Online Masters of Social Work Students

Please note the University at Albany requirements in your admissions letter and start early to complete them. All health requirements must be completed before you can begin field instruction.

Visit Manage your Account for information on how to set up your Albany.edu email. It is the policy of the University at Albany that email is an official means of communication with students. This policy pertains to all students and stipulates that the University can convey relevant academic and administrative information to students using their UAlbany email address. 

Students are responsible for checking their email account regularly so as not to miss important, time-sensitive communications.

You will need to set up your Albany.edu email in order to receive your Advisement Verification Number (AVN). 

The University will provide the PIN and directions for using MyUAlbany. This notice will be sent to the email address listed on your graduate application. The email will be sent one to two weeks after you confirm your acceptance. If you do not receive this email, contact the Information Technology Services Help Desk at 518-442-3700.

Your Advisement Verification Number (AVN) is used to verify that you’ve received academic advisement about the courses to take for the upcoming semester and are moving toward completing the degree requirements in an academically feasible manner.

You must set up your UAlbany email account to receive your AVN. The AVN will be emailed to students who have accepted admission into the Online program after the Accepted Students Day on March 31st. The AVN will be emailed directly to your Albany.edu email address ONLY!

In future semesters, you will receive your AVN directly from your academic advisor.

Please log on to MyUAlbany and familiarize yourself with the system before you register. Review the steps for registration. If you have questions about MyUAlbany or your PIN, call the Information Technology Services Help Desk at 518-442-3700 for assistance. 

After the Accepted Students Day on March 31st, you will receive an email at your Albany.edu email address with your AVN. You will need both your PIN and AVN in order to register. Be sure to keep this information in a safe and easily accessible place.

Register for your courses

These are the two classes for Fall 2025.

• RSSW 604 (9391) Social Justice and Social Work with Dr. Sarah Mountz
• RSSW 610 (7991) Human Behavior and the Social Environment with Dr. Arlene Lev

You may, if you wish, register for an elective during the summer session. This is not required nor will it shorten your time in the program. It can, however, reduce the workload during year 3. Should you wish to register for a summer class, you must email the SSW admissions coordinator, [email protected], and will need an additional summer AVN from your academic advisor. 

If you have questions about your AVN or social work courses or have trouble with registration, please contact the School of Social Welfare Help Desk at 518-442-5320 or [email protected].

Your academic advisor will be Linda Mertz, the Online MSW Program Coordinator. You do not need to meet with an academic advisor in order to register for this first semester. In future semesters you will obtain your AVN from your advisor. If you have completed some coursework and need an adjusted schedule, you may request a meeting with the Online MSW Program Coordinator ([email protected]).

Deferring Admissions

You can defer your admission for one year. In order to do so, you must follow the instructions under the “Confirmation of Acceptance” link in your electronic acceptance letter. Please note that there is a fee to defer.

Deferral for one year is automatically granted. Applications can be deferred for up to one year of the original application admit term. You will need to submit a request via the Graduate Term Change Deposit link in your electronic acceptance letter. You will have to reapply to the program if you wish to defer for more than one year.

Changing Status

You are able to switch from the Online MSW program into the in-person full time or part time program. However, once changed to an in-person MSW program, access to online courses cannot be guaranteed. Additionally, the Field Office cannot then guarantee that a student will complete field practicums in the year desired. It is strongly recommended that students work closely with their Academic Advisor if contemplating a change in program.

Be advised that the School of Social Welfare defines full-time study as 12 credits. However, other agencies or institutions may define it differently. If you are required to be a full-time student for a specific reason (e.g. health insurance or student loans), be sure to check with the source setting this requirement (e.g. your health insurance company or bank, etc.).

All new Online MSW students are required to attend the orientation scheduled for Monday, August 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via zoom.

If you would like to visit the campus, please contact the School of Social Welfare Help Desk ([email protected] or 518-442-5320) to schedule a tour.

This course is an introduction to the analysis of social policies and programs, based upon frameworks of policy dimensions, values and knowledge.

Objectives include:  

• knowledge of selected social policies and programs in historical and contemporary context
• awareness of differential impact on at-risk oppressed populations
• understanding of political, economic, ideological context and role of social values in social policy formulation, modification, change, monitoring and evaluation
• ability to analyze critical policies and their implications for social work practice including issues of social and economic justice, discrimination and oppression

This is an introductory course that focuses on bio-psycho-social development and the nature and impact of oppression and discrimination as individuals and families transact with their environment through the life cycle.

Objectives include: 

• understanding and evaluating different theoretical perspectives and empirical knowledge about human development
• understanding interactions among human biological, social, psychological, economic, cultural and environmental systems
• understanding factors affecting development of women, people who belong to ethnic and racial minority groups, people who identify as non-heterosexual and non-cisgender, people with disabilities and other emerging and historically oppressed groups
• understanding age-related tasks associated with different life stages as affected by culture, economics, historical time and gender
• understanding the effect of oppression, discrimination, privilege and power

This is an introductory course that focuses on psychosocial dysfunction and multiple determinants of human behavior including biological, psychological, social and environmental factors.

Objectives include: 

• understanding and evaluating different theoretical perspectives and empirical knowledge about psychosocial dysfunction
• understanding interactions among human biological, social, psychological, economic, cultural and environmental systems regarding dysfunctional behavior
• understanding gender, cultural, and racial differences in expressing and ameliorating psychosocial dysfunction
• differentiate between functional and dysfunctional adaptive patterns and coping strategies
• using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• awareness of levels of interventions appropriate for various psychosocial dysfunction
• identifying areas appropriate for interdisciplinary collaboration
• understanding role of discrimination and oppression in relation to human development

Introduction to research methods in social work is a generalist course that focuses on a variety of methodological techniques with an emphasis on social welfare practice.  

Objectives include:  

• defining social work research problems
• developing and testing hypothesis
• the logic of causal inference, sampling, measurement including reliability and validity
• basic skills in data analysis and research utilization
• ethical considerations
• evaluating quality and relevance of research studies for practice and policy
• understanding the complex relationship between human diversity and the research process
  In addition this course will cover the basic concepts and principles of qualitative methods.

Fall 1

• RSSW 604 – Social Justice and Social Work (3 credits)
• RSSW 610 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3 credits)

Spring 1

• RSSW 600 – Social Welfare Policy Practice (3 credits)
• RSSW 611 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3 credits)

Summer 1

• RSSW 605 – Integrated Theory and Practice (ITP) I: Foundations (3 credits)  
• RSSW 660 – Integrated Theory and Practice (ITP) IV: Research and Evaluation (3 credits)

Fall 2

• RSSW 550 – Learning Community I (1 credit)  
• RSSW 606 – Integrated Theory and Practice (ITP) II: Engagement and Assessment (3 credit)
• RSSW 650 – Field Instruction I (2 credit)

Spring 2

• RSSW 551 – Learning Community II (1 credit)
• RSSW 607 – Integrated Theory and Practice (ITP) III: Action and Accompaniment (3 credits)
• RSSW 651 – Field Instruction II (2 credits)

Summer 2

• RSSW 7xx – Advanced Practice Area 1- Advanced Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups (3 credits)
• RSSW 7xx – Advanced Practice Area 1- Advanced Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups (3 credits)

Fall 3

• RSSW 752 – Field Instruction III (3 credits)
• RSSW xxx  – Advanced Practice Area 3 - Advanced Research (3 credits)
• Graduate Level Elective (3 credits) - May be taken in a different semester or in Summer before beginning online MSW program if preferred.

Spring 3

• RSSW 753 – Field Instruction IV (3 credits)
• RSSW 7xx – Advanced Practice Area 2 - Advanced Practice with Communities, Organizations and Systems (3 credits)
• Graduate Level Elective (3 credits) - May be taken in a different semester or in Summer before beginning online MSW program if preferred.

Summer 3

• RSSW 7xx – Advanced Practice Area 1- Advanced Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups (3 credits)
• RSSW 7xx – Advanced Practice Area 1- Advanced Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups (3 credits)