Brooklyn, Hauppauge, Poughkeepsie or SUNY Orange Middletown (most locations offer day, evening, and weekend classes), or choose the online MSW for maximum convenience. Part-time, advanced standing, online – there’s plenty of options for earning you MSW through Adelphi that cater to the unique needs of different students.
- NY State Education Department-approved MSW - LMSW/LCSW
- Ranked among the top grad schools of social work in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
- Outstanding record of student success: more than 90 percent of all MSW grads are employed within one year of graduation
- Choose from five convenient campus locations, or the 100% online option
Editor’s Pick for the Top BSW Programs in New York
New York University
Silver School of Social Work
New York, NY
![new york university](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/new-york-university.jpg)
BSSW (on-campus)
Also Offers:
- Doctorate in Clinical Social Work
- PhD in Social Work
- MSW
- Minor in Social Work
- MSW dual degrees with Child Development, Public Health, Law, Public Administration
New York University’s BSSW is part of the famed Silver School of Social Work, ranked among the top schools of social work in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The BSSW program here is built on a generalist curriculum focused on problem-solving, leadership, advocacy, human rights, interprofessional collaboration, and social and economic justice. Graduates of this program are prepared to work in a variety of social agencies and organizations and with diverse individuals and communities. They’re also prepared for the Advanced Standing MSW through New York University or in any CSWE-accredited MSW program. By choosing among the school’s many electives and practicum internship locations, you’ll begin building skills and knowledge in areas of social work that are most meaningful to you.
- Outstanding record of student success: 96% of all grads are employed or in grad school within six months of graduation
- Exciting study abroad opportunities available to places like UAE, Germany, Argentina, England, and Spain
- Ranked among the top grad schools of social work in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
Iona University
NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences
New Rochelle/Bronxville, NY
![iona university](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/iona-university.jpg)
BSSW (on-campus)
Iona University’s BSSW provides students with an exciting foundation in the field of social work. Students of this program are trained as generalist social work practitioners and are well-prepared to pursue advanced standing CSWE-accredited MSW programs. Just some of the reasons we love this program include small class sizes; personalized attention from a dedicated faculty; and dynamic fieldwork experiences in settings like substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, adoption agencies, residential services agencies, and community centers. As part of the New York-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, social work students here enjoy field placements/internships at New York-Presbyterian, ranked as one of the top hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
- Expansive alumni network of 50,000+
- Outstanding research opportunities available through the Center for Social Research
- Exciting field opportunities through New York-Presbyterian, ranked as one of the top hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
Adelphi University
School of Social Work
Garden City, NY (other locations including Brooklyn and Long Island)
![adelphi university](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/adelphi-university.jpg)
BSW
Total Estimated Tuition Cost: $164,040
Also Offers:
- MSW
- PhD in Social Work
Built on a 70-year history of educating the next generation of social workers, Adelphi University’s BSW is designed to produce graduates who value and practice social justice, equity, and inclusion. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career with a social service agency upon graduation, or you’re preparing for an advanced standing MSW through Adelphi or another CSWE-accredited MSW, the BSW is designed with your success in mind. Choose Adelphi for your BSW and you’ll enjoy opportunities to study in Garden City, Brooklyn, Poughkeepsie, Middletown, or Hauppauge. Interested in a flexible BSW? Consider the ANSWER BSW, which offers evening courses and the opportunity to earn credit for work/life experience.
- Named a Best College among national universities by U.S. News & World Report
- Named a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report
- ANSWER BSW available – take evening classes and earn credit for work/life experience
Editor’s Pick for the Top Associate Degree Programs for Future Social Workers in New York
The College of Westchester
School of Health Professions
White Plains, NY
![The College of Westchester](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-College-of-Westchester.jpg)
AS in Human Services (on-campus, online)
Also Offers:
- BS in Human Services
The College of Westchester’s AS in Human Services comes complete with unmatched convenience and flexibility through your choice of on-campus or online study. Whether your career goals include immediate employment in the human services field or future bachelor’s degree study, the AS in Human Services is designed with you in mind. Just a few of the reasons we love the College of Westchester include outstanding career planning and financial aid guidance… a student-centered learning environment that includes small class sizes and individualized attention from a dedicated faculty… on-campus (day or evening), online, or hybrid courses… and exciting internship opportunities for outstanding, hands-on learning.
- Superior flexibility – your choice of on-campus (day or evening), online, or hybrid courses
- Outstanding, lifelong career guidance and support for all graduates
- Student-centered learning experience boasts small class sizes and personalized attention from a dedicated faculty
Hilbert College
Behavioral Sciences Department, Department of Human Services
Hamburg, NY
![hilbert college](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hilbert-College.jpg)
AA in Human Services (on-campus)
Also Offers:
- BS in Human Services (substance abuse/chemical dependency, law and human services, child and family practice, family violence, general)
- BS/MS in Human Services
Hilbert College offers an AA in Human Services that’s designed to provide a seamless transition to either a bachelor’s degree or immediate employment in the field. Graduates of this dynamic exploration into the human services profession can move on to the school’s bachelor’s and master’s program and customize their education according to their career goals and interests. We also love the outstanding partnerships that Hilbert has made with more than 50 local human services agencies to provide unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning. Just some of the agencies where you can gain invaluable experience include drug treatment centers, mental health programs, community social services agencies, and child and family service agencies.
- Provides a seamless transfer to Hilbert’s BS and MS in Human Services
- Superb selection of internship opportunities through more than 50 partner agencies
- Small, student-centered learning environment features a low, 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio
Elmira College
Elmira, NY
![Elmira College](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Elmira-College.jpg)
AS in Human Services (on-campus)
Also Offers:
- BS in Human Services
The Elmira College AS in Human Services offers a thoughtful and extensive examination into key areas of social and human concern. Through the study of topics related to mental health services, social casework, social policies, and program planning and evaluation, students here are well-prepared to either move on to a bachelor’s degree program in a similar field or explore careers working with underserved and at-risk populations. In addition to classroom theory, you’ll complete an internship through a local social service agency where you’ll begin to apply what you’ve learned in a real-life setting. We love this program’s student-centered learning approach which offers small classes and a close-knit environment where every student is a priority.
- Specialize your program through your choice of electives
- Provides a seamless transfer to Elmira’s BS in Human Services
- Student-centered learning environment features a low, 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio
St. Joseph’s University
Master of Social Work Program
Patchogue, NY (other location in Brooklyn)
![](https://newyorksocialworkedu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/st-josephs-university.jpg)
MSW, Clinical Practice (on-campus, hybrid)
- Ranked among the top regional universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report
- Choose an online or on-campus design
- Designed with a focus on clinical practice
The St. Joseph University of New York MSW offers outstanding affordability among private programs in New York. But it’s also an outstanding grad program in its own right, preparing students as generalists and clinical practitioners. Grounded in the 400-year history of the Sisters of St. Joseph and their dedication to social justice around the world, the MSW prepares graduates committed to serving at-risk individuals, population groups, and communities in need of support, guidance, and assistance. You’ll also love this program’s convenient design, which includes options to study full- or part-time and on-campus or online. Evening and weekend classes here provide the flexibility that today’s busy students demand.