Plans of Study
The School offers the MSW degree as a 66 credit program. This consists of 48 credits for class work and 18 credits for field work experience. The Standard Model of study consists of 2 years of coursework (24 credits each year) concurrent with 2 years of fieldwork placement (9 credits per year).
Please note: In order to maintain the academic standards required by the School, it is stongly advised that those applicants employed full-time select an extended (part-time) plan of study. Admissions counselors will be happy to meet with you and assist you in selecting the plan of study most appropriate for your learning needs.
Standard Model of Study This is a full-time plan of study that is generally completed in 2 academic years. This requires 2 separate years of field work placement--a foundation/generalist practicum as well as an advanced practice placement (18 credits total)--along with coursework in both generalist practice and advanced practice concentration. (48 credits in classroom hours, totalling 66 credits)
Anyone who possesses a BA or BS degree with liberal arts content from a regionally accredited college or university is eligible to apply to the MSW program. 18 hours of liberal arts content on a baccalaureate level is the minimum required.
Field work generally consists of 21 hours of practicum experience per week, but can also be done on a 14 hour per week basis. All students would be expected to complete 600 hours of field work placement per year (over 2 a two year period, a total of 1200 hours).
There are some exceptions to the standard plan of study as listed below:
Advanced Standing Open to B.S.W. graduates: Applicants who have achieved a high level of academic performance as well as a very successful field work experience in a baccalaureate program of social work are eligible for this plan of study. The undergraduate program must specifically be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). *
The undergraduate course work is viewed as the equivalent of the first year of the Masters Program, and the 33 credits of the BSW program are transferred into the MSW transcript. The student then completes the Advanced Year-(33 credits-24 in the classroom and 9 in the field work placement) at Fordham's Graduate School of Social Service.
This plan of study can be completed in one academic year, but may be extended over two years (or more) should the student elect to do so.
NOTE: Final Field Work Evaluation: You must submit the evaluation of your field placement from your B.S.W. program. If your school is unable to provide a field work evaluation, you may use the alternative field work evaluation form (PDF Format). This form may be filled out by your BSW or MSW program director or your faculty advisor.
*Applicants from programs that do not have CSWE accreditation are not eligible for Advanced Standing
Extended Plan of Study This is a part-time plan for students who may not be able to take on full-time study for various reasons, such as family or work commitments. This offers applicants the chance to slow down their study and begin the program with two classes per semester. Eventually field work placement and further coursework is added. Students also have the option of completing some courses during summer sessions (usually mid-May to early July). Requirements for admission and for completion of the degree remain the same as those of the Standard Model.
The degree consists of 66 total credits. (48 in the classroom and 18 for the 2 years of field work). Most students in this Model opt to complete 14 hours of field work per week, but may choose 21 hours per week, if desired.
The Experienced and Employed Social Service Practitioners Plan of Study Students in this plan are not required to complete the Foundation Year field work placement. This plan is designed for applicants who have experience and are currently employed in the social service profession. The applicant needs to demonstrate competence in the field of social work. The applicant's experience should reflect direct practice. To be eligible for this plan of study applicants must have at least 3 years of post-Baccalureate social work experience, specifically with MSW supervision, at the time of application. The student's employer must also agree to provide a field work placement experience during the student's Advanced Year of study. This field work should include both a change of assignment as well as supervisor.
Students in this plan of study complete the foundation year course work. During the foundation phase of the of the curriculum, these students also attend a monthly field work seminar/lab to discuss their on-the-job experiences and the integration of practice and theory/classroom learning.
As in all models of study, students still must complete 66 credits before graduation. This model requires 51 classroom credit hours. 15 credits are awarded for the Combined Field Work placement.
Please Note: The School does not award any life or work experience credits.
For further information and details on the plans of study offered, please refer to the Foundation Phase Plan of Study on this website and to the Concentrations page on this website.
