Academic Services

MSW Coursework, Syllabi & Curriculum At-A-Glance

Want more information on the classes you're taking and the order in which you should take them? Preview the topics covered in your classes by viewing our MSW Coursework and Syllabi, and use our Curriculum At-A-Glance to help plan out a semester-by-semester schedule of courses. Program-specific information can be found below:

• Traditional MSW
• Traditional MSW Advanced Standing
• 100% Online MSW
  • Online Curriculum | Spring [pdf]
  • Online Curriculum | Fall [pdf]
  • Online Curriculum | Summer [pdf]
  • Advanced Standing Curriculum | Fall [pdf]
• Blended Online
• Intensive Weekend MSW
• Intensive Weekend MSW Advanced Standing [pdf]

University Schedule of Classes

Planning your semester schedule? View course offerings by semester and location via University Schedule of Classes.*

*For Online and Intensive Weekend MSW students, please look for email communications from your advisor on your schedule of classes.  

Course Schedule Planner & Web Reg

Ready to schedule and register? Use Web Reg to register for your semester classes once available. Course Schedule Planner can also be used as an additional tool prior to registration to help visualize a schedule with specific course sections.

Registration Aid

View the Registration Aid for step-by-step instruction and troubleshooting support when registering for classes. 

For further assistance, please contact your academic advisor. 

Office of Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid is committed to assisting students and families in planning for and meeting expenses associated with attendance at the University. To apply for grants, loans, and employment, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available from most college and university financial aid offices and online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashier Services

Student Accounting, Billing, Cashier Services ensures the proper billing of your account and assists in term bill payment and refund services. 

Scholarships and Fellowships

The School of Social Work offers need-based scholarships and research assistantships to enrolled students using a competitive application process. All admitted students will be notified by email of the need-based scholarship and research assistantship application process and time frame. Research assistantships are hourly positions which average 6 hours a week at approximately $15/hr. Research Assistantships are available in a variety of areas at the School including research, Student Affairs, program support, and Admissions.

Merit-based scholarships are awarded at the time of admission to the School. All prospective students are considered with submission of a complete MSW application. Scholarship recipients demonstrate a competitive academic background, commitment to human service and leadership and the ability to significantly contribute to the School and the social work profession.

Degree Specializations, Certificates, Dual Degrees

Beyond offering our MSW program in multiple formats including full- and part-time on-campus, 100% online, blended online and in-person learning, and intensive weekend options, students also have the opportunity to further customize their studies to best suit their areas of interest and future career plans.

Download the MSW program chart to visualize and compare program options and understand what works best for you.

Specializations

A specialization focuses on advanced methods of social work practice by size and type of client system and are designed to develop greater depth in knowledge and skills building upon the generalist foundation required for all MSW students. Both specializations require two (2) advanced practice methods courses (six credits) and a minimum of six (6) credits of advanced practicum learning instruction.

Learn more about our clinical social work and management and policy specializations.

Certificates

Rutgers School of Social Work offers five embedded MSW certificate programs. Upon admission to the MSW program, new students are encouraged to contact the certificate program of their choice to begin the application process.

• Aging and Health
• Addiction Counselor Training (ACT)
• Certificate on Interpersonal Violence and Trauma (C-IVT)
• Promoting Child and Adolescent Well-Being 
• LISTA (Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment)

Designated Emphasis Programs

Designated Emphasis Programs are noted on student transcripts and requires students to select electives from emphasis-specific offerings and complete their practicum learning studies at an agency completing similar work. 

• Social Policy
• Global Social Work
• Children, Youth and Families
• Mental and Behavioral Health
• Health

Learn more about our designated emphasis programs.

Dual Degrees

In an effort to offer as many opportunities as possible, the SSW offers graduate dual degrees. To apply, students must be enrolled in the MSW on-campus program.

• Master of Social Work | Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MSW/MA in CJ)
• Master of Social Work | Master of Public Policy (MSW/MPP)
• Master of Social Work I Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH)
• Juris Doctor | Master of Social Work (JD/MSW)
• Combined MSW | PhD
• Master of Social Work | Master of Divinity (MSW/M.Div.)

Learning Support

Success in graduate school and within the larger profession of social work depends on strong writing skills. Several resources are available to help students strengthen their professional and academic writing skills. Writing assistance is available to all MSW students as described below.  

Writing Centers

• New Brunswick | All MSW SSW students (NB, Camden, Newark, IW, online and blended) are eligible to access writing assistance at the New Brunswick Learning Center and Graduate Writing Center. Online tutoring may also be available. Contact the learning center here and the writing center here.  
• Newark | The Newark learning and writing centers are available for MSW students on the Newark campus by appointment here. 
• Camden | The Camden learning center provides writing assistance for MSW students on the Camden campus. Learn more here.  

Social Work-Specific University Librarians

MSW students have access to social work-specific research librarians at the University to assist in pinpointing further reading, source material, and other research leads. 

New Brunswick | Julia Maxwell
Social Work Subject Specialist 
Alexander Library 169 College Avenue New Brunswick, N.J. 
848-932-6104 | juilia.maxwell@rutgers.edu

Newark | Natalie Borisovets 
Librarian, Head of Public Services 
John Cotton Dana Library 185 University Avenue Newark, N.J 
973-353-5909 | natalieb@libraries.rutgers.edu 

Camden | Katie Anderson 
Reference/Instruction Librarian 
Paul Robeson Library 300 North 4th Street Camden, N.J. 
856-225-2830 | katie.anderson@rutgers.edu

Additional Online Resources

APA Style 

• Purdue OWL 
• APA Style Guide 

General Writing

• Purdue OWL mechanics, grammar, and organization
• Email etiquette for students

Graduation & Diploma Applications

MSW students may graduate during the months of January, May, and August. Specific information, including diploma application details, will be sent directly from the SSW's Office of Student Affairs to eligible graduating students. For more information, students are encouraged to connect with their advisor. 

Ceremonies

There are many reasons and ways for our graduates to celebrate their achievements across all degree programs and campuses. Learn more about the School of Social Work's convocation ceremony.