New Jersey Social Work Masters (MSW) Programs
There is no question that you are here to learn more about MSW programs in New Jersey. If that’s true, then you have nothing to worry about.
This article explores the MSW study tracks in New Jersey, available courses, study formats, the applicant’s essential entry elements, and much more.
Continue browsing the page and learn more about the best MSW programs in NJ.
MSW Programs New Jersey
New Jersey is one of the states in the US that offers social workers the best MSW education.
Their syllabus contains magnificent courses and field placements to equip scholars with advanced knowledge, skills, and experience.
After acquiring your MSW certification at one of their accredited universities, you can quickly obtain a social work NJ work permit. This work permit will help you work as a registered and professional social worker.
MSW NJ Study Paths
In New Jersey, MSW scholars have two options to complete their MSW studies. They are traditional standing and advanced standing studies.
The traditional standing study is designed to suit candidates without social work knowledge or experience. That is why the program includes introductory courses.
The aim is to give these scholars a basic understanding of social work.
Advanced standing MSW runs counter to traditional standing studies. It is specifically designed to help fellows with a BSW achieve MSW certification within a short timeframe.
Therefore, the syllabus does not include introductory classes. Scholars will only take specialized courses throughout their period of study.
MSW New Jersey Study Areas
Many courses await you at whichever university you choose to obtain an MSW in New Jersey. Some are introductory classes, while others are focus areas.
Review these courses below.
- Mental health and substance abuse
- Child, family, and school social work
- Social welfare
- Social policy, planning, and development
- Social work and social justice
- Women and child development
- Criminology and correctional administration
- International social work
- Communication and counseling
- Human growth and development
- Social work research
- Trauma-informed care
- Introduction to disaster management
- Field practicum and lots more.
Study Format for Advanced Scholars
Three study formats are provided for MSW Scholars in New Jersey. These are online, campus-based, and hybrid studies. Each of these study formats has its pros and cons.
Studying on campus means completing all course activities, such as conferences, class projects, tests, etc., on the school premises. Therefore, you will need accommodation on or off campus to save transportation costs.
Online MSW in New Jersey stands in contrast to off-campus learning.
That’s because all the courses are offered via the Internet. From your comfort zone, you can attend lectures, do class projects, write exams, and so on without being physically present.
The only drawback of this study format is that limited interests, changes in time, and network tools can develop problems.
The hybrid MSW study in NJ combines campus and online studies. Here, researchers must attend some courses on-campus, while the rest are completed online.
This will give scholars the chance to meet with their professors and classmates.
Best MSW Schools in New Jersey
At the moment, New Jersey has eight academic establishments that offer MSW studies.
Among these institutions, three offer internet-based classes, while seven deliver courses within the institution’s premises. However, all these institutions are fully certified by CSWE, NASW, among other agencies.
Scholars who finish this school can earn a state permit to work nationwide.
Best Social Work Master’s Program in New Jersey
For students advancing their careers in social work, the following schools can be your best bet. Depending on your previous knowledge or credential, you can opt for their regular and accelerated studies.
Let’s get the ball rolling.
Monmouth University
Earning an MSW at this school is a superb choice for anyone.
They have regular and accelerated classes to suit all applicants. Students with no social work backgrounds will find the regular program appropriate—the syllabus features about 54 credit units with 1000 hours of field education.
If you take this route full-time, you can finish within two years.
Meanwhile, those with prior knowledge can opt for accelerated classes. The study syllabus only carries 30 credit courses with 500 hours of advanced field practicum. You can finish such studies in under 12 months.
However, it may take part-time students 16 months to two years to complete.
Seton Hall University
You can make significant differences after earning your social work master’s at this institution. There’re two study options to choose from.
You can opt for their regular studies. The program consists of 60 credit courses and 900 hours of practicum. You can finish such classes within two or three years.
Moreover, there are accelerated MSW studies for candidates with social work backgrounds. Such programs consist of only 33 credits and 500 hours of site-based field experience.
Students on this track typically graduate within 12 months of full-time study. But part-time students may take up to two years to finish their studies.
Kean University
Do you want MSW studies that emphasize social work in a multicultural environment?
You’ll get more than that if you study at Kean University. Their classes focus on social work in social welfare initiatives, social work research, program evaluation, etc.
You can participate in their regular classes, which consist of 60 credits and 1080 hours of fieldwork. You can finish such studies in two years. However, part-time students will spend up to three or four years.
It all depends on their area of focus.
In addition to regular classes, there’re expedited programs designed for candidates with BSW. Such programs have only 30 credit courses and 600 hours of fieldwork.
For those taking this class full-time, they can finish in 12 months. However, it will take part-time students two or more years.
Montclair State University
This school is one of the finest in the country for getting a social work master’s degree. You can specialize in social work practice with children, youth, and families.
Moreover, you can enroll in your education online or in the institution. Everything depends on your schedule.
Meanwhile, two entry routes for MSW studies are open to prospective students. They are regular and accelerated studies. The regular classes are for scholars without previous social work knowledge.
Therefore, the syllabus has 60 credit courses with 1000 hours of fieldwork. You can complete such programs within two and three years, respectively. As usual, everything lies on which entry route you choose.
Meanwhile, the advanced standing track will suit applicants with previous social work knowledge. The study curriculum has only 33 credits, with 600 hours of field education.
You can finish such programs within 12 months of full-time study. However, part-time students may spend two or three years, respectively.
Stockton University
It’s challenging to beat this school if you want to pursue a master’s degree in social work. Their MSW studies will allow you to focus on several specialized fields.
Moreover, they have regular and accelerated social work classes for prospective students. Both entry routes can be taken wholly or partly via the Internet or within the school environment.
The regular track comprises 60 credits with 900 hours of fieldwork. You can finish such studies within two and three years, respectively.
However, the accelerated classes are designed for candidates with previous social work knowledge. The syllabus consists of 30 credits with 500 hours of field education.
Such studies are often finished within 12 months of full-time learning.
Ramapo College
MSW programs in this school also focus on advanced generalist social work practice. The idea is to prepare students for clinical and macro social work.
Moreover, you can earn your MSW certificate via regular or accelerated studies. The formal studies comprise 64 credits and 1200 hours of practicum. However, finishing your studies will take you two to three years.
Those with a BSW from accredited schools can enroll in accelerated classes. The study syllabus consists of 32 credits and 600 hours of fieldwork.
You can finish such courses within a year of full-time and two years of part-time study.
Fairleigh Dickson University
This is one of the few universities in New Jersey that only offers internet-based MSW classes. Their programs have a modern social work practice syllabus.
It provides scholars with instruction and training in clinical and macro social work. You can register for your education wholly or partly. Additionally, they have specialized entry routes for scholars with or without social work backgrounds.
Those with no previous knowledge can register for regular MSW tracks.
Such studies entail many credit courses with 900 hours of fieldwork. You can finish such programs within two years on a full-time and three years on a part-time basis.
Meanwhile, those with social work backgrounds can opt for accelerated studies. Such programs only have 30 credit courses with 500 hours of field education. In 12 months, you can finish such classes.
There’s one more university that offers outstanding social work master’s programs. This school is Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. You can research more on these institutions to fully understand their programs.
However, the information above should give a guide.
Requirements for Social Work Master Programs in New Jersey
Below are a few entry requirements for MSW scholars in New Jersey. Until you meet these essential requirements, you’ll not be considered for entry into an MSW position in the province.
- Candidates who want to enroll in traditional standing studies must present an undergrad certificate. Similarly, applicants interested in advanced standing studies must submit a BSW from a CSWE-approved institution.
- All interested scholars must possess a GPA of at least 3.0 to qualify for MSW studies in New Jersey.
- A transcript will be required from applicants.
- You will also present at least three letters of reference from a previous institution or workplace.
- Some universities may require you to submit three pages of text containing your objectives for your MSW studies.
You can find more details about the MSW admission entry on the web page of your desired institution. We just listed the general terms and conditions for MSW students.
Becoming an LMSW in New Jersey
After acquiring your advanced certificate in social work, the next step is to get a state permit. With this credential, you can function as an accredited social worker in the community.
Meanwhile, before becoming an authorized social worker in New Jersey, you must complete several supervised clinical social workers.
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What About New Jersey’s License Renewal For A Social Worker?
In New Jersey, each social worker should renew their license after two years.
To continue such a license, you must complete at least 5 hours of ethics training and 3 hours of social and cultural conditioning.
But you should be aware that every license has its renewal standards. This is why you must research the essentials for the rights you hold.
How Much Can I Make as an MSW Graduate in New Jersey?
The salaries of social workers in this province are affected by a few factors.
They include the kind of organization you work with, your level of education, the location of your workplace, and your area of specialization.
However, the median salary for MSW graduates in New Jersey is roughly $69,806 per year. The wage structure for some social work jobs in New Jersey is described below.
- Healthcare social worker receives around $64,150 annually
- Child, family, and school social workers earn an average of $68,830 per year
- Mental health and substance abuse social worker makes about $83,050 annually
- Other social workers in the state make approximately $71,420 annually
Conclusion
There’s much more to say on MSW programs in New Jersey, but we’re running out of time.
However, the information we have provided above will help you make the best preparation for your MSW studies in New Jersey.
At the next meeting, we’ll outline some schools where you can get your MSW studies in New Jersey.