Masters in Social Work (MSW) Program

Master of Social Work Tracks

Making our MSW program more accessible to all is our mission. We offer several options for completing your MSW degree, all of which follow the same sequencing of courses and requirements regardless of whether you are full or part time, on campus or online. All programs require you to matriculate in four years and fulfill residency requirements by enrolling in 10 or more credits for two successive semesters. Explore our many program options to find one that best fits your goals.

• Full-Time, Two-Year MSW Program – Our standard MSW program
• MSW for Human Service Professionals Program – An accelerated program for working students
• Spring Start 16-Month, Full-Time MSW Program – Take courses over the summer to accelerate your program.
• Part-Time MSW Program – Complete a degree during evenings and weekends.
• BSW-MSW Advanced Standing Program – Earn an MSW in only one year.
• Bilingual School Social Work Program – Earn an MSW and a certificate in bilingual school social work
• Online MSW – A low-residency, innovative and user-friendly alternative to distance learning and on-campus classes
• Advanced Standing Online MSW – Designed for students who graduated from an accredited BSW program in the last five years

Master of Social Work Certifications

Explore the options below to advance your specialization in social work with a certificate program.

• Bilingual School Social Work – Earn certification in bilingual school social work.
• Human Resource Management – Offered with the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, you’ll earn an Advanced Human Resource Management Certificate.
• Continuing Education and Professional Development – Explore all of your options to see how you can advance your specialization in social work, from addiction to mental health and aging.

Exceptional Hands-On Learning

Field education is a central component of Adelphi’s MSW program. With this in mind, we offer fieldwork in more than 1,000 diverse health, mental health and social service agencies. Additionally, you’ll gain valuable experience right on our Garden City campus, where the School of Social Work hosts:

• The Center for Nonprofit Leadership
• The Institute for Adolescent Trauma Treatment and Training
• The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program

Program Info

Application Requirements

Applicants for the MSW degree must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and should submit the following:

• Graduate application and $50 fee
• Two letters of recommendation
• Personal essay
• Paid or volunteer experience in the human services preferred
• Official transcripts from all prior institutions and proof of bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
• TOEFL score of 585 or IELTS required for international candidates if in the United States for less than three years

Note that an interview may also be required at the discretion of the School of Social Work’s Admissions Committee.

Additional Requirements

All applicants are required to have:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a strong background in the liberal arts and sciences
• Personal characteristics and qualifications related to successful professional performance consistent with the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics

Advanced Standing program applicants must also submit evidence of the following:

• An undergraduate degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)–accredited social work program within the past five years
• One letter of recommendation from your faculty field liaison or field instructor
• Second letter of recommendation; preferably from a faculty member
• Grades of B or better in all social work courses (in some cases, additional courses may be required)

Human Service Professional Applicants must also submit verification of their employment history.

• Verification form for your current employer (PDF)
• Verification form for your previous employer (PDF)