Social Work Master’s

This program is in candidacy status for accreditation by the Commission on Social Work Education (CSWE); the initial accreditation decision by the CSWE Board of Accreditation is scheduled for June 2025. Upon approval of accreditation, students who enter the program in Fall 2024 will be identified as having graduated from a CSWE accredited program.

What Will I Learn?

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Multi-level & Culturally Responsive Approach

You will be prepared for advanced practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities across micro, mezzo and macro levels of social work practice. We live, learn and practice in a rural community but must understand the strengths and challenges of communities at all levels — local, national and global. You will gain a holistic view of societal challenges and how they appear in various settings.

• Learn to critically reflect and deepen your understanding of how racism and oppression shape human experiences and influence social work practice
• Relationships with healthcare, human service and social work organizations ensures well-being is addressed comprehensively across rural and urban communities

Extensive Fieldwork Opportunities

Practice and hone your skills over a minimum of 950 hours of fieldwork across diverse settings with placements tailored to your career interests including policy and politics, advocacy, health centers and community-based organizations. Our faculty field leadership will work with you to arrange meaningful field experiences in networks spanning New York state and beyond. 

What is Unique About Our Program?

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Collaborative Approach to Learning

You will be empowered to create and share knowledge across diverse fields. You might collaborate with the anthropology department on real-world immigration challenges as they unfold in real time, or take a course on the power of awe from faculty in psychology, public relations and social work. You will also have the opportunity to participate in the School of Education, Health and Human Services Interdisciplinary Research Conference.

Champion Human Rights

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

What Are My Career Opportunities?

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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 almost daily. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected an 11% increase in the need for social workers through 2028. 

Our M.S.W. graduates will be prepared to take on leadership roles in many different public and private work settings, including: