Syracuse University MSW
Syracuse University’s School of Education includes the School of Social Work. Their mission stands clear: they prepare social workers who can build stronger services, interventions, and policies to create a more equitable society.
The School of Social Work takes pride in its unique approach to social work education. Syracuse University trains social workers to become active agents of change instead of accepting systems that overlook disadvantaged populations. Students learn to implement inclusive, socially just, and culturally competent methods.
The ecological systems concept forms Syracuse’s educational foundation. This core principle sees social work practice centered on transactions between people and their environments. It recognizes how each constantly shapes the other. Social work intervention at Syracuse aims to promote progressive forces and minimize regressive ones in these transactions.
The program’s structure shows Syracuse University’s dedication to diversity and social justice. The School of Education brings students from different backgrounds together to create, grow, and challenge boundaries. This vibrant community views social and personal problems as results of complex interactions between individuals and societal structures.
Syracuse University gives extensive support to its students. Each student receives:
- A dedicated student success advisor who helps with course registration and time management
- Access to a placement team that uses Syracuse University’s network to find field opportunities that match student goals
- Career services guidance to present new experience effectively
Students who join Syracuse University’s social work program become part of the renowned Orange network—a worldwide alumni community that supports fellow graduates. This resilient support system explains why thousands of Syracuse-prepared social workers now enjoy rewarding careers in the field.
Programs offered
Syracuse University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program gives students multiple ways to earn their degree based on their needs and career goals. The program delivers the same high-quality education whatever format you choose.
Students can pick from two main MSW paths at Syracuse based on their education:
Traditional MSW Program Students with a bachelor’s degree in any field except social work need to complete 60 credits in this program. You can finish it in as few as 36 months. The complete curriculum has 24 credits of foundation courses and an advanced concentration. Students can choose between:
- On-campus (full-time or part-time)
- Online (part-time only)
Advanced Standing MSW ProgramBSW holders can take this faster route that needs 36 credits and takes as few as 24 months to complete. These students skip the basics and jump right into advanced studies.
Both paths let you specialize in one of two areas that match different career goals:
Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) Concentration
The ACP track helps you become a mental health clinician and practice as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Clinical social workers usually help with diagnosis and psychotherapy in outpatient and inpatient settings. You’ll take specialized courses like Advanced Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups; Social Work Practice in Mental Health; and Clinical Practice Evaluation.
Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP) Concentration
This path prepares you to lead and work directly in complex human service organizations. After graduating, you can lead non-profits, guide people through healthcare systems, assess community needs, conduct social research, serve in public office, or help with adoptions. Your courses will cover advanced integrative practice, policy, and macro-level organizational leadership.
Students get ground experience through field placements in various settings like child welfare, healthcare, mental health facilities, gerontology, schools, and substance use disorder treatment centers. These placements help you apply classroom learning to real-life situations.
Syracuse University MSW graduates pass Social Work Licensure Exams at higher rates than both New York State and national averages. Many find jobs before they graduate. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits this successful curriculum.
The Syracuse University MSW program gives you the foundation to create meaningful community change and advance your social work career, whether you choose the traditional or advanced standing path, online or on-campus.
About the online program
Syracuse University’s online MSW program combines remote study flexibility with shared learning. The program caters to working professionals. The part-time format helps you balance your education with work and personal life.
Students learn from the same renowned faculty who teach on campus. The content matches the on-campus program. This approach maintains quality standards across both formats. The program runs for 15 weeks with 14 weeks of instruction and a week of exams.
The first year of the online MSW runs fully remote. This setup helps part-time students adjust to graduate-level social work education before starting field practice. Your professional growth continues through specialized coursework and hands-on practice opportunities in the second and third years.
Research on virtual learning shaped the program’s technology platform. The digital campus puts everything you need just a click away. A full-service mobile app gives you access to coursework, live classes, and recorded sessions. This works great for professionals who travel often or can’t attend scheduled classes.
The online platform offers these helpful features:
- Dark mode reduces eye strain during night studying
- Variable video speeds let you review content quickly
- Closed captioning helps process information better
- Course content streams to larger screens
You can start your program in January, May, or August. The university makes admissions decisions on a rolling basis. This flexibility lets you begin when it works best for you.
The program shows Syracuse University’s steadfast dedication to developing social workers. These professionals value human dignity, accept new ideas, stand against oppression, and help vulnerable populations. Online students become part of the Syracuse Orange community while enjoying remote learning benefits.
The digital learning environment readies you for social work in our tech-driven world. This well-planned online experience builds your knowledge and skills. You’ll gain practical experience to lead and create positive change in social work.
Accreditation
Quality assurance in social work education relies on accreditation as its core to prove programs meet professional standards. Syracuse University’s MSW program proudly holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This applies to both traditional on-campus and online formats.
The social work profession’s reputation stands on CSWE accreditation. Social workers must graduate from CSWE-accredited programs to sit for licensing exams in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This allows Syracuse University’s MSW graduates to take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing examination, which they need for professional practice.
Syracuse University also has institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104). The U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize this commission as an institutional accrediting agency.
These credentials mean way beyond the reach and influence of academic recognition. Professional accreditation will give a clear sign that graduates have the foundational knowledge and pre-service practice experience they need. Syracuse University’s MSW program focuses on state-of-the-art digital solutions and social justice. Its accreditation shows these modern approaches align with professional standards.
Students can feel confident about:
- Employers in any discipline will recognize their degree
- Their education meets national professional competence standards
- They can get professional licensing in any U.S. state
Accreditation involves a full picture by professionals in the field. They really look at everything in the program – from curriculum design to assessment methods. This makes sure Syracuse University’s MSW graduates are ready for professional practice.
CSWE’s ongoing accreditation review helps the program stay current with new professional standards and practices. This quality assurance system makes sure your Syracuse University MSW delivers top-tier social work education, whatever format you choose.
Admission Requirements
Syracuse University’s MSW programs have specific admission criteria that differ slightly between traditional and Advanced Standing tracks. The university looks for candidates who show academic excellence, professional promise, and dedication to social justice values.
Your educational background serves as the starting point. Traditional MSW applicants need a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work from a regionally accredited institution. The Advanced Standing program requires a BSW degree. Both programs prefer a minimum 3.0 GPA, which students must maintain throughout their studies.
The university asks for these required documents:
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions where you earned or will earn a degree, plus any institutions where you completed prerequisite courses (if those courses aren’t listed on your degree transcripts)
- Personal essay (600-800 words) describing professional goals, future plans, academic interests, and experiences working in diverse, multicultural settings
- Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources—academic references are strongly encouraged if you graduated within the last five years
- Resume detailing your employment history, academic honors, leadership roles, and relevant activities
Traditional MSW applicants must complete at least 30 credits of liberal arts coursework, including:
- Physical/Natural Science (3 credits)—biopsychology, genetics, human biology recommended
- Computational Skills (6 credits)—mathematics, statistics, or research methods
- Humanities (6 credits)—philosophy, religion, literature, art/music history
- Social Sciences (12 credits)—courses from sociology, psychology, economics, etc.
Good news for busy professionals – neither program needs GRE scores. The university doesn’t grant academic credit for life experience or previous work experience.
Students must finish all degree requirements within seven years from their first course registration. Students can petition to reinstate credits completed outside this timeframe if needed.
Transfer students can bring in graduate credits earned at another accredited institution if they received a grade of B or higher and the credits fit their program plan. A maximum of 12 credits can count toward the 60-credit MSW degree.
The program offers rolling admissions with three start dates each year (January, May, and August). This flexibility lets you start your Syracuse University MSW experience when it works best for you.
Tuition
Money plays a vital role in choosing an MSW program. Syracuse University’s School of Social Work MSW program bases its tuition on credit hours. Students will pay $1196 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Your program choice determines the total cost:
- Traditional MSW Program: 60 credits total, resulting in a degree cost of $71,760 based on the expected 2025-2026 tuition rate
- Advanced Standing MSW Program: 36 credits total, resulting in a degree cost of $43,056 based on the expected 2025-2026 tuition rate
These numbers serve as estimates since the university reviews and adjusts tuition rates yearly. Students should also plan for extra costs like textbooks, software, and housing.
Syracuse University’s School of Social Work offers more affordable tuition than other graduate programs. Most graduate programs cost $2,015 per credit hour, while the social work program costs $1,196.
Students need to arrange payments during registration each term. The university offers payment plans to help manage costs. The School of Social Work provides several financial aid options. The Genovese Scholars Program gives tuition scholarships to dedicated students who start the full-time residential MSW by fall 2025 or Advanced Standing by fall 2026. The Caring Gene Pathways Training Program helps students interested in human services fields. It covers full tuition plus extra benefits for those who commit to working in New York state.
Syracuse University’s MSW program remains a good value compared to similar schools. Other reputable universities charge similar or higher rates for their online MSW programs, ranging from about $700 to over $2,200 per credit hour.
Additional Information
Syracuse University MSW graduates consistently outperform their peers beyond academic credentials. Their pass rates on Social Work Licensure Exams exceed both New York State and national averages. Most students land jobs before they even graduate.
Working professionals find great value in the program’s flexibility. Part-time residential students can:
- Choose courses that fit their schedules
- Modify course loads based on life commitments
- Earn their degree in just three years
The School of Social Work’s 67-year-old presence in Syracuse has created strong bonds with government and community organizations. These connections provide students with rich learning experiences through field placements that started back in 1956.
Students learn from faculty experts who combine theoretical knowledge with practical social work applications. The program goes beyond traditional classroom learning with unique options like the joint J.D./M.S.W. program in collaboration with Syracuse University College of Law.
Graduates automatically become part of the Syracuse University Alumni Association, connecting them to a worldwide network that supports their career growth. This network provides several benefits:
- Career guidance services throughout your career
- Connections with fellow graduates
- Job boards and employment resources
- Professional mentorship opportunities
The “Orange community” stays connected long after graduation through professional development resources. Regional events, alumni clubs, and expert communities help maintain strong bonds with professionals who share your Syracuse education background.
Social work jobs are growing faster than average. This makes a Syracuse MSW degree even more valuable in today’s job market.