Social Work

Overview

The Social Work program of University at Albany prepares you for a profession focused on improving individual and societal well-being with enduring commitments to social and economic justice.

Our graduates are change agents who assess and address needs of individuals, families and groups, and lead social and human services organizations. 

The School of Social Welfare offers you opportunities to specialize in social work practice with the aging, and in evidence-based interventions for people with mental illness.

Program of Study

In the MSW program you first complete a generalist curriculum that provides foundation knowledge and skills for social work practice with diverse populations across a range of settings. Then you choose a practice method concentration.

The clinical concentration focuses on social work practice interventions with individuals, families and groups. The macro concentration focuses on community organizing, policy advocacy and non-profit organization management. Along with your classes, you complete internships at agencies with missions to address social and economic problems.

Most students complete the 60-credit Master of Social Work through two full years of graduate coursework and field instruction.

Career Paths in Social Work

Earning your Master of Social Work prepares you for a career with meaning, diversity, and an abundance of options.  Social workers are employed in human services agencies, community organizations, government agencies, research centers, faith-based agencies, and corporations. Settings include mental and behavioral health and health care, child welfare, the justice system, schools, homeless shelters and many more. Social workers can fill many roles, such as case manager, counselor, advocate, organizer, administrator, facilitator, mediator, educator, planner, program manager or evaluator.

With a master's concentration in clinical social work, you'll be ready to work directly with client populations. With a concentration in macro social work, you’ll be ready for administrative leadership roles.

The School of Social Work at UAlbany prepares MSW students to pass professional licensing exams after earning their degree and become licensed master social workers in New York and other states.

Once they gain the necessary amount of qualified casework experience, many alumni also go on to become licensed clinical social workers who provide direct services to individuals and families.