Social Work (MSW)

HEGIS Number 2104.00

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.

*NE: This is a new program. All content is subject to change at any time.

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 hand-on and experiential learning of the implications of research- informs practice and practice-informed research.

Accreditation and Credentials

Accreditation

The MSW Program at CUNY York College has achieved initial accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education's Commission on Accreditation.

Per the CSWE website: Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. 

The MSW Program at CUNY York College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.

Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on 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 students graduating from the program.

BOA Decisions are made public on the CSWE BOA website

NASW 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. Scholars who attend York College are from culturally diverse countries. Diversity on campus and in 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 CUNY 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.

Council on Social Work Education

CSWE's Commission on 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.

Founded in 1952, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include accredited baccalaureate and master's degree social work programs, as well as individual social work educators, practitioners, and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE supports quality social work education and provides opportunities for leadership and professional development, so that social workers play a central role in achieving the profession's goals of social and economic justice. CSWE's Commission on 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.

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 of Social Worker (LMSW). To learn more about the licensure process, visit NYSED.

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. Students 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

General Admission Requirements for MSW Program

Eligible candidates must meet below criteria for admission to the MSW Program at CUNY York College:

• 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, must be from a CSWE accredited program.

• A satisfactory scholastic average; must have attained an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher;

• A group interview will be required; and

• 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.

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; and

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

Advanced Standing applicants are required to obtain the final evaluation from their undergraduate senior practicum (advanced standing applicants only).

NE: 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 accrediting body.

York College of The City University of New York (CUNY) does not require a graduate entrance exam such as Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for admissions to the MSW Program at CUNY York College.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

TOEFL: For applicants whose native language is not English, the TOEFL is required with a minimum score of 61 on the Internet Based TOEFL (IBT). These scores should be sent to the SocialWorkCAS using the SocialWorkCAS TOEFL code of 2992 For International Scholars - Submit official test scores to CUNY York College - University Code: 2992

A WES evaluation (www.wes.org) is required for applicants who completed their degree outside of the United States. This can be requested and submitted through SocialWorkCAS.

For Scholars who do not have access to TOEFL you can also use the following: International English Language Testing System (IELTS): A score of 6 is required. Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA): A score of 44 is required. Duolingo: A score of 85 is required.

Instructions for Applying to the MSW Program

It is very important to thoroughly review all sections of the MSW Program at CUNY York College webpage prior to completing the application.

• As part of the application process, an interview is required.

• $75.00 Non-Refundable Application Fee (U.S. dollars) processing fee must be paid to York College as well as a Social Work CAS application fee of $45 flat-fee before the application is considered complete.

• Do not use MSW@york.cuny.edu email address to submit MSW applications or materials.

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

We are a competitive program!

The MSW Program at CUNY York College is participating in the Social Work Centralized Application Service (SocialWorkCAS) in the 2024 application cycle. Applicants applying to our masters-level program will apply online using the SocialWorkCAS application beginning on September 9, 2024. Please click "Apply Now" to be taken to the SocialWorkCAS application link.

Program Retention

Retention in the MSW Program at CUNY York College

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.

Full-Time Two-Year Degree Program

*Elective courses

Advanced Standing Degree Program (One-Year)

*Elective courses

Scholars complete six (6) free electives during the spring semester of the advanced year.

Free Electives:

• SCWK 618: Clinical SW Practice in Relation to Death, Grief, and Bereavement

• SCWK 619: Contemporary Issues: Violence as Structural Oppression

• SCWK 620: Beyond the Medical Model: Wellness Paradigms for the Social Work Profession

Tuition and Fees

*NE: Tuition and fees are subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York at any time. In the event of any increase in the tuition or fees, payments already made will be treated as partial payment. Notification will be given of additional amounts due and the required date of payment. For additional description of fees, please review York College Graduate Bulletin.

Masters in Social Work Tuition