School of Social Work

Turn your passion for helping others into your career. At Adelphi University’s School of Social Work, we live our mission of social justice.

Adelphi’s School of Social Work is:

a top-ranked school offering undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees with an outstanding education that is both affordable and accessible.
a highly diverse community of students and faculty members who value social justice, equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging in everything we do.
a school dedicated to helping you afford your education. We offer scholarships of up to $20,000 to help save on tuition.
a dedicated partner to many local organizations across the state of New York.
a school with a distinguished 70-year history, located in five convenient locations around New York—Garden City, Brooklyn, Poughkeepsie and Middletown in the Hudson Valley, and Hauppauge in Suffolk County.

Top-Rated Programs

BSW and Minors

Choose an undergraduate major or minor in social work, and find unique benefits at Adelphi: small classes, hands-on learning in real-world community settings, valuable internship experiences in the New York area. Plus, you can save on tuition with a generous scholarship as high as $18,000 annually.

BSW & Minors

ANSWER BSW Program

Prefer to go to school in the evenings? Adelphi’s convenient ANSWER BSW program may work best for you. Students in our ANSWER program work during the day, and many are earning their BSW to change careers. You may be eligible for 10 work/life credits. You will learn in small classes taught by our world-class faculty.

ANSWER Program (BSW)

Master of Social Work

With five locations in New York state and options for full or part time, online or in person, this program gives you exceptional flexibility. Cost is a top priority, with scholarship awards as high as $20,000 a year. Concentrations in mental health, substance abuse, trauma and other critical areas are offered.

MSW Program

PhD in Social Work

Become a social work leader by earning your doctorate with our highly regarded program. You will be prepared to serve in social service organizations, teach in colleges or engage in social research. You will save on tuition with substantial new doctoral social work scholarships of up to $16,600.

Doctorate in Social Work

Become a social work leader-practitioner in just three years—without putting your career on hold with our flexible Doctorate in Social Work (DSW).

DSW Program

Postgraduate Certificate

Earn a Postgraduate Bilingual School Social Work certificate and help bilingual students and their families overcome language and culture barriers. You will earn New York state certification in bilingual school social work, giving you an affordable and accessible pathway to career advancement.

Advanced Study

Adelphi student holding a bullhorn stands in front of a crowd

The School-Wide Social Action Initiative

Each spring, our Social Action Initiative helps prepare undergraduate and graduate students for their role as advocates for social change, engaging them in projects like Being Anti-Racist, Racism and Criminal Justice, and #StopAsianHate. Social action is integral to social work education.

Our Social Impact Social Action Initiative

Jessica Karim sitting on a bench at Adelphi University's Garden City campus.

Jessica Karim has demonstrated academic excellence and active pursuit of the values, knowledge and skills of the social work profession

A Dynamic, Diverse Community

Resilient. Persistent. Committed. That description can apply to any Adelphi student in our social work program, but especially to Jessica Karim, who was named the 2021 BSW Student of the Year by the New York state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Jessica, who describes herself as a physically disabled woman of color, is a fierce advocate for others with disabilities. She continued on to earn her MSW at Adelphi.

Jessica Karim: BSW Student of the Year BSW/MSW Practicum Learning

Counseling with a minor child in a clinical setting

Awarded for Innovation in Social Work

To better serve at-risk children and young adults in underserved communities, Adelphi spearheaded a collaborative project to train social work and nursing graduate students in the interdisciplinary area of behavioral healthcare. They received a $1.92 million federal grant to implement this life-changing social work initiative.

IDEATE Fellowship in Behavioral Healthcare Adelphi Awarded $1.92 Million Grant Transforming Healthcare

Student Success Stories

Gavin Walters, MSW ’20

Gavin Walters joined the US Air Force but was medically discharged. It took the Veterans Administration 10 years to award him benefits, which inspired him to found Veterans Bridging Communities to help fellow veterans. Helping Other Veterans

Sarah Delannoy

Master of Social Work student Sarah Delannoy is taking her concerns to a global stage. She will join youth representatives for the United Nations who are giving voice to the issues of concern to the planet’s rising generation. A Citizen of the World

Myrdline Louis

Myrdline Louis, a survivor of domestic violence and a single mother, is an exceptional student working toward her MSW. The Women's Forum of New York recognized her for her success in the face of adversity and her dedication to serving her community while raising her son. Pay It Forward

Stephanie Paterno, MA ’16

Graduate social work students like Stephanie Paterno work directly with adults diagnosed with severe mental illnesses in the New York State Office of Mental Health program—a unique bridge between two disciplines. NYS-OMH Partnership

Stay Current, Stay Licensed

Are you looking to stay ahead of the curve in mental health practices and tackle social issues impacting your clients and agency? Join our School of Social Work as we explore cutting-edge techniques and strategies that will empower you to make a real difference in the lives of those you serve.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Upcoming Events

All Social Work Events

Alumni and Friends , Career and Professional Development , Clubs, Organizations and Activities

IDEATE Partnerships Expo

February 24

Nexus Building Room 239

Graduate Student Admissions

Hudson Valley Master of Social Work Information Session

February 25

19 Baker Avenue, Suite 400, Poughkeepsie, NY

Continuing Education

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

February 26

Virtual

All Social Work Events

Social Work News

View All Social Work News

Help with Tuition

Getting a degree from our top-ranked programs does not mean having to pay top dollar. With scholarships of up to $20,000, substantial fellowship stipends and generous transfer credit policies, we ensure that our programs are within reach of all students.

Fellowships and Scholarships

Awards & Recognition

Top 25% of universities for social mobility * U.S. News & World Report 2025 Rankings Best Performer for Social Mobility

Council on Social Work Education

Adelphi’s baccalaureate and master’s social work programs have earned accreditation from the prestigious Council on Social Work Education since 1951, reflecting the institution’s steadfast pursuit of excellence and adherence to rigorous educational benchmarks. CSWE Accredited

U.S. News & World Report

Adelphi University has been named a Best College among National Universities for seven consecutive years. Adelphi remains the top-ranked private university on Long Island. A Best College

Colleges of Distinction: Military Support

Adelphi is named as a stand-out institution dedicated to helping veterans overcome their obstacles and achieve success. Top-Ranked for Military

Colleges of Distinction: Equity & Inclusion

Adelphi has been honored for initiatives to become an increasingly welcoming, inclusive community for students and faculty. Top Ranked in Equity & Inclusion

Colleges of Distinction: Career Development

Adelphi University has been recognized as a Career Development college for the exceptional way in which our institution is equipping students with the skills to succeed in their lifelong career journey. Expert Career Guidance

Niche

Niche.com ranked Adelphi University in the Top 9% of Best Value Colleges in America, Top 12% of Best Colleges for Nursing in America, and Top 10% of Best College Locations in America. Ranked a Top College