Program Overview

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Introduction to the Master of Social Work Program

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program at SUNY Plattsburgh is accredited by the Commission on Social Work Education (CSWE). This professional program prepares students as clinical practitioners, providing both generalist and specialized knowledge in the area of health and well-being. The program aims to equip students with the skills to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities as agents and facilitators of change.

Program Overview

The M.S.W. program combines interpersonal clinical skill-building and fierce advocacy strategies to help students emerge as social work scholars and human rights advocates. Emphasizing resilience and well-being, students learn to foster healing and empowerment through trauma-informed, equity-driven, and culturally humble approaches.

What Will I Learn?

The program prepares students for advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. Students gain a holistic view of societal challenges and how they appear in various settings. Key areas of focus include:

• Critically reflecting on and deepening understanding of how racism and oppression shape human experiences and influence social work practice
• Understanding relationships with healthcare, human service, and social work organizations to address well-being comprehensively across rural and urban communities

Extensive Fieldwork Opportunities

Students practice and hone their skills over a minimum of 950 hours of fieldwork across diverse settings, with placements tailored to their career interests. This includes policy and politics, advocacy, health centers, and community-based organizations. The field director works with students to arrange meaningful field experiences in networks spanning New York state and beyond.

What is Unique About Our Program?

The M.S.W. program empowers students to create and share knowledge across diverse fields. Students have the opportunity to participate in the School of Education, Health, and Human Services Interdisciplinary Research Conference. The program's unique blend of clinical skill-building and advocacy strategies prepares students to emerge as champions of human rights and social justice.

Career Opportunities

Social workers are needed in virtually all facets of community life, including schools, hospitals, clinics, prisons, senior homes, and a wide variety of public and private offices/practices. The demand for social workers is increasing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting an 11% increase in the need for social workers through 2028. Graduates will be prepared to take on leadership roles in many different public and private work settings, including:

• Health Services
  • Nursing homes
  • Hospices
  • Public health agencies
  • Substance use treatment programs
  • Aging services
  • Hospitals
  • Intellectual and developmental disabilities services
  • Mental health services
  • Military and veteran mental health services
• Public Agencies
  • Community action agencies
  • Legal services agencies
  • Domestic and interpersonal violence programs
  • Criminal justice agencies
  • Policy analysis
  • Corporate social responsibility
• Child and Family Services
  • Child welfare agencies
  • Family services agencies
  • Child and adult day care centers
  • School (elementary and secondary)
  • Children and youth services
  • Home care agencies
• Community Services
  • Residential treatment programs
  • Homeless shelters
  • Vocational rehabilitation services
  • Income maintenance programs
  • Community outreach programs
  • Environmental social work
  • Advocacy: Community, groups, families, and individuals

Program Requirements

The program requires 60 credits for students without a bachelor's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. Students with advanced standing must complete 30 credits. The curriculum includes a range of courses designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in social work practice, including:

Core Courses

• SWK 500 - Social Welfare Policy
• SWK 505 - Social Theory and Human Development
• SWK 510 - Interventions I
• SWK 515 - Generalist Field Practicum I
• SWK 520 - Generalist Field Seminar I
• SWK 525 - Power, Oppression & Privilege
• SWK 530 - Theories of Organizational and Behavior Development
• SWK 535 - Interventions II
• SWK 540 - Generalist Field Practicum II
• SWK 545 - Generalist Field Seminar II
• SWK 549 - Advanced Standing Seminar
• SWK 550 - Perspectives on Trauma, Resiliency and Human Rights
• SWK 555 - Advanced Field Practicum I
• SWK 560 - Advanced Field Seminar I
• SWK 565 - Advanced Integrative Practice
• SWK 570 - Research for Social Change
• SWK 575 - Advanced Field Practicum II
• SWK 580 - Advanced Field Seminar II
• SWK 585 - Program Evaluation
• SWK 590 - Advanced Specialization Topics
• SWK 595 - Capstone Seminar

Admissions Criteria

Admission requirements, including expected GPA, coursework, and other required materials, can be found on the graduate admissions How to Apply page. Program-specific transfer credit requirements may be found on the Transferring Graduate Credit page.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The Master of Social Work program at SUNY Plattsburgh is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York state. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with federal regulation, it has been determined that the Master of Social Work program at SUNY Plattsburgh meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in New York.

Additional Programs in Social Work

SUNY Plattsburgh also offers:

• Social Work, B.S. (Plattsburgh main campus)
• Social Work, B.S. (online)
• Global Social Action Certificate

Conclusion

The Master of Social Work program at SUNY Plattsburgh offers a comprehensive and accredited education in social work, preparing students for careers in a wide range of settings. With its emphasis on clinical practice, advocacy, and social justice, this program equips students to make a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond.