Master of Social Work - Advanced Standing (Online)

Prepare for Fulfilling Social Work Careers

Graduating with an MSW will set you up to pursue a variety of careers, including work in mental health fields, nursing homes, community outreach organizations, addiction programs, and more. Upon graduation, you will stand out as a professional job candidate, and you will be on your way to improving the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

Prepare for NY State Licensure with 500 Hours of Field Work

Utica University’s uniquely recovery-focused online MSW degree program opens doors to make an impact on both individuals and the larger community through job opportunities that will lead to positive changes within your community.

CSWE-Accredited

Utica University’s MSW in clinical social work has been granted full accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation.

Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation applies to all locations and delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE.

Make an Impact with Our Advanced Standing MSW

The demand for well-educated social workers is expected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033.³ With an MSW focusing on the recovery of individuals and communities, you will be prepared for an impactful role.

► 74,700 Openings
for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.³

► 7% Job Growth
Overall employment of health educators is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033.¹

Essential Social Work Careers

Social Worker
$61,330/year³

Health Educator
$63,000/year¹

Additional roles for MSW degree graduates include:

Case Worker
Criminal Course Liaison
Homeless Services Provider
Mental Health Clinician
Mental Health Policy Analyst
Private Practice Clinician
Social Worker
Social Work Program Planner
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor

Sources:

1. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Health Education Specialists. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved on May 20, 2025 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm.
2. Average Community Outreach Salary. Payscale. Retrieved on August 11, 2023 from https://payscale.com.
3. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved on May 20, 2025 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm

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Faculty Spotlights

Faculty in the online MSW program are experienced educators and practitioners in professional social work and recovery services and are focused on student success. You’ll receive one-on-one support to build your academic foundations, practice clinical skills, and explore social work careers.

Joseph Hunter, Ph.D.

Professor of Practice, Master of Social Work Program, LCSW

Dr. Joseph Hunter’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Le Moyne College, and a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Social Work from SUNY Albany. He was the recipient of a SAMHSA Dissertation Grant completing a statewide study on adolescent substance use disorder best and promising practices. Dr. Hunter has served in the capacity of Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, NY, for 15 years, where he completed post-doctoral training as a VA/Hartford Geriatric Social Work Scholar, and he was awarded “Gold Status Fellow” in 2017 as a winner of VA’s interdisciplinary national “Shark Tank” competition for a community suicide prevention innovation.

Honors and Distinctions

SAMHSA Dissertation Award Recipient
Hartford Geriatric Social Work Scholar
VA Innovation Shark Tank Winner and Gold Status Fellow
VA National Community Partnership Award

Selected Publications

Hunter, J. (2020). Understanding and Preventing the Dynamics of Suicide: An Introduction to the Self Preservation Theory of Human Behavior. The International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, Vol. 22 (2), 21-31.
Hunter, J. (2010). Effective Community Based Chemical Dependency Treatment for Adolescents: Matching program services with individual difference variables. ProQuest Dissertation. Publication #3404353.

Leigh Ann Hewes, MSW, LICSW

Director of Field Education, Master of Social Work Program

Leigh Ann Hewes has been a licensed social worker since 1995, first at the Bachelor’s level for three years then at the Master’s/Clinical level for the past 24 years. She has practiced in the areas of mental health, medical social work (including hospital, hospice, home health, public health and dialysis), and case management. In addition to these direct practice settings, Mrs. Hewes has taught Social Work at both the bachelor’s and master’s level at two universities. Mrs. Hewes has a passion for teaching both the fundamentals and intricacies of Social Work practice, and she believes that field experience is the absolute best way to learn how to become an ethical and competent Social Worker.

Education:

Masters in Social Work, University of Alabama, 1998
Bachelors of Science in Social Work, UAB, 1995

Paige Brown

Field Coordinator, Master of Social Work Program

Paige Brown has worked in the academic setting for 6+ years and became a part of Utica’s MSW Program team in October 2022. Paige is passionate about helping students achieve their goals as a social worker through comprehensive field experience

Education

B.A. in Special & General Education

Frequently Asked Questions

Advancing your life and career with an online degree comes with lots of questions, and we want to ensure your search for answers is effortless. If you have a question we haven’t covered, call (315) 792-3333 to speak with an enrollment counselor.

Learn more about our state authorizations.

Yes, the MSW program is fully CSWE-accredited.

Yes, the MSW degree online accepts transfer credits for courses taken at a regionally accredited college that are equivalent to those taught at Utica University and for which you’ve received a grade of “C” or better. You can transfer up to six credit hours toward the MSW degree online. A new Advanced Standing option for students with a BSW will be available soon. Note that we require official transcripts from all colleges you’ve attended, as well as a transcript showing the degree awarded.

Those who earn a Master of Social Work degree often pursue careers such as community outreach organizer, social worker, health educator, and mental health policy analyst.

Faculty who teach in the online MSW – Advanced Standing program are a diverse mix of tenured and adjunct professors who bring their professional qualifications and real-world expertise into their courses.

The online program is part-time and designed for individuals who previously earned a bachelor’s in social work.

The total estimated cost of tuition does not include the application fee, graduation fee, distance learning fees, enrollment fee, or textbook costs.

Curriculum: Practical Training in Social Work Principles

30 TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED*

Our class sizes are small, so you will have the attention you deserve from our talented instructors. The Master of Social Work online courses are designed to give you up-to-date training in a recovery-focused program.

The recovery-focused curriculum of the MSW – Advanced Standing program emphasizes the latest trends in social work while giving students a perspective based on human dignity. This year-long program includes 10 courses that are taught fully online by expert faculty. Through topics like cognitive behavioral therapies, mental health policy, and more, you’ll gain relevant, up-to-date knowledge to make positive change in your community.

*Up to two additional courses may be required based on coursework completed during your BSW program.

Course Highlights:

SWK 605 Motivational Interviewing
SWK 606 Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
SWK 613 Mental Health Policy
SWK 617 Addiction and Recovery

Explore Courses

Online MSW Admission Requirements

The online MSW program is limited to applicants who reside in New York.

To apply for our MSW – Advanced Standing, you’ll need the following:

Completed application
Submit official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution stating the conferral of a Bachelor of Social Work within the last six years* with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.
No GRE or GMAT required.
*Exceptions may be made to the six-year requirement, dependent on relevant work experience. For example, exceptions may be made for students who have substantial experience working in a social work setting that includes MSW staff and professional learning experiences since earning their BSW.
Official Transcripts from all prior universities
Personal Statement: Describe your personal and professional goals and explain how this program will help you bring them to life.
Personal statements should demonstrate a commitment to social work and recovery values, discuss the personal traits and behaviors that poise you well for clinical social work practice. Describe any volunteer or work experience in human services.
No course credit is given for life or work experience. No exceptions will be made to this rule.
Two letters of recommendation from either a current or former work supervisor or a course instructor (e.g., someone in a position to evaluate your professional and academic qualities).
Letters from a coworker, friend, family member, doctor, or therapist are not acceptable.
Résumé: A detailed work history that highlights any experience that may be relevant to this program.

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Tuition and Financial Aid

This 30-credit MSW – Advanced Standing program costs $775 per credit hour. Utica University is dedicated to making an advanced education accessible and affordable. Learn more about tuition and financial aid for online programs.

Learn more

Contact Our Admissions Team

Admissions

(315) 792-3333

connect@info.utica.edu