Lehman College Social Work Programs

Lehman College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY), is a welcoming and lively campus in the Bronx that focuses on helping students succeed. It offers a wide mix of undergraduate and graduate programs, and students benefit from supportive professors, a diverse community, and plenty of resources to grow academically and personally. Lehman is especially known for creating opportunities for first-generation and local students, making higher education more accessible and meaningful. With its strong ties to the community and commitment to affordable, quality education, Lehman College is a place where students can find their path and build a brighter future.

Social work programs offered

Lehman College has two distinct social work degree programs that prepare you for different roles in the field.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BA-SWK) program prepares students to work in urban social service agencies and organizations at entry level. Students can choose between two paths:

• A 58-credit Social Work Major that comes with a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T) Certificate
• A standard 55-credit Social Work Major

BSW students spend 15 hours each week at social service agencies or schools in their second year. They work hands-on in community health, housing, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health clinics. The program is flexible with hybrid formats that blend online and in-person learning. You can also take evening and weekend courses.

Students interested in helping Spanish-speaking communities can join a special Dual-Language English-Spanish Practicum Seminar Class. After graduation, you can work as a case manager, promoter, housing coordinator, or family support staff member. BSW graduates might finish their master’s degree faster by applying for advanced standing status in accredited MSW programs.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program helps social workers become leaders in urban public and voluntary sector social service agencies. Students follow an Advanced Generalist curriculum and learn to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.

You can choose from several MSW program tracks:

• Track A: 2-Year Full-Time Program (65 credits) with evening classes and 21 hours of weekly fieldwork
• Track C: 1-Year Advanced Standing Program (34 credits) for BSW graduates
• Track D: 3-Year Extended Program (65 credits) with reduced fieldwork hours

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has fully accredited both BSW and MSW programs. MSW graduates can take the New York State licensing exam for Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW).

Online program options

Lehman College lets social work students learn through various online study options. These digital formats fit different schedules and priorities.

Students pursuing a social work degree at Lehman can choose from several online learning methods. The college offers three different online course formats:

• Online Synchronous courses need virtual attendance at scheduled times, just like traditional in-person classes but completely online
• Online Asynchronous options let you access materials and complete assignments on your schedule, with deadlines set by professors
• Online Mix brings together scheduled live meetings with flexible self-paced components

Faculty members might ask students to turn on their cameras during class sessions or remote exams in all online formats. This rule will give a way to maintain academic integrity and help students participate better in virtual classrooms.

The Bachelor of Social Work program includes some hybrid courses that combine online and in-person learning. This setup is a chance for undergraduate social work students to enjoy digital flexibility while getting traditional classroom instruction.

CUNY Lehman College designs its academic programs to meet and go beyond state requirements for professional licensure and certification. This includes online programs that maintain high standards whatever the delivery method. CUNY Lehman College’s curricula, once completed successfully, satisfy the licensure and certification requirements to get initial teaching certification in New York State.

Talk to your academic advisor about which online format matches your learning style and schedule before signing up for social work courses. Each option has its benefits based on your situation – synchronous formats give immediate interaction while asynchronous options offer maximum schedule flexibility.

You can complete your social work education while managing other life commitments with Lehman’s online program options, whether you like live interaction or self-paced study.

Admissions

Lehman College’s social work programs have specific academic requirements and an application process that is different for undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program needs you to complete 54 college credits before you start. You’ll need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7, though 2.9 makes your application more competitive. The program requires prerequisite courses: Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare (SWK 237) and Foundations of Sociology (SOC 166). Note that meeting basic requirements doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in since admission is competitive.

BSW transfer students can take equivalent prerequisite courses at other institutions if their credits transfer. Your application must include all previous college transcripts. If your GPA is below 2.7, you can still apply after you complete 12 credits at Lehman with a 2.7 cumulative index.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program has different requirements for each track. Every MSW applicant needs a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with 45 liberal arts credits and a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. You’ll need to submit three recommendation letters (two must be from college faculty or related field professionals), a current professional resume, and a personal statement.

Advanced Standing MSW track (Track C) comes with extra requirements. You need a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program with a minimum 3.2 GPA in your major. Your undergraduate social work faculty advisor or program director must provide one of your references.

The social work programs accept applications each spring semester. You’ll need to submit these separately from your Lehman College application. The admissions committee might ask you to attend a small group interview during selection.

Start early and talk to program advisors to make sure you meet all requirements before deadlines.

Tuition

Your investment in a social work education at Lehman College depends on where you live and the program you choose. The cost plays a key role in your decision to pursue these degrees.

MSW program tuition for New York State residents is $7,315 per semester for full-time study or $620 per credit for part-time enrollment. Out-of-state students pay higher rates on a per-credit basis. The program requires extra contact hours that cost $65 per credit for in-state and $85 for out-of-state students.

The total cost includes these mandatory fees:

• Student Activity Fee: $98.15 (full-time) or $65.15 (part-time)
• Technology Fee: $125 (full-time) or $62.50 (part-time)
• Consolidated Fee: $15
• Student Senate Fee: $1.45

You have several options to help cover these costs. The Excelsior Scholarship combined with other grants lets eligible full-time students attend Lehman College without paying tuition. The Human Services Career Advancement Scholarship pays up to half of your tuition costs. You might also qualify for the New York State TAP Grant, Federal Pell Grants, and tax benefits like the HOPE Scholarship credit for first-time students.

Lehman’s Financial Aid Office can help you explore all funding options for your social work degree.

Other information

Lehman College’s social work program goes above and beyond basic requirements. Students can take advantage of the Dual-Language English-Spanish Practicum Seminar Class, which helps them work with Spanish-speaking communities effectively.

BSW graduates can work as case managers, family support staff, housing coordinators, and community advocates. The program’s graduates who want to pursue an MSW degree can apply for ‘advanced standing’ status at any accredited graduate program.

The college helps students get ready for their licensing exams. Second-year MSW students receive special training to prepare for the LMSW exam. Before graduation, MSW students must complete a state-required two-hour training on identifying and reporting child abuse and maltreatment.

Students complete their field education at social service agencies across New York City and nearby counties. MSW students need to spend 21 hours each week at their practicum sites and complete 600 hours yearly. Students should expect background checks, fingerprinting, drug screening, or physical exams based on their placement site’s requirements.

Lehman’s Department of Social Work shows its steadfast dedication to social justice through educational programs and mutually beneficial alliances. The department focuses on addressing human diversity issues in meaningful ways.