Social Work Programs at College of Staten Island
The College of Staten Island (CSI) is a leading institution in the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Students enjoy a unique educational experience in New York City’s greenest borough. The 204-acre campus combines urban accessibility with a peaceful learning environment that makes it different from other CUNY colleges.
CSI has earned its reputation for academic excellence as a senior CUNY college. The campus boasts modern facilities with advanced classrooms, research labs, and spaces where students collaborate. These resources create the perfect setting for academic growth, especially when you have students pursuing careers in social work and related fields.
The School of Health Sciences houses the social work programs, which is part of CSI’s academic structure. This setup allows students to learn about social work through an integrated approach that connects with psychology, sociology, and public health.
CSI’s accessibility goes beyond its physical location. The college accepts new ideas in education through technology and gives students more ways to learn. Working professionals who want to advance their careers through social work education find this approach particularly valuable.
CSI gives social work students great advantages. Through collaboration with community organizations across Staten Island and New York City, students get valuable fieldwork and internship opportunities. These partnerships help students apply classroom knowledge to ground situations.
CSI’s social work department faculty members bring years of professional experience and strong academic credentials to the classroom. Their expertise in various social work specialties enriches student learning at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Staten Island’s location lets students learn about urban social issues firsthand. They understand the challenges and resources unique to this New York City borough. This local context adds depth to CSI’s social work programs and prepares graduates to work effectively in different community settings.
Social work programs offered
CSI’s Department of Social Work gives students a complete education path to prepare them for social work careers. Students can pursue the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) program that gives them the skills needed for entry-level generalist urban practice positions. The program helps students understand human experiences from both local and global perspectives.
Students in the BSSW program start with a 65-hour community service learning experience in their junior year. This experience helps them learn about human service agencies. Their senior year includes a substantial 480-hour field internship at one of nearly 50 social service agencies on Staten Island and nearby areas. Students can apply their classroom knowledge to real-life situations and work with people from different backgrounds who face various social challenges.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at CSI needs 60 credit hours to complete and has four internship courses. Students learn specifically about meeting the needs of people with disabilities. They can choose between full-time study that takes 2 years or part-time study that takes 3 or 4 years.
The MSW program has two specialized tracks:
- Disability Studies: Clinical Practice – Students learn to work directly with individuals, families, and groups through multidimensional assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. This track has 12 credit hours of clinical courses that students need to pursue Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) certification later.
- Disability Studies: Macro Practice – This track focuses on leadership, management, community organizing, advocacy, and policy development. Students can prepare for the Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW) exam, but won’t qualify for LCSW certification.
The college also offers an Advanced Standing MSW option of 32 credit hours. This option is available to students who earned their BSSW in the last five years from a CSWE-accredited program. BSSW graduates need a GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify for this faster path.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits both the BSSW and MSW programs. This accreditation ensures graduates meet professional standards and licensing requirements.
Online program options
Students looking for flexibility in their educational experience will find several distance learning options at the College of Staten Island. CSI takes part in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) that ensure online education meets consistent quality standards across state lines.
CSI’s approval to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) marks a significant milestone. This designation simplifies regulations around distance education programs, so students can access quality education whatever their location. Out-of-state students who want to study social work at CSI benefit greatly from this arrangement.
The Master of Social Work program offers excellent scheduling flexibility. Students complete the MSW full-time in two years or choose a part-time path over three to four years. This setup works well for traditional students and professionals who want to advance their careers while keeping their jobs.
CSI’s hybrid learning options fit different lifestyle needs. These blended formats mix online and in-person components that work great for students with packed schedules or long commutes. Virtual courses make the program even more accessible, and students can get quality social work education whatever their location or time constraints.
These flexible learning options show CSI’s steadfast dedication to educational excellence while meeting modern students’ diverse needs. Students pursuing undergraduate or graduate social work credentials can choose learning formats that match their personal situations.
Admissions
CSI’s social work programs have specific admission timelines based on degree levels. Some applications are due by February, and some give you until August, so make sure to check with your program.
The MSW program requires 60 credits and welcomes new students each Fall. Students should submit their applications by February 15 for priority consideration. Advanced Standing students need only 32 credits and start in Summer. These students must have earned their BSSW/BSW from a CSWE-accredited program in the last five years with a 3.0 GPA minimum.
The MSW program looks for candidates who meet these requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Statistics course completion
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Personal statement and resume
- Three letters of recommendation from instructors or supervisors
BSSW candidates need 40 credits completed, including SWK 200 and MTH 113 (Statistics). Both programs might require an interview.
BSSW students who want to pursue graduate studies should aim for a 3.0 GPA. This opens the door to Advanced Standing MSW option.
Professionals with two or more years of social service experience can choose the One Year Residency (OYR) program. This allows them to complete their internship with their current employer.
Tuition
The College of Staten Island has different tuition rates based on where you live and what you study. New York residents pay $3,465 per semester for full-time undergraduate studies or $305 per credit part-time. Out-of-state undergraduate students pay by a lot more at $620 per credit. The graduate social work program’s costs differ too – in-state full-time students pay $5,545 per semester, while part-time students pay $470 per credit.
CSI’s Master’s in Social Work program follows the standard graduate tuition structure. Students can tap into several financial aid options to help with these costs. The Human Services Career Advancement Scholarship can cover up to 50% of total tuition costs at participating CUNY colleges. This scholarship kicks in after other grants and might even cover all remaining tuition in some cases.
Students from New York with family income up to $125,000 per year can get tuition-free education through the Excelsior Scholarship. SEEK program students get extra benefits – they’re eligible for New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program for 10 semesters instead of the usual 8 semesters for non-SEEK students.
CSI works hard to keep quality social work education available despite NYC’s high living costs. A current MSW scholar puts it well: “This fellowship has made me feel seen, represented, and truly valued for the work I do”.
Other information
CSI social work students get valuable field experience at over 40 partner organizations. Students complete internships in various settings such as healthcare facilities, community organizations, schools, and specialized treatment centers. ArchCare Senior Life, Bridge Back to Life, Community Health Action of Staten Island, and Staten Island University Hospital rank among the most popular placement choices.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits CSI’s BSSW and MSW programs. The MSW program’s disability studies: clinical practice specialization has earned approval as a clinical social work program by the New York State Department of Education. This approval lets graduates pursue both LMSW and LCSW licensure. Student assessment data shows excellent program outcomes, with students meeting competency standards in all nine social work practice areas.
The program’s faculty conducts research in gerontology, disability studies, substance abuse treatment, feminist theory, and healthcare for populations with disabilities. Students with high academic achievement can join the Tau Omega Chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society. Undergraduate students need a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.25 Social Work GPA to qualify.
BSSW and MSW students have access to dedicated facilities including a media-equipped classroom and student lounge. These spaces encourage academic learning while building a strong professional community.