Fordham University MSW Program: A Comprehensive Overview
Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service (GSS) has been a leading institution in social work education for over a century, preparing students to advocate for human rights and social justice. The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program at Fordham GSS provides a robust foundation in the traditions of the social work profession while addressing contemporary challenges through an interdisciplinary curriculum. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and is consistently ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Curriculum and Program Structure
Fordham's M.S.W. curriculum is designed to equip students with the tools and skills necessary for advanced integrated practice across diverse populations and contexts. The future-focused curriculum is grounded in theory and ethics, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the complexities of the social work field.
Advanced Integrated Practice
The MSW curriculum educates students with advanced integrated practice that cuts across populations and contexts. This approach ensures graduates are prepared to work with diverse communities and address multifaceted social issues.
Specialized Practice Certificates (SPCs)
For students seeking to distinguish themselves in the job market, Fordham offers Specialized Practice Certificates (SPCs) that can be completed concurrently with the M.S.W. degree. Two prominent SPCs include:
Specialized Practice Certificate in Health
The Specialized Practice Certificate in Health prepares students to work in various health care settings. Students develop applied knowledge and skills to help individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations address health and well-being. The certificate provides specialized knowledge of the contemporary health care system, including current issues in policy and practice. The program emphasizes the role of social work practitioners in health care, promoting effective interprofessional practice. Students learn to critically evaluate the role of culture, social determinants of health, and intersectionality in health outcomes using the person-in-environment framework. They also learn effective approaches to collaborative, person-centered health-focused interventions and treatment. The certificate emphasizes promoting rights and justice, preparing students to advocate for change within the evolving health care environment.
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Specialized Practice Certificate in Crisis & Resilience
The Specialized Practice Certificate in Crisis & Resilience trains students to respond to and prepare for work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and policymakers in crises such as natural disasters, pandemics, terrorism, and shootings. Students learn to promote situational awareness, problem-solving skills, coping, and emotional resilience to restore functioning after a crisis. The person-in-environment framework is used to understand how different policies, communities, and individuals are affected by inequities, intersectionality, and vulnerabilities. The certificate focuses on promoting rights and justice to prepare students to advocate for change within a crisis environment.
Admissions and Application Requirements
Fordham University admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
General Requirements
To apply to the Master of Social Work program at Fordham University, prospective students must submit the following:
- Personal Statement: The personal statement page includes a number of prompts that all must be answered. The statement should be formatted using APA style.
- Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts: Official transcripts are required for all institutions where 6 or more credits were earned.
- Letter of Recommendation: One letter of recommendation is required.
- Application Fee: Payment of the application fee is mandatory.
Please note: Applications submitted after the deadlines will not be given priority consideration for merit scholarship awards. However, we will continue to accept applications on a space-available basis after the above dates.
Advanced Standing
Applicants who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree or completed the first year of a CSWE-accredited MSW program may be eligible for advanced standing admission. If you have completed or are still in the process of completing a B.S.W. degree, your faculty adviser or B.S.W. program chair must provide us with your Final or Mid-Year Field Evaluation. If they are unable to provide us with one, they may complete our alternative field evaluation form. If you have completed your generalist year, including all coursework and the first-year field assignment in another M.S.W. program, your faculty adviser or M.S.W.
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International Students
International students are welcome to apply to the accredited master’s programs at the Fordham Graduate School of Social Service (GSS). All students with credentials from universities outside the United States and Canada must have their transcripts evaluated. All students applying for admission from a country where English is not the official language are required to take a standardized examination testing their ability to use English.
- TOEFL: The minimum, required TOEFL test score for admittance to the MSW program is 100 for the Internet-based (IBT) test.
- Affidavit of Support: All international students must fill out an Affidavit of Support form.
Financial Aid
Scholarship funding is very limited. If we are able to offer a scholarship, it typically does not cover more than 10% of the total tuition cost. Scholarship funding is very limited and not based on need.
Program Flexibility and Accessibility
Fordham GSS offers a flexible curriculum that prepares students to promote positive changes in individuals and communities through collaborative community relationships, evidence-based culturally responsive practices, and public advocacy.
Campus Locations
The M.S.W. program is offered on three campus locations:
- Lincoln Center
- Westchester
- Long Island
For Long Island students who can’t commit to our Manhattan or Westchester campuses for all your coursework, Fordham GSS has partnered with Molloy University so our Long Island students can get a Fordham experience without the commute. Split your classes between Molloy’s campus and our Lincoln Center campus, or complete your classes online. Both paths lead to a Fordham M.S.W.
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Online Options
GSS also allows our students to complete their MSW coursework fully online.
Part-Time and Weekend Options
Flexibility is a key feature of the Fordham MSW program, with part-time plans of study and weekend courses available.
Career Opportunities with an MSW Degree
A Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree prepares students to serve populations as professional social workers and pursue state licensure. Social work is a profession that can span a multitude of job positions and titles. This kind of diverse opportunity is what makes the MSW degree so versatile. Demand for social workers continues to rise in the United States.
Clinical Social Work
Clinical Social Work (therapist; L.C.S.W.) is one of the career options for MSW graduates.
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