Master of Social Work
In-person or online
Overview
Curriculum: Coursework focuses on training you to be an ethical and competent advanced practitioner. Through collaborative and interprofessional practice, you'll learn to follow a person-in-environment and ecological systems approach to advance individual, community, societal, and global well-being, and human rights; promote social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; and serve as a leader and changemaker.
Specializations: The program provides the option to specialize by taking a three-course sequence in one of the following:
- Play Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health
- School Social Work
- Interdisciplinary Specialty Program in Autism
- Early Intervention, which may include participation in Project RISE: Rochester Interprofessional Scholars of Early Intervention
- Aging
- Substance Abuse
Program options:
- 36 credits (if you have an undergraduate degree in social work) or 60 credits
- Part-time or full-time
Format:
- Choose in-person (on campus in Rochester, New York) or synchronous online courses, or a mix of both.
Potential funding and career advancement opportunity available!
Now is the time to take control of your future and move up in a field you’re passionate about. Visit healthcareersnow.org/cpt to learn more!
Full-tuition grant for 6 students
Want to work as a social worker in a high-need school? See if you are eligible for the AMPs Up MSW grant covering full tuition plus a stipend — and be sure to apply by the March 1 deadline.
Course Examples
- SWK 508: Diagnostic Process
- SWK 601: Individuals and Families
- SWK 605: Cultural Humility
- SWK 606: Ethics
Outcomes
- Nazareth students' latest licensure exam pass rate is 83%, compared to 69% across New York state and 73% nationally (June 2024 report for 2023 exams). Nazareth offers a free state-licensure preparation workshop to graduating students and alumni.
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Many accept social work job offers soon after graduating from the program. Among the Class of 2024: 98% were employed within six months of graduation.
36 or 60 credits, full-time or part-time
Daytime and/or evening classes
In person
or online classes
Practicum experience and study abroad opportunities
Making Grad School Affordable
Grants, veterans benefits, loans, and public service loan forgiveness are options for paying for this grad degree.
Graduate's Perspective
"Something really special about Naz is they offer the opportunity of service trips that students can participate in; I went to Jamaica with the social work program. This was a life changing experience, I still treasure everything I learned on that trip today."
— Stephanie Colao '19, '21G, LMSW, hired as a Hillside clinician
What to Expect
- Most courses meet weekly.
- In-person classes meet once a week for three hours, 9:25 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. and/or 1:10 to 3:50 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
- Online classes meet on Zoom in the evening on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. Most classes meet from 5:15 to 7:55 p.m. For your seminar course each semester (roughly every other week), you can choose either 4 to 5:15 p.m. or 8 to 9:15 p.m.
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Interprofessional, interdisciplinary curriculum: As part of Nazareth’s College of Interprofessional Health and Human Services, your social work education focuses on interdisciplinary and interprofessional practice in every course — including collaboration, teamwork, and leadership with other disciplines — so you are well prepared to collaborate professionally on treatment teams.
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Practicum education: We help place you. We partner with over 450 agencies to provide experiential learning in diverse settings, roles, and regions that match your career goals.
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International opportunities: Short-term study abroad trips such as to India, Jamaica, or Finland offer interprofessional, transformational experiences and a global perspective.
- Nazareth's Center for Life's Work offers you lifelong career coaching at no charge.
Accreditation
Nazareth University's MSW program is registered with the New York State Education Department, and is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Hannah Mickle '21, '22G, LMSW
School Social Worker, New Hartford Central School District
"This degree opened a lot of doors for me. Once I decided that I wanted to work in a school, I was able to select courses that applied to that setting. I have learned how I can continue to be a lifelong learner, which is one of my life goals. This degree has taught me so much about empathy, working with people, advocacy for others and myself, and how to take care of me while I do the work I love."
Jordan Bailey '20, '22G
Primary Therapist for Children, Genesee Mental Health
"Nazareth's Social Work Department is very strong academically and prepares you well for your career. I felt well supported by all professors and comfortable with them. They go the extra mile for you and I felt peace of mind in the program."
Izabella Kimber '21, '22G
Therapeutic Visitation Clinician, Society for the Protection and Care of Children
"I now have experience facilitating group therapy, play therapy, developing therapeutic programs, research, crisis intervention, non profit work, and school social work. My courses in play therapy and trauma informed care guide me most in my position working with children and their biological parents towards repairing their relationship during visitation."