MSW at SUNY Plattsburgh

SUNY Plattsburgh has become a major force in social work education with its Master of Social Work (MSW) program, adding to its 17 existing graduate degrees. This addition shows the university’s dedication to expanding education and meeting crucial community needs. The MSW program fills a vital gap since very few MSW programs are available in the North Country and Capital Region.

SUNY Plattsburgh’s social work program stands out with its distinctive educational approach. The MSW program remains the only advanced generalist program in the region. This approach will give you integrated knowledge to serve individuals while becoming an effective change agent in communities and society. The program is among the few MSW programs in New York state that requires licensed faculty members. This requirement guarantees quality education from seasoned professionals.

Dr. Julie Richards leads the Social Work Department as Chairperson, while Dr. Julie Piepenbring heads the Graduate Program. Their expertise guides students toward both generalist and advanced generalist professional practice in settings of all types.

Students can choose from hybrid, online, and in-person classes that fit their schedule while they advance their careers and serve their communities. Some courses need on-campus attendance despite many classes being available online. This mix creates a balanced learning experience.

Students put theory into practice through extensive fieldwork. They complete at least 950 hours of practical training in facilities that line up with their career goals. These placements include community organizations, health centers, and groups focused on policy, politics, and advocacy.

The MSW program enhances the university’s current academic offerings, which include bachelor’s degrees in human development and family relations, education, nursing, communication sciences and disorders, and a master’s in mental health counseling. Students benefit from opportunities in interdisciplinary learning and collaboration.

SUNY Plattsburgh promotes resilience and well-being through trauma-informed, equity-driven, and culturally humble approaches. Students develop leadership skills in social change through teamwork, breakthroughs, and advocacy.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited the MSW program in record time. This achievement proves the institution’s dedication to high educational standards. Graduates earn a nationally recognized degree that prepares them for licensure and professional practice.

Programs offered

SUNY Plattsburgh’s Department of Social Work provides complete educational pathways that prepare you for professional practice in settings of all types. The flagship Master of Social Work (MSW) program develops clinical practitioners by teaching both generalist and specialized knowledge in health and well-being. Students learn skills to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Students follow two distinct tracks based on their prior education. Those with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program qualify for advanced standing and complete only 30 credits. The full program requires 60 credits for other students. Faculty members offer personal advising about program requirements and help students plan their courses effectively.

The well-laid-out curriculum builds expertise step by step. Core courses include Social Welfare Policy, Interventions, Field Practicums, and specialized topics like Power, Oppression & Privilege. Students dive deeper into Perspectives on Trauma, Resiliency and Human Rights, Research for Social Change, and Program Evaluation. The program concludes with a Capstone Seminar that blends all learning experiences.

Practical experience is the core of SUNY Plattsburgh’s social work education. Students apply classroom theory through extensive practicum experiences and complete at least 950 hours of fieldwork in facilities that match their career goals. These placements happen in community-based organizations, health centers, and agencies that focus on policy and support.

MSW program graduates are ready for advanced practice with individuals, families, and communities at micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. Career paths include:

• Clinical social worker
• Case manager
• Community organizer
• Policy analyst or supporter
• School social worker
• Health care social worker
• Substance use disorder counselor
• Crisis intervention specialist
• Nonprofit administrator

The program strengthens resilience and well-being by teaching students to encourage healing through trauma-informed, equity-driven, and culturally humble approaches. Students also develop a comprehensive view of societal challenges and how they show up in different settings.

The program reached a significant milestone with its accreditation status. Starting in candidacy status with the Commission on Social Work Education (CSWE), it earned full accreditation in July 2024. Students who entered the program in Fall 2024 will graduate from a CSWE-accredited program. This meets standard requirements for licensure in New York state after two years of full-time study.

About the online program

SUNY Plattsburgh’s MSW program offers a hybrid format that works well with students’ different schedules. This program stands out from fully online options by blending virtual learning with valuable in-person sessions. Students can take many classes online, though some courses need campus attendance. The program strikes a perfect balance between flexibility and the face-to-face interactions needed to build clinical social work skills.

The foundation of the program lies in its fieldwork, where students put their classroom knowledge to real-life use. Students can usually complete their practical training in their hometown, which cuts down on travel time while maintaining high-quality education. The program requires at least 950 hours of fieldwork that matches your career goals. Students spend 450 hours in their first year followed by 500 hours in their second year.

Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited school can substantially reduce their study time through the advanced standing option. They might qualify to get their MSW in just one year instead of the usual two-year full-time study. This faster track keeps the same high standards while giving credit for previous education.

Brightspace, a user-friendly learning system, powers the online portions of the program and lets students learn at their own pace. Some classes still need live participation. This mix helps students develop both independent study habits and team skills.

The program goes beyond just technical training. Students learn to think deeply about how racism and oppression affect human experiences and social work practice. They gain a complete point of view on social challenges in settings of all types. Though based in a rural area, the curriculum helps students understand strengths and challenges at local, national, and global levels.

The field director helps each student find meaningful training opportunities across New York state and beyond. This matching takes into account student strengths, needs, location priorities, and interest in specific client groups. These placements let students practice and improve their skills in various settings like healthcare facilities, community organizations, and advocacy groups.

Graduates leave with both people skills and advocacy strategies that make them social work scholars who support human rights. The program’s focus on trauma-informed, equity-driven methods enables students to encourage healing and growth in different communities.

Accreditation

Your MSW degree’s accreditation status will shape your career prospects. SUNY Plattsburgh’s Master of Social Work program earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in July 2024. The program achieved this milestone quickly due to unique circumstances.

The quick accreditation started in 2023 when the College of St. Rose in Albany announced it would close permanently. SUNY Plattsburgh saw a chance through CSWE’s rule that lets a program transfer if the new school already has an accredited program. The university could acquire St. Rose’s accredited MSW program because it already had a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work.

Multiple organizations worked together during this transition. Dr. Janet Acker, professor of social work and associate dean for innovation and academic success, shared her perspective: “There were outside entities—the New York State Education Department and CSWE—that felt compelled to help guide us on the path where we could make this work”. This shared effort helped speed up what usually takes years.

The MSW program director at the Queensbury branch, Dr. Julie Piepenbring, noted that her team needed to submit a self-study to CSWE by January 2025 while adapting to new systems. She credited “teamwork and compassion” for helping them navigate this complex process successfully.

Students receive these most important benefits from the accreditation:

• The first SUNY Plattsburgh MSW class graduating in May 2024 gets retroactive accreditation
• All but one of these students who moved from St. Rose will graduate from an accredited program
• Students starting in Fall 2024 will graduate from a CSWE accredited program

SUNY Plattsburgh maintains detailed institutional accreditation beyond its MSW program. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredited the university for eight years in June 2022, with the next visit planned for Spring 2030. The social work department’s Bachelor program will have its next CSWE review in 2029, while the MSW program’s review will happen in 2033.

This accreditation will give a nationally recognized MSW degree that qualifies you for licensure and professional practice after graduation. The program’s steadfast dedication shows in the remarkable 17-month timeline from St. Rose’s closure announcement to SUNY Plattsburgh’s MSW accreditation.

Admission Requirements

SUNY Plattsburgh’s MSW program has specific qualifications and documentation requirements for admission. The program maintains high academic standards with a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for both two-year and advanced standing programs. The admissions committee might assess candidates with GPAs between 3.0 and 3.2 on a case-by-case basis and ask them to interview.

The traditional MSW program and Advanced Standing option have slightly different application requirements:

For the traditional MSW program:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Official transcripts showing a 3.0 undergraduate GPA
• Three letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose explaining your interest in the program

For Advanced Standing candidates:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
• Official transcripts showing a 3.0 undergraduate GPA
• Three letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose explaining your interest in the program [123]

The admissions committee might ask candidates from both tracks to attend a virtual interview.

The MSW program has a priority deadline system. January 9 is the main application cutoff date. The program reviews applications on a rolling basis after this date if spaces are still available.

Your personal statement should cover several important points. It must showcase your writing abilities and explain why you want to enter social work. The admissions officers want to know how social work fits your career goals. They expect you to describe personal qualities or experiences that shaped your decision, explain how you’ll balance coursework among other commitments, and address any past academic challenges.

Your recommendation letters need specific sources. Current college students must get at least one letter from a faculty member or advisor. Working professionals must include one letter that describes their work skills and experiences.

The social work program accepts applications from both SUNY Plattsburgh students and transfer applicants.

Tuition

Money plays a crucial role in your graduate education decisions. SUNY Plattsburgh’s MSW program offers competitive tuition rates that are available to more students compared to private institutions.

New York state residents pay approximately $11,307 per academic year for the Master’s of Social Work program. International student tuition starts at $23,094 annually. The academic calendar runs across two semesters each year.

Your budget should include other important expenses beyond tuition. Students typically spend around $1,320 yearly on books and supplies. Housing costs are another major expense. Students who choose on-campus living pay about $16,570 annually for room and board. Personal expenses and transportation costs will vary based on your situation.

The good news is that help is available to manage these costs. Most SUNY Plattsburgh students – five out of six – get some type of financial help. Students can tap into various support options including merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and student loans that you repay after graduation.

SUNY’s Net Price Cost Calculator helps you plan your expenses. This tool creates a customized estimate of your costs and shows potential financial aid options. You can find more financial details through the NCES College Navigator site and College Scorecard.

Student Financial Services staff will help answer your questions about costs and fees. You can reach them at 518-564-2072 or email [email protected]. They also offer virtual meetings to give you customized guidance through your SUNY Plattsburgh MSW program’s financial planning.

Additional Information

SUNY Plattsburgh provides extensive support services that help students succeed in their MSW program. The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program gives individual-specific advising, academic resources, and great opportunities to eligible students who are first-generation college attendees, have financial need, or identify as having a disability.

Students get access to credit-bearing courses that build key skills, professional tutoring, and expert guidance to excel in their classes. Student success goes way beyond academics. The university provides mentoring, wellness programs, and individual-specific resources that support both academic growth and personal well-being.

The Student Health and Counseling Center provides detailed support for emotional and physical well-being. The center keeps all records strictly confidential and releases them only with written consent. The Student Assistance Program gives free 24/7 access to professionals who help manage stress, depression/anxiety, crisis services, and academic concerns.

Career prospects after graduation look promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% increase in social worker demand through 2028. SUNY Plattsburgh’s graduates now work in a variety of settings including social welfare organizations, nonprofits, governmental agencies, hospitals, hospice care, and community-based organizations.