As the school's largest program, the master of social work (M.S.W.) prepares students for professional roles in the full array of major human services. The M.S.W. prepares students for advanced social work practice. This includes preparing people to assume administrative leadership roles in the state's social welfare departments and agencies at all levels of government, as well as in the voluntary sector. It also includes preparing skilled direct-service providers to function in both public and private sectors of social welfare. This is accomplished in a program that maximizes individualization of learning and student choice. The M.S.W. program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The school's curriculum is designed to address the wide range of knowledge, values, tasks, and skills required to prepare competent and effective social work professionals. The school emphasizes the preparation of social workers who are committed to practice with the poor, vulnerable populations, and the oppressed and who work to alleviate poverty, oppression, and discrimination.
The School of Social Work offers a full range of programs leading to the M.S.W. degree. The M.S.W. curriculum is divided into two levels: the generalist curriculum and the specialized curriculum. The first level requires 30 credits and the second level requires 30 credits, to complete a total of 60 credits for graduation. The generalist curriculum must be completed successfully before entry into the specialized curriculum.
Traditional M.S.W. Program
The traditional/on-campus M.S.W. program is available on an either a two-, three-, or four-year basis and is offered at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rutgers University-Newark, and Rutgers University-Camden. Both specializations (clinical social work and management and policy) are offered in the traditional on-campus program as well as the full array of certificates. Hybrid, weekend, and online formats may be available on a limited basis in the traditional program.
The School of Social Work also offers Intensive Weekend, 100% Online, and a Blended M.S.W. programs.
Intensive Weekend M.S.W. Program
The intensive weekend M.S.W. program in clinical social work is designed to enable students in the helping professions to pursue
their M.S.W. while continuing to work full time.
Students employed in behavioral health, child welfare, or other human
services can expect to complete their M.S.W. education in three years. If they have a B.S.W., they can complete an M.S.W.
in two years.
Classes
are held at Rutgers' off-campus locations throughout New Jersey.
All
courses are commensurate with the School of Social Work M.S.W. curriculum, assignments, reading,
learning objectives, and expected competencies, just delivered in a hybrid and
concentrated format.
Field
requirements are generally fulfilled at the student's place of employment, in a
capacity or department that differs from their customary work assignment.
100% Online Program
Our
100% online M.S.W. program in clinical social work is designed for self-directed
students who seek the flexibility and convenience of online learning. The program offers a robust online learning
community with close interactions between students and faculty.
Students
in this program complete their M.S.W. in three years and classes are held in an
asynchronous format, which means that there is not a fixed meeting time. Courses have regularly scheduled assignments
and due dates, just like in a traditional classroom, and students and faculty
interact via threaded discussions and other web-based technologies. Third-year students will have the option of
taking their advanced clinical courses in either an asynchronous or synchronous
format.
Blended Online Program
The blended online program offers students the flexibility and convenience of
online learning combined with a traditional in person classroom setting for
advanced coursework.
Students
in this program complete their M.S.W. in three years. In the first two years, classes are offered
solely online in an asynchronous format, which means they are not typically
held during a fixed meeting time. However, students have regularly scheduled assignments and due
dates. In the third year, students take
a combination of on-the-ground advanced courses and online classes in other
curriculum areas.
Students may take their on-the-ground classes at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rutgers University-Newark, and Rutgers University-Camden. Field placement begins in the summer of the first year. Students choose to specialize in either clinical social work or management and policy in their third year. The three-year program structure provides students with significant
flexibility and an extended time frame to complete their M.S.W., while still
offering the benefits of a live classroom to acquire advanced practice skills
and competencies.