Adelphi University MSW

Adelphi University’s School of Social Work, 70 years old, ranks among the nation’s most distinguished social work education institutions. The school has managed to keep its accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1951, which shows its enduring commitment to excellence in education and professional standards.

U.S. News & World Report places Adelphi’s MSW program among the Best Graduate Social Work Programs for 2023. The program sits comfortably in the top 5 percent nationally. This recognition highlights how well the school prepares skilled, ethical practitioners who make real differences in their field.

Accomplished researchers, passionate educators, and those who promote social justice make up Adelphi’s distinguished faculty. Adelphi’s Academic and Creative Research Magazine has featured many faculty members’ research. These experts bring their unique research interests and professional backgrounds to students, which creates an incredibly rich learning environment.

Quality education remains available at Adelphi, despite its prestigious status. Forbes’ 2026 America’s Top Colleges list has ranked it the highest private university on Long Island for three straight years. The university also earned the 2020 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, which recognizes its steadfast dedication to civic engagement and service learning.

Students learn to work together with global and diverse communities in this student-centered environment. The school prepares reflective practitioners, leaders, scholars, and educators. Their mission helps professionals become lifelong learners who practice effectively, ethically, and with anti-racist and anti-oppressive approaches.

More than 90 percent of Adelphi’s MSW graduates find jobs within a year after graduation, which proves the program works. Students can choose from over 1,000 human service agencies throughout the New York metropolitan region for field placements and professional networking.

Veterans consider Adelphi a top choice – it’s one of just 13 programs in New York state with this distinction. The school earned this recognition through its Yellow Ribbon status, CSWE accreditation, and active on-campus chapter of the Student Veterans of America.

Adelphi University’s School of Social Work shapes social work’s future through its complete curriculum, practical training, and focus on social justice. The school continues to lead social work education nationally.

Programs offered

Adelphi University helps you get your Master of Social Work degree through multiple pathways that fit different educational backgrounds and schedules. The MSW program needs 61 credits and prepares you well for advanced professional social work practice.

You can choose from several program formats based on your career goals and lifestyle:

• Full-Time, Two-Year MSW Program: The standard option to complete your degree
• Part-Time MSW Program: Evening and weekend classes for working professionals
• BSW-MSW Advanced Standing Program: Complete your MSW in just one year if you hold a BSW degree
• Bilingual School Social Work Program: Earn both an MSW and a certificate in bilingual school social work
• Online Master’s in Social Work: A flexible, low-residency alternative with both synchronous and asynchronous components
• Advanced Standing Online MSW: A 32-credit accelerated option you can complete in 15 months at half the cost of a traditional MSW

The curriculum blends theory with hands-on experience. You’ll focus on mental health, substance abuse, trauma, or human services management and organizational leadership. This helps you build skills that align with your professional interests.

Online students attend weekly live sessions on Thursday evenings (6:30-9:50 p.m. ET) alongside asynchronous coursework. They also join twice-yearly intensive learning residencies that build connections with peers and professors through shared activities.

The standard online MSW takes eight to nine semesters split between Foundation Year and Advanced Year curricula. Students take 6-10 credit hours each semester, with courses lasting 8-15 weeks. The traditional track requires 64 credits and 1,200 hours of field education.

Human service professionals can benefit from the MSW for Human Service Professionals track. It allows employment-based field placements and needs only one field placement instead of two. Students must complete their degree within four years and meet residency requirements by taking 10 or more credits for two consecutive semesters.

Field education stands at the heart of all MSW programs. Students learn to apply classroom theory in real agency settings. The School of Social Work partners with more than 1,000 human service agencies throughout the New York metropolitan region. This gives students great opportunities to gain practical experience in various settings.

Graduates can apply for licensure as Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW). They’re ready to work as social workers, administrators, or educators in hospitals, clinics, schools, and government agencies of all types.

About the online program

Adelphi University’s online Master of Social Work program offers a perfect balance of flexibility and academic excellence. Working professionals can easily manage their careers and personal lives while pursuing this part-time, cohort-based program. Students get virtual instruction combined with practical field experience to advance their careers and prepare for licensure.

The online MSW program focuses on experiential education grounded in academic theory. Students learn from the same distinguished faculty who teach on-campus courses. The curriculum matches the complete professional development and hands-on instruction available to campus students. Educational quality remains excellent whatever format you choose.

The Moodle platform serves as the central hub for coursework and faculty-student interactions. Two main course formats shape the learning experience:

• Synchronous sessions – Scheduled live meetings on Thursday evenings between 7-9 PM ET
• Asynchronous components – Self-paced elements completed according to your schedule

The program maintains high academic standards with firm assignment deadlines despite its flexible nature. Students typically spend 10-12 hours each week on coursework. Activities include video lectures, case assessments, multimedia discussions, and shared group projects.

Field education is the core of your training. Support services help connect you with suitable practicum placements in your area. Quality field experiences come through Adelphi’s network of over 1,000 human service agencies across the New York region.

Students begin with a three-week online orientation. This introduction gives a program overview and technology training, helping you start your educational trip with confidence.

The twice-yearly virtual residencies in August and January make Adelphi’s online MSW unique. These two-to-four-day intensive experiences build professional connections through shared activities and networking. A student shared, “The first residency served as a foundation for meaningful relationships I now hold with the members of my cohort”.

Graduates can apply for licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker. Adelphi supports this vital career step with specialized exam preparation courses. These courses include questions from previous New York state licensing exams, giving students an edge as they enter the professional world.

Accreditation

Accreditation plays a crucial role in choosing your Master of Social Work program. Adelphi University’s School of Social Work boasts a remarkable achievement – continuous accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1951. This represents more than 70 years of recognized excellence in education.

Your future career prospects depend heavily on CSWE accreditation. Licensed clinical social worker positions require graduation from a CSWE-accredited program. You would be nowhere near able to pursue licensure without this credential. This accreditation confirms that your education meets strict national standards for social work practice.

Adelphi’s accreditation status covers all program formats and delivery methods, as long as the degree comes from that program and lists social work explicitly. The campus-based and online MSW options share the same prestigious CSWE accreditation. Students can expect consistent quality whatever path they choose to complete their degree.

Programs with CSWE accreditation undergo regular reviews to keep their status. They can be classified as “Fully Accredited,” “Accredited (Conditional),” or “Accredited (Withdrawal in Progress)”. Adelphi’s full accreditation status shows its steadfast dedication to excellence.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) reaffirmed Adelphi University’s institutional accreditation in June 2019. This university-wide accreditation proves quality throughout all academic programs.

Adelphi’s MSW students benefit from this dual accreditation. Their field work experiences line up with CSWE standards. This gives students practical training that meets professional expectations and prepares them for licensure examinations after graduation.

New York State Education Department recognizes Adelphi’s MSW program as qualifying for Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credentials. This official recognition adds to the program’s academic strength and professional relevance.

Adelphi’s long-standing CSWE accreditation demonstrates the institution’s commitment to high academic standards. The program prepares graduates for successful careers in social work practice, administration, and leadership positions in a variety of settings.

Admission Requirements

The Adelphi University MSW program looks for candidates who meet specific academic and professional standards. The admissions team will assess your readiness for a social work career through a comprehensive review of your credentials.

You’ll need a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a strong liberal arts and sciences background to qualify for Adelphi’s masters in social work program. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The program values candidates whose personal qualities line up with the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Your application package for the Adelphi MSW online or on-campus program should include:

• Graduate application and $60.00 fee
• Two letters of recommendation (professional and/or academic)
• Personal essay
• Official transcripts from all prior institutions
• Proof of bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution

The admissions team prefers candidates with paid or volunteer experience in human services, though this isn’t required. You might need to participate in an interview based on the admissions committee’s decision. Online program candidates would have this interview through Google Hangout.

International students must meet additional criteria. You’ll need English proficiency exam scores meeting minimum requirements: 80 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on the IELTS, or 110 on the Duolingo English Test. Students who don’t meet these thresholds can explore alternative pathway programs.

The Advanced Standing program offers a faster path to your MSW. You’ll need:

• A CSWE-accredited social work undergraduate degree earned in the last five years
• B or better grades in all social work courses
• Two specific recommendation letters: one from your field liaison/instructor (preferably from senior year) and another from a faculty member if possible

The university doesn’t require GRE scores for any MSW program option. This makes the application process more accessible to many prospective students.

The rolling admissions process gives you flexibility with your application timing. Applications receive review as they arrive, which lets you plan your academic journey more effectively.

Tuition

Getting your MSW education is a major financial commitment. Adelphi University has different tuition structures based on your program format.

The on-campus MSW program costs approximately $1,240 per credit. The online MSW program costs less at $1,035 per credit, which adds up to $63,135 for the complete 61-credit program. Students who choose the online Advanced Standing MSW pay the same per-credit rate but need only 32 credits, bringing the total to $33,120. Both online programs need a $200 deposit when you register.

The good news is that Adelphi helps students financially through several scholarship options. Each admitted MSW student could receive a scholarship up to $20,000. Advanced Standing MSW students who attend classes on campus might qualify for scholarships up to $10,000. The IDEATE Fellowship gives selected second-year MSW students a $12,500 stipend. The Goidel Gerontological Social Work Fellowship provides between $2,000 and $10,000.

Online MSW students save money with tuition rates that are 30% lower than on-campus programs. This makes online learning an attractive choice for students watching their budget.

All the same, you should plan for costs beyond tuition, such as books, travel, and personal items. Some courses might have extra fees listed in the class schedule.

Adelphi’s Board of Trustees sets new tuition rates each academic year. Students who take any courses at the Garden City campus must pay on-campus tuition and fee rates. The Board can change the tuition and fee schedule without notice. You should check with the One-Stop Student Services Center to get the latest tuition and fee details.

Additional Information

Adelphi University’s MSW graduates show excellent career prospects. The Class of 2022 achieved a remarkable 95.45% career outcomes rate. Within six months of graduation, 94.80% of graduates found jobs or continued their education. Just 4.40% were still looking for work.

The job market looks promising for these graduates. Most students (84.9%) had job offers before graduation, and another 10.40% landed positions within three months after getting their degree. Healthcare leads the way with 24.21% of placements, followed by Education at 22.11% and Counseling & Social Services at 14.74%.

The Class of 2022 MSW graduates earned competitive salaries, averaging $90,853 annually. This is a big deal as it means that national averages for similar programs.

Students at Adelphi MSW get access to several support services:

• Licensed clinical psychologists, social workers, and graduate-level interns staff the Student Counseling Center
• The Office of Academic Services and Retention provides academic advising
• The Career Center helps with résumé writing and interview preparation
• Students can join over 90 organizations through the Center for Student and Community Engagement (SCE)

These resources play a vital role in student success. Survey results show that 59.33% of graduates strongly believe Adelphi boosted their intellectual abilities, while 58.67% reported better understanding of their professional roles.

International students receive immigration guidance from International Services, and the Learning Resource Program supports students with language-based learning disabilities. This complete support network explains why 51.17% of students feel Adelphi “values, welcomes, and inspires every individual”.