The Social Work MSW program was updated effective Fall 2025. The new program requirements are reflected below. Students admitted Summer 2025 and prior will follow the prior degree requirements outlined on the Criminal Justice MA/Social Work MSW 2024 dual program page.
The dual master's program brings together the resources of the School of Criminal Justice and the School of Social Welfare. The School of Criminal Justice has established an international reputation based both on the scholarship of its faculty and on the contributions of its graduates in the field of criminal justice. The School of Social Welfare is a national leader in social work, both in its training in agency management and human service policy administration.
The dual master's program is directed at students who wish to combine expertise in criminal justice policy and research with the study of human services. The joint degree broadens the range of student perspectives and interests in each of the schools, and widens the educational program available within each unit.
The Dual Master's Degree Program in Criminal Justice (M.A.) and Social Work (M.S.W.) requires a minimum of 72 graduate credits.
Students may be admitted to the dual master's program at the beginning of their graduate studies, but not later than completion of 20 graduate credits applicable to the dual master's program. Work completed for a previously awarded master's or doctoral degree may NOT be used for this program.
Program of Study (72 graduate credits minimum)
To complete requirements for the MA/MSW , students must complete 72 credits through required coursework and electives:
Social Work courses (48 credits):
- Ssw 550 Learning Community I (1)
- Ssw 551 Learning Community II (1)
- Ssw 600 Social Welfare Policy Practice (3 credits)
- Ssw 604 Social Justice and Social Work (3)
- Ssw 605 ITP I: Foundations (3)
- Ssw 606 Integrated Theory and Practice II: Engagement and Assessment (3)
- Ssw 607 Integrated Theory and Practice III: Action and Accompaniment (3)
- Ssw 610 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3 credits)
- Ssw 611 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3 credits)
- Ssw 650 Field Instruction I (2 credits)
- Ssw 651 Field Instruction II (2 credits)
- Ssw 752 Field Instruction III (3 credits)
- Ssw 753 Field Instruction IV (3 credits)
- SSW 7xx Advanced Practice Area 1(Individual/family/group; 12 credits)
- SSW xxx Advanced Practice Area 2 (Community/organizations/systems; 3 credits)
Criminal Justice courses (24 credits):
- CRJ 504 Applied Statistics 1 (3 credits)
- CRJ 505 MA Research Design (3 credits)
- CRJ 507 Theories of Crime (3 credits)
- CRJ 540 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice (3 credits)
- CRJ xxx Electives (9 credits) of which can include one of the four available 9 credit concentration tracks (Information Technology (currently unavailable); Crime Causation, Prevention, and Intervention; Justice Systems; Problem Solving Analysis).
- CRJ 799 Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.
Federal Licensure/Certification Disclosure
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.
The Social Work MSW program at the University at Albany is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Social Work MSW program at the University at Albany meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the additional following U.S. States: none.
It is important to note that the University at Albany is not the licensure/certification authority in other U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in other U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.