Curriculum

An Advanced Standing Social Work Program Tailored to BSW Graduates

An Advanced Standing option for the Online Master of Social Work (MSW) gives credit to students who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work from a university or college accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). It’s like a fast track to your masters. You begin the program in the Summer semester and earn your degree in just 15 months.

Students are required to participate in weekly synchronous class sessions and attend two residencies a year. Students have traditionally attended on-campus residencies at Adelphi’s main campus on Long Island, just outside of New York City. Beginning January 2022, new MSW students will have the option to attend virtual residencies.

Current students may be granted permission to attend virtual residencies on a case-by-case basis.

In light of the current public health crisis and the need to minimize interpersonal contact, we have moved the on-campus learning experiences to a remote format through Fall 2021. This degree is characterized by:

• A 32-credit online program that can be completed in 15 months
• Two on-campus or virtual residencies
• An optional health care specialization
• Hands-on instruction and personal advisement – online and in person
• Experiential learning grounded in academic theory
• Engaging, interactive online coursework
• Rich on-campus learning experiences

Upon successfully completing the program, you not only hold a master’s degree, but also are eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). In order to prepare our graduates for licensure, we offer exam preparation courses that draw on questions from prior New York state exams. Students in these courses can take a practice exam as many times as they would like, and receive immediate feedback on their scores. Exam information is also integrated into the coursework for the online MSW, so our graduates will finish the program uniquely prepared to succeed in becoming licensed.

Health Across the Life Course Specialization

This optional specialization provides an overview of health care practice within the context of social work services. It prepares social workers to provide multifaceted care that incorporates a patient’s life experiences. All courses foster a stronger understanding of the cultural, socio-economic, religious and ethical contexts that inform both patients and providers.

This specialization consists of three courses (nine credits total). There is no need for students to take extra classes. Instead, they complete the specialization by aligning their three required elective courses with designated specialization courses.

Advanced Standing students will complete these courses in S1 Summer and in S4 Summer.

Specialization course options include:

• Social Work Practice in Health Care
• Practice in End of Life Care
• Contemporary Social Work: An Integrative Approach
• Social Work Practice with Older Adults
• Stress, Crisis, Trauma and Coping
• Social Work Practice with People Living with Dementia

Advanced Standing Course Plan by Term

Any student who opts for the 21-hour week field course will complete field in two semesters, fall and spring. Extended field students complete 14 hours/week in field for the fall, spring and summer terms.

Online Learning Environment

All Online MSW courses are delivered on the Moodle learning management system. It serves as a hub for faculty and students and is the portal through which students access all coursework.

Some courses have no live components, and students can complete assignments largely on their schedule. Other courses are fully or partially live, requiring students to participate online at scheduled times. Online MSW coursework may include reading, viewing video lectures, completing case assessments, participating in multimedia VoiceThread discussions, and working on group projects.

Students typically devote 10 to 12 hours a week to coursework. Though the online format provides flexibility, most assignments must be completed on schedule.

All practice courses, the Professional Development Seminar and the Field Instruction Integrative Seminar are live, meeting between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. (ET) on Thursdays. Some of these live sessions are recorded and posted to Moodle for students to view at their convenience.

Before starting the program, students participate in a three-week, online learning orientation that provides an overview of the program and learning technology. The first on-campus learning experience also includes a brief orientation and technology training.

On-Campus Learning Experiences

Though the majority of the Advanced Standing option for the Online MSW coursework is online, in keeping with the importance of human relationships in social work, we built the program with on-campus learning experiences. They provide distance learners with an opportunity to interact with and learn from each other and their professors in a dynamic classroom environment.

The intensive residencies are held twice annually in August and January, the week before the official academic start of the corresponding Fall and Spring semesters. Many students tell us that the on-campus training is the highlight of their education.

“There is a sense of genuine investment on the parts of faculty and staff–they really care about their students and the residency provides a space that encourages relationship building. The first residency served as a foundation for meaningful relationships I now hold with the members of my cohort. We look forward to the start of each semester and to catch up, learn and grow together.” Courtney Oehl, First-Year Student, Cohort #6

On-campus visits range from two to four days, always incorporating a weekend to accommodate working professionals. Students attend classes from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and have lunch with faculty members and students from other Online MSW groups.

Residencies take place at the main Adelphi University campus on Long Island in Garden City, N.Y. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for associated lodging and transportation. The School of Social Work provides some meals and snacks, and the nearby Homewood Suites by Hilton Carle Place offers discounted room rates. Students must ask for the Adelphi rate when they book their room. Please call for the most accurate rates.

Virtual Residency

Beginning in January 2022, MSW students will have the option to attend virtual residencies, which will include opportunities to interact with peers and faculty. Students receive a virtual agenda a month or two prior to the residency.

Current students may be granted permission to attend virtual residencies on a case-by-case basis.

Residency Schedule

Fall 2018 Cohort – Residency Dates:

Spring 2019 Cohort – Residency Dates:

Fall 2019 Cohort – Residency Dates:

Spring 2020 Cohort – Residency Dates:

Fall 2020 Cohort – Residency Dates:

Spring 2021 Cohort – Residency Dates:

Fall 2021 Cohort – Residency Dates:

* In light of the current public health crisis and the need to minimize interpersonal contact, Adelphi University has moved all instruction to a remote format through Fall 2021.

The OMSW Fall Residency will be virtual. Students are required to be available between August 26th -29th from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST. Students will receive the residency schedules in early August.

Field Education

Field education is a central component of graduate social work programs. It teaches students to apply the theory and knowledge learned in the classroom to social work practice in agency settings. You work at human service agencies–directly with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

You gain exposure to diverse problems and people including oppressed populations. Field work assignments consist of diverse practice opportunities. Assignments include conducting face-to-face interviews with clients both individually and in group settings.

As part of this training, students must also work with organizational and community representatives on behalf of clients. Your assignments may include community work, program development, social action or research. Students who elect to take the Health Across the Life Course complete their field assignment in a health care setting.

For more information about the comprehensive field education component of our program, visit the Field Placements page.

Advanced Standing Online MSW Courses