New York – Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Explore and compare a list of accredited schools to enroll in your next program.
Are you interested in becoming a licensed master or clinical social worker in New York? The Empire State offers social worker salaries that rank among the highest nationwide and projected employment growth that exceeds 20%. You can attend top online MSW programs in New York City and throughout the state. Explore this guide to learn more.
Popular Online BSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Programs in New York
- Adelphi University
- Areas of Practice: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- Binghamton University
- Areas of Practice: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- Columbia University in the City of New York
- Areas of Practice: Advanced Generalist, Clinical or Direct Practice, Gerontology, Social Justice, Management or Administration, Mental Health, School Social Work, Social Policy, Integrated Practice, Leadership
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, multiple cohorts per year
- Daemen University
- Areas of Practice: Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Advanced Standing
- Fordham University
- Areas of Practice: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- Keuka College
- Areas of Practice: Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- Nazareth University
- Areas of Practice: Play Therapy, Trauma, Mental Health, School Social Work, Autism, Gerontology, Substance Use
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, multiple cohorts per year
- Roberts Wesleyan University
- Areas of Practice: Mental Health, Child/Family Services
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, multiple cohorts per year
- Syracuse University
- Areas of Practice: Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time
- Touro University
- Areas of Practice: Clinical or Direct Practice, Gerontology, Mental Health, School Social Work, Administration or Management
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Accelerated
- University at Albany
- Areas of Practice: Clinical Practice
- Enrollment Options: Part-Time
- University of Buffalo
- Areas of Practice: Trauma, Human Rights
- Enrollment Options: Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- Utica University
- Areas of Practice: Addictions, Clinical or Direct Practice, Trauma
- Enrollment Options: Part-Time, Advanced Standing
- Yeshiva University
- Areas of Practice: Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems
- Certification Options: Substance Use, Gerontology and Palliative Care
- Enrollment Options: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Accreditation for Online Social Work Programs in New York
The top schools and online MSW programs in New York hold both programmatic and institutional accreditation. Accreditation signifies that the curriculum undergoes scheduled reviews and meets the academic quality specified by the accrediting organization. Colleges and universities should be regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Students should look for MSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE ensures that the coursework and training meet the established national standards and prepare graduates for master’s and clinical social work licensure and careers.
Benefits of Studying Social Work Online in New York
Online study can offer several benefits for MSW students, including flexibility to continue working or attend to other responsibilities while in school. Learning online can also lead to potential savings on tuition, commuting costs, and parking. Students who want to earn social work degrees in NYC or other areas of the state can do so without having to relocate.
Course Formats in Online Social Work Degrees
Studying online can work for self-motivated learners and those who need more structure, with formats that allow you to choose how and when you attend class. Below, explore the different types of program formats you may find when researching online MSW programs in New York.
- 100% Online: Fully online courses take place virtually using a combination of tools including video conferencing, multimedia, discussion forums, and file uploads. Fully online courses do not require in-person class attendance.
- Hybrid: Hybrid or blended learning combines in-person class meetings and online sessions. In-person classes may be on campus or at satellite locations. Online courses may follow synchronous or asynchronous formats or both.
- Asynchronous: This type of online delivery provides the most flexibility and requires self-motivation, time management, and organization. Students access course materials, discussion boards, and recorded lectures on their schedules. Unless the program is self-paced, learners are responsible for meeting assignment deadlines.
- Synchronous: Students attend synchronous classes at scheduled times via streaming platforms, such as Zoom. Classes typically meet in the evenings or on weekends and provide real-time interaction with classmates and instructors. Learners are still responsible for completing assignments during the rest of the week.
In addition to coursework, MSW programs require fieldwork and internships, which must be completed in person. Programs may offer placement services that assist students with securing field training positions, including finding opportunities for distance learners in their local areas.
New York Social Worker Career and Salary Information
New York social work careers provide opportunities to work with adults, children, families, and students in healthcare, mental healthcare, recovery, and school settings. The “all other” social work category listed in the table below includes criminal justice and forensic social workers. Licensed master and clinical social workers in New York can expect much-higher-than-average projected employment growth across all occupations.
In addition, New York social worker salaries are among the highest in the nation and generally exceed the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mental health and substance use social workers in New York earn the highest average salaries in the nation. Similarly, child, family, and school social workers in New York earn the second-highest salaries in the nation.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Projected Job Growth (2022-32) |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $74,080 | 21.9% |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $64,050 | 25.3% |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $92,470 | 27.0% |
| Social Workers, All Other | $81,550 | 20.7% |
