Fairleigh Dickinson University MSW
80 years old, Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey’s largest private higher education institution with over 12,000 full and part-time students. The university grew by a lot after becoming a four-year institution in 1948 and gaining university status in 1956. Students can now choose from more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple campuses.
U.S. News & World Report ranks FDU #7 in Best Value Schools and #9 for Social Mobility in the North. These rankings show the university’s success in providing quality education at reasonable costs while helping students from all backgrounds move up the social ladder.
The university spreads across four unique locations. Morris County’s Florham Campus sits on 178 acres of the former Vanderbilt-Twombly estate, offering a classic college experience with historic buildings. This residential campus serves 3,417 students – 2,757 undergraduates and 690 graduate students. The Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck/Hackensack brings an urban vibe close to New York City. This campus focuses on professional programs and serves 7,482 students (5,734 undergraduates and 1,748 graduates).
FDU reaches beyond New Jersey through its Vancouver campus in British Columbia (opened in 2007) and Wroxton College in Oxfordshire, England. Working professionals can access flexible education through FDU’s online programs.
More than 300 full-time professionals and nearly 400 part-time educators make up FDU’s faculty, who focus on detailed student development. Students benefit from a close-knit learning environment with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits FDU’s Master of Social Work program, making it one of eight CSWE-accredited MSW programs in New Jersey. Students learn through a mix of theory and hands-on experience, with field practicum opportunities that connect classroom concepts to real-life situations.
FDU’s MSW program welcomes students from various backgrounds – recent graduates, professionals seeking advancement, and career changers. This open approach matches the university’s broader goal of meeting educational needs across its campus network.
Programs offered
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Master of Social Work program gives students two educational paths based on their academic background and career goals. These options help aspiring social workers find their ideal path, whatever their previous experience.
The Traditional Program welcomes students new to social work. This 60-credit hour curriculum blends basic and advanced education with 900 hours of ground experience. Students start with core courses like Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Practice I and II, Research I and II, Social Policy I, and Diversity and Social Justice. The program then advances to specialized courses such as Advanced Micro/Mezzo/Macro Practice, Social Policy II, and Empirical Practice, plus three electives.
Students with a social work background can choose the Advanced Standing Track. This optimized path needs only 30 credit hours and 500 hours of field experience. The accelerated option builds on knowledge from accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs and focuses on advanced coursework with specialized internships.
FDU’s program stands out with its advanced generalist educational model. Students don’t need to pick a specialized track. Instead, they learn versatile skills that work with different client systems and emerging challenges. This flexibility gives students broad professional preparation.
The program combines theory with hands-on learning through field practicum experiences. Students work in hospitals, schools, criminal justice facilities, grassroots organizations, and mental health services. A dedicated field coordinator helps each student find the right placement to complete their required hours.
The program runs fully online asynchronously, making it perfect for working professionals and students with busy schedules. Students can complete their coursework when it suits them while getting detailed professional training.
FDU’s MSW program prepares students to champion social and economic justice, human rights, and quality of life for diverse populations. The program’s flexible format and detailed curriculum help graduates promote physical, psychological, and social well-being in practice settings of all types.
About the online program
The online MSW program at FDU excels with its innovative distance learning approach. It offers complete asynchronous delivery that lets students complete coursework when it’s most convenient. This flexibility makes the program especially good for traditional students, working professionals, and adult learners who must balance their education with other commitments.
Dr. Clay, assistant professor of social work at the Florham Campus, leads the online program. The curriculum emphasizes human rights among social, economic, and environmental challenges that society faces. Program leaders have carefully selected diverse faculty members who bring specialized expertise to courses. Students receive instruction based on current research and best practices.
Smart course design combines both teaching and hands-on learning through well-crafted online coursework. Teaching online “requires a different level of intentionality and creativity in the ways we engage students, develop courses and deliver content”. Students get chances to discuss their experiences and make meaningful connections to social work that enhance the overall curriculum.
FDU’s online MSW program stands out with its extensive field practicum experience. Students apply theories, skills, and approaches from coursework to ground situations. Placement options exist in a variety of settings like hospitals, schools, criminal justice facilities, grassroots organizations, and mental health services. A dedicated field coordinator helps identify suitable placements to complete your required field experience hours.
Program completion time depends on credit requirements, transfer credits, and your study pace. Most students finish the traditional track in 18-36 months.
Dr. Clay continues learning ways to expand the MSW curriculum. New specializations and natural connections with health science programs and other disciplines are being considered. This growth keeps the program aligned with professional needs and prepares graduates with skills to tackle complex challenges in their field.
Accreditation
Quality assurance in academic programs relies heavily on accreditation, particularly in professional fields like social work. Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Master of Social Work program has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program is one of eight CSWE-accredited MSW programs in New Jersey. This credential validates that the program meets national standards for social work education.
Your career development will benefit significantly from CSWE accreditation. The designation confirms that FDU’s MSW curriculum follows professional standards and prepares you with the knowledge, values, and skills needed to work effectively in settings of all types. The accreditation meets educational requirements for licensure in all fifty states. State licensure requirements may change periodically.
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s institutional accreditation comes through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This 1948-old institutional recognition was reaffirmed in 2025. It validates the university’s academic quality and governance standards. The next evaluation will take place in 2032-2033, which shows the institution’s accreditation stability.
The university maintains accredited programs in multiple disciplines. FDU has secured specialized accreditations for many programs. These include prestigious AACSB accreditation for its business programs and ACEN accreditation for its nursing programs. This dedication to quality assurance highlights the university’s commitment to academic excellence.
New Jersey’s competitive landscape includes ten MSW programs. Eight have full CSWE accreditation while two are in pre-candidacy stages. FDU ranks among the established, fully-accredited social work graduate programs in the state.
CSWE’s accreditation process evaluates programs against national standards rigorously. This ensures graduates receive education that meets professional practice requirements. Students can feel confident that employers and licensing boards will recognize their degree widely. A CSWE-accredited program like FDU’s MSW will give you an education that meets industry standards. You’ll be ready to succeed in social work settings throughout the United States.
Admission Requirements
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s MSW program welcomes applications throughout the year with a rolling admissions system. Students can submit their applications whenever it suits them best.
The Traditional Track has two key requirements. Students must graduate from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree that includes liberal arts coursework. They also need to maintain at least a 2.75 minimum overall GPA. This 60-credit path welcomes students from a variety of academic backgrounds who want to start their social work career.
The Advanced Standing Track sets higher standards. It specifically targets candidates with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Students must have their BSW from a CSWE-accredited program and show a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. These stricter requirements reflect this 30-credit program’s accelerated structure.
Fairleigh Dickinson University stands out from many graduate programs because it doesn’t require GRE scores from MSW program applicants. This approach makes the application process more available to prospective students.
The application process has several steps. Students must complete the program’s customized application form and submit official transcripts from all their previous colleges and universities. A current resume highlighting relevant academic and professional experiences is also required.
Students must complete specific courses before starting their field placements. Foundation field courses (MSW 6600 & MSW 6620) require completion of Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Practice I, Research I, and Social Policy I. The concentration field courses (MSW 7600 & MSW 7620) need all foundation courses plus Advanced Micro Practice, Advanced Mezzo Practice, Advanced Macro Practice, and Social Policy II.
Students must maintain a 2.75 GPA to qualify for fieldwork. They also need to submit required paperwork by set deadlines and attend all fieldwork trainings and orientations. These standards ensure students are ready to apply their classroom knowledge effectively.
FDU helps students with previous graduate coursework by accepting transfer credits from accredited institutions. The number of credits varies by program. This flexibility benefits students who already have relevant academic experience.
Tuition
A graduate education at Fairleigh Dickinson University represents one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. The online MSW program’s tuition costs $963 per credit, making FDU a competitive choice among New Jersey’s private universities with accredited MSW programs.
Students need to plan for many more fees beyond tuition. Full-time students pay an annual technology fee of $1,060, while part-time students pay $490. Master’s degree candidates must budget for a $275 graduation fee. The mandatory health insurance adds $3,630 for a full year or $2,249 for spring semester entrants.
FDU’s financial support options help make education more affordable. The university distributed over $70 million in institutional aid last year, and more than 94% of full-time freshmen received financial support. Students should file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 15 to maximize their chances for need-based grants. The university’s Federal school code for FAFSA is 002607.
The university’s payment plans give students flexible options to manage their expenses. Students can choose a deferred payment plan with a 25% down payment and three monthly installments during fall and spring terms, or two installments in summer. This option requires a $45 application fee per term. The Corporate Reimbursement Deferred Payment Plan helps employees receiving tuition reimbursement, though it includes a 4% carrying charge on the term balance.
The academic year follows clear payment deadlines: August 15 for fall, January 15 for spring, and May 15 for summer terms. Late registrants must pay in full at registration or arrange payment through financial aid or a payment plan.
Additional Information
Your connection with Fairleigh Dickinson University goes way beyond your time in class. The moment you start the program, you’ll join a thriving alumni network that has more than 140,000 professionals worldwide. This bond starts on your first day and continues throughout your life.
You’ll stay connected to the university through the FDU Alumni Association, which creates networking opportunities through chapters and special interest groups. The association has dedicated groups for Black alumni, arts graduates, hospitality professionals, LGBTQ+ alumni, and veterans. Recent graduates can join the Young Alumni Association, created specifically for those who finished their degree in the last 15 years.
The MSW program’s field education partners with agencies of all types – from hospitals and child welfare organizations to mental health clinics and domestic violence services. Students can also work with homeless youth programs and educational institutions. Working students will find many agencies offer flexible schedules. Virtual-only placements are available only in special circumstances and can’t be guaranteed.
The university’s Student Wellness Services department takes care of your health and mental well-being. They’ve adopted a public health approach that emphasizes preventive care. The Therapeutic Counseling Center helps students manage graduate school stress through programs like Healing Paws pet therapy and Self-Care Club.
These strong support systems ensure FDU MSW graduates are ready to make meaningful changes in social and economic justice, human rights, and quality of life for diverse communities.