Social Work Programs at Yeshiva University

Yeshiva University is a well-known private research institution that blends Jewish traditions with academic excellence. This unique school in New York City creates a special environment where faith and learning work together perfectly.

Your choice of school plays a huge role in shaping your education and career path when you want to get a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. The Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University leads the way in social work education. Their programs combine tough academic training with hands-on field experience.

The Wurzweiler School of Social Work, 66 years old now, has spent decades making its social work education better and better. The school shows a steadfast dedication to training compassionate, skilled professionals who can handle complex human needs in a variety of communities. Wurzweiler stands out because it focuses on both clinical expertise and social justice advocacy – skills that social workers need in today’s challenging world.

You can shape your education to match your career dreams with Yeshiva University’s social work programs. The specialized tracks fit your professional goals, whether you want to practice clinical work, organize communities, or develop policies.

Wurzweiler’s faculty brings their real-life experience right into the classroom. They share practical insights from their time in the field. On top of that, the New York City location gives students unmatched opportunities for field placements. Students work in hospitals, schools, community centers, and government agencies.

Small class sizes at Yeshiva help you build meaningful connections with professors and classmates. This supportive community stays with you even after graduation, thanks to Wurzweiler’s alumni network of professionals working in social services of all types.

Yeshiva University gives you an amazing mix of academic excellence, practical training, and values-based education as you think about where to study social work.

Social work programs offered

Wurzweiler School of Social Work provides a detailed range of social work programs that match different educational goals. You can pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Graduate Certificates, or a Doctorate Degree in Social Work at the graduate level. The MSW program stands out nationally, with Yeshiva ranking as the #34 most popular school for social work master’s degree candidates in the country.

Traditional students need 60 credit hours to complete the MSW program. Students with a BSW from an accredited institution qualify for Advanced Standing and need only 30 credit hours. The traditional MSW takes just 16 months to complete full-time, and you can also choose a part-time schedule that fits your needs.

Wurzweiler gives you three distinct learning formats:

• On-campus traditional program at the Wilf Campus in uptown New York City
• Live Virtual Classroom in real-time
• Fully online asynchronous program that maximizes flexibility

Your second year involves choosing one of three advanced practice methods: clinical practice to work one-on-one with individuals and families, group work, or community practice that focuses on advocacy, policy, and leadership.

The program also features specialized training through optional certifications. You can earn a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) credential along with your MSW at no extra cost, or pursue the Gerontology and Palliative Care Embedded Certification.

Ground experience comes through field placements. The Practicum Education Office helps place you at one of more than 600 sites in the Greater New York Area and throughout the U.S., Canada, and Israel. These placements include hospitals, child welfare agencies, mental health facilities, schools, and substance abuse treatment centers.

The program offers classes at different times—mornings, afternoons, evenings, and even Sundays—making it easier for both traditional students and working professionals. The Council on Social Work Education’s accreditation ensures your education meets professional standards.

Online program options

Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work offers a flexible online Master of Social Work program. Students can choose from three different ways to learn based on their lifestyle and priorities. The program lets you study fully online at your own pace, attend live virtual classes, or mix both approaches to fit your schedule.

Students need 60 credit hours to complete the standard online MSW, which takes about 2 years of full-time study. BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited schools can opt for Advanced Standing, needing only 30 credit hours to graduate in about 1.5 years.

The program works well with both full-time and part-time schedules. Full-time students usually take two courses each term, while part-time students take one course with 15-20 hours of weekly work. Part-time students finish the degree in about 5 years, and you can switch between full-time and part-time as needed.

Small class sizes and dedicated faculty advisors ensure students get individual attention. The program features The Heights, an innovative multi-student simulation that provides hands-on experience in real-life social work scenarios in various community settings.

New online MSW students can get a degree completion scholarship of up to 10%. The program’s CSWE accreditation ensures it meets licensure requirements in all 50 states, Canada, and Israel. Students can complete their required field training locally through the university’s partnerships with placement sites nationwide.

Admissions

You’ll need to meet several requirements to get into Yeshiva University’s MSW program. Most applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, though you might still get provisional admission with a lower GPA. The application package needs:

• A 500-word personal statement
• One letter of recommendation from an academic or professional reference
• Official transcripts from all previous colleges attended
• $50 non-refundable application fee (you might qualify for a waiver)

Students applying to the online program must write a short essay about their plan to succeed in asynchronous coursework.

Advanced Standing applicants need a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program. They must also provide a field evaluation and a recommendation letter from their BSW program faculty.

International students must meet extra requirements. These students need TOEFL scores (minimum 90 on internet-based, 577 on paper test) and NACES course-by-course transcript evaluations.

Students can transfer up to 12 credits from previous MSW coursework if they maintained a B average or higher.

You should know that the final deadline for Spring is in mid-December, classes start the end of January, and priority deadline for Summer/Fall is also at the end of January.

New online MSW students can receive degree completion scholarships up to 10%. Advanced Standing students might finish their degree in just 1.5 years.

Tuition

Students need to plan their MSW education funding at Yeshiva University carefully. The Online MSW program tuition costs $1,214 per credit hour for a total of 60 credits. Students must also pay a $50 application fee, $135 program registration fee, and $150 graduation fee. Tuition rates will increase to $1,308 per credit with a $65 per semester registration fee in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Yeshiva University provides several financial aid options to help students manage these costs. New online MSW students automatically receive a degree completion scholarship of up to 10% without additional paperwork. Graduate students can also apply for unsubsidized federal loans up to $20,500 annually.

Students can reduce or eliminate their graduate school debt through various loan forgiveness programs:

• Federal Student Loan Repayment Program
• National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

The International Graduate Student Financial Aid Application helps international students secure additional tuition support. Working professionals can choose from flexible payment plans, including a ten-month option that makes the program more affordable.

Yeshiva University makes its social work programs financially manageable through multiple funding options, despite the significant investment required.

Other information

Wurzweiler School of Social Work distinguishes itself with unique features that improve your educational experience. The school has maintained its position among the nation’s top MSW programs since 1957, drawing students from around the world.

Students benefit from career flexibility through:

• Seven specialized study areas, plus a CASAC credential at no extra cost
• Personal faculty advisors who direct your academic growth and career development
• Second-year students who serve as peer mentors to help you traverse your MSW experience

Yeshiva College and Stern College undergraduates can take advantage of the BA/MSW option. This program lets students complete up to 30 graduate credits that count toward both degrees. Students can finish their MSW just one year after their bachelor’s degree.

Social work careers show promising growth potential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7% growth for social work jobs through 2033, which exceeds overall job market growth. Healthcare social work roles should expand by 10% between 2022-2032.

Wurzweiler graduates succeed in many career paths—from clinical practice to healthcare settings, schools, nonprofit organizations, and substance abuse treatment. The program’s small class sizes create meaningful faculty connections. Its ethical foundation honors individual beliefs while embracing Jewish social philosophy.