13 Top MSW Programs in New York

New York stands as one of America’s most rewarding markets for social work careers, with MSW programs leading to promising opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks us as the second highest-paying state for child, family, and school social workers.

Students can choose from 28 colleges that provide CSWE-accredited MSW programs in NY. The programs accommodate different schedules, and some online options let students complete their degree in just 9 months through advanced standing tracks. Traditional pathways take 18 months full-time or 36 months part-time to complete.

MSW programs represent a significant but valuable investment. The 2021-22 academic year saw average tuition costs of $20,454 for CSWE-accredited programs in New York. The state’s popularity for social work education shows in the numbers – 7,962 students earned their MSW degrees during the 2020-21 academic year.

Our review of 13 top-rated MSW programs will help you launch your social work career here in New York, whether you’re advancing your current position or starting fresh in the field.

1. Columbia University

Columbia University is a great place for social work education with its 125-year old America’s first social work program in 1898. The Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program combines academic theory with hands-on practice to boost welfare in local communities and global settings.

MSSW Program Overview

The MSSW curriculum has a progressive structure that meets professional standards. Students begin with a Generalist Year to build foundational knowledge in research, practice, and policy. They then move to a Specialized Year based on their chosen concentration. Columbia’s program stands out with its comprehensive practicum component that needs 21 hours weekly (three days) in professional settings. The School’s online option lets students nationwide learn from top faculty while completing practicum hours close to home.

Columbia University Specializations

Students select from four method specializations during their Specialized Year:

• Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice – Prepares for direct practice with individuals, families, and groups
• Advanced Generalist Practice and Programming – Develops skills for both individual and community-level work
• Policy Practice – Focuses on policy analysis, advocacy, and research
• Social Enterprise Administration – Prepares for mezzo and macro-level management roles

Students can choose from seven fields of practice, creating a personalized educational path from 28 possible combinations.

Program Duration

Students need 60 credits and 1,200 hours of field education in the traditional MSSW pathway. Columbia provides several flexible pathway options:

• Two-Year (full-time): Completes in four terms (approximately two years)
• Advanced Standing (for BSW holders): 33 credits and 600 field hours, completed in one year
• Part-Time: Can be completed in about four years
• Reduced Residency (for working professionals): Requires 900 field hours instead of 1,200

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits the program, which ensures graduates meet educational requirements to become licensed master-level social workers. Columbia University also has institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Admission Requirements

Students need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and must show academic potential and steadfast dedication to social work. The application needs:

• Online application with $75 fee
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• Detailed resume
• 2-3 essay responses
• Two recommendation letters (at least one academic for recent graduates)

Columbia doesn’t require GRE scores. International students must prove English proficiency through standardized tests (TOEFL 100+, IELTS 7.0+, or Duolingo 130+).

2. New York University

The NYU Silver School of Social Work has been a cornerstone of social work education in New York since 1960. The school received a transformative $50 million pledge from alumni Constance and Martin Silver in 2007 and has grown stronger in its mission of clinical excellence and social justice advocacy.

MSW Program Overview

NYU Silver’s Master of Social Work program teaches direct practice with individuals, families, and groups through a social justice lens. Students progress through two levels – Generalist Practice and Specialized Practice. The Generalist Practice level helps students develop basic skills they need in a variety of professional settings. The Specialized Practice level then builds on this foundation with clinical social work training that strengthens their assessment and intervention abilities. The program’s excellence shows in its 12th place national ranking by U.S. News and World Report for 2024.

Specializations Offered

NYU Silver takes a unique approach to specialization. Students don’t pick from preset concentrations. They can customize their training through practicum placements and related seminars. The available specializations include:

• Child & Adolescent Maltreatment Prevention (CHAMP) Institute
• School Social Work Training Academy
• Evidence-Based Practice for Serious Mental Illness
• Social Work Practice in Higher Education
• Substance Use & Co-Occurring Disorders
• Zelda Foster Studies Program in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Program Duration

Students can choose from eight flexible pathways:

Full-Time Options: Two-Year (four semesters), 16-Month Accelerated (four consecutive semesters starting in spring), Advanced-Standing, and Shanghai-New York.

Part-Time Options: 32-Month (eight semesters including summer), Extended One-Year Residence, Extended, and Hybrid MSW.

Students have five years from their start date to finish all degree requirements.

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has accredited the MSW program since 1955.

Admission Requirements

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a strong liberal arts background. The application package should include:

• Online application with $60 fee
• Statement of purpose
• Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Three letters of recommendation from professional sources
• Resume or curriculum vitae

You don’t need to submit GRE scores to apply.

3. Fordham University

U.S. News & World Report ranks Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service in the top 10 percent of social work schools nationwide. The school takes a forward-thinking approach to MSW education and strongly emphasizes social justice.

MSW Program Overview

The MSW program at Fordham has 62 credits: 48 credits of coursework and 14 credits of field experience. Students progress through a two-phase structure. The first is a 31-credit Generalist Phase with foundational courses. This leads to a 31-credit Specialist Phase where students can customize their education. The program requires 950 hours of fieldwork placement. Students complete 450 hours in the Generalist phase and 500 hours in the Specialist phase. This comprehensive training creates highly competent practitioners ready to work in many settings.

Specializations Offered

Fordham takes a unique approach by offering four specialized domains instead of traditional concentrations:

• Individuals and Families – Students learn to provide direct services that improve client environments and well-being
• Organizations and Communities – This domain prepares students to work with communities and organizations of all types
• Evaluation – Students get a deep understanding of research and evidence-based practices
• Policy Practice and Advocacy – The focus is on creating policy, managing systems, and getting funding

On-campus students can enhance their marketability with Specialized Practice Certificates in Health or Crisis and Resilience.

Program Duration

Students can choose from several completion paths:

• Traditional full-time: Two years
• Advanced standing (for BSW graduates): Nine months or less, with savings over $30,000
• Part-time options: Three to four years

The program offers great flexibility. Students can attend classes on campus in Manhattan, Westchester, and Long Island (in partnership with Molloy University), or complete their degree fully online.

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits the MSW program. Students must meet nine competencies set by CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. The program requires an 80% benchmark for each competency.

Admission Requirements

You’ll need:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• 18 undergraduate credits in liberal arts
• No GRE required

The application package should include an application form, personal statement, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, one letter of recommendation, resume, and $60 application fee. International students must prove English proficiency through test scores: TOEFL minimum of 100 (pre-January 2026) or 6 (post-January 2026), or IELTS minimum of 7.

4. Hunter College (CUNY)

The Lois V. and Samuel J. Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, 67 years old, stands as the oldest and largest public social work school in metropolitan New York. The school has earned national recognition through its exceptional programs that serve over 1,200 master’s students and 75 PhD students.

MSW Program Overview

Silberman’s 60-credit MSW program follows a competency-based curriculum that meets Council on Social Work Education standards. Students can choose from three practice methods:

• Clinical Practice – Students learn agency-based clinical work with individuals, couples, families, and small groups
• Community Organizing – Students develop skills needed for community-based practice, social planning, and reform
• Organizational Management and Leadership – Students receive training to become managers, program directors, and administrators

Specializations Offered

The program features eight field practice specializations:

• Aging
• Child Welfare: Children, Youth, and Families
• Global Social Work and Practice with Immigrants and Refugees
• Health
• Mental Health
• School Social Work
• Criminal Justice
• Sexuality and Gender

Program Duration

Students can select from five program options:

• Two-Year Full-Time: Classes run two days weekly with field placement three days weekly
• One-Year Residency (OYR): This option serves social service workers with two+ years experience
• Advanced Standing: Recent BSW graduates complete this program in three semesters
• Accelerated Full-Time: Students finish this intensive program in 18 months
• Dual Degree MSW/MSEd: Students complete this 85-credit program focused on early intervention

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education has continuously accredited Silberman since 1958.

Admission Requirements

Successful candidates need:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Statement of purpose
• Two professional reference letters
• Relevant volunteer or paid work experience

GRE scores remain optional, but candidates might need to join a group interview. International students must show English proficiency through TOEFL with a minimum score of 80.

5. Syracuse University

Syracuse University runs a progressive MSW program that combines digital breakthroughs with social justice principles. The program shapes graduates who become change-makers in social work. Students learn to implement inclusive, culturally sensitive approaches that serve diverse populations.

MSW Program Overview

The MSW curriculum at Syracuse builds systematically from foundational concepts to advanced practice. Students learn about human behavior, advocacy, social justice, diversity, and policy studies. The program aims to enhance human well-being by advocating for social, economic, and environmental justice while addressing social inequities. Field education serves as the foundation of the program. Students gain extensive practical experience under professional guidance.

Specializations Offered

Students can choose between two distinct paths:

• Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) – This path suits future mental health clinicians and licensed clinical social workers who typically work in inpatient and outpatient settings
• Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP) – This track prepares students to lead complex human service organizations, conduct social research, assess communities, and serve in public office

Program Duration

Students can complete the program through multiple paths:

• Traditional MSW: 60 credits in as few as 36 months
• Advanced Standing (for BSW holders): 36 credits in as few as 24 months
• Students can choose full-time or part-time options in both residential and online formats

Traditional students complete 900 hours of field experience through two internships.

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the MSW program. This accreditation ensures graduates meet requirements to take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing examination.

Admission Requirements

The program looks for candidates with:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• A preferred minimum 3.0 GPA
• A resume showing relevant experience
• A personal essay (600-800 words) describing career goals and multicultural experience
• Three recommendation letters (recent graduates should include academic references)
• 30 liberal arts credits covering sciences, computational skills, humanities, and social sciences

Students should apply by January 15 for fall semester admission. The program doesn’t require GRE scores.

6. University at Albany (SUNY)

The University at Albany’s School of Social Welfare ranks among America’s top social work programs, with its faculty productivity rated in the top five programs nationwide. The program focuses on developing professional knowledge that boosts social functioning and promotes fair social policies.

MSW Program Overview

Students complete 60 credits in this MSW program through a curriculum that equips them to address social needs by leading social welfare policy and practice. Students start with a 31-credit core curriculum to build basic skills before moving to specialized training. The program aims to promote social justice, serve vulnerable populations, and develop fair social policies. UAlbany graduates learn multiple professional competencies and must be willing to show leadership skills when working with clients from different backgrounds.

Specializations Offered

Students select from two main areas of advanced concentration:

• Direct Practice – Prepares for clinical work with individuals, families, and groups
• Management – Develops skills for leadership and administrative roles

The program also features specialized dual-degree options, including a joint MSW/Criminal Justice program that focuses on community-based corrections and mental health services with offenders. Students interested in aging can benefit from UAlbany’s partnerships with local agencies to get specialized training in both macro and clinical practice with aging populations.

Program Duration

Students can complete their degree through several pathways:

• Traditional MSW: Full-time (two years) or part-time (three to four years)
• Advanced Standing: 39 credits for qualified BSW graduates, completed in approximately one year
• Online MSW: Three-year program with asynchronous classes

Accreditation

The MSW program holds full accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which ensures graduates meet educational requirements for licensure.

Admission Requirements

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree and must submit official transcripts, three reference letters (academic references preferred for recent graduates), a personal statement about career objectives, and an updated resume. The MSW program doesn’t require GRE scores. International students must show English proficiency with minimum TOEFL scores of 98 or IELTS scores of 7.0.

7. University at Buffalo (SUNY)

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work stands among UB’s six health sciences schools. U.S. News & World Report ranks its complete MSW program in the top 10% nationally. The school leads as the #1 social work institution in the SUNY/CUNY systems. Students benefit from a unique educational experience that focuses on trauma-informed and human rights views.

MSW Program Overview

The MSW curriculum progresses naturally from foundation to advanced practice. Students learn to change both client outcomes and delivery systems. The program combines coursework with hands-on experience to build competencies. This approach helps students tackle structural oppression and advocate for social justice. Students pursuing clinical social work licensure (LCSW) can easily complete their required 12 clinical course credits.

Specializations Offered

Students can tailor their advanced-year coursework to match their interests instead of choosing formal concentrations. The program features several learning opportunities:

• Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education
• Micro-Credential in Excellence in Aging or Serious Illness Care
• Veteran and Military Family Focus
• Safe Exchange Fellowship

Program Duration

Students can choose from several paths:

• Traditional MSW (60 credits): Full-time (2 years/4 semesters) or part-time (3 years/9 semesters)
• Advanced Standing MSW (35 credits): Full-time (1 year/3 semesters) or part-time (1.5 years/5 semesters)
• Online MSW options with similar credit requirements for both tracks

Accreditation

The program has managed to keep continuous accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1934. This accreditation confirms that the curriculum lines up with professional standards and prepares graduates to meet licensure requirements. The current reaccreditation runs through October 2027.

Admission Requirements

Traditional MSW applicants need:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any field
• At least 24 credits of undergraduate liberal arts coursework
• Preferred 3.0 GPA
• Human biology undergraduate course (before advanced year)

Applicants must submit all materials electronically. This includes three professional recommendations, transcripts, application essay, and a non-refundable fee ($75 for on-campus, $100 for online programs).

8. Yeshiva University

The Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University, 66 years old, remains America’s only graduate social work school under Jewish auspices in a university setting.

MSW Program Overview

Students from around the world choose the Wurzweiler School, which ranks among the nation’s top MSW programs. Students can pursue their education through three learning platforms: in-person at the Wilf Campus, Live Virtual Classroom, or asynchronous online study. The program focuses on “repairing the world”.

Specializations Offered

Students can select from three advanced practice methods:

• Clinical work with individuals and families
• Group work (the only U.S. social work school offering this as a method)
• Community practice that builds advocacy and leadership skills

The program features seven areas of study and includes an optional CASAC credential at no extra cost.

Program Duration

Students with Advanced Standing can complete their MSW within one year (30 credits). Traditional study (60 credits) takes two or more years. The program accommodates different schedules with full-time and part-time options.

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, personal statement, and letter of recommendation. Students from other countries must provide translated and evaluated transcripts. The program doesn’t require GRE scores and automatically considers all applicants for scholarships.

9. Adelphi University

For over 70 years, Adelphi University’s School of Social Work has maintained its position as a leading institution for social work education, currently ranked in the top 5% of MSW programs nationwide by U.S. News & World Report.

MSW Program Overview

The 61-credit MSW program emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical experience through a generalist curriculum. A standout feature is Adelphi’s commitment to affordability, offering scholarships up to $20,000 for traditional students and $10,000 for Advanced Standing students. The school provides exceptional flexibility with four New York locations: Garden City, Brooklyn, Hauppauge in Suffolk County, and Poughkeepsie in the Hudson Valley.

Specializations Offered

Students can specialize in critical areas including:

• Mental health
• Substance abuse
• Trauma
• Human services management and organizational leadership

Program Duration

Multiple pathways accommodate diverse needs:

• Traditional full-time: Two years
• Part-time: Evening/weekend options
• Advanced Standing: 15-month accelerated program (31 credits at half the cost)
• Online options with virtual residencies

Accreditation

Adelphi has maintained continuous CSWE accreditation since 1951, demonstrating its consistent commitment to excellence.

Admission Requirements

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree with minimum 3.0 GPA, two recommendation letters, personal essay, and resume. Field experience in human services is preferred yet GRE scores are not required.

10. Nazareth College

Nazareth College stands out as the only institution in the Rochester area that combines social work education with allied health programs like Creative Arts Therapy, Nursing, and Physical Therapy.

MSW Program Overview

The program creates practitioners who champion diversity, equity, and social justice through shared practice. Students learn a person-in-environment approach to improve individual and community well-being. The college’s 83% licensure exam pass rate surpasses both the state average of 71% and national rate of 73%.

Specializations Offered

Students can choose from these specialized three-course sequences:

• Play Therapy
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health
• School Social Work
• Interdisciplinary Specialty Program in Autism
• Gerontology

Program Duration

Students can choose between two paths:

• 36-credit Advanced Standing (for BSW holders): Students complete this in one year full-time or two years part-time with 500 practicum hours
• 60-credit program (for non-BSW degrees): Students can finish full-time or part-time (3-4 years) with 900 practicum hours

College Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the program. The New York State Education Department has registered it, and it meets educational requirements for both LMSW and LCSW licensure.

Admission Requirements

Students need a bachelor’s degree with a typical minimum 3.0 GPA. The application package should include a professional statement, resume, official transcripts, and two recommendation letters. Students must complete 12 credits in social/behavioral sciences and 12 credits in mathematics, sciences, and humanities.

11. Roberts Wesleyan University

Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, NY, offers a fully online MSW program. Students attend synchronous classes with optional in-person clinical sessions on Saturdays.

MSW Program Overview

The MSW program, first accredited in 1996, enables students to make positive changes in communities and individual lives through education. Students learn using a person-in-environment framework that prepares them to advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice while protecting human rights and dignity. The program’s graduates consistently achieve LMSW and LCSW exam pass rates that exceed state and national averages.

Specializations Offered

Students can choose between two specialized concentrations:

• Mental Health
• Child & Family Services

The university also offers dual degree options that combine MSW with MDIV or MA in Theological Studies.

Program Duration

Students can choose from two paths:

• Standard Program: Students complete 60 credits in 24 months (full-time) or part-time
• Advanced Standing: Students finish 38 credits in 11 months (full-time) or part-time

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the program.

Admission Requirements

The Standard Program needs a bachelor’s degree with 2.75 GPA. Prerequisites include English Composition, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, and 9-12 Humanities credits. Advanced Standing applicants must have a CSWE-accredited BSW with 3.0 GPA.

12. Touro College

Touro College Graduate School of Social Work combines theory with hands-on experience. Students learn a person-in-environment approach that prepares them to become clinical social workers.

MSW Program Overview

Students at Touro complete a 65-credit MSW curriculum that builds from foundation to advanced coursework. They start with case management and generalist practice basics before moving to advanced clinical training. The program lets students choose between in-person classes at Manhattan and Brooklyn campuses or a fully online track. Students learn from faculty members who are both scholars and practitioners. These experts teach from their real-life experience and academic knowledge.

Specializations Offered

Advanced Concentration Year students can compete for fellowships in three areas:

• Aging Education Fellowship – Focused exclusively on elder care
• School Social Work – Connecting schools, homes, and communities
• Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health – Working with serious or persistent mental illness

Students who receive fellowships get tuition reduction and special certificates when they graduate.

Program Duration

The program offers four flexible completion paths:

• 16-month accelerated program (begins in Spring)
• Two-year traditional full-time
• Three-year part-time
• Four-year part-time

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the program. Graduates can apply for licensure in all 50 states.

Admission Requirements

Students need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The application package should include a completed form with $60 fee, official transcripts, two recommendation letters, personal statement, and resume. Applicants must also complete an interview.

13. Lehman College (CUNY)

Lehman College runs the Bronx’s only graduate social work program that prepares social workers to lead urban public and voluntary sector agencies.

MSW Program Overview

Students in the MSW program follow an Advanced Generalist curriculum that covers direct practice, supervision, administration, policy practice, and research. This approach helps students learn detailed skills for multiple practice levels without choosing a specialization. Graduates are ready to take on diverse social work positions in urban settings.

Specializations Offered

While the program doesn’t have formal concentrations, students can complete fieldwork in settings that match their interests:

• Schools and community health
• Housing and substance use disorder
• Working with older adults
• Mental health clinics

The program also includes a Dual-Language English Spanish Practicum Seminar Class that helps students serve Spanish-speaking communities.

Program Duration

Students can choose from three tracks:

• Two-year full-time (Track A): 21 hours/week fieldwork
• Three-year extended (Track D): Part-time first two years, full-time third year
• One-year Advanced Standing (Track C): For BSW graduates

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has fully accredited the program. This allows graduates to take the New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) exam.

Admission Requirements

Students need a bachelor’s degree with 45 liberal arts credits and roughly a 3.0 GPA. Applications are due by February 1st. The program doesn’t require GRE scores.

Comparing New York’s MSW Programs

Get Started with Your MSW

Your social work career path depends heavily on picking the right MSW program. This piece looks at 13 outstanding CSWE-accredited programs in New York state. Each program brings its own strengths and specializations to the table while sharing some common ground.

CSWE accreditation serves as the measurement of quality assurance for these featured programs. This ensures your education meets national standards for licensure eligibility. Most programs share a basic structure that starts with core knowledge and moves into specialized areas. Field education is a vital part of all programs that gives you hands-on experience before you graduate.

New York’s MSW landscape offers great flexibility. You’ll find traditional two-year paths, accelerated advanced standing options, part-time schedules, and online delivery methods to fit your schedule. Programs of all types let you focus on areas like clinical practice, community organization, mental health, or policy advocacy.

Your choice should factor in location and cost. SUNY and CUNY schools typically cost less than private universities. Many private programs help offset costs with substantial scholarships.

Your career goals should drive your program selection. Clinical programs prepare you for therapeutic roles and LCSW licensure. Macro-oriented programs build skills for community organization, policy work, and leadership roles. Some programs offer dual degrees or specialized certificates that can boost your value in specific practice areas.

An MSW degree proves worthwhile despite the work to be done. Social work professionals are in high demand across New York state, especially in clinical, healthcare, and school settings. Take time to evaluate each program’s specializations, fieldwork opportunities, location, and cost. This helps you pick a program that lines up with your professional goals and personal situation.