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Social Work (MSW)

Program Summary

York has the first and only Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in Queens County, New York. In 2018, it became the youngest MSW Program in the CUNY System with a unique and diverse commitment to healthcare and was initially accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board [Council] of Accreditation in 2021.

The following are elements of the program:

  • Part-time study is available

  • 12 credits constitute full-time status

  • Courses are hybrid synchronous

  • Courses are offered in the evenings/and on weekends

  • Internship opportunities with leading hospitals, healthcare providers and agencies throughout all five (5) boroughs of New York City to demonstrate the nine social work competencies and practice all systems levels—individuals, families, groups, organizations, and/or communities at practicum settings

  • Opportunity to participate in research, scholarship, and professional conferences

  • Licensing preparation available through course work and a boot camp for graduates

Mission Statement

The mission of the MSW Program at CUNY York College is to educate scholars for advanced, urban social work practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels with a specialization in healthcare settings. The program seeks to recruit and prepare scholars from diverse surrounding communities to become skilled, culturally aware, competent, and compassionate professionals who can respond to the growing demand for healthcare-focused social work practice in underserved urban communities.

The Program fosters the intellectual growth and professional development of our scholars at the highest level as well as promotes the value of civic participation and dedication to public service locally and globally. Our scholars are engaged and challenged by both the rigorous curriculum which encompasses specific knowledge, values, and skills derived from the research-informed practice and practice-informed research, and by our diverse, multicultural, and vibrant social environment which prepares them for advanced social work practice in the healthcare arena.

The collegiate experiences of faculty and scholars enable both to achieve their highest professional ambitions by engaging in a variety of scholarly and professional activities that produce research and community partnerships. Guided by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), our MSW Program is committed to challenging oppression, embracing diversity, respecting the dignity and worth of all human beings, and promoting social and economic justice. More specifically, the MSW Program draws on social work values and a body of knowledge and skills to assure that:

  • Scholars incorporate the richness of the diverse communities inside and outside of the College to appreciate the unique differences across the human spectrum and are compassionate, respectful, and accepting of their diverse client populations

  • Scholars serve as a multifaceted resource for the New York metropolitan area with the vision of alleviating social and economic problems of individuals, families, and communities, especially in healthcare resources and needs.

  • Scholars are committed to civic participation and leadership to promote human development, quality of life, social justice, and respect for all human beings.

  • Scholars meet our high expectations in academic programs, are prepared for the competitive marketplace upon graduation, are dedicated to practicing with integrity, cultural awareness, social diversity, and competency, and are committed to and are passionate about lifelong learning.

Program Goals

The five program goals of the M.S.W. Program at CUNY York College are as follows:

  1. Educate outstanding social work practitioners in an intellectually rigorous environment so they can practice social work in urban health care settings and with diverse communities.

  2. Educate advanced social work practitioners to be knowledgeable, skilled, and culturally competent and whose attitudes, behaviors, and communication skills are based on the foundation of professional social work values and ethical principles.

  3. Prepare scholars for advanced social work practice with an understanding of the importance of continued self-reflection, professional development and self-care throughout their professional career.

  4. Provide professional opportunities for MSW scholars in a variety of health care sectors and settings.

  5. Engage scholars in faculty research, scholarship, and service to advance theory, policy, and practice in the profession of social work and the field of urban health care as well as provide them with hands-on and experiential learning of the implications of research- informed practice and practice-informed research.

Core Competencies

The MSW Program at CUNY York College employs nine (9) required CSWE Core Competencies and practice behaviors as student learning goals. Scholars are assessed each semester on their proficiency in each learning goal, and program enhancements are made based on these outcomes:

  • Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

  • Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, And Environmental Justice

  • Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice

  • Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

  • Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

  • Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

  • Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Career Description

In the United States, social workers have established a definitive presence as the largest group of health professionals within healthcare settings as demand for social workers in the medical field continues to grow as the aging population requires a strong presence of dedicated professionals. For this reason, the MSW Program at CUNY York College identifies healthcare as an area of specialized practice. Social workers represent a critical professional component in the healthcare field by providing patient counseling, discharge planning, family outreach, group activities, support, bereavement counseling, crisis intervention specialist psychotherapists, administrators, and beyond.

The MSW Program at CUNY York College prepares scholars for entry-level professional social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Scholars also receive hands-on training in professional settings and are supervised by licensed social workers who are specifically trained onsite. The generalist curriculum provides scholars with a solid liberal arts foundation which well prepares them for the advanced year specializing in healthcare practice.

Upon earning an MSW Degree from CUNY York College, scholars have secured careers such as:

  • Healthcare Social Worker

  • School Social Worker

  • Mental Health Social Worker/Therapist/Psychotherapist

  • Crisis Social Worker

  • Applied Behavioral Analyst

Graduates from our MSW program have established careers that engage diverse populations (e.g., adults living with HIV/AIDS, school children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, geriatric, mental illness, individuals with visual impairments, formally incarcerated and justice impacted population, elders, youth, young adults, and teenagers, individuals, and families) in a variety of settings, including but not limited to hospitals, schools, clinics, faith centers, the FDNY, and the criminal justice system. Their responsibilities reflect the broad range of the social work profession: conducting group therapy, individual therapy, and home visits; performing mental health assessments; creating suicide prevention plans, discharge plans, and treatment plans; and identifying referrals, continued care assessments, and patient education needs; and serving as a liaison with medical professionals, educators, and the court and criminal justice system.

Accreditation: The Council on Social Work Education

The MSW Program at CUNY York College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). The Council on Social Work Education Board of Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories. BOA decisions are made public on the CSWE BOA website.

Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of scholars graduating from the program. For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact the Board of Accreditation.

Licensure

According to NYS Office of Professions, effective September 1, 2004, this requirement also applies to Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Master Social Workers.

Individuals in these professions, when applying initially for licensure or a limited permit, or for the renewal of a New York State license or registration, must provide documentation of having completed the coursework or training through a Department-approved course.

An MSW degree is required for licensure in New York and is the terminal practice degree for the profession. In addition, for Medicaid to pay for the clinical services provided in healthcare settings, the provider must be licensed and hold no less than a Master's degree in social work.

Upon completion of all requirements, MSW graduates are permitted to apply to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). To learn more about the licensure process, visit NYSED.

National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics

The M.S.W. Program at CUNY York College is dedicated to the fundamental principle that social work is a value-based profession that frames our professional actions, attitudes, helping us to shape a more equitable world for humanity.

Guided by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), social work is committed to challenge oppression, embracing diversity, and ensuring that individuals, communities, and organizations function at an optimal level. York College is located in Queens County, which is one of the most diverse boroughs in the United States.

Diversity on campus and at the current Social Work Program goes beyond ethnicity and is expressed in family structure, socioeconomic class, age, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, and religion. Consistent with the mission of York College and the City University, College is committed to inclusion, diversity and excellence in teaching, service and scholarship. The M.S.W. Program at CUNY York College incorporates the YC and the CUNY's mission to develop a rigorous academic program that educates and prepares first-rate professionals who respond to the needs of clients within the health care system in the surrounding urban community and abroad.

Mandated Training Related to Child Abuse

NYS Mandated Training Related to Child Abuse course is required to help prepare MSW scholars for licensure exams.

According to NYS Office of Professions, effective September 1, 2004, this requirement also applies to Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Master Social Workers. Individuals in these professions, when applying initially for licensure or a limited permit, or for the renewal of a New York State license or registration, must provide documentation of having completed the coursework or training through a Department-approved course. Additionally, programs registered by NYS that lead to licensure in these professions now are required to include training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. Scholars graduating from such programs on or after the effective dates are not required to take additional training and are not required to receive a Certificate form or submit documentation.

The course meets the New York State requirement for identifying and reporting child abuse. You will be taught to recognize incidents of physical abuse, sexual abuse, child neglect and behavioral indicators of maltreatment.

Participants will receive the required NYS Certificate of Completion application. For additional information, please email us at MSW@york.cuny.edu

The MSW Program Offers Three Tracks:

  1. Advanced Standing: Refers to a 1-year accelerated program for scholars who have earned an undergraduate social work degree from a baccalaureate program at an educational institution recognized by a regional accrediting body. The degree must have been earned within the last five (5) years. These scholars can expect to graduate in 1 calendar year.

  2. Year Generalist: Non-social work scholars from a variety of disciplines. These scholars can expect to graduate within 2 calendar years.

  3. Year Part-time Generalist: Offers a flexible course schedule. These scholars can expect to graduate in four calendar years.

General Admission Requirements for the MSW Program

The MSW Program at CUNY York College is a competitive program. Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria for admission:

  • Applicants must demonstrate promise as a masters-level social work scholar and show readiness to take on graduate education

  • Submit an application to the program, including a personal statement related to the MSW scholar's career goals, current comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae, and official transcripts

  • Hold an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. If BSW/BSSW, the degree must be from a CSWE accredited program.

  • Must have attained an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher

  • A group interview will be required

  • Must provide three letters of recommendation from instructors or employers (please do not include personal references) addressing the applicant's suitability for the social work profession and preparedness to enter a rigorous academic program

Graduate entrance exams (e.g., Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)) are not required for admissions to the MSW Program at CUNY York College.

Advanced Standing Admission Requirements

In addition to general admission requirements, advanced standing applicants must:

  • Have completed a bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program within the last five years

  • Have attained an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher and GPA of 3.2 in the social work major

  • Submit a final evaluation from the senior undergraduate practicum evaluation (advanced standing applicants only)

Advanced standing is awarded only to graduates holding degrees from baccalaureate social work programs accredited by CSWE, recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services*, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors. This and all future references to degrees from social work programs accredited by CSWE, include degrees from CSWE-accredited programs or recognized through CSWE's International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

  • For applicants whose native language is not English, the TOEFL is required. You must take the test and pass with a minimum score of 61 on the (Internet Based TOEFL (IBT)). TOEFL scores should be sent to the SocialWorkCAS using the SocialWorkCAS TOEFL code B596. 

  • The Council on Social Work Education Board of Accreditation requires the international social work degrees to be evaluated using International Social Work Degree Recognition & Evaluation Service

  • A World Education Services evaluation is required for applicants who completed their degree outside of the United States. This can be requested and submitted through SocialWorkCAS

Instructions for Applying to the MSW Program

  1. The MSW Program at CUNY York College participates in the Social Work Centralized Application Service (SocialWorkCAS). Applicants applying to the masters-level program will apply online using the SocialWorkCAS application system.

  2. A $75 non-refundable application processing fee (U.S. dollars) must be paid to York College

  3. A $45 application fee is payable to SocialWorkCAS and must be submitted before the application is considered complete

  4. Do not submit MSW applications or materials via email

  5. All transcripts must be submitted to the Social Work CAS system

Be sure to thoroughly review all sections of the MSW Program at CUNY York College webpage prior to completing the application.

Questions? Please visit our MSW Information Session website for upcoming information sessions. You are also welcome to contact the MSW Program at CUNY York College at (718) 262-2603 or email MSW@york.cuny.edu

Ready to Apply? Visit https://socialworkcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Program Retention

The criteria for retention in the MSW Program at CUNY York College are:

  • A grade of "B" or better in each Social Work course.

  • Scholars who earn an unacceptable grade (below B) in a Social Work course will have one additional attempt to repeat the course and earn an acceptable grade. The Program Director's permission is required to repeat a course.

  • Maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required.

  • Social Work majors must have a GPA of 3.0 or better to graduate. 

  • Only permitted to repeat one course up to 4 credits for the duration of enrollment in the program.

At the end of each semester, the scholar’s semester GPA and cumulative GPA (CUM GPA) are calculated. If a scholar’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, the scholar is placed on Academic Probation for the subsequent semester. The Program Director will convene an academic standing review conference to evaluate the scholar’s academic performance and retention in the MSW Program.  Scholars receiving a grade lower than B in any social work course will have to pass the repeated course with a grade of B or higher to remove their probationary status, even if their cumulative GPA is at a 3.0. Failure to raise the GPA (or achieve a grade of B or higher) or in the case that it would not be possible, will result in dismissal from the program.

NE: Adherence to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and to the York College Code of Conduct. Failure to meet any one of the criteria listed above may be grounds for probation or the scholar’s dismissal from the MSW Program at CUNY York College.