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Your guide to social work programs in New York

Last updated: April 15, 2021

Below, you’ll find everything you need to complete a New York social worker program or become a licensed social worker in New York. The guide emphasizes MSWs or master’s in social work programs since these degrees are necessary to achieve social work licensure and because of their general popularity. MSWs are needed if you want to practice social work clinically.

CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE

  • Social work in New York
  • MSW programs
  • How to become a social worker
  • License requirements
  • Social worker jobs and salary
  • Job outlook
  • School Listings
  • Expert advice

Social work in New York

New York is the third most populous state in the entire US and is comprised of both rural and many major urban communities. The most famous of these is New York City, a metropolis centered on Manhattan Island that’s home to 8.4 million people alone.

New York’s demographics are extremely diverse. Social workers can provide valuable assistance to the Empire State’s various populations, both in upstate New York and around and within New York City.

As a state of immigrants, New York’s social environment provides plenty of opportunities for social workers to practice their profession. Immigrants may need help assimilating into the culture or getting through language barriers. Immigrants may also need help tackling more specific problems, like finding a job or accessing the healthcare system.

Furthermore, New York City and other big metropolitan areas typically feature high concentrations of individuals with mental illnesses and emotional disturbances. The high number of families in New York means that social workers will be needed to help with marital or family difficulties. Furthermore, social workers can assist individuals struggling with alcohol or substance abuse issues.

Ultimately, New York is a place with great potential, but it’s very much in need of social workers’ assistance. Those who want to become social workers in the state will find plenty of opportunities for employment and meaningful work.

MSW programs in New York

Like every other state offering these programs, New York provides several master’s in social work (MSW) programs for aspiring social workers to pursue. Students can find MSW programs in both state and private universities, and in both on-campus and online formats.

All MSW programs incorporate coursework and clinical working hours. The latter is necessary to provide future social workers the hands-on experience they need to adequately care for the people under their charge. Many MSW programs that incorporate clinical working hours will also include enough hours such that graduates can take the licensure exam immediately after graduating.

The available focuses or specialties that a student can pursue will vary from school to school. Students will want to find an MSW program from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or CSWE. Such programs are oftentimes required for social work licensure and ensure that coursework that is up-to-date with current social work practices and concepts.

All CSWE-accredited MSW programs will include:

  • Coursework that encompasses all general social work concepts and ideas. Programs may either include coursework for advanced students only (if the students in the program came from a bachelor’s program for social work) or include coursework from the undergraduate to the graduate level.
  • MSW programs may include special classes or coursework if the university allows students to focus on a particular social work path, such as healthcare social work or substance abuse social work.
  • MSW programs include practical or clinical work experience opportunities. In most cases, these powers will take place under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker and at a clinic attached to the university which provides the program. In the event that a student takes an online MSW program, the practical hours may be fulfilled at a local clinic, provided they have an LCSW on-hand to supervise.
  • The majority of MSW programs also allow students to take several electives to focus even further on a particular social work field or to diversify their education.

After graduating from an accredited MSW program and after acquiring the requisite number of critical training hours, students may take one of two New York social work licensure tests and become a licensed social worker.

There are 27 total MSW programs can find in New York, six of which are online. Columbia University is a particularly good example, and it’s ranked fifth in the entire nation when compared to other universities that offer graduate-level social work programs. It offers a comprehensive social work education and easy access to clinical settings to complete your required hours for licensure.

Online MSW programs in New York

On-campus programs are often beneficial for students pursuing an MSW since clinical social work hours are easy to incorporate into an existing schedule. These clinical sessions may also be geographically easy to reach – they often take place in a clinic at the main university.

However, students can also find online MSW programs. To ensure that students still complete the necessary number of clinical hours, students will be required to visit local clinics or medical centers that they can reach from wherever they live. The hours will still be logged and count for the program and licensure test.

Many may opt for online programs because of their unique benefits. For instance:

  • Online MSW programs often offer more flexible scheduling than their own campus counterparts. Flexible programs may be excellent choices for busy professionals or for students who need to juggle bustling home lives. Other online MSW programs may have rapid-pace scheduling and be suitable for particularly motivated students or those who already have some social worker credits under their belts.
  • Online MSW programs from universities outside New York might be a good choice, especially if a student can get a better financial deal or if they recently moved to New York and wish to continue their education at their former university. Students just need to be sure that the university in question requires the same number of clinical practice hours as New York’s state licensure requirements.

Here are some excellent examples of top online New York MSW programs:

  • The University of Buffalo also offers an excellent online MSW program. It offers an advanced standing MSW if you already have some social work experience and want to get your licensure ASAP. It doesn’t require a capstone or thesis, but it does require some on-campus courses, so it’s more of a blended program overall.
  • Fordham University is another excellent online MSW source, posting more than 16,000 students across all its schools. Its MSW program emphasizes integrated practice and is broken down into two phases, one exploring theory and the other focusing on practical social work components. Courses can be delivered either synchronously or asynchronously depending on your scheduling needs.

How to become a social worker in New York

New York offers two social work license types, either of which may be pursued if you want to become a full social worker.

Licensed master social worker (LMSW)

The LMSW is an entry-level social work license in New York. It allows social workers to be employed at social work clinics and social work organizations. It’s often used as a stepping stone so that social workers can get the experience or practical hours necessary to obtain licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) status later. Here are the steps required:

  • Complete a required “identification and reporting of child abuse” course, which can be obtained from several approved providers throughout New York State. You may be exempted from this requirement if you won’t be providing services for children or disabled adults who live in residential facilities.
  • Next, complete your application for LMSW licensure. This involves submitting a $294 licensing fee, as well as asking your school to submit your degree’s documentation. You may practice under the supervision of another LMSW or LCSW with an extra application and another $70 licensing fee.
  • Complete the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) master’s examination. It is a four-hour exam consisting of 170 multiple-choice questions and it costs $230.
  • If you pass the exam, you’ll get your LMSW license.

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)

The LCSW level is the most common social work license in New York because it is required if you want to open your own clinic or even practice in a clinical setting. You’ll need either an MSW or a doctorate of social work from a CSWE-accredited program. These are the steps after:

  • Finish three years of postgraduate and supervised clinical experience. These must be full-time years and must total at least 2,000 hours providing service to clients directly. Of the 2,000 hours, 100 of them must be directly supervised by an LCSW.
  • Submit your LCSW application, which has a cost of $294. You’ll also need to submit other required documentation and proof of your degree(s).
  • Complete the ASWB master’s exam, which has a cost of $260 and consists of 170 questions over four hours.
  • Receive your LCSW license if you passed the exam.

Social work license requirements in New York

Exact LCSW requirements vary from state to state. New York’s are handled by the New York State Education Department.

  • be of good moral character
  • at least 21 years of age
  • have an education that includes an MSW with at least 12 semester hours of clinical coursework
  • have at least three years of post-MSW supervised experience in psychotherapy, diagnosis and assessment-based treatment planning
  • meet clinical examination requirements
  • complete all course worker training required for the identification and reporting of child abuse, offered as a single course

You’ll also need to renew your New York social work license every three years. This involves completing 36 hours of continuing education courses, and no more than 12 of those hours per every license renewal period can be self-study – in other words, 24 hours must be taken in a classroom or group setting. You’ll also need to pay a renewal fee of $179.

Social worker salary in New York

Social workers as a whole can expect reasonable salaries, with a national average of around $50,470 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But what about New York specifically? Social workers tend to make slightly different salaries depending on their professional focus. The BLS breaks down social worker earnings and populations across the four categories below:

  • Child, family, and school social workers are the most common type in New York, totaling about 29,880. They also make better money than the national social worker, earning an average of $50,380 every year, with an hourly wage of $29.03.
  • Healthcare social workers are not far behind in terms of population, numbering about 15,720. They can expect an annual salary of $61,470 and an hourly wage of $29.55.
  • Mental health and substance abuse social workers number about 11,540 and make an average annual salary of $63,520. Their hourly wage is $30.54.
  • All other social workers are the least common in New York but make the most money on average. They number 4,910 and can expect an average annual salary of $67,580 with an hourly salary of $32.49.

Job outlook for social workers in New York

The good news for social workers overall is that the profession is expected to grow by 11 percent over the next eight years. This is significantly faster than the national average, and it should result in another 707,400 social worker jobs opening up across the entire country. As New York already employs a significant portion of social workers, many of these will be needed in the Empire State, and soon.

The BLS predicts that healthcare social workers and mental health and substance abuse social workers will grow by 17 and 18 percent, respectively.

It’s likely that social workers will continue to become more and more necessary as people live longer and as America becomes increasingly more urbanized. Social work’s importance, and its role in good mental health, will also likely come into increased focus and appreciation.

Social Work Programs in New York

In this Section:
BSW programs
Online BSW programs
MSW programs
Online MSW programs
Ph.D programs
Online Ph.D programs

SOCIAL WORK Bachelor’s PROGRAMS IN New York

SchoolCityProgram Website
Binghamton University, State University of New YorkBinghamtonBaccalaureate of Social Work
College at Brockport, State University of New YorkBrockportSocial Work Major
College at Fredonia, State University of New YorkFredoniaSocial Work
College of Saint RoseAlbanyBachelor’s Degree in Social Work
College of Staten IslandStaten IslandBachelor of Science in Social Work
Concordia CollegeBronxvilleSocial Work
Daemen CollegeAmherstBachelor of Arts in Social Work
Dominican College of BlauveltOrangeburgBachelor of Social Work
Fordham UniversityNew YorkBachelor of Arts in Social Work
Hunter College, City University of New YorkNew YorkBachelor of Social Work
Iona CollegeNew RochelleSocial Work Major
Keuka CollegeKeuka ParkBachelor of Social Work
Lehman College, City University of New YorkBronxUndergraduate Social Work
Long Island University PostBrookvilleBachelor of Science in Social Work
Long Island University-Brooklyn CampusBrooklynB.S. in Social Work
Marist CollegePoughkeepsieSocial Work Major
Medgar Evers College, City University of New YorkBrooklynBachelor of Science in Social Work
Mercy CollegeDobbs FerrySocial Work B.S.W
Molloy CollegeRockville CentreBachelor of Social Work
Nazareth College of RochesterRochesterSocial Work – Major
New York UniversityNew YorkBachelor of Science in Social Work
Niagara UniversityNiagara UniversityBaccalaureate Social Work
Nyack CollegeNew YorkBachelor of Science in Social Work
Plattsburgh, State University of New YorkPlattsburghSocial Work Major
Roberts Wesleyan CollegeRochesterBachelor’s of Social Work
Siena CollegeLoudonvilleSocial Work, B.A.
Skidmore CollegeSaratoga SpringsSocial Work B.S.
State University of New York at Stony BrookStony BrookBachelor of Social Work
SUNY Buffalo StateBuffaloSocial Work, B.S.
Syracuse UniversitySyracuseBachelor’s Degree in Social Work
University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyBaccalaureate of Social Work
York College, City University of New YorkJamaicaBachelor of Science in Social Work

SOCIAL WORK Online Bachelor’s PROGRAMS IN New York

SchoolCityProgram Website
Binghamton University, State University of New YorkBinghamtonBaccalaureate of Social Work
Keuka CollegeKeuka ParkBachelor of Social Work
Nazareth College of RochesterRochesterSocial Work – Major
State University of New York at Stony BrookStony BrookBachelor of Social Work

SOCIAL WORK Master’s PROGRAMS IN New York

SchoolCityProgram Website
Adelphi UniversityGarden CityMaster’s in Social Work
Binghamton UniversityBinghamtonSocial Work (MSW)
College of Saint RoseAlbanyMaster of Science in Social Work
College of Staten IslandStaten IslandMaster of Social Work
Columbia UniversityNew YorkMaster of Social Work
CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York CityMSW Program
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York CityMSW Program
CUNY Lehman CollegeNew York CitySocial Work M.S.W. Program
CUNY York CollegeNew York CityMSW Program
Daemen CollegeAmherstMaster of Social Work
Fordham UniversityNew YorkMaster of Social Work
Hunter College, City University of New YorkNew YorkMaster of Social Work
Keuka CollegeKeuka ParkMaster of Social Work
Lehman College, City University of New YorkBronxMaster’s of Social Work
Long Island UniversityBrookvilleMaster of Social Work (MSW)
Long Island University Post and Long Island University Brooklyn CollaborativeBrookvilleMaster of Social Work
Nazareth College of RochesterRochesterMaster of Social Work
New York UniversityNew YorkMaster of Social Work
Nyack CollegeNyackMasters in Social Work
Roberts Wesleyan CollegeRochesterMaster of Social Work
State University of New York at Stony BrookStony BrookMaster of Social Work
Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookMaster of Social Work
SUNY at AlbanyAlbanyMaster of Social Work
SUNY College at BrockportBrockportSocial Work (MSW)
Syracuse UniversitySyracuseMaster of Social Work
Touro CollegeNew YorkMaster of Social Work
University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyMaster’s in Social Work
University at Buffalo, State University of New YorkBuffaloMaster of Social Work
Yeshiva UniversityNew YorkMaster of Social Work
York College, City University of New YorkJamaicaMaster of Social Work

SOCIAL WORK Online Master’s PROGRAMS IN New York

SchoolCityProgram Website
Binghamton University, State University of New YorkBinghamtonMaster of Social Work
College at Brockport, State University of New YorkBrockportMaster of Social Work
College of Saint RoseAlbanyMaster of Science in Social Work
Columbia UniversityNew YorkMaster of Social Work
Daemen CollegeAmherstMaster of Social Work
Fordham UniversityNew YorkMaster of Social Work
Keuka CollegeKeuka ParkMaster of Social Work
Nazareth CollegeRochesterMaster of Social Work Program
Touro CollegeNew YorkMaster of Social Work
University at BuffaloBuffaloOnline Master of Social Work
Yeshiva UniversityNew YorkOnline Master of Social Work

SOCIAL WORK Ph.D PROGRAMS IN New York

SchoolCityProgram Website
New York UniversityNew YorkPhD Program
Columbia UniversityNew YorkPhD in Social Work
University at BuffaloBuffaloPhD in Social Welfare
University at AlbanyAlbanyPhD Social Work program

SOCIAL WORK Online Ph.D PROGRAMS IN New York

SchoolCityProgram Website
New York UniversityNew YorkDSW PROGRAM IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK
University of BuffaloBuffaloDSW Online

Expert Advice

  1. What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in New York?
  2. What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in New York?
  3. What does the future of social work look like in New York?
  4. What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in New York?

Maggie Dreyer
Director of field education for Daemen College
Read More
Marquis Chandler
Assistant social work professor at Long Island University-Brooklyn
Read More
Michael Clarkson-Hendrix
Social work program director, The State University of New York at Fredonia
Read More

Maggie Dreyer

Director of field education for Daemen College

What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in New York?

The opportunities are abundant. Social workers and the services they provide are recognized now more than ever. Social workers work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, schools, child welfare and human service agencies, hospitals, courts, community development corporations, and private practices.

What does the future of social work look like in New York?

Overall employment of social workers is expected to grow. We have seen employment growth nationally for our profession.

What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in New York?

MSW graduates are being hired in mental health clinics, in human service agencies, in county and state government, in courts, hospitals, and community agencies. They are performing duties at the micro, mezzo and macro levels.

Marquis Chandler

Assistant social work professor at Long Island University-Brooklyn

What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in New York?

The most important factors for students begin with understanding the rigor that comes with an MSW program. A program should be equipped with the faculty as well as the resources that fit your goals regarding the social work profession. The university as an extension of the program should also be aligned with the type of learning environment the student seeks.

What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in New York?

The challenges with becoming a social worker in New York are that you must understand that in one of the most populated cities in the world people are also faced with more problems than residents from other states and countries. At the same time students get the opportunity to build their levels of competence and become very diverse in their practice skills.

What does the future of social work look like in New York?

Working as a professional in New York City means you must be equipped to aid a wide variety of people regarding their current challenges and their cultural background. In such a fast-paced environment you must be able to switch gears and adjust to certain situations when needed.

What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in New York?

Currently, in New York most social workers are finding employment in hospitals and social service agencies in both the public and non-profit sector. However, other opportunities exist such as working with reentry, veterans, or managing your own private practice.

Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in New York?

Be prepared to complete the licensure exam immediately after completing your MSW program or if not in the last year of your courses. Understand that we as social workers service a delicate population, we have very little margin for error. Being well-rounded in practice occurs by taking your education within the MSW program seriously.

Michael Clarkson-Hendrix

Social work program director, The State University of New York at Fredonia

What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in New York?

I do not see many challenges with becoming a social worker in New York with the exception of the need to successfully complete a master of social work program as well as a licensing exam. Opportunity is abounding in New York for social work practitioners in all areas.

What does the future of social work look like in New York?

Social work telehealth services will continue in New York although likely not to the same level as they have during the pandemic. With the national recognition of ongoing racial and social injustice, more opportunities will be developing in areas such as community organizing and policy practice in New York.

Maggie Dreyer

Director of field education for Daemen College

Maggie Dreyer LCSW-R is an alumna of Daemen College, 2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award winner, and 2017 Distinguished Faculty Award winner. Maggie Dreyer has over twenty-five years of experience working in the Western New York area as a clinical social worker and has served on the Daemen College Social Work Community Advisory Board for over twenty years. Maggie was also an adjunct faculty member for nine years. She is also co-owner of Pathways Supervised Visitation Program and co-founder of the TSG: Dating after Sexual Abuse Group Program. Maggie has focused her career in the child welfare arena and has a private clinical practice working with children and families who have experienced significant trauma. Maggie has presented on the local, regional and national level addressing the treatment of children who have experienced sexual abuse and presented on trends related to child welfare and permanency. Maggie is the Director of Field Education for Daemen College. She is the President and co-founder of Kaely’s Kindness Foundation, a charity dedicated to serving young women diagnosed with cancer. She previously worked for GA Family Services as Director of Community Based Services, where she developed and sustained their therapeutic foster care program for all eight counties of WNY. Maggie is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors.

LinkedIn

Marquis Chandler

Assistant social work professor at Long Island University-Brooklyn

Marquis Chandler MSW, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of the Social Work department at Long Island University-Brooklyn. His research interests in the field are related to reentry, health utilization and hip-hop in social work. Dr. Chandler is an alumnus of Morgan State University and Centenary College of New Jersey. His teaching philosophy focuses on a collaborative student first approach. Dr. Chandler believes meeting the students where they are, from a knowledge standpoint, is important when trying to find a teaching style that is suitable for the group.

Michael Clarkson-Hendrix

Social work program director, The State University of New York at Fredonia

Michael Clarkson-Hendrix, PhD, MSW is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the Department of Sociocultural and Justice Sciences at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Michael’s research targets health and behavioral health services with a focus on improving these services to reduce disparities in access to care and receipt of quality services on client and workforce levels. He is particularly interested in the value of developing a robust, diverse social work workforce to address health disparities. Michael has extensive practice experience in the areas of mental and behavioral health as well as child welfare.

Faculty Profile    |    Linkedin profile

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