Program Overview

Online Master of Social Work Program Overview

The Online Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Adelphi University is designed to prepare students for advanced professional social work practice. The program combines theoretical study and real-world training to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for diverse opportunities and rewarding careers in the social work field.

Program Structure

The Online MSW program is a part-time program that can be completed in three years. The program consists of 61 credits, which are divided between a Foundation Year curriculum and an Advanced Year curriculum. Students take 6 to 10 credit hours per semester and complete a total of 61 credit hours to graduate.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Online MSW program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a strong background in the liberal arts and sciences
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA on a four-point scale
• Paid or volunteer experience in the human services preferred
• Participation in an interview via Google Hangout may be required (case-by-case basis)

Advanced Standing Program

The Advanced Standing program is designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in social work from a university or college accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Advanced Standing students can earn their degree in 15 months and must begin the program in the Summer semester.

Curriculum

The Online MSW curriculum is characterized by:

• Experiential learning grounded in academic theory
• Robust professional development
• Hands-on instruction and personal advisementonline and on-campus
• Engaging, interactive online coursework
• 70+ years of social work experience

The curriculum includes a range of courses, such as:

• SWK 500: Issues in Social Welfare I: History and Philosophy of Social Welfare
• SWK 501: Issues in Social Welfare II: Inequality, Inequity and Social Justice
• SWK 510: Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice I
• SWK 511: Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice II
• SWK 520: Foundations of Social Work Practice I
• SWK 521: Foundations of Social Work Practice II
• SWK 542: Oppression, Diversity, and the Struggle for Human Rights
• SWK 557: Social Work Research I
• SWK 690: Field Instruction I
• SWK 691: Field Instruction II

Electives

Students complete three electives as part of their MSW degree, choosing from courses such as:

• SWK 788: Immigrants and Refugees: Issues and Interventions
• SWK 717: Evidence-Based Practice with Serious Mental Illness: Paths to Recovery
• SWK 706: Social Work Practice in Health Care
• SWK 721: Practice in End of Life Care
• SWK 729: Selected Issues in Social Work Practice with Older Adults
• SWK 736: Contemporary Social Work: An Integrative Approach
• SWK 752: Stress, Crisis, Trauma and Coping
• SWK 759: Social Work Practice with People Living with Dementia

Residency Schedule

The Online MSW program includes two virtual residencies per year, which take place in August and January. The residencies provide students with the opportunity to collaborate with peers and faculty, participate in networking opportunities, and engage in hands-on training.

Tuition and Fees

The tuition for the Online MSW program is $1,035 per credit hour, with a total tuition of $66,240 for the 64-credit program. A deposit of $200 is required to secure a place in the program.

Practicum Placements

The Online MSW program includes a comprehensive field education component, which provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Students are assigned to a field agency or complete a work/study field placement under the auspices of their human service employment, where they engage in supervised advanced direct practice with individuals, couples, families, and small groups.