Earn your M.S.W. with Fordham's Advanced Standing Program

The Graduate School of Social Service offers advanced standing M.S.W. program admission to students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) or completed the generalist phase of a CSWE-accredited M.S.W. program.

Through this accelerated pathway, students can earn their M.S.W. degree in as few as nine months as a full-time student and save over $30,000. Fordham GSS also offers a part-time advanced standing plan of study, which can be completed in two academic years and is designed for working students. 

Advanced Standing Coursework

Fordham advanced standing M.S.W. students are immediately exposed to our unique coursework structure for specialist year students. Students take one required course—Advanced Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis—and then choose seven “selectives” that align with their career interests. Fordham M.S.W students are also offered the opportunity to choose between four specialized domains to focus their coursework. The chosen domain should reflect the student’s career aspirations:

• Individuals and Families
• Organizations and Community
• Evaluation
• Policy Practice and Advocacy

Advanced Standing Field Education

Advanced standing MSW students must complete one field education internship (500 hours) alongside their academic coursework. Fordham’s partnerships with thousands of agencies nationwide allow students to find fieldwork that prepares them for any career they choose—whether it be in school social work, policy reform, or immigration advocacy. 

Your specialist year field placement has intentionality. You collaborate with our field team to find a placement that aligns with your career interests and focuses on a population you want to serve.