Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Fordham University's Master of Social Work (MSW) 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 dynamic, forward-thinking curriculum that starts with a comprehensive foundational phase focusing on skills that are grounded in theory and ethics.

After completing core courses, you'll move to the specialist/advanced phase, where you'll create your own plan of study in one or more advanced practice areas:

• Individuals and Families: Learn how to provide direct services that address clients' environment and overall well-being.
• Organizations and Communities: Be prepared to work effectively with entire communities and various types of organizations, including private and public companies and nonprofits.
• Evaluation: Be prepared to develop an understanding of research and evidence-based practices.
• Policy Practice and Advocacy: Develop skills related to managing organizations and systems, creating policy, writing grant proposals, and obtaining funding.

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, our MSW curriculum is designed to turn you into a highly competent, integrated practitioner who has the tools to succeed in every setting.

By earning a Fordham MSW, you'll join an academic community that's as passionate about social justice as you are. If you're ready to change the world, we're ready to help.

For more information, please go to the Fordham GSS website.

CIP Code

You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to achieve your professional goals. Apply to the Master of Social Work program at Fordham University. We encourage applications from people who can meet the academic requirements of a graduate-level program and who demonstrate that their personal qualities and values are compatible with the mission of social work: To improve the lives of others.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

• 18 undergraduate credits in liberal arts content.

The GRE is not required for admission into this program.

For more details about the application process for our on-campus MSW program, please visit the GSS Admissions website.  

For more details about the application process for our online MSW program, please go visit the online MSW Admissions website.

Our Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is a 62-credit program. It consists of:

• 48 credits of classwork
• 14 credits of fieldwork experience

The first 31 credits are part of the Generalist Phase; everyone takes the same courses at this level. The remaining 31 credits are part of the program's Specialist Phase.

Required Courses

Generalist Curriculum

Specialist Curriculum

See the Course Listings page for courses fulfilling Selectives 1-4, along with courses that fulfill the LCSW clinical coursework requirement.

Selectives 5-8 may be fulfilled by any course with the subject code SWGS, numbered 6000-7999 or 8999, except for the Generalist Curriculum courses listed above.

Program Modalities

Full Time Plan of Study

In the full time plan of study, students can generally complete their MSW program in two academic years. It consists of:

• Two years of classroom coursework (24 credits each year).
• Two years of fieldwork (7 credits per year).

Your fieldwork includes a generalist and specialist year practicum. The practicum schedule is between 15 and 21 hours per week.  All students are expected to complete 950 hours of fieldwork placement (450 hours total for the Foundation/Generalist phase and 500 hours total for the Advanced/Specialist phase).

Part Time Plan of Study

The part-time plan of study is for students who would like a slower pace to completing their MSW degree. In this plan of study, you can complete your MSW degree in three to four years.

You can begin this plan with two classes per semester in the first year. Fieldwork placement is added in the second year. You also have the option of completing some courses during summer sessions (usually mid-May to early mid-July).

Advanced Standing Plan of Study

Graduates of a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited undergraduate social work program within the past five years may apply for admission into the specialized practice year (second year) of the two-year program OR one year of CSWE-accredited MSW coursework may be eligible for the advanced standing program. You can complete your MSW in as little as one year or can go part time and complete your MSW in two years.

Goals

The goals for the M.S.W. program are:

1. To develop a strong knowledge and skill base in generalist practice with a focus on and commitment to human rights and social justice.
2. Develop specialist skills in advanced areas of the social work profession such as clinical, leadership and macro practice, research, community and organizations, that build on the generalist practice foundation
3. Practice with and on behalf of diverse populations, in order to promote individual, familial, organizational, and community well-being.
4. Critical and systematic examination, evaluation, and utilization of research and other sources of empirical evidence in order to refine practice knowledge, skills, and interventions
5. Competent social work practice guided by a sense of professional identity, values and ethical standards, as well as by recognition of the need for ongoing professional development

Objectives

The objectives for the M.S.W. program are:

1. Practice the core values of the social work profession as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics including:
   1. Commitment to service, human rights and social justice
   2. Assistance to access resources, benefits and service in order for individuals to achieve their potential
   3. The ideal in which every individual in society has equal rights opportunities, social benefits, and protection
   4. Dignity & worth of every person
   5. Placing the individual in high esteem and valuing individual differences
   6. Importance of human relationships
   7. Integrity, trustworthiness and adherence to moral principles
   8. Competence, having the skills and abilities to work with clients effectively
2. Develop and practice a high level of self-awareness in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and other professionals
3. Demonstrate knowledge about the effects of oppression and discrimination on individuals, families, groups, and communities and the importance of human rights and social justice advocacy
4. Consistently work to assess the risk and resiliency factors of client systems of various sizes and types, especially with marginalized and culturally or socially diverse groups; and implement interventions that utilize a strengths perspective
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of social welfare as an institution and the history, mission and philosophy of the social work profession
6. Demonstrate knowledge, and skills in relation to varied practice settings with a focus on social policy, programs and practice development, organization and community change, and advocacy for clients with the goal of working to alleviate human oppression and discrimination by advancing human rights and social justice and the well-beings of all people
7. Critical thinking skills developed from a grounding in scientifically analyzed and applied theory and research that informs social work practice at all levels of intervention
8. Apply an analytic, empirically based approach to knowledge building in practice that integrates the methods of social research, the critical appraisal of research findings, and the evaluation of social policies, programs, practice processes and outcomes
9. Demonstrate the self-awareness skills necessary to evaluate practice outcomes through a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development

Life Experience

No credit is given to students at GSS for work or life experience.

Course Waiver

A course waiver is granted to a beginning student who can document having successfully completed the course content required in our Master of Social Work program. You should make waiver requests during the admission process. When a course waiver is granted by the GSS Admissions Department, you are expected to enroll in other courses in order to earn the required total number of MSW course credits. The student is being waived from the course requirement but not the credit requirement. The Assistant Dean of Admissions will refer you to the appropriate faculty member if a course waiver is indicated.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits are credits for courses taken at another institution. Students may transfer graduate course work from a regionally accredited institution to Fordham University’s Master of Social Work degree program.

Eligibility

• Courses must have been completed at a graduate school.
• Course content must have been in a social science discipline and in the scope of social work education.
• A grade of B or higher must have been earned.

Restrictions

• Transfer credits will not be granted for courses taken more than five years before applying to GSS.
• Transfer credits will only be granted for masters or doctoral level courses
• Transfer coursework accepted for credit may apply towards the MSW degree for up to 5 years from the term the student first begins the degree.
• Transfer credits will not be awarded for courses under three credit hours.
• Transfer credits will not be awarded for courses used toward the receipt or conferral of another degree.
• A maximum of 6 transfer credits can be awarded.
• Transfer credits are not granted for life or work experience.
• You must request the credits when you apply to Fordham’s MSW program.

Applying for Transfer Credits

MSW applicants who are eligible to apply for transfer credits must submit a Transfer Credit Application Form once they have been granted admission to the program. Your transfer credit application package must include:

• A Transfer Credit Application Form;
• Transcripts from those courses; and
• Course descriptions or syllabi of the courses for which you would like credit.

An addendum to your acceptance letter from GSS will indicate how many transfer credits you will receive. If you do not receive this notification, please contact the Office of Admission at gssadmission@fordham.edu or 212-636-6600 before registration.

Advanced Standing Students

To ensure that applicants who hold a B.S.W./B.A.S.W. degree do not repeat content that has been mastered, GSS only accepts applicants who have a B.S.W./B.A.S.W. degree from a CSWE-accredited social work school or program to the Advanced Standing plan of study of the MSW degree program.

B.S.W./B.A.S.W. graduates are ineligible for all other plans of study offered within the MSW degree program.

Overview

Field instruction is the signature pedagogy of Social Work education. Under the supervision of an experienced social worker, MSW students apply classroom knowledge and theory to direct work with clients at their field placement. Through hands-on experiences, MSW students develop ethical and culturally responsive practice skills that align with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) competencies.

All field placements are coordinated by Fordham's Field Education Department. Fordham maintains long-standing relationships with hundreds of agencies and instructions, nationally that offer a wide range of programs and settings. 

Field Practicum

The traditional MSW program spans two academic years of study (part-time plans of study span more than two calendar years of study). The first academic year of study is referred to as the "Generalist" or "Foundation" Year. The second academic year of study is referred to as the "Specialist" or "Advanced" Year. 

Generalist/Foundation Year

In the Generalist/Foundation Year, within the Field Practicum, students apply the knowledge they are gaining in their academic courses and apply their work with client systems to develop the generalist level skills required to become a professional social worker.  Requirements for the Generalist/Foundation year field practicum include:

• The development of social work skills that are transferable to all settings and populations
• Demonstration of skills and knowledge that reflect the nine competencies set by the CSWE. These competencies are measured in Mid-Year and Final Field Assessments
• Completion of a minimum of 16 field practicum hours per week
• Weekly participation in a minimum of 1.5 hours of supervision with their Field Instructor
• Submission of one Process Recording per week to their Field Instructor
• Completion of 450 field practicum hours

Specialist/Advanced Year

Students move on to their Specialist/Advanced Year Field Practicum after successfully completing the requirements of the Generalist/Foundation Year Field Practicum. The Specialist/Advanced Year Field Practicum is focused on learning advanced practice skills with individuals, families, communities and organizations. Specialist/Advanced field placements may involve direct practice with client systems, macro practice in administration, social policy and/or research. Requirements for the Specialist/Advanced Year Field Practicum include:

• The student will build upon the nine CSWE Social Work competencies learned in Generalist/Foundation Year as they develop advanced level social work intervention skills
• Completion of a minimum of 16 field practicum hours per week
• Weekly participation in a minimum of 1 hour of supervision with their Field Instructor
• Submission of one Process Recording per week to their Field Instructor
• Completion of 500 field practicum hours

Advanced Standing Students

Students who have earned a bachelor's degree (BSW or BASW) from an accredited school of social work may be admitted to Fordham's MSW Program as "Advanced Standing Students." Advanced Standing students complete the requirements of the Specialist/Advanced Year Field Practicum, listed above

Field Advisement Sessions

Field advisement sessions are a mandatory part of field education for both Generalist/Foundation Year and Specialist/Advanced Year students. Students are expected to attend all seven advisement sessions scheduled over the course of the academic year. Student participation in these sessions is factored into the student's grade for field work each semester. More than one absence over the two semesters of field advising sessions  may result in a failing field work grade. 

Field advisement sessions offer students the opportunity to share and review their experiences in the field with peers and with their field advisor who facilitates the sessions. Field advisors take on the role of liaison between the student, the field placement agency, and Fordham University. 

Please note:

• The field advisor is the first point of contact when a student and/or field instructor has any concerns regarding the field practicum experience. The field advisor will work with the student, the field instructor and the field education department to resolve potential barriers to the learning process.
• Certain placements require enrollment in specific advisement sessions, including but not limited to those students applying for Palliative Care placements and the Integrative Behavioral Health with Youth placements.

Field Instruction Grades and Credits

Field instruction is a year-long course (two consecutive semesters). Students earn 3.5 credits per semester of field education for a total of 7 credits for each academic year of field work. 

Field instruction is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis:

• Mid-year and final grades will be entered only when the student's mid-year field evaluations have been submitted by their field instructor. 
• If the student is progressing well, a grade of "In Progress" (IP*) is given at the end of the first semester of field instruction.
• At the end of the second semester of field, the final field instruction grade is submitted only when the student's final field evaluations have been submitted by their field instructor. Grades of Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) are given upon completion of the course.

Please note:

• The mid-year grade of "IP*" does not change after a final grade of "S" is submitted.
•  
• Generalist/Foundation Year students are not allowed to advance into Specialist/Advanced year courses or field instruction until they have successfully completed both Generalist/Foundation academic courses and have received a passing Generalist/Foundation final year grade.

Absences from Field Placement

Over the course of an academic year, MSW students are permitted a maximum of three absences from their field placement (for illness or other emergencies). To ensure that the student meets the required hours for field work, absences should be made up at an alternate time which has been agreed upon with the agency/institution. Students must consult with both their field instructor and field advisor before making changes to their weekly schedule.

Extended time off is not an option; a field placement is a commitment to the field placement agency and their clients. The quality and continuity of care provided to vulnerable clients is negatively impacted by excessive absences. Students should plan ahead when arranging their social work internships. Students who require or request extended time off from field placements may have to delay or defer field instruction. Deferring or delaying field instruction will affect a student's plan of study; it is imperative that students consult with the Field Education and Student Services Departments when they are considering a deferral or delay of field education. 

If a situation occurs in which the student is ill for an extended period of time or another emergency requires a lengthier absence, the student must immediately consult with their field advisor and field placement instructor and obtain special approval from the field education department to continue in the field placement for that current semester. Lengthy absences for medical reasons require a student to apply for a Medical Leave of Absence with the Student Services Department.

Field education spans a full academic-year (two consecutive semesters). Students who take a leave from their field placement for one or more semesters will be required to restart field placement hours, regardless of the previous hours earned when the interruption or absence occurred. 

Administrative Review Process

Students may experience challenges in field placement that require a formal Administrative Review. Possible reasons for this kind of review include, but are not limited to, the student being terminated or self-terminating from the field placement. The student and their field Instructor/agency representatives each present their account of the circumstances that lead to the Administrative Review. 

The objectives of an Administrative Review can include:

• An assessment of the student's field performance
• Determination of next steps following a field placement termination

• Preservation of the field placement with a formal plan put in place

The Administrative Review Committee includes:

• The Field Advisor
• Field Instructor
• The Director of Field Education
• A representative from the Office of Student Services

Reasons for a Administrative Review may include, but are not limited to:

• Termination or dismissal of a Field Placement
• Self-termination by the student from a field placement
• Receiving a grade of 2 or lower on the Mid-Year or Final Field Evaluation and/or issues with meeting social work competencies
• Any professional conduct or ethical issues that may arise during the placement that will require Fordham's involvement

The Administrative Review Committee determinations may include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination with the Student Services Department to ensure outcome is aligned with coursework and/or plan of study changes that may be required.
• Assignment to a new field placement within the academic year of record, or in the next term for which the student is eligible
• Requirement to complete field placement in its entirety may require the student to wait until the next academic semester or year to begin field 
• Removal from the field placement and assignment of a grade of "U" (Unsatisfactory) for the Field Instruction course. 
• Referral to the Committee on Academic Progress (CAP) for final review which may result in replacement in another field setting or termination from the program

Supporting Documentation

The Field Education Department is responsible for gathering all necessary documents for this review. Documentation can include:

• Written reports of the field experience from the field instructor and field advisor.
• Review of field documentation that includes the student's educational agreement, attendance record and any field evaluations that were completed by the time of the termination.
• Obtaining the student's perspective to hear their explanation of the field experience. 

Field Placement Planning

Students should always refer to their plan of study when registering for courses and field Instruction. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisors and the field education department to ensure that they remain on track to complete all requirements of the program. 

Full time and Advanced Standing students begin field instruction in their first semester of the program. Part-time students generally begin field instruction in later semesters (please refer to the GSS Plans of Study).

If you are accepted as a full-time student, the Office of Admissions provides the link to the electronic field application/planning forms in your acceptance package. If you began the program in a previous semester as a part-time student, you will attend a field planning meeting, and the link to the field application/planning form will be provided at that time.

Once the student submits a field application/planning form, a member of the Field Education team will be assigned to coordinate the student's field placement. Students will be contacted by their assigned placement specialist shortly after submitting their field application/planning form. 

Work/Study Field Placements

To qualify for a Work Study Field Placement, the student must:

• Indicate this preference on their field application
• Submit a Work Study Proposal to the Field Education Department
• Field Placement tasks must be different from employment responsibilities
• The field instructor and the employment supervisor must be different people
• The field instructor must meet the general requirements for field instruction:
  • Three years post-M.S.W. experience
  • New York/New Jersey/Connecticut field instructors are required to complete the Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI). Field instructors can sign up for this course at Fordham or any other New York area schools that offer this course.

Please note: Work Study Field Placements must be approved by both your employer and Fordham University. Applying for a Work Study Field Placement does not indicate certainty that this placement will be approved.

Employment Based Placement

Students may have the opportunity to use their current employment as their field placement when the following conditions are met:

• The student must be employed in a social service setting
• The job must be a social work related position

For further information please contact the Field Education Department.

Choices in the Placement Process

The Field Education Department works collaboratively with students to coordinate a Field placement setting that provides the best possible learning experience for each practicum year.

While preferences are taken into account in the Generalist/Foundation Year placement setting will be directly assigned by the Field Education Department. Specialist/Advanced Year students will collaborate with a placement specialist to have the opportunity to be placed in a setting with a population of interest.

Please note: 

• Field Placement options increase when students have flexible availability. 
• Students who request evening and/or weekend hours are required to be in field placement for a minimum of four hours during the regular business operations/hours of the settings workweek.
• Students are expected to establish their internship schedule in collaboration with the agency/institution.
• Some sites and/or specialized placements may require specific hours and days.
• A field placement is a full academic year (two consecutive semester) commitment.
• Students are not allowed to end field instruction prior to the end of each semester/term.

In both their Generalist/Foundation and their Specialist/Advanced Year, students interview with the potential placement agency to ensure that the setting is a good fit. Once a student has met with an agency/institution, a joint affiliation agreement regarding placement is made between Fordham and the site. Students should not contact agencies directly to arrange interviews until advised to participate in this process by your field coordinator.

Some field placement agencies require a variety of onboarding and clearances that must be completed prior to beginning a field placement. This may include, but is not limited to: 

• Criminal background check
• A recent physical exam and/or certain tests or immunizations prior to placement

Students are notified of any agency-related requirements in advance. Cooperation with these requirements is expected. In most instances, the costs of meeting these requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Malpractice Insurance

As a student in field placement, you are covered by a malpractice policy. The cost for this policy is $31 per year. The fee is charged to your account when you register for field instruction. This policy is only in effect during your internship hours. When you graduate and are no longer an intern, you may want to obtain your own liability policy. If you are a member of NASW, you are able to apply for liability insurance through its group plan.

Contact Us

The Fordham Graduate School of Social Services maintains three campuses:

• Lincoln Center Campus
• Westchester Campus
• Online Campus

All students are encouraged to contact the Field Education Department with questions or concerns at: gssfieldinstruction@fordham.edu, Students registered with the Online Campus can contact the online placement team at: fieldeducation@onlinemsw.fordham.edu

Available Forms

• Proposal for Work/Study Field Placement

Important Information

Academic advising is a collaborative process between advisers and students that helps students meet their academic goals. It involves planning, evaluation, and decision-making in partnership with the advisee (the student) and the academic adviser. Members of the Student Services team are listed below. You may also email our general inbox at gssstudentservices@fordham.edu.

• Ms. Melissa Lippiello
• Ms. Kathleen Rund
• Ms. Lauren Sugantino
• Ms. Laura Sutter
• Ms. Kaitlynn Toro
• Mr. Johnny Torres

Molloy Collaborative

• Ms. Joanna Suppa

Online Student Success Advisers

• Assigned after admission

Advanced Standing Program

This plan of study is open only to Bachelor of Social Work graduates who have achieved a competent level of academic performance and a successful fieldwork experience within five years of applying to the M.S.W. program at Fordham. The undergraduate social work program that the applicant attended must be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). For Bachelor of Social Work graduates, your undergraduate coursework is the equivalent of the first year of the M.S.W. program at Fordham's Graduate School of Social Service. The 31 credits of the applicant's B.S.W. program are transferred into the Master of Social Work program at Fordham University. 

Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC-T)

Substance use disorders are defined broadly to include both alcohol and other mood-altering substances. The qualification will incorporate content regarding multiple client populations and multiple service settings as they relate to alcohol and other mood-altering substances.

Requirements

• Field Practicum: Advanced/Specialist year in an approved substance use disorders setting. This will include specific learning goals and assignments related to services and practice in the area of substance use disorders.
• Field Advisement Sessions: A special section for Advanced/Specialist year students placed in substance use disorder settings.
• Elective Requirement: SWGS 6417 Social Work Practice with Substance Use Disorders

After completing these requirements, students will have met the New York State educational hours required (350 hours) for the CASAC-T (Credentialed Alcoholism Counselor in Training certificate). However, the qualification is not equivalent to the New York State CASAC credential. For further information, contact Dr. Linda White-Ryan, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, at whiteryan@fordham.edu.

Joint Degree Programs

Joint Degree Program in Social Work and Law

This program is designed for graduate students who wish to earn both a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Fordham University School of Law and a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree from the Graduate School of Social Service. Applicants interested in the combined law and social work degree must apply and be admitted to both programs simultaneously. Due to the requirements of the American Bar Association, the first year of study must be completed at the School of Law. Contact Assistant Dean of Admissions Melba Remice at 212-636-6601 or remice@fordham.edu or Melissa Fiore Lippiello, J.D., L.C.S.W., at mlippiello@fordham.edu for further information.

Study Abroad

GSS London Summer Study

GSS is very pleased to offer our M.S.W. students the opportunity to take courses taught by GSS faculty at Fordham University's London Centre. The London Summer Program highlights the rich history of the settlement house movement in London and New York City, and its role in the formation of the social work profession and social welfare. Faculty will facilitate structured opportunities for students to integrate their community-based and classroom experiences and learning, and enhance the international comparative nature of their study abroad. For more information on this program contact Melissa Fiore Lippiello, J.D., L.C.S.W. at mlippiello@fordham.edu for further information.

Career Planning

GSS provides the opportunity for students to seek employment through the online internship and job database Handshake. As a current GSS student, you already have an account set up with your Fordham email address. Just click "Forgot Password." On the Handshake platform, you can post your resume, apply for jobs directly on the system, and access it after graduation as alumni. To learn more about using Handshake, visit the webpage.

Continuing Education

Continuing education is now required for licensing in New York State. GSS will be offering CEU opportunities for our graduates and the community. You can find upcoming opportunities on the school's website.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Keep your membership up as a graduate and enjoy the opportunity to have a continuing impact on your profession. It is also a good way to stay current on the issues that affect us as professionals, as well as the issues that affect our clients. There are a variety of committees at the local chapters, and being involved is an excellent form of professional networking.

Licensing

Licensing requirements in the U.S. vary from state to state. It is recommended that graduates check requirements with the state board of social work licensing for the state where they intend to practice. In New York graduates may take the LMSW–Master's level exam after their social work master's degree has been conferred. New Jersey MSW students may take the exam in their final semester of MSW studies. Connecticut has temporarily suspended the master's level license examination until January 1, 2026.

Fordham offers sessions on test-taking strategies and content review which are generally offered towards the end of the spring semester. Announcements will be emailed in advance so that you can make whatever arrangements are necessary to attend. 

Fordham also offers an Online Licensing Preparation course (five hours) which is available to all M.S.W. students and alumni. The course includes five modules: The first module is on test-taking strategies, and the other four modules align with the four areas of the licensing exam. The course outlines resources for studying. All graduating students receive an email in April providing access to the course. There is no fee for the course.

Alumni Events

You will receive information about Fordham University alumni events, and those specific to the Graduate School of Social Service, through the University's Alumni Office. Make sure you update your information on the Forever Fordham page. You can use the online directory to search for fellow classmates or network with other alumni. Most information is sent electronically, so it is important that you keep your email address current. An Alumni tab will be accessible from your my.fordham.edu account.

All graduates are eligible for an alumni card Ram Pass that allows you building access and browsing privileges in the libraries. To receive one, go to the University's homepage and click "Alumni." You can apply for a Ram Pass online.

Professional Development Sessions

Professional development sessions with invited speakers addressing topics of interest at the Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses are available for students. Times and topics are posted online, and you will receive an email with information on how to register for the sessions. Some of these sessions are recorded so that students unable to attend can view them.