Nazareth University MSW
Nazareth University has built an outstanding reputation in social work education. Their Master of Social Work program creates professionals through shared learning and cross-disciplinary teaching.
Students at Nazareth learn to become ethical and skilled advanced practitioners. The program uses a person-in-environment and ecological systems approach to give you the skills needed to improve individual, community, societal, and global well-being. On top of that, it teaches you to champion social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while growing as a leader who makes real change.
The numbers tell a compelling story about Nazareth MSW graduates’ success. The Class of 2024 saw 98% of graduates hired within six months of finishing their degree. Their students’ current licensure exam pass rate stands at 83%, which is substantially higher than New York state’s 69% and the national average of 73%. The program reached even greater heights in 2013 with a 91% first-time pass rate, one of the best in New York State.
Your time at Nazareth includes extensive practical experience in practice settings of all types. Students must complete either 500 hours (36-credit advanced standing program) or 900 hours (60-credit program) of field education. This hands-on work blends social work knowledge, skills, and values while meeting community needs.
The university provides many opportunities to grow professionally and help the community. Students can work on projects that address local needs. High-achieving students also have the chance to join Nazareth University’s chapter of the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work, Kappa Lambda Mu.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the program, and the New York State Education Department has registered it. This ensures your degree meets professional standards. The MSW degree meets New York State’s educational requirements to become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Job prospects look bright for MSW graduates, with healthcare roles projected to grow by nearly 10% and mental health and substance abuse positions by almost 12% from 2023 to 2033—faster than average for all occupations according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Programs offered
Nazareth University’s MSW program lets you choose flexible paths that align with your education background and career goals. You can specialize in areas matching your professional interests through a three-course sequence that takes a closer look at your chosen field.
Program Options
Nazareth has two main MSW tracks based on your previous studies:
- 36-Credit Advanced Standing Program: This track works best for students who have earned their undergraduate social work degree from a CSWE or CASWE accredited program. Full-time students can complete this accelerated option in three semesters (fall, spring, and summer), while part-time students finish in five semesters.
- 60-Credit Standard Program: Students with undergraduate degrees in subjects other than social work can choose this track. The program takes four semesters to complete for full-time students, and three years plus three summers for part-time students.
Both programs offer daytime and evening classes with in-person and online learning options. Working professionals and students with family commitments will find these options particularly helpful.
Practical Experience Requirements
Field education is a vital part of your MSW education at Nazareth. Students must complete:
- 500 hours of internship in the 36-credit Advanced Standing program
- 900 hours of internship in the 60-credit program
These practicum placements happen in healthcare and human service settings of all types. You’ll gain hands-on experience before you graduate.
Specialization Opportunities
Nazareth’s MSW program stands out by letting you specialize in high-demand practice areas. Your specialized track options include:
- Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health
- Aging
- Play Therapy
- School Social Work
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Substance Abuse
Nazareth also provides standalone advanced certificate programs approved by New York State, including Early Intervention and the I-SPAN Interdisciplinary Specialty Program in Autism.
Licensure Preparation
The MSW degree helps you meet New York State’s educational requirements for both Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials. LCSW candidates must complete 2,000 paid hours of supervised direct client contact after graduation and pass the required licensing exam.
The program maintains high academic standards with minimum grade requirements in core courses. This ensures graduates meet professional competency expectations effectively.
About the online program
Nazareth University’s MSW online program puts flexibility first. You can pursue your degree while balancing your busy life without compromising on educational quality. The program lets you mix online and in-person learning to complete your degree.
You can choose from these flexible options:
- Program length options: Complete either 36 or 60 credits based on your educational background
- Schedule flexibility: Take classes full-time or part-time to match your schedule
- Timing convenience: Pick daytime or evening classes that work best for you
- Delivery format: Take classes fully online or in-person – it’s your choice
The online program holds the same high academic standards as traditional classes. Your coursework will prepare you to become an ethical and skilled advanced practitioner in social work. The virtual environment makes shared learning and interprofessional practice possible – a key feature of Nazareth’s teaching approach.
Your online education will teach you to use a person-in-environment and ecological systems approach. These skills help you improve individual, community, societal, and global well-being while supporting human rights. The program focuses on social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to prepare you as a leader and changemaker in various settings.
The online format doesn’t limit your specialization options. You can take a three-course sequence that lines up with your career interests. This option will help customize your degree to match your professional goals.
Nazareth provides great support for your professional growth. After graduation, you’ll get access to a free state-licensure preparation workshop – a great way to get ready for your career. Some advanced standing students starting in spring 2026 or summer 2026 and finishing in spring 2027 might qualify for full coverage of tuition, textbooks, and required fees.
The online program shows its value through strong job placement rates. In fact, many graduates find social work positions right after finishing the program, with 98% of the Class of 2024 finding jobs within six months of graduation.
Accreditation
Quality MSW programs need credibility and recognition. Accreditation status plays a vital role in choosing where to get your social work education. Nazareth University’s MSW Program has earned prestigious credentials that prove its educational excellence and professional standards.
The program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This means more than just an administrative title – it shows the program meets strict national standards for social work education. CSWE accreditation serves as a quality marker that ensures employers and licensing boards across the United States will recognize your degree.
The program’s registration with the New York State Education Department[143] confirms it meets all state-level educational requirements. Your MSW degree’s value increases with this dual validation at national and state levels, opening doors throughout New York and beyond.
These credentials’ importance becomes clear in licensure outcomes. The MSW Program at Nazareth University has showed exceptional results by achieving the second highest licensure pass rate (LMSW) in New York State. This achievement proves how well the program prepares students for professional practice and licensure exams.
Students with international credentials can benefit from Nazareth’s inclusive approach. The university recognizes social work degrees from programs that the Council on Social Work Education’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES) evaluates as equal to CSWE-accredited programs.
A detailed assessment reviews program quality, integrity, and overall performance during accreditation. CSWE accreditation provides external validation that the program delivers education worthy of public trust. The Council on Accreditation (COA) of CSWE, recognized by the Council for Higher Education Authority, conducts full reviews with program self-studies, standards, and site visits.
Your time at Nazareth will benefit from this accreditation through curriculum that follows professional standards. The program goes through regular reviews and assessments. CSWE requires policy statement reviews “at periodic intervals not to exceed 7 years”. This requirement keeps your education current and relevant to professional practice standards.
Admission Requirements
Nazareth University’s MSW program looks at more than just grades when deciding who gets in. The admission process takes a full picture of each candidate. Requirements vary between the standard 60-credit program and the advanced standing 36-credit option.
Students applying to the 60-credit standard program must submit:
- A completed online application with resume
- Professional statement (400-500 words) that shows you’re ready for graduate social work education
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Two professional letters of recommendation that speak to your readiness for graduate-level education
Your academic background should show a solid liberal arts foundation with:
- 12 credits in social/behavioral sciences
- 12 credits spread across mathematics, physical/natural sciences, and humanities
Students need at least a “C” grade in all prerequisite courses. The program typically expects a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Students with lower GPAs can explain their circumstances in their professional statement.
The 36-credit advanced standing program requires graduation from a CSWE or CASWE accredited BSW program in the last eight years. Beyond the standard requirements above, you’ll need two reference letters. One should come from a social work faculty member who can vouch for your graduate-level work capabilities. The other should be from a social work supervisor who confirms you’re ready for graduate-level practice.
Most applicants don’t pay an application fee. Previous Nazareth students don’t need to request transcripts. The Office of Graduate Admissions will get them automatically after receiving your application.
Students from other countries must provide English-translated transcripts. These should include bachelor’s degree equivalency through a NACES-certified evaluation service.
The standard program’s Rochester campus accepts applications until March 15 for fall admission. Auburn and Watertown satellite locations have different deadlines. Check the official schedule for these specific locations.
The program doesn’t require GRE scores. Students admitted with GPAs below 3.0 start as provisional students. They must achieve a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher after completing 12 credits.
Nazareth’s BSW graduates can get fast-tracked admission with a minimum 3.0 GPA, good field evaluations, and faculty recommendation. This efficient process only needs a quick application and undergraduate transcript review.
Tuition
Nazareth University’s MSW degree provides great value when compared to other graduate programs. Students pay a competitive rate of $850 per credit hour, which makes it one of the most economical graduate programs at the university.
The program track you choose determines your total investment. Students in the 36-credit advanced standing program pay around $30,600, while the 60-credit standard program costs about $51,000. These amounts reflect base tuition before any financial aid.
You’ll need to account for some standard fees. The university charges a $30 registration fee each semester and a graduate supplemental fee of $27 per credit hour. Books and supplies cost approximately $1,226, and transportation and personal expenses run about $2,980.
The MSW program stands out as a great value among Nazareth’s graduate programs. Regular graduate programs cost $1,160 per credit hour, while specialized programs have different rates:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy: $1,570 per credit hour or $23,520 per semester for full-time students
- Physician Assistant Program: $1,200 per credit hour (starting Spring 2026)
- Graduate Education Programs: $900 per credit hour
Qualified students can access substantial financial support. Advanced standing students who start in spring 2026 or summer 2026 and finish by spring 2027 might get full coverage for tuition, textbooks, and required fees.
Students have several ways to manage their educational costs. The options include grants, veterans benefits, various loan programs, and public service loan forgiveness opportunities. Nazareth’s Student Accounts office also offers flexible payment schedules and plans that spread costs over time.
Your investment opens doors to promising career opportunities. The program’s value becomes clear with 98% of recent graduates finding employment within six months after graduation, as noted earlier.
Students who want to audit courses instead of taking them for credit will pay $1,160 for a 3-credit course.
Additional Information
Nazareth University’s MSW education stands on the foundation of real-world experience through comprehensive field instruction. Students in their Generalist year spend 12-14 hours weekly throughout the academic year and complete 400 hours of training. Advanced year students dedicate 18-20 hours weekly to gain 500 hours of clinical skills training.
Students can choose from placements at more than 400 partner agencies in the region that align with their career goals. This practical approach explains why Nazareth’s MSW graduates consistently achieve outstanding career success.
Your professional growth continues through membership in Kappa Lambda Mu, Nazareth’s chapter of the Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society. The organization rewards academic excellence and creates valuable networking connections with other professionals.
A powerful network of over 34,000 alumni awaits you after graduation. These professionals work across all 50 states, 3 U.S. territories, and 55 countries. Alumni receive several benefits:
- CareerShift and Handshake job platforms access
- State-licensure preparation workshops at no cost
- 20% discount on arts center ticketed events
- Library services and fitness center access