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Social Work

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Study social work at Fordham

About the social work major

At Fordham, our nationally recognized social work program is driven by core components of Jesuit education—human rights and social justice. With fieldwork at the center of our program, social work students are immersed in hands-on opportunities like research, clinical work, and internships all year long. You can even pursue an accelerated degree through our top-ranked Graduate School of Social Service, allowing you to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in five years.

Here, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to effectively promote human rights, social justice, and individual and community well being.

Our graduates go on to …

  • advanced study and research programs
  • government, nonprofit, and school social work 
  • careers in child welfare, mental health counseling, aging social work, and more

Visit the social work program page

Students sitting in a social work class

Social work program profile

  • Rose Hill CampusMajor
    Rose Hill
  • Lincoln Center CampusMajor
    Lincoln Center

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Program at a glance

96%

of social work graduates in the past five years were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in public service or other meaningful endeavors within six months of graduation

81%

of social work graduates in the past five years have pursued advanced degrees

420

hours of fieldwork combined with a 30-hour integrative seminar allows social work students to integrate their classroom knowledge with their experiences in the field

3

affiliated centers, including Children FIRST, the Fordham GSS Institute for Women and Girls, and the Ravazzin Center on Aging

10+

career paths in social work, including focuses on aging, child welfare, substance abuse and addictions, developmental disabilities, research, and more

Council on Social Work Education

accreditation means the social work program's curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes meet the council's rigorous national standards, assuring employers and licensing boards that graduates are fully prepared for safe, ethical, and competent practice

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Social work for what matters

Students sit in a club meeting

Advocacy in Action                    

The Social Work Society empowers students to explore diverse career paths, build hands-on advocacy skills, and connect with community organizations. See how they’re making a real-world difference.

A composite image of accelerated master's graduates at 2026 Commencement

Fast Track to a Masters’s                    

Our accelerated program allows social work students to earn both their undergraduate and master's degrees in five years. Learn more about how these double Rams are planning to serve their communities.

Professor Ipsita Banerjee working with students Liana Cutter and Gabriella Cicero

Research for Women, by Women                    

Women researchers at Fordham are conducting groundbreaking, impactful studies dedicated entirely to women’s health, mental wellness, and equity. Discover how these scholars are driving vital change worldwide.

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Social work program FAQ

  • Here, you’ll learn by doing. With hands-on opportunities in one of the world’s most diverse and dynamic cities, you’ll gain the skills and experiences employers seek. And in addition to the big-city energy of New York, you’ll have a tight-knit, supportive campus community, eager for you to thrive.

    You’ll also have access to fieldwork at a variety of centers and institutes through our Graduate School of Social Service, including the Ravazzin Center on Aging and the Institute for Women and Girls.

  • Throughout the program, you’ll gain a solid foundation in the breadth of social work, gain in-depth field experience, and participate in individual and group mentoring sessions.

    You’ll take courses like Human Behavior and the Social Environment, where you’ll explore the impact of life conditions on human behavior and development, or Contemporary Social Welfare Policy, where you’ll examine the underlying values, assumptions and philosophical perspectives that have influenced the U.S. social welfare system.

  • With NYC as your college town, you’ll have access to industry leaders in healthcare, policy and planning, mental health research, and more. Through our field education model, you’ll be able to work with schools, homeless shelters, substance abuse treatment facilities, housing programs, child welfare agencies, and other impactful organizations across the city.

    You’ll also have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our 100+ programs across more than 50 countries.

  • You’ll be prepared for various career paths in social work, including aging, child welfare, school counseling, substance abuse prevention, and research, to name a few. Our graduates also go on to pursue advanced study and prestigious fellowships.

  • At Fordham, you’ll use AI as a tool to enhance your learning. Our program will equip you with the skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of AI in the workforce. As a social work major, you’ll be able to use AI as a supportive tool to help optimize care and manage workloads. AI, however, will never replace the human elements needed for meaningful social work, like deep empathy and moral judgment.

    You’ll also be able to earn credentials and paid micro-internships through IBM SkillsBuild’s Getting Started with AI course. All Fordham students and graduates have access to AI training through RamConnect, the University’s alumni and experiential learning platform.

    Above all, you’ll learn skills that can’t be replaced by AI, such as critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

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