Social Work
The Greater Rochester Collaborative Master of Social Work Program
- This collaboration between Nazareth College and The College at Brockport provides you with the best educational experience from two of the area’s finest academic institutions. This is the only master of social work program in the nation that partners a private comprehensive college and a state university.
- Be on the cutting edge of new directions in social work by focusing on collaborative, community-based practice using strengths-based, empowerment-oriented, interdisciplinary approaches.
- Be well prepared to help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities achieve their goals and promote social and economic justice and equality.
- The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and the two concentrations — Family and Community, and Interdisciplinary Health Concentrations — are approved by the New York state Education Department as meeting the 12 clinical credits required for the licensed clinical social worker exam.
- Study abroad opportunity: Learn about international social work practices in India.
- Students and faculty can collaborate in clinical services, research, and the development of innovative practices in the Social Work Services clinic at Nazareth's York Institute. Graduate social work students also take that work off-campus, coordinating and volunteering at the annual Homeless Connect project in downtown Rochester.
- You have the option to get specialized preparation in working with school-age children with autism, and your cost for those courses may be covered by a federal grant. See details about the Interdisciplinary Specialty Program in Autism (I-SPAN) specialization and the I-SPAN Scholars grant opportunity.
Program Options
Traditional M.S.W. (60 credits)
Program is ideal for:
- Students who earned a bachelor’s degree in a discipline outside of social work.
- Program can be completed in two years (four semesters) full-time, or in three or four years (including summer sessions) part-time.
Advanced Standing (36 credits)
Program is ideal for:
- Students who earned a bachelor of social work within the past eight years from a program accredited by the CSWE.
- Program can be completed in three semesters (one calendar year) full-time, or in five semesters (including one summer session) part-time.
Advanced Certificate in Gerontological Social Work (15 credits)
Program is ideal for:
- Students who wish to work with aging adults.
- The Hartford Partnership in Aging Education Field Model (HPPAE) is at the heart of the certificate program (9 credits) and serves as your concentration field placement requirement for the MSW degree. In addition, take two electives (6 credits) with gerontological content.
- The electives and field placement are incorporated into your regular plan of study.
Choice of Locations
- Rochester: Day and evening classes are at the Brockport MetroCenter in downtown Rochester, near human services agencies. Some classes may be held on the Nazareth College campus, Pittsford. Choose to concentrate on community-based programs that serve at-risk families, or prepare to work in health care settings such as comprehensive/specialized health care facilities, public health clinics and programs, medically based senior health care facilities, wellness/preventive health care, and mental health programs.
- Watertown or Auburn: Evening classes for part-time study are offered at two extension sites: Jefferson Higher Education Center in Watertown, N.Y., and Cayuga Community College's campus in Auburn, N.Y.
Career Information
Our graduates continue to be among the top performers in the state. First-time pass rates on social work licensing exams in 2015:
- 87% (53 out of 61) on the NYS LMSW, compared to 76% statewide and 81% nationally.
- 87% (13 out of 15) on the LCSW, compared to 71% nationally. Graduates are eligible to take the LCSW three years after receiving their LMSW and after completing 2,000 hours of supervised clinical licensed practice.
Info Sessions
Join us for an information session in Rochester, Auburn, or Watertown, to meet with faculty/staff and learn about becoming an M.S.W. grad student in this unique collaboration between Nazareth College and The College at Brockport, SUNY. Learn about admission requirements, the application process and general program information.
Graduate's Perspective
"The Naz-Brockport program offers intimate class sizes. Professors make themselves readily available via text, phone, or email. Real social workers are teaching the classes, with real experience with issues you may face such as ethical dilemmas or people who are struggling but say they don't want help."
Denise Hynson, '14G, who went back to school after a career in finance and now works as a mental health therapist with Rochester Regional Health in the Rochester, N.Y. area.
Application Deadlines
Full-time programs
- The College at Brockport MetroCenter, Rochester, NY
- January 15: full-time 36-credit advanced standing program (start summer only)
- February 15: full-time 60-credit program (start fall only)
Part-time programs
- The College at Brockport MetroCenter, Rochester, NY
- March 15: part-time 36-credit advanced standing program (start fall only)
- March 15: part-time 60-credit Program (start fall only)
- Cayuga CC University Center, Auburn, NY
- November 15: 36-credit advanced standing program (part-time, start spring 2017)
- June 15: 60-credit program (part-time, starts in the fall)
- Jefferson CC Higher Education Center, Watertown, NY
- November 15: 36-credit advanced standing program (part-time, start spring 2017)
Applications received after the deadlines will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Program Requirements & Course Descriptions »
Contact Admissions
Program Contact:
Brad A. Snyder, MPA
Coordinator of Admissions, Registration and Student Services
Office location:
The College at Brockport MetroCenter
55 St. Paul Street, Suite 253
Rochester, NY 14604
Program Faculty »
For Current Students »
LEARN MORE
Contact Brad Snyder, the GRC MSW admissions coordinator, 585-395-8452, bsnyder@brockport.edu
TUITION AND AID
See what Nazareth offers to make your investment flexible and affordable. Program costs »
APPLICATION PROCESS
For this collaborative program with The College at Brockport, read application instructions and apply only via Brockport.