Top 10 percent in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Fordham University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program will prepare you to engage effectively across all areas of social work throughout your career.
The world of social work is complex and changing. That’s why we’ve developed a future-focused curriculum that provides students with tools and skills grounded in theory and ethics. GSS also offers numerous scholarships and fellowship opportunities, including our Palliative Care Fellowship and PIPELINE for Youth Health Fellowship Program.
We've also created flexible plans of study that allow Fordham MSW students to complete their coursework in just one day a week on campus — full-time or part-time.
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, our MSW program curriculum is designed to turn you into a highly competent, integrated practitioner with the tools to succeed in every setting.
| Fall 2024 |
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| Priority Deadline: February 1 |
| Standard Deadline: April 1 |
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For over 100 years, Fordham GSS has been educating New York’s best and brightest social workers to create an impact in their own communities and the rest of the world. Our on-campus MSW program places you in the classroom to network face-to-face with peers and learn directly from faculty experts who boast intangible, real-world experience.
The on-campus MSW curriculum educates students with advanced integrated practice that cuts across populations and contexts. Whether you want to work in a macro, micro, or mezzo environment, our coursework’s focus on innovation will mold you into a nimble social worker ready to take on the future.
Our MSW Program Offers Students:
Looking to separate yourself in the social work job market? Fordham GSS offers two specialized practice certificates (SPCs) for on-campus students that can help you stand out throughout your career search and find the role best suited for your abilities.
On-campus students can choose one SPC to complete simultaneously with their MSW degree. To receive the certificate, students must complete three applicable courses.
Read more below about the SPCs currently offered:
Prospective student interested in an SPC? Join us for an information session to get more details!
Current student interested in an SPC? Contact your advisor to begin the journey of specializing your passion!
You may be eligible for advanced standing admission if you earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree or completed the first year of a CSWE-accredited MSW program. This plan of study enables you to bypass the foundation coursework you have already completed and earn your MSW degree in just nine months, saving over $30,000 in the process.
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Can’t commit to our Manhattan or Westchester campuses for all your coursework? That’s not an issue with our innovative hybrid MSW program.
Fordham GSS has partnered with Molloy University so our Long Island students can get a Fordham experience without the commute. Split your classes between Molloy’s campus and our Lincoln Center campus, or complete your classes online. Both paths lead to a Fordham M.S.W. upon completion.
An MSW degree is one of the most versatile graduate credentials available. It can also serve as a terrific complement to other professional degrees based on your career interests and aspirations. At Fordham GSS, we offer the possibility to extend your efforts and complete two graduate degrees simultaneously, saving you time and money while making yourself more marketable for your dream career.
The courtroom is an incredible place to impact change and advocate for those who need it. In our MSW/JD dual program, you take classes at Fordham Law School—one of the top-ranked law institutions in the country—in tandem with your social work coursework, and earn both your J.D. and M.S.W. in just four years.
GSS also allows our students to complete their MSW coursework fully online. Not able to come to campus? This could be a great option for you.
Graduate education is a life-changing experience, and we want to ensure you choose the right path for you.
Not clear whether on-campus, hybrid, or online education is the best choice for your situation? Let us help you.
What jobs can I get with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree? What is an MSW degree, anyway?
Social work is a profession that can span a multitude of job positions and titles. This kind of diverse opportunity is what makes the MSW degree so versatile. If you're new to social work and are wondering how it can fit into your future, we've tried to answer some of your questions below.
How long it takes for someone to get their MSW degree depends on two key factors:
At Fordham, we offer many flexible plans of study to meet your needs as a student. As a full-time advanced standing student, you could complete your MSW program in as little as one year. Traditional full-time students typically finish the degree in two years. Additionally, we offer three- to four-year part-time options for those who earn their degree while working full-time or attending to other obligations that prevent them from attending school full-time.
Learn more about our plans of study, or schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor to explore how Fordham can help tailor MSW coursework to your schedule.
A Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree is a graduate degree that prepares students to serve populations as a professional social worker and also pursue state licensure. Students take coursework for credit and perform field education requirements—getting on-the-ground exposure to what social workers do and how they serve communities.
Field internships span a variety of areas at Fordham through our diverse New York City partnerships. These include the Department of Education, multiple New York City hospitals, and the United Nations.
Fordham’s future-focused curriculum provides students with tools and skills grounded in theory and ethics. Our program combines a strong foundation in social work traditions with the ability to design your own advanced course of study.
Whether your interest is in direct practice, organizational leadership, or social science research, you’ll graduate with a skill set relevant to every population and every setting throughout your career.
Before any major career decision, it’s important to ask yourself whether or not that path is the right fit. So, how do you know if social work is right for you?
All good social workers have a diverse skill set that makes them effective in the field. Here are some of the top social work qualities:
Do you see yourself represented by these characteristics? A career in social work may be the journey you’re looking for. Feel free to contact a GSS admissions counselor for more information about whether or not social work is right for you. We want to help you find and pursue your passion.
Social workers are offered a variety of career options after obtaining their Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree, thanks to the versatility of the degree itself. As an MSW student, you will learn qualitative and quantitative skills that transfer well to various career paths.
Here are some of the most common settings for social work jobs:
Demand for social workers continues to rise in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social worker employment is projected to grow 9% from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than average compared to other professions.
The knowledge acquired through an MSW program also applies to various professions outside of social work. Social work is both an art and a science. Fordham’s MSW program will teach technical and interpersonal skills to help you thrive in any career path.
