Adelphi University Social Work Programs

Adelphi University’s School of Social Work, 70 years old now, stands at the vanguard of social work education. It sits comfortably in the top 10% of social work programs nationwide at #29 out of 419 schools. The school also holds the #4 spot in New York State for social work education.

The school’s steadfast dedication to social justice, equity, and inclusion sets it apart. Students and faculty create a highly diverse community that values belonging in all their activities. You’ll find small, supportive classes whether you choose traditional classroom learning or online studies.

The school makes education convenient with five locations across New York State:

• Garden City (main campus)
• Brooklyn, NYC
• Poughkeepsie (Hudson Valley)
• Middletown (Hudson Valley)
• Hauppauge (Suffolk County)

The Hudson Valley MSW program is the only social work graduate school in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.

The faculty has engaged social work scholars who bring extensive teaching experience as recognized leaders in their fields. They connect students with real-life settings where they work directly with individuals, families, and community groups.

The school shows its commitment to affordable education through generous scholarships of up to $20,000 to help lower tuition costs. The school has cut tuition, boosted scholarships, grown internship partnerships, and launched specialized fellowships with various levels of financial support.

This investment creates results – 100% of social work undergraduates find employment or enter graduate school within one year of graduation. Master’s program graduates earn a median salary of $55,681, higher than the national average of $51,347 for social work graduates with a master’s degree.

Social work programs offered

Adelphi University provides a detailed suite of social work degree programs that align with various career goals and educational backgrounds. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program gives students essential knowledge and skills they need to practice social work effectively. BSW graduates can work in hospitals, schools, child welfare agencies, community organizations, and policy advocacy settings.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers multiple ways to complete your degree:

• Full-Time Two-Year MSW Program (traditional format)
• Part-Time MSW Program (evenings/weekends)
• BSW-MSW Advanced Standing Program (complete in just one year)
• Bilingual School Social Work Program (includes certification)
• Online MSW (low-residency format)
• Advanced Standing Online MSW (15-month accelerated option)

Students in the online MSW program combine theoretical study with hands-on training through a flexible format. The program features weekly live online sessions and twice-yearly intensive learning residencies. Students receive extensive support with practicum placements in their local area.

Adelphi’s doctoral education offers two distinct paths. The Doctor of Social Welfare (DSW) helps practitioners become effective leaders in just three years while maintaining their careers. This part-time, hybrid program combines monthly on-campus classes at the Hudson Valley campus with both synchronous and asynchronous online components.

Advanced degrees substantially boost earning potential. National Association of Social Workers data shows PhD and DSW degree holders earn between $20,000 and $25,000 more annually than MSW graduates.

The university’s specialized certificate programs include Bilingual School Social Work certification for professionals who want to work with multilingual populations in educational settings. Students gain valuable hands-on experience through 700 hours of required fieldwork before graduation.

Online program options

Adelphi’s online Master of Social Work programs give busy professionals great options to advance their careers while keeping up with personal commitments. Students can complete their degree part-time over three years and balance their studies with work and family responsibilities.

Adelphi has two online paths to choose from:

Traditional Online MSW Program: This 64-credit program combines theory with hands-on training to prepare students for a variety of career opportunities in an expanding field. New students can start in Fall or Spring semesters. The program typically needs 10-12 hours of weekly coursework.

Advanced Standing Online MSW Program: Recent BSW graduates can take advantage of this accelerated 31-credit option that takes just 15 months to complete—half the time and cost of the traditional program. Students need to graduate from a CSWE-accredited program in the last five years and start their studies in Summer semester.

Both programs use Moodle as their learning management system with a mix of:

• Weekly synchronous online sessions (Thursday evenings, 6:30-9:50 p.m. ET)
• Asynchronous coursework completed on your schedule
• Virtual residencies held twice yearly (August and January)

These virtual residencies last 2-4 days and are a great way to get connections with peers and faculty through shared activities and networking.

Students get detailed practicum support beyond their classroom learning. An Online MSW practicum coordinator helps secure appropriate fieldwork placements in your area through virtual one-on-one meetings. The School of Social Work’s network includes over 1,000 human service agencies throughout the New York metropolitan region, while still supporting out-of-state students.

Online students get a 30% reduction in tuition compared to on-campus students. The programs don’t require GRE scores for admission. Students take part in a three-week online orientation that covers program overview and learning technologies before starting their studies.

Admissions

Students seeking admission to Adelphi University’s School of Social Work must meet certain criteria to ensure their success. The process starts when you submit official transcripts from your previous schools and pay a $60 application fee. Adelphi alumni and U.S. veterans can get a fee waiver.

We focused the admission requirements on academic achievements and professional preparation. You need:

• A baccalaureate degree with strong liberal arts background
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Two professional/academic recommendation letters
• Personal essay
• Paid or volunteer experience in human services (preferred)

Advanced Standing MSW candidates should meet these additional requirements:

• A CSWE-accredited BSW earned in the last five years
• 0+ GPA in all social work courses
• One recommendation from a field instructor/liaison (preferably senior year)

Students from other countries must show their English proficiency through one of these tests: TOEFL (minimum 80 iBT), IELTS (6.5), or DET (110).

The programs offer rolling admissions with key priority deadlines: July 15 for fall MSW programs, December 1 for spring entry, and May 15 for Advanced Standing and Ph.D. programs. The school reviews late applications based on space availability.

Social work programs do not require GRE scores.

Tuition

Adelphi University’s social work education programs are a great way to get financial advantages and support. The traditional Online Master of Social Work program costs $1,035 per credit hour, which adds up to $66,240 for the complete 64-credit program. Students in the Advanced Standing Online MSW pay the same rate per credit, bringing their total to $32,085 for the 31-credit program.

Students who choose the online MSW program save significantly with a 30% reduction in tuition compared to campus-based programs. Adelphi University’s Board of Trustees sets these rates annually.

The school provides extensive financial support to students. MSW students can receive scholarships up to $20,000, while Advanced Standing MSW students qualify for awards up to $10,000. The school has launched new Graduate Social Work Scholarships that make education more affordable.

Transfer students from NY, NJ, CT, or MA with a minimum 3.6 GPA can get private education at public institution rates. Military personnel and veterans benefit from Adelphi’s status as a Yellow Ribbon school, ranking among the top 20% of colleges with exceptional military benefits.

The university has built mutually beneficial alliances with corporations, non-profits, and healthcare organizations. These partnerships give exclusive tuition discounts to employees of participating organizations. Students must pay a $200 deposit to register for degree programs.

Other information

Accreditation is the core of Adelphi’s social work education legacy. Since 1951, the School of Social Work has managed to keep continuous accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), proving right the program’s excellence through the decades. Adelphi University also holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which was reaffirmed in June 2019.

Your social work training at Adelphi centers on field education. Students gain substantial hands-on experience—MSW students complete minimum of 900 hours in site-based practicum placements. The School works with over 1,000 human service agencies in the New York metropolitan region. These partnerships offer practice settings in a variety of environments, from child welfare agencies to correctional facilities.

Program quality shines through career outcomes. Adelphi achieved a 93.05% career outcomes rate in the 2022-2023 academic year. Graduate satisfaction remains high—88.48% of students agree that Adelphi enhanced their intellectual abilities and potential.

Faculty expertise shapes your educational experience. The School features accomplished researchers and dedicated promoters of social justice. They specialize in areas from trauma and posttraumatic growth to gerontology. Their ground expertise keeps your education aligned with evolving social work practices.