Social Work

  • MSW
  • Master's
A seated man with a notepad speaks to a seated, smiling woman and a young girl as a young boy looks on.

Become a leader in social work practice with children, youth and families through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The Social Work – Children, Youth and Families concentration, will prepare you to provide a range of clinical and advocacy services to vulnerable children, adolescents and their families.

The MSW is a 60-credit program offered full-time or part-time, with online and in-person options. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). You will enjoy frequent interaction with faculty, small class sizes and a climate that is conducive to in-depth learning. The program uses a cohort-based model; all students progress through the curriculum together so you will develop close relationships with your peers and faculty.

Throughout your studies, you will engage in classroom learning, as well as supervised practicum experiences in various human service agencies. Practicum placements may include mental health clinics, private practices,schools, hospitals, child welfare agencies, disability services, substance abuse clinics, or correctional facilities, among others.

The program is offered both in-person with the option of taking classes on campus during the day or in the evenings, and also online during the evenings only. MSW graduates will be prepared to work serving children, youth and families in a variety of settings, such as mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, community centers, state and local government, and private practice.

Learn In-person or Online

Taking courses for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program in person allows you to engage face-to-face with faculty and your fellow students, as well as take advantage of all the resources and facilities that the campus offers. You can also earn your degree in as little as two years when you take classes on campus! 

For your convenience, the MSW program offers two options for in-person cohorts: a Day option and an Evening option. The Day cohort schedule is Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and the Evening cohort meets Mondays from 5:20 p.m. to 8:05 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:20 p.m. to 11 p.m. Students can attend full-time (2 years) or part-time (3 or 4 years). Students with a recent (within 5 years) BSW degree can be admitted as an Advanced Standing student and graduate with an MSW in one year. Whichever option you choose to best meet your needs, you will receive the same exceptional instruction and personal support that will set you on a path to a successful career. 

See the curriculum.

The online Master of Social Work concentration in Children, Youth and Families is focused on supporting children and families within diverse groups and populations. With the online program, you will have the flexibility to balance your busy work and home life with your studies. You will develop close relationships with peers and faculty as you acquire the knowledge, values and skills to engage in ethical, culturally-responsive and evidence-informed social work practice. 

With the online track, the 60-credit MSW can be completed in three years taking classes in the evenings. Online courses are synchronous and asynchronous with the synchronous classes held via Zoom on Mondays and/or Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. The online track also includes in-person practicums in the second and third years. View the Online MSW Course Schedule to see how you can stay on track toward completing your MSW. 

See the curriculum.

Customize Your Journey

Want to explore your specific interests? These graduate certificates can be added to your program of study. Coursework from these certificates may count as electives within the MSW program. Please note that each certificate has its own separate graduate application. Once you have been admitted to the MSW program, meet with your faculty advisor in your first semester to discuss the available options.

Gain advanced knowledge of child advocacy and child protection with a particular focus on policy and practice issues relevant to vulnerable children and families. 

See the curriculum.

Build your skills in collecting and analyzing data, preparing reports, and presenting information graphically to impact policy and evaluation analysis. 

See the curriculum.

Develop an understanding of harm reduction services and practical training on non-stigmatizing, social justice-oriented, and trauma-informed strategies with people who use drugs. 

See the curriculum.

For current graduate students and working professionals in health-related fields who want to strengthen their Spanish language skills for professional use. 

See the curriculum.

Courses satisfy the requirements of the Addiction Professional Certification Board of New Jersey. In conjunction with the MSW clinical courses, the CADC courses prepare students for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). 

See the curriculum.

Advanced Standing MSW (33 credits)

The Advanced Standing MSW is an option only for students who have earned a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) degree from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) The BSW degree must have been obtained within five years of applying to the MSW program. 

Please note: Those with BSW degrees earned overseas will need an additional evaluation submitted from CSWE The Advanced Standing MSW option allows you to save an entire year of coursework and tuition payments. Admitted students will be required to complete one course (3 credits) during the summer semester before continuing with the remaining 30 credits of the MSW program. This accelerated program is full-time (1 year) and part-time (2-years). All classes meet on-campus. Day or Evening options are available. Advanced Standing students will also complete one specialized year Practicum. 

View the Advanced Standing MSW full-time and part-time program course schedules.

MSW Practicum

Practicum education is an integral part of graduate social work education, providing a unique opportunity to integrate classroom learning with a supervised practice experience in various social work settings. Experienced practicum instructors and liaisons will work closely with you to guide your placement experience. Our faculty are dedicated to supporting the success of our students with strong partnerships with agencies throughout New Jersey. 

Online MSW students complete two practicum experiences. The first practicum is 15 hours per week for a total of 400 hours. The second practicum is 18 hours per week for a total of 500 hours. Students can expect to complete practicum hours during daytime, business hours from Monday to Friday. Practicum placements will occur on-site, where students will have the opportunity to interact with diverse populations and implement direct practice skills. 

Students will have the opportunity to complete their practicum placements at a wide range of settings including but not limited to mental health centers, non-profit agencies, school settings, hospitals and much more. Students employed in a social service setting may also apply for an employment based practicum placement, which provides a unique opportunity to complete practicum requirements at your current source of employment.

overhead view of a woman speaking with a child.

Explore Social Work Careers

A Master of Social Work opens up various career paths. Our MSW graduates have found success in a wide variety of settings, including mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, community centers, state and local government, private practice — and beyond. 

Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032 – faster than the average for all occupations with about 63,800 openings for social workers projected each year, on average, over the decade. 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Admission Requirements

  • Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
  • Deposit Required: An enrollment deposit is required upon admission and will be applied to your first semester’s tuition.
  • Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
  • Online MSW applicants must be current residents of New Jersey.

Application Checklist

  • Application Deadline:
    • Fall Admission (Advanced Standing Part-Time, Campus & Online Program Options)
    • Summer Admission (Advanced Standing Full-Time)
      •  February 1. Applications completed by February 1st will receive priority review and an admissions decision no later than March 1st. Applications completed after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is full.
    • Spring Admission (Online Program Only)
      • October 15. Applications completed by October 15 will receive priority review and an admissions decision no later than November 15. Applications completed after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is full.
  • Online Application: Submit application and $60 non-refundable fee (or waiver if applicable).
  • Transcript: One from each college attended.
  • Personal Statement
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two
  • Resume: Required. 

Additional Requirements for applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW

  • Final Field Evaluation: Applicants applying to the Advanced Standing program are required to submit a final field evaluation to be reviewed for admission to the Montclair State University MSW program. The admissions committee expects to see the following components on a final field evaluation:

    • Student Name
    • School Name
    • Agency Name/Placement Site Name
    • Rating/commentary of performance in social work competencies as outlined by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
    • Signatures from Field Instructor and student

    If an applicant’s field placement is still in progress at the time their application is complete, a midterm field evaluation may be submitted for admission decision review. If admitted into the program, a final field evaluation is required prior to enrolling in the program. All the above requirements also apply to any midterm evaluations that are submitted.

  • Recommendation for Advanced Standing: Applicants applying to the Advanced Standing program are required to submit an assessment and recommendation by the applicant's social work program director.

Meet Our MSW Students

The faculty in the program provided incredible support throughout my studies, offering guidance, mentorship and a wealth of knowledge. Their encouragement played a crucial role in building my confidence and preparing me for my career as a therapist.

Jamie Fekete, MSW
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