Manhattan Center

Social Work Programs

The Manhattan Center offers a wide range of M.S.W. pathways, as well as a B.S.W. course of study wherein prior work/life experience may be applied to degree credits. Classes are offered weekday evenings and Saturdays to accommodate working students.

Undergraduate B.S.W. Program (ANSWER)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, employment in social work will increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2008. Adelphi’s School of Social Work, with its flexible programs leading to B.S.W. and M.S.W. degrees, prepares students for careers in public, private and not-for-profit organizations serving children, adults and people coping with mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty, illness and other crises.

The ANSWER Program

Originally designed as a way to create opportunities for upward professional mobility for paraprofessionals working in social, community, and human service agencies, Adelphi’s New Social Welfare Education Routes (ANSWER) program now accommodates community college students transferring to Adelphi as well students changing fields or returning to school to earn a bachelor’s after a lengthy hiatus.

Students may study full or part time, and courses meet once a week at the Manhattan Center. The student population, diverse in age, ethnic origin and cultural background, presents an invigorating atmosphere for learning. Small size allows students, faculty and administration to interact in a positive way.

ANSWER Curriculum

Providing students with a solid foundation in the knowledge, values and skills necessary for social work practice, the B.S.W. curriculum emphasizes a generalist orientation to the field. This educational approach enables graduates to pursue practice in a variety of areas with command of a range of strategies for intervention. It also serves as the springboard to advanced standing in the M.S.W. program for those students who meet the qualifications for graduate education.

Credit for Prior Work and Life Experience

ANSWER students may apply for a maximum of 10 elective college credits based on knowledge obtained outside the classroom.

• Six credits may be earned for prior full-time paid work experiencein the social work field.
• Four credits may be earned for learning gained through successful completion of in-service training program, volunteer work, community activities and significant personal experiences.

Work/life credits may not be used to waive any required liberal arts or social welfare courses. Students interested in applying for work/life credits should meet with the program director who will assess eligibility and discuss the application guidelines.

For additional program details, please refer to the Adelphi University School of Social Work website.