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Master of Social Work (Online)
Address Complex Mental Health and Social Issues With a Focus on Clinical Social Work
Utica University’s online Master of Social Work (MSW) program, focusing on clinical social work and recovery values, prepares you for social work careers that drive mental health for diverse populations. Graduate ready to apply to take your state’s licensure exams.*
A Master of Social Work degree is ideal for those passionate about supporting others through the promotion and treatment of mental health. The online CSWE-Accredited MSW program’s innovative design bridges the historical divide between clinical practice and recovery-oriented care and integrates these complementary orientations throughout the curriculum. Utica’s approach strengthens students’ ability to engage and support the empowerment of diverse and often marginalized populations using a psychodynamic, recovery-oriented, and social justice lens.
Utica’s MSW program includes a four-hour personal psychotherapy requirement, designed to illustrate the value of self-awareness in clinical social work and helps you understand what it is like to be in the client’s seat. When it comes to fieldwork, faculty in the online MSW program will work with you to identify and secure field placements that provide you with relevant experience.
Through a success coach and career coach, you’ll have the individualized support you need to develop skills as a clinician who successfully advocates for individuals, families, and groups in hospitals, schools, and other social service settings.
The online MSW is currently accepting applicants who reside in New York. An advanced standing MSW program for students with a BSW is also available.
MSW Program Benefits
- No GRE/GMAT required
- Field work support and guidance
- Experienced faculty of practitioners
- 900 hours of clinical field experience
8
Semesters
$775
Cost per Credit
60
Credit Hours
100%
Online Delivery
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Career Outlook: Impact Your Community With a Rewarding Career
Utica’s online MSW program enables you to become an excellent clinical social work practitioner in any setting you choose. A fulfilling social work career can be found in a variety of fields, from supporting bereaved animal caregivers suffering a loss at the veterinary clinic to helping police agents deescalate emergent crises on the street. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 7% increase in social work jobs between 2020 and 2030, compared to an average 4% increase across all fields.1
Social workers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.1 They also may need other credentials, such as a state-issued license or certification, depending on the state and the job. Utica’s online MSW program includes the coursework and hands-on experience necessary to pursue licensure in New York.*
Utica’s online MSW program prepares you for clinical work in hospitals, government institutions, social service agencies, school settings, and private practice.
Promote Mental Health and Recovery
Pursue your passion for a more just and humane society with your online MSW degree. Gain the recovery values, approach, and tools to promote dignity, autonomy, and mental health among diverse populations in a variety of social work careers.
The curriculum is built to be a rigorous, yet flexible clinical training that allows you to maintain a comfortable work, life, and family balance while pursuing your academic and professional goals. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for their states’ licensure exams.
Social work careers are most often filled by individuals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Social workers may need other credentials, such as a state-issued license or certification, depending on the state and the job. With clinical skills in compassion, empathy, communication, and problem-solving, you can seek a position as a hospital or psychiatric social worker, family therapist, substance abuse counselor, mental health policy analyst, private practice clinician, and more.
► 7% Job Growth
for social workers between 2023 and 20331
► $61,330
Social workers earned a median salary of $61,330 in 20241
► 19% Job Growth
for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors between 2020 and 20302
Examples of Career Opportunities with an MSW
Social Worker
$61,330/year
Social workers help individuals, families, and communities solve problems. Clinical social workers may also assess, diagnose, and evaluate treatment for mental illness. Social workers are found in many settings, such as health care, education, and government.1
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor
$59,190/year
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work in health care or community-based settings to help people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, or other mental or behavioral problems. With the specialized coursework and experience from an MSW degree, these counselors can seek salaries of up to $98,210.2
Additional roles for MSW degree graduates include:
- Case Worker
- Community Outreach Organizer
- Criminal Course Liaison
- Health Educator
- Homeless Services Provider
- Mental Health Clinician
- Mental Health Policy Analyst
- Private Practice Clinician
- Social Work Program Planner
Sources:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers. April 18, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. April 18, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#tab-1. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
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.
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.
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
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.
The online MSW is currently only accepting applicants who reside in New York. Graduates will be prepared to sit for licensure exams* in their state. Contact an enrollment counselor at 315-792-3333 for more information about licensure.
*Students are responsible for verifying the licensure requirements in the state in which they plan to practice.
The MSW degree program requires you to complete 900 field hours before graduation, which prepares you to sit for licensure exams* in your home state and gives you crucial field experience that applies to your social work career. Review the MSW’s curriculum here.
*Students are responsible for verifying the licensure requirements in the state in which they plan to practice.
You can complete the online MSW degree in as few as 8 semesters, full-time. Review the MSW’s curriculum here.
The MSW degree online costs $775 per credit hour.
Curriculum: A Progressive Approach to Social Challenges
60 TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED
The MSW online program accommodates any schedule, allowing you to maintain a comfortable work, life, and family balance as you pursue your ideal social work career. Graduates will be prepared to sit for licensure exams in their state.* The online MSW program has no residency requirements and can be completed 100% online in as few as eight semesters.
As the only program in clinical social work in the nation that centers on recovery theories, values, and skills, the online MSW program includes courses in trauma-informed practice, assessment of mental health, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. You’ll learn about the evidence-base and potential of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help all people move from “better” to “well.” Even research and policy courses are designed to improve your skills as a mental health practitioner.
*Students are responsible for verifying the licensure requirements in the state in which they plan to practice.
Curriculum Details
The core courses in Utica’s MSW degree online program can be completed in eight semesters. The program will prepare you for clinical social work practice through rigorous coursework and research-based skills development. With your MSW degree, you will be academically eligible to sit for licensure exams in your state.
You’ll build a strong set of clinical practices by completing 900 hours of field placement, with the opportunity to identify your preferred placement locations. Faculty mentors who are social work professionals will guide you as you develop skills that will transfer to your ideal social work career. No residency is required in this program.
The curriculum course abstracts on this page are meant to provide a high-level course overview and subject to change based on term, faculty, and/or institutional requirements. View the official course descriptions as written in the Utica University Academic Catalog and in adherence to regional compliance.
A Roadmap for Success: MSW Field Experiences
Online MSW Admission Requirements
To apply for our MSW program, you’ll need the following:
- Completed application
- 2.5 minimum GPA.
All applications are evaluated holistically with consideration given to GPA, work experience, personal statement, and references. Applicants who do not meet this minimum will be evaluated by the admissions committee on a case-by-case basis.
No GRE or GMAT required. - Official Transcripts: All students seeking enrollment must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- 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.
Tuition and Financial Aid
This 60-credit MSW 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 moreContact Our Admissions Team
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