Leading the Change for a Better Tomorrow

Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service's On-Campus Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program is our traditional face-to-face program. Our on-campus M.S.W. program offers a future-focused curriculum, preparing students with advanced integrated practice that cut across populations and contexts.

Our MSW Program Offers Students:

• Flexible plans of study designed to meet the diverse needs of today's students
• Three convenient campus locations: Manhattan, Westchester, and Long Island.
• Supervised field placements with one of the 12,000 agencies located throughout the New York metropolitan and tri-state area
• Advanced Standing Admission is available to qualified applicants who have earned a B.S.W. degree

Specialized Practice Certificates

Looking to separate yourself in the social work job market? Fordham GSS offers two Specialized Practice Certificates (SPCs) for on-campus students that can help you stand out throughout your career search, and find the role best suited for your abilities.

• Specialized Practice Certificate in Health
• Specialized Practice Certificate in Crisis and Resilience

On-campus students have the option to choose one Specialized Practice Certificate to complete simultaneously with their MSW degree. To receive the certificate, students must complete 3 courses that are offered for the certificate. 

Read more below about the SPCs currently offered:
 

Specialized Practice Certificate in Health

The purpose of the Specialized Practice Certificate in Health is to prepare students to work in a diverse range of health care settings. Students will develop applied knowledge and skills needed to help individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations in addressing health and wellbeing. By obtaining this certificate, students will acquire specialized knowledge of our contemporary health care system, including current issues in policy and practice. The certificate will focus on the promotion of rights and justice in order to prepare students to advocate for change within the evolving health care environment. It equips social work students with the essential skills and competencies needed to work in the health care field, including as part of a multidisciplinary health care team, and across health care systems. 

All the courses in this certificate will articulate the role of social work practitioners in health care, with an emphasis on effective interprofessional practice. Students will use the person-in-environment framework to critically evaluate the role of culture, social determinants of health, and intersectionality in health and health outcomes.  Students will learn effective approaches to engaging in collaborative, person-centered health-focused interventions and treatment with individuals, groups, families and communities. Specifically, this will include attention to methods of assessment, evidence-based practice and policies across a diverse range of health settings and populations.
 

Specialized Practice Certificate in Crisis and Resilience

The purpose of the Specialized Practice Certificate in Crisis & Resilience is to train students to respond to and prepare for work with individuals, families, groups, communities and policymakers in the event of crises such as natural disasters, pandemics, terrorism, shootings, or other traumatic events.  Students will develop applied knowledge and skills needed to engage, assess, intervene and evaluate during and after crises, as well as advocate for policies that would diminish unnecessary risks in societies.   

Students will use the person-in-environment framework to learn how different policies, communities and individuals are potentially affected due to existing inequities, intersectionality and vulnerabilities.  Students will learn to promote situational awareness, problem-solving skills, coping, and emotional resilience to restore functioning in the aftermath of a crisis. The certificate will focus on the promotion of rights and justice in order to prepare students to advocate for change within a crisis environment. It equips social work students with the essential skills and competencies needed to work in the crisis field, including as part of a multidisciplinary team and across systems. 

Whether engaging in planning to mitigate potential crises and its impact, or responding during and after crises, specific skills needed are planning and conducting a thorough biopsychosocial and risk assessment; using evidence-based interventions; establishing a collaborative relationship across disciplines; restoring functioning through implementation of an action plan, and evaluation and follow-up.  The courses taken for this certificate provide students the skills needed to carry out these responsibilities on micro, mezzo and macro levels.

Prospective student interested in an SPC? Join us for an Information Session to get more details!

Current student interested in an SPC? Contact your advisor to begin the journey of specializing your passion!