Master of Social Work Traditional Track
Become a Leader in Clinical Social Work
With an online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Keuka College and your license as a clinical social worker, you can address the growing need in our society for mental health services and improve the lives of people in your community.
The traditional track of this program is for students without a social work degree looking to change careers. If you have a BSW, see the Advanced Track.
Our clinically-focused online Master of Social Work degree program will:
- Equip you with clinical mental health treatment skills
- Provide you with versatile social work knowledge that translates to a range of generalist roles and leadership positions
- Provide experience needed to work in a variety of fields, including mental health, addiction and substance abuse, and family and youth services
- Fully prepare you to pursue licensure as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), allowing you to serve as a mental health provider and accept insurance referrals
Program Features
Program Length
2.6 years
Credit Hours
60
Field Hours
900
Program Facts
- 100% online Master of Social Work - No campus requirements
- CSWE-accredited clinical social work program
- Field placement support provided in your region
- Learn from experts and become an expert: Faculty are LCSWs who are active in the field
- #1 Provider of Social Work Degrees in New York*
*#1 provider of BSW degree in New York, National Center of Educational Statistics, 2019
U.S. News & World Report
Admission Requirements for Traditional Online MSW Program
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.75 or higher
- 2 Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Essay
- Personal Statement
- GRE is not required
Dedicated to Your Impact:
Field Placement and Student Support Services
Field hours allow students to make a tangible impact and build strong connections within their communities before they graduate. Additionally, they can gain exposure and begin networking with potential employers. Our dedicated field placement team works with you to find sites in your local community to achieve the 900 hours of real-world, hands-on experience required to graduate. Your Student Success Advisor will discuss your goals and interests to help identify the right fit for your field education placement site.
This service is included in the program cost and allows you more time to focus on your coursework. Our online students experience a close-knit community and the personalized support of a small private school, the same as if they were on campus. Your dedicated Student Success Advisor provides dedicated support to ensure success throughout your Keuka College online learning experience from enrollment to graduation.
Online MSW Curriculum: Courses in Clinical Social Work and Mental Health Treatment
"I truly appreciated the assignments that required us to interact and engage with the community. This was a great hands-on way to get us involved and to understand the challenges that will likely be produced with client advocacy." - Keuka College MSW student
Field Placement FAQs
Your field placement experience will be one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of earning your degree. These frequently asked questions will help you better understand the field placement services we provide our online students.
01
How does the field placement process work?
The field placement team collaborates with you to secure quality placement sites that reflect your educational goals, desired practice specialty, and scheduling requests. The team ensures all experiences meet CSWE accreditation standards, and the agencies and field instructors are approved prior to the start of your fieldwork.;
02
What am I responsible for to ensure a timely field experience?
Completing the field placement intake form initiates the field placement search process. Upon completion of the form, you will be required to complete all field clearance requirements (by the school and agency) prior to the start of your first field experience. Most agencies have additional requirements for the school and/or interviews that students must complete prior to starting field hours. As active participants in the placement process, and to help focus the placement team’s search, students are encouraged to provide any local sites where they would prefer to complete their field hours.
03
How do field placement services help me?
Field placement provides 900 hours of real-world, hands-on clinical social work experience. The placement team identifies and secures quality placement sites within your local community so that you can focus on your coursework and the core competencies that will help you succeed.
04
In what types of agencies do students complete their internships?
Typically, students complete their field hours at:
- Community centers/organizations
- Human service agencies
- Counseling and therapy centers
- Addiction and mental health treatment facilities
- Adoption agencies
- Senior care facilities, such as nursing homes
- Correctional facilities
- Hospitals/Clinics
Why Choose a Clinical Master of Social Work program?
One of the benefits of earning a clinical MSW degree is its versatility. Not only can you practice as a mental health provider, but you’ll also gain strong qualifications that translate well within the social work profession across many generalist roles and leadership positions in various types of organizations. Read more on clinical vs. generalist social work.
| Clinical Social Work | Generalist Social Work | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances | Has a range of applications within organizations, initiatives, agencies, advocacy groups, community organizations, healthcare, and more |
| Credentialing | Requires distinct clinical social work licensure at the state level | Licensure for generalist social work at the state level |
| Minimum education | Accredited MSW | Accredited MSW or BSW (separate licensure levels) |
| Scope of practice | In addition to being qualified for a range of generalist roles, state-licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) can practice as therapists/mental healthcare providers who are eligible for insurance reimbursement | More applicable to organizational or community roles in a variety of systems, including public service, nonprofit, education, criminal justice, policy, advocacy, healthcare, and within the private sector |
| Best suited for | Professionals interested primarily in providing therapeutic mental health services in individual, family, or group environments | Professionals more interested in macro-level practice with groups and communities, such as case management and social program leadership |
Why Choose Keuka?
Keuka College's Online Master of Social Work program is a top choice for aspiring social work professionals due to its unique features. The program stands out with dedicated field placement support, ensuring hands-on experiences in students' local communities.
Beyond academics, the program prioritizes holistic well-being by offering mental health resources. The high quality, rigor, affordability, and commitment to excellence of Keuka College’s Online Master of Social Work program make it a leader in online social work education, empowering change-makers nationwide.
Financial Aid Options
A Keuka College education is an investment in your future and more affordable than you may think.
Supports such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) can help cover your education cost and pave the way for your future career.
Additionally, there are a variety of scholarship opportunities available for students who meet certain criteria. Simply complete your application for admission and submit your FAFSA to see available scholarships.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker: A Career In Demand
Pursuing a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential can significantly enhance your career prospects in this growing field. Online Master's in Social Work (MSW) programs offer flexible pathways for earning an advanced degree, such as a Master of Social Work (MSW), which can then make you eligible to apply for an LCSW.
You can gain the skills needed to work in high-demand areas like mental health and substance abuse, where job growth is projected at 10% through 2033 according to the BLS. With the flexibility of online learning and no on-campus requirements, working professionals can balance education with their current responsibilities while preparing for a rewarding career.
The demand for LCSWs is driven by specialized training, equipping them to provide therapy and support in diverse settings. The median annual wage for social workers was $61,330* in May 2024 with LCSWs making approximately 23% more than BSW-level social workers and 21% more than MSW-level social workers without clinical licensure.** Pursuing an MSW through a CSWE-accredited, online program positions you to become Certified as an LCSW for both competitive salaries and impactful roles in addressing societal needs.
- Social work employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations, to 811,800 social work jobs.
- About 67,300 openings in social work positions are projected each year, on average, over the decade (2023-2033).
- Social workers held about 751,900 jobs in 2023.
Projected employment of social workers varies by occupation, but all positions are growing.
- Child, family, and school social workers are expected to grow 5%
- Healthcare social workers are projected to grow 10%
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers are anticipated to grow 10%
- All other social workers are expected to grow 7%
Online MSW Program Themes
Professional and Ethical Development
Build your professional identity and capabilities to practice ethical, conscious, and informed clinical social work practice.
Clinical Social Work Competencies
Expand and integrate theoretical knowledge and skills through which social work assessment and intervention may be carried out.
Integrating Theory and Evidence-Based Practice
Apply skills through experiential learning, along with discussion and assignments that support the integration of theory as well as professional ethics and values.
Social Policy, Diversity, and Human Rights
Explore the framework of social welfare policy in the United States to become an informed advocate for human rights.
Learn from Practicing Clinical Social Workers in an Online MSW Program
Associate Professor of Social Work
MSW Program Director
Dr. Julie Burns has been a professional Social Worker for 30 years. Her work as direct care staff, educator, trainer, counselor, program developer, and administrator has provided a solid foundation for linking theory to practice. She has always believed that education can change the world and is deeply honored to teach the next generation of Social Workers.
Professor of Social Work
Dr. Jason McKinney has a research interest is in the developing self across the life span, and most recently within caregiver-child interactions. He places a strong emphasis on the need for research in social welfare and enjoys providing students with opportunities for meaningful research.
Professor of Social Work
Dr. Vikki O'Connor teaches clinical practice courses with a focus on mental health wellness and care. She has an MSW and Ph.D. from Syracuse University.