7 Top-Rated MSW Programs in New Jersey (With CSWE Accreditation)
MSW programs in New Jersey provide exceptional career opportunities in a field that will grow 7% by 2033, growing by a lot more than other occupations. Social work careers in New Jersey should expand by an impressive 14%, creating a high demand for qualified professionals.
Real needs drive this growth. Statistics show that 248,000 adults in New Jersey deal with serious mental illness, while about 435,000 adults used mental health services in 2020. The state has seen 72,000 children between ages 12-17 struggle with depression, with rates rising in the last decade.
New Jersey has ten MSW programs, and eight of them have full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students can choose between traditional and advanced standing options based on their educational background. The state’s education quality stands out with three of its MSW programs ranking among the nation’s top 100.
Here, we will guide you through your options for starting a rewarding career, whether you’re looking at the best MSW programs in NJ or learning about online MSW programs in New Jersey. Social workers in the state earn competitive salaries, with child, family, and school social workers making an average of $74,730 yearly.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University is the gold standard of MSW programs in New Jersey. Its School of Social Work has extensive educational pathways. The university’s presence in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses gives detailed training to future social workers who want to create meaningful change in communities of all types.
Program overview
The Master of Social Work program at Rutgers follows a 60-credit curriculum with two distinct levels. Students complete a 30-credit generalist curriculum and then move on to a 30-credit specialized curriculum. The program helps create social workers dedicated to helping vulnerable populations and working to reduce poverty, oppression, and discrimination.
The Direct Practice Immersion Sequence makes Rutgers’ MSW education unique. Students take this series of courses in their first year. It boosts their interpersonal skills, empathic understanding, and professional self-awareness through a social justice perspective. The sequence has sections on working with individuals, families, and groups. Students also learn to work with communities and organizations. A practicum learning seminar and reflective practice seminar prepare students for advanced practice, whatever their chosen specialization.
Specializations offered
Students pick one of two specializations for their advanced studies after finishing the generalist curriculum:
Clinical Social Work: Students learn detailed skills to involve, assess, intervene, and evaluate the well-being of individuals, families, and groups. Rutgers sees clinical social work as more than just traditional psychotherapy. The focus is on helping clients change behaviors or solve emotional problems where personal and environmental factors meet. This approach works with clients of all backgrounds, from child welfare families to hospice patients and individuals in the criminal justice system.
Management and Policy: This path teaches current and future leaders of nonprofit and public service organizations. Students become skilled at planning, organizing, supervision, and policy functions. They find jobs in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions, educational settings, and corporations.
Students can also focus on specific areas like Social Policy, Global Social Work, Children Youth and Families, Mental and Behavioral Health, and Health. Each focus area needs three relevant courses and a matching practicum.
Program format
Rutgers gives students four flexible ways to complete their program:
- Traditional on-campus: Students can choose two-year (full-time), three-year, or four-year (part-time) options at any Rutgers location. Classes run during day and evening hours.
- 100% Online: This option works great for independent learners who need flexibility. Students can finish in two or three years without scheduled meeting times. The program focuses on clinical social work specialization.
- Blended Online: Students get the best of both worlds with online and classroom learning for advanced courses. The first two years happen online, followed by mixed in-person and online courses in year three.
- Intensive Weekend: Working professionals can earn their MSW while keeping their full-time jobs. Classes meet monthly at various locations throughout New Jersey.
Tuition and costs
Here’s what students paid as of the 2024-2025 academic year:
- New Jersey Residents:
- Part-Time: $838.00 per credit plus fees
- Full-Time (12+ credits): $10,056.00 plus fees per semester
- Non-Residents:
- Part-Time: $1,425.00 per credit plus fees
- Full-Time (12+ credits): $17,100.00 plus fees per semester
- 100% Online MSW Program:
- All students pay $1,047.00 per credit regardless of where they live
- Semester charges range from $6,282.00 to $11,517.00 based on credit load
Students can get financial help through scholarships, research assistantships, and graduate assistantships. Merit-based scholarships come at admission, and assistantships pay about $17.00/hour for roughly 6 hours each week.
Fieldwork requirements
Field education stands at the heart of Rutgers’ MSW program. Students complete 1,125 hours of supervised field instruction throughout their studies. The experience splits into two placements:
- First-year field placement: 450 total hours (15 hours weekly for 15 weeks each semester), earning 6 credits
- Second-year field placement: 675 total hours (22.5 hours weekly for 15 weeks each semester), earning 6 credits
Students must take field practicums alongside their practice courses. They need at least 8 daytime hours free for field placement since sites rarely offer evening-only or weekend-only options. Some locations might have limited evening or weekend hours available.
Online students start their field education at different times:
- Two-year option: 10 hours/week for generalist placement, 16.75 hours/week for advanced
- Three-year option: 10 hours/week for generalist placement, 12.5 hours/week for advanced
Accreditation status
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits Rutgers School of Social Work. This ensures graduates receive an education that meets national social work practice standards. The accreditation helps with licensure eligibility in New Jersey and other states, though requirements differ by location.
CSWE accreditation shows that Rutgers’ MSW program meets high educational standards. Graduates leave with the knowledge, values, and skills they need to work effectively in various settings.
Monmouth University
Monmouth University runs one of New Jersey’s best MSW programs. The program stands out with its human rights leadership approach and specialized tracks that help graduates build meaningful careers in a variety of practice settings.
Program overview
U.S. News & World Report ranks Monmouth’s MSW program among the nation’s top social work graduate programs. Students gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience they need for professional social work practice. The 54-credit curriculum builds on three main points of view: social and economic justice through human rights advancement, strength-based enablement, and practice with families in a global context. The program helps graduates succeed in a field that will grow 7% from 2022-2031, faster than most other occupations.
The School of Social Work’s mission helps graduates protect human rights by promoting social, economic, and environmental justice for vulnerable populations. This dedication shows in every part of the student experience, from classroom learning to field placements.
Specializations offered
Students select from two unique specializations:
- Clinical Practice with Families and Children: This track tackles family and child-focused issues ranging from poverty and homelessness to communication and interpersonal counseling. Students learn skills for work in schools, mental health facilities, child abuse prevention programs, and substance abuse treatment centers. This path leads to clinical social work licensure, opening doors to leadership roles in mental health facilities, substance abuse centers, and private practices.
- Global and Community Practice: This specialization, offered by only a few programs nationwide, teaches students to handle community, organizational, and group needs both locally and globally. Students develop specialized skills in assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation related to eco-friendly practices, global development, community organization, and policy. Faculty members bring real-life experience through their work with the International Federation of Social Workers at the United Nations and the International Red Cross.
Program format
The program offers flexible options that fit different student needs:
Regular Standing: Students without a BSW degree complete this 54-credit program full-time or part-time.
Advanced Standing: BSW graduates from the last six years need only 30 credits, available full-time or part-time.
Students can take the Global and Community Practice specialization online. The Clinical Practice with Families and Children specialization runs on campus. Small class sizes encourage student-faculty interaction and discussion. Applications close July 15 for fall enrollment only.
Tuition and costs
Graduate tuition rates for 2025-2026 are:
Each credit costs $995 with a complete fee of $200-$400 based on credit load. Three credits cost $2,985, six credits $5,970, nine credits $8,955, twelve credits $11,940, and fifteen credits $14,925 in tuition. The university’s direct costs range from $3,185 for three credits to $15,325 for fifteen credits, including the complete fee.
Students should budget for books and supplies ($100-$500 based on credits), travel ($400-$700), personal expenses, and housing and food for those who don’t commute.
Fieldwork requirements
In Monmouth’s MSW program, students apply classroom concepts through hands-on experience. The university works together with about 500 agencies, offering placements throughout New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, eastern Pennsylvania, and abroad.
MSW students complete 1,000 hours of field practicum:
- Generalist Year: 500 hours over two semesters focus on core social work skills
- Concentration Year: 500 hours over two semesters in either Clinical Practice or Global and Community Practice
A full-time field practicum administrator helps students find placements that line up with their skills, experience goals, and career interests. Students can also intern internationally in Vietnam, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Ireland.
Accreditation status
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits Monmouth University’s School of Social Work. This accreditation lets graduates seek licensure in New Jersey and other states. Monmouth stands as one of two Schools of Social Work in New Jersey that meets Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) academic requirements. This adds value for students who want careers in addiction counseling.
Kean University
Kean University’s Master of Social Work program stands out with its complete focus on direct clinical practice. Students become skilled practitioners with strong therapeutic abilities. The program, housed in the Nathan Weiss Graduate College, builds clinical expertise while promoting dedication to social justice and ethical practice.
Program overview
The MSW program at Kean shapes students into knowledgeable social work practitioners who work with individuals, families, and organizations. Students develop clinical, research, and advocacy skills through step-by-step learning. The program’s focus on direct clinical practice creates strong bonds between students and faculty. This builds a community that helps others and stays dedicated to social and economic justice.
The program’s mission matches core social work values: service, social justice, human dignity, relationships, integrity, and competence. Students learn nine educational competencies set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). These range from ethical practice to evaluation skills with different populations.
Graduates work in mental health agencies, school districts, hospitals, and nursing homes. Social worker jobs should grow 9% through 2031[link_1].
Specializations offered
Kean University takes a different approach from other MSW programs. Instead of multiple tracks, it offers one focused specialization in direct clinical practice. Students get complete training in therapeutic interventions and evidence-based practices. This proves especially valuable when pursuing licensure for clinical social work positions.
Students learn to assess client needs and provide research-based therapeutic care. Cultural competency and advocacy skills become second nature – crucial skills when working with marginalized communities.
Program format
Students can choose from four flexible program options:
- Advanced Standing: A 30-credit program that takes one year. Students need a recent BSW degree (within five years) and minimum 3.2 GPA.
- Two-year sequence: A traditional 60-credit program for students without a BSW background.
- Three-year sequence: Students balance other commitments while studying. Field education starts in the second year.
- Online option: Students with 2.5+ years of social work experience can apply.
Classes run on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. This schedule works well for working professionals.
Tuition and costs
The 2025-2026 academic year brings these competitive rates[link_2]:
Full-time (9+ credits per semester):
- In-State: $9,722.15 tuition plus $1,046.46 mandatory fees ($10,818.61 total)
- Out-of-State: $13,558.66 tuition plus $1,046.46 mandatory fees ($14,605.12 total)
Part-time (less than 9 credits):
- In-State: $992.60 per credit plus $90.34 fees per credit ($1,082.94 total per credit)
- Out-of-State: $1,371.62 per credit plus $90.34 fees per credit ($1,461.96 total per credit)
Students get great support services. The Learning Commons provides academic resources, computer clusters, and library collections with 177,961 volumes and 235,000+ e-books.
Fieldwork requirements
Field education plays a key role in the MSW program. Students progress through different experiences:
- Foundation Year: 480 hours (16 hours weekly) of case management, engagement, assessment, and trust-building
- Specialization Year: 600 hours (20 hours weekly) of direct clinical skills and research-based therapeutic work
Advanced Standing students complete the specialization year only. Students can work in:
- Substance abuse centers
- Medical and psychiatric hospitals
- Domestic violence centers
- Veterans Administration facilities
- Schools and counseling practices
Field offices match students with qualified supervisors. These mentors help students understand their clinical abilities better. Faculty and community supervisors build on classroom learning to create a rich experience.
Accreditation status
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits Kean’s MSW program. An eight-year re-accreditation in 2019 shows the program meets national standards. This matters for graduates seeking licensure. The curriculum prepares students through both generalist and specialized clinical skills.
Montclair State Universit
Montclair State University’s Master of Social Work program shapes future leaders who help vulnerable populations. The program pays special attention to children, youth, and families in a variety of communities. Students can choose from seven CSWE-accredited programs in New Jersey, where Montclair State provides a complete training in both generalist and specialized clinical practice.
Program overview
Montclair State University’s MSW program gives you the knowledge and skills you need for ethical, culturally-competent, and evidence-informed social work practice. Students learn about social and economic justice while preparing for careers in case management, counseling, community organizing, and advocacy. The program works well for people passionate about creating positive change. Graduates develop skills to provide clinical and advocacy services in settings that serve vulnerable children and families.
Specializations offered
Montclair State keeps its focus sharp with a single concentration in Children, Youth, and Families. Future practitioners learn to deliver clinical and advocacy services in settings that serve vulnerable young populations. The program starts with complete generalist social work training and moves into specialized clinical work with children, youth, and families. New Jersey licensure becomes available after graduation, opening doors to careers in mental health clinics, schools, hospitals, and substance abuse treatment centers.
Program format
Students can choose from several flexible formats:
- Full-time campus program: Students complete 60 credits over two years, taking 15 credits each semester (fall/spring). Summer sessions allow for up to two electives to lighten the regular academic year load.
- Online option: The online MSW follows the same curriculum with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Students need three years to complete this format, with courses running in 7 and 14-week sessions.
Both formats employ a cohort-based model. Students move through the curriculum together, which encourages close relationships with peers and faculty. The first year covers generalist training, while the second year emphasizes specialized clinical practice with children, youth, and families.
Tuition and costs
The 2024-2025 academic year comes with competitive rates at $611.83 per credit plus $34.00 in mandatory fees. The total cost reaches $38,750 for the 60-credit program. These rates make Montclair State one of New Jersey’s more affordable CSWE-accredited MSW programs.
Most first-year students (74%) receive need-based financial aid. Montclair graduates typically carry $22,000 in federal loan debt, substantially lower than the national average.
Fieldwork requirements
Montclair’s MSW program requires students to complete at least 900 supervised practicum hours. The fieldwork experience breaks down like this:
- Generalist year: About 15 hours weekly (two full days), totaling at least 400 hours
- Specialized year: About 18 hours weekly (three days), totaling at least 500 hours
Students gain hands-on experience in:
- Mental health clinics
- Behavioral health facilities
- Child welfare agencies
- School systems
- Domestic violence prevention programs
Each student’s experience includes weekly meetings with a practicum instructor and oversight from a practicum liaison throughout the placement.
Accreditation status
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits Montclair State University’s MSW program. This prestigious designation makes it one of seven such programs in New Jersey. The program earned its accreditation during its third year, joining 288 CSWE-accredited programs nationwide. Graduates qualify for different levels of licensure in New Jersey, and the program meets all national standards for social work education.
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program stands out as the only graduate forensic social work program in New Jersey. U.S. News & World Report recognizes it as one of the country’s best social work programs.
Program overview
The MSW program at Seton Hall prepares professionals to work in behavioral health, substance abuse, healthcare, and forensic settings. Students learn servant leadership and community involvement while working toward social and economic justice. The Department of Social Work and Public Administration houses this program. Students get hands-on experience through field placements that complement their classroom learning. Faculty members bring rich experience from both academic and practical backgrounds to mentor students.
Specializations offered
Students can choose between two concentrations:
- Behavioral Health: Students learn prevention and treatment approaches for mental health and substance abuse issues
- Forensic Social Work: This unique program in New Jersey prepares students to work within legal and criminal justice systems
Both paths use evidence-based methods that align with professional values and principles.
Program format
Students have flexible study options that fit their schedules:
- Regular Standing: This 60-credit, two-year program suits students without an accredited undergraduate social work degree
- First year: Students choose between on-campus or online (synchronous) classes
- Second year: Online courses combined with on-site fieldwork
- Advanced Standing: This option works for students who earned an accredited BSW in the last five years
- Students complete a three-credit summer seminar
- They move straight to the second year (30 credits)
- The program combines online courses with on-site fieldwork
Tuition and costs
Graduate tuition at Seton Hall costs $1,570 per credit for 2025-2026. This puts it mid-range among New Jersey’s MSW programs. The complete 60-credit program costs about $94,200 before financial aid. Additional costs include technology fees ($160-$495 per semester) and university fees ($145-$215 per semester).
Fieldwork requirements
Field education forms the heart of Seton Hall’s MSW program:
- Foundation Year: Students complete 400 hours (200 clock hours each semester) under MSW practitioners
- Concentration Year: Students spend 500 hours (250 clock hours each semester) in specialized settings
Students dedicate about 18 hours weekly to field placements in behavioral health facilities, substance abuse centers, and forensic settings. Field instructors must have an MSW degree and at least two years of professional experience after their master’s degree.
Accreditation status
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits Seton Hall University’s MSW program. This accreditation ensures graduates can apply for licenses in New Jersey and other states.
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Fairleigh Dickinson University offers its Master of Social Work program completely online. The program stands out by giving working professionals flexibility without compromising academic standards. Students who graduate from this CSWE-accredited program help promote physical, psychological, and social well-being in a variety of populations.
Program overview
The online MSW curriculum blends classroom learning with hands-on experience. Students learn about social and economic justice, human rights, and ways to improve quality of life. This education model helps students become advanced social work practitioners who can lead development efforts in public and private social services. The program welcomes traditional students, working professionals, and adult learners who want to advance their social work careers.
Specializations offered
FDU takes an advanced generalist approach instead of offering multiple specialized tracks. This model gives graduates the knowledge and skills to help clients with various problems. Students develop abilities in clinical practice and macro-level intervention through detailed coursework. They don’t need to pick a specialized concentration. Core courses include Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Advanced Micro Practice, Advanced Mezzo Practice, Advanced Macro Practice, Social Policy, and Diversity and Social Justice.
Program format
Students can choose between two flexible paths:
- Traditional Program: 60 credit hours with 900 field experience hours
- Advanced Standing Track: 30 credit hours with 500 field experience hours for students with a BSW degree and minimum 3.0 GPA
Students can complete their coursework online without scheduled meeting times. The traditional program usually takes 18-36 months to finish.
Tuition and costs
The online MSW program costs $963 per credit. Traditional program students pay approximately $57,780 for all 60 credits. Advanced standing students pay around $28,890 for their 30-credit program.
Fieldwork requirements
Field education includes:
- Traditional students: 900 total hours – 400 hours foundation level and 500 hours concentration level
- Advanced standing students: 500 hours at concentration level only
Students can work in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, and criminal justice facilities. A dedicated field coordinator helps students find suitable placements.
Accreditation status
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits FDU’s MSW Program. This accreditation ensures graduates can apply for licenses in all fifty states.
Ramapo College
Ramapo College helps create competent, compassionate social work professionals through its CSWE-accredited MSW program. The program focuses on social justice, human well-being, and community participation.
Program overview
Students in Ramapo College’s MSW program learn to connect with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. They become advocates for social and economic justice. The curriculum combines challenging academic coursework with extensive field education. Theory, research, and practice come together seamlessly. Research-informed professionals emerge from this program, and they respect diversity within the social environment. Graduates develop abilities to tackle challenges when poverty, oppression, and discrimination affect human well-being.
Specializations offered
Ramapo uses an advanced generalist practice model rather than multiple specialized tracks. This approach gives students complete skills they can use in a variety of settings. Many graduates find work in child welfare, family services, mental health, substance abuse treatment, school social work, and healthcare. Their versatile preparation helps them work at micro, mezzo, and macro practice levels effectively.
Program format
Students can choose from these flexible study options:
- Full-time hybrid: Two nights weekly, completing in two years
- Part-time hybrid: One night weekly for first two years, then two nights weekly for the final year
- Advanced Standing: One-year program for BSW graduates
Classes meet Monday and Thursday evenings for two hours. Students also complete a 30-minute online component weekly.
Tuition and costs
Students pay $894.41 per credit. The traditional 60-credit program costs about $53,664.60. Advanced standing students need only 30 credits, which reduces their costs significantly.
Fieldwork requirements
Field education has a huge role Ramapo’s MSW program:
- Traditional program: 1,200 total hours (about 17 hours weekly)
- Advanced Standing: 600 hours
Students train in mental health agencies, healthcare facilities, and schools. Qualified field instructors supervise their work.
Accreditation status
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has fully accredited Ramapo College’s MSW program. The accreditation was reaffirmed in 2023 and extends through February 2031. Graduates can apply for licenses in New Jersey and other states because the program meets national standards.
Start Your Career in New Jersey Social Work Today
Your path to a rewarding career in social work starts with picking the right MSW program. New Jersey offers seven outstanding CSWE-accredited programs that give future social work professionals unique benefits.
The social work field in New Jersey brings exceptional opportunities. Growth rates are higher than national averages by a lot. These programs set you up for success in a state where mental health needs stay high. Social workers earn competitive salaries here. Child, family, and school social workers make an average of $74,730 each year.
Each program has CSWE accreditation but stands out in its own way through specialized focus areas, teaching methods, and school strengths. Rutgers University’s detailed specializations and multiple locations make it a top choice. Monmouth University takes pride in its human rights leadership approach. Kean University puts its heart into direct clinical practice. Montclair State University’s expertise lies in working with children, youth, and families. Seton Hall University has New Jersey’s only graduate forensic social work program. Fairleigh Dickinson University runs a fully online program with an advanced generalist model. Ramapo College completes the list with its focus on community involvement.
Picking a program might seem daunting at first. Your career goals, learning style, and budget will help you narrow down the options. Think over whether you learn better in person, online, or in a mixed setting. Review which specialties match your interests. Look at fieldwork options that fit your career dreams.
Your MSW education builds the foundation to serve vulnerable populations. The details in this piece will help you pick a program that sets you up for success in New Jersey’s growing social work world. The perfect MSW program is waiting to turn your desire to help others into professional expertise that changes lives.