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Master of Social Work

Application Deadline

  • Summer / Fall Admission Only: February 15 (Priority Deadline)

    (Summer start for Advanced Standing Only)

Program Format

  • Hybrid

Program Duration

  • 60 credits full-time (2-year) or part-time (3 or 4-year)
  • 32 credits (Advanced Standing ONLY)

 

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program strives to educate students for advanced, urban social work practice in the community, region, and worldwide, with an emphasis on meeting the needs of people with disabilities. Disabilities is defined broadly to include developmental, intellectual, physical, sensory, psychiatric, chronic health, age-related, alcohol and drug use, and any other impairment. Social work is a profession that strives to create a just and equitable world for the future of humanity. Guided by a code of ethics, social work is committed to ending oppression, embracing diversity, and ensuring that individuals, communities, and organizations function at an optimal level.

The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and guided by the State of New York Education Department. The curriculum combines both generalist practice courses and an area of specialization in either: (1) disability studies: clinical practice; or (2) disability studies: macro practice. The two areas of specialization are distinguished from each other by four specific courses that focus either on clinical social work or on macro social work practice.
 

Disability Studies: Clinical Practice

The disability studies: clinical practice area of specialization prepares students to work directly with individuals, families, and groups to restore, maintain, and enhance bio-psycho-social-spiritual functioning through multidimensional assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. The MSW disability studies: clinical practice program prepares students to sit for the Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW) exam upon graduation, and provides the 12-credit hours of clinical courses to sit for the Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) exam upon completion of appropriate clinical supervision (usually 3-years post-LMSW). 
 

Disability Studies: Macro Practice

The disability studies: macro practice area of specialization prepares students to work in leadership and management, community organizing and development, advocacy, and policy development and legislation. The MSW disability studies: macro practice program prepares students to sit for the Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW) exam upon graduation. Students completing the disability studies: macro practice program will not be eligible to sit for the Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) exam. 


The MSW program may be completed on a full-time (2-year) or part-time (3 or 4-year) basis. However, internships are two days per week (8 hours per day) between 8am and 6pm - Monday thru Friday during the first internship and three days for the second internship. Course sequence is predetermined. Please note that the program must be completed within 4 years.

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PROGRAM CURRICULUM

Program Director

Paul Archibald

Paul Archibald, Social Work Assistant Professor
Building 2A, Room 201
Phone: 718.982.2070
Email Paul Archibald

The Master of Social Work Program requires 60 credits to complete, which includes 2 field internships (totaling 1200 hours).

Admissions requirements for the Master of Social Work degree include a Bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Overall GPA must be at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale.

Applicants must have completed a statistics course (e.g, MTH 113) by the time they are admitted.

All CUNY licensed health professions programs will consider students to be eligible for admission consistent with the regulations of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) that make professional licensure available not only to U.S. citizens but to non-citizens so long as they are “not unlawfully present in the United States,” including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and those who are permanently residing in the United States under color of law (PRUCOL).

The Master of Social Work: Advanced Standing Program requires 32 credits to complete, which includes 1 field internship (totaling 720 hours). Students who completed less than 480 hours in their BSW/BSSW program will have to make up the necessary field hours in their specialization year internship placement.

Admissions requirements for the Master of Social Work Advanced Standing degree include a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited program within the past five years. Overall GPA must be at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale.

Applicants applying for Advanced Standing must submit a copy of their BSW final field evaluation with their application. A Summer bridge course is required of all Advanced Standing Students.

All CUNY licensed health professions programs will consider students to be eligible for admission consistent with the regulations of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) that make professional licensure available not only to U.S. citizens but to non-citizens so long as they are “not unlawfully present in the United States,” including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and those who are permanently residing in the United States under color of law (PRUCOL).

The Master of Social Work: One Year Residency (OYR) Program requires 60 credits to complete, which includes one September to August field internship (totaling 900 hours). Employees who are interested in obtaining their MSW, who have two years or more of human service work experience and are employed in a social service agency are encouraged to apply.

Admissions requirements for the Master of Social Work One Year Residency degree include a Bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Overall GPA must be at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale.

Applicants must have completed a statistics course (e.g, MTH 113) by the time they are admitted.

Applicants to OYR Program must submit the OYR Planning Packet Application.

To be eligible for OYR students must:

  • have two years or more social service work experience in an approved agency;
  • complete their internship with their current employer;
  • have been employed at that agency for at least one-year full time;
  • be assigned to a different unit of the agency for the internship portion of their work hours;
  • have a different supervisor for the internship hours who meets the requirements of the program.

All CUNY licensed health professions programs will consider students to be eligible for admission consistent with the regulations of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) that make professional licensure available not only to U.S. citizens but to non-citizens so long as they are “not unlawfully present in the United States,” including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and those who are permanently residing in the United States under color of law (PRUCOL).

Graduate Application:

The application must be completed online at Graduate Application.

Transcripts:

Request official transcripts from all US institutions attended to be sent to CAS. International Transcripts (For those who studied outside of the U.S.) will need to be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or  Education Credential Evaluators (ECE).  The evaluation must be sent directly to CAS.  There's a link in the Academic History section of the application to order your official evaluation. 

Application Fee:

Submit a $75.00 non-refundable application fee.  The fee must be paid online via the CAS application system.  Applicants who are veterans of the United States Military Service, currently on Active Duty or members of the National Guard or Reserves, may obtain an application fee waiver.  Veteran applicants must submit proof of their Veteran/Military status (ie., DD-214, Current Military ID Card, or Deployment or Pre-separation orders).  Please send proof to graduateadmissions@csi.cuny.edu.  Once we receive your proof, we will issue a fee waiver.

Personal Statement:

Submit a four-to-five page personal statement that answers a predetermined set of questions. Master of Social Work Personal Statement Form. 

Letters of Recommendation:

Three letters of recommendation from instructors or employers (not family, friends, neighbors or therapists). Master of Social Work Recommendation Form. Provide form link to your recommenders to complete.

OYR Planning Packet Application (to be completed by OYR applicants ONLY)

OYR Planning Packet Application

Field Placement Application:

All applicants are required to complete a field placement application. If admitted, students are required to complete a specified amount of internship hours. Master of Social Work Field Placement Application. Complete and upload to CAS application system.

Resume:

Current resume detailing all relevant past and present professional employment, experience, and related service.

Interview:

After initial review, an interview may be required.

English Proficiency Examination:  The TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exam is required of students for whom English is a second language.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum required score is 100 (Internet). For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the TOEFL website at www.ets.org. Our institutional code is 2778.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): We will only accept the academic exam scores. The minimum required score is 7 (overall band).  For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the IELTS website at www.ielts.org.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): Minimum required score is 68. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the PTE website at www.pearsonpte.com.
  • Duolingo English Test: Minimum required score is 100. For additional information or to register for the exam, please visit the Duolingo website.