Mental illness is a major concern throughout the United States, and New Jersey is no exception, which is why social work degrees in New Jersey are becoming increasingly more important.
In 2011, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) reported that almost 15 percent of New Jersey residents suffered from mental illness, and over three percent of those were suffering from serious mental illness. Although this is lower than the national average, any mental illness is cause for concern in light of recent tragedies, such as the Sandy Hook and Isla Vista incidents.
In addition to mental illness, social workers also deal with drug and alcohol dependency and family situations, including child welfare. A report released in October 2013 showed that over eight percent of children returned to their homes from foster care were abused again within a year, an increase from six percent the year before. In addition, social workers within the agency claim they are overloaded and that only 56 percent were able to hold required family team meetings within 30 days of removing a child from the home. This indicates a need for additional staff with social work degrees in New Jersey who are qualified to identify continuing issues in a home before returning a child to their parents.
The following are all of the social work degree programs in the state of New Jersey that currently hold CSWE accreditation.
Featured Online Social Work Programs
Centenary College
Centenary College was founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church as a coeducational preparatory school. In 1910, the school became a girl's preparatory school and, in 1940, became a junior college for women. The school remained a junior college until 1976, when it became a four-year college for women. In 1988, men were admitted to the school, and, in 1995, the school began awarding master's degrees. It was the first college within New Jersey to require community service as a condition of graduation.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
The Social Work program at Centenary is a small program, so students are able to work closely with faculty members who are experienced social workers themselves. Students are provided the opportunity to interact with professionals in the field and provided internships that allow them to get hands-on experience. Seniors spend 420 hours in a structured field placement setting, working closely with a Field Instructor at the agency where they are assigned. Students are prepared for generalist social work positions with a focus on the dignity and worth of each person. The program stresses the importance of human relationships, human rights, social justice, integrity and scientific inquiry. Students must declare their major as a Social Work Candidate and may apply to the program during the spring semester of their sophomore year.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Admissions Department
Centenary College
400 Jefferson Road
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Telephone: 908-852-1400
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Georgian Court University
Georgian Court University is located in Lakewood, an area that was known as the winter playground of New York City and Philadelphia elite in the late 1800s. The university is located on the George Jay Gould estate, which was established in 1896 by the son of railroad magnate, Jay Gould. After George Gould's death in 1908, the estate was sold to the Sisters of Mercy, who used the lands and buildings as a women's college until it became coeducational in 2013. It is a comprehensive liberal arts university, located only 60 miles from New York and Philadelphia and ten miles from the New Jersey Shore. The estate, including the indoor swimming pool, court tennis court and bowling alley that existed when it was the summer home of the Gould's, has been restored and maintained, along with the Japanese, Formal and Italian gardens. Today, the school has an enrollment of over 2,300 students, 87 percent of which are female.
School of Arts and Sciences
The School of Arts and Sciences at Georgian Court provides students with a liberal arts and sciences education designed for their success in their professions. The school focuses on humanities, visual and performing arts, natural sciences, social sciences and mathematics. The school offers discipline-specific and interdisciplinary programs that serve the student, the campus and the community.
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
The Social Work program at Georgian Court develops skills in students that lead to social justice for the disadvantaged by building on a strong liberal arts base. Students are prepared for entry-level positions with a generalist focus for work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Students must complete two major field experiences that provide 525 hours of hands-on learning experience. The Junior Field Education requirement is a 125-hour macro experience over one semester while the Senior Field Education requirement is a 400-hour experience over two semesters. Students may also include a minor in Gerontology.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Department of Social Work, Gerontology
Georgian Court University
900 Lakewood Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Telephone: 723-987-2366
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Kean University
Kean University was founded in 1855 as the Newark Normal School, dedicated to educating teachers. The university is situated on an estate that was created in 1760 by Revolutionary War patriot, William Livingston as his country residence. In 1798, the estate was sold to George Belasise, Lord Bolingbroke, who established boxwood gardens that still stand today. In 1811, the estate was purchased by Peter Kean, for his mother as women were not eligible to own property during that era. Mr. Kean's mother was the niece of William Livingston. The estate remained in the Kean family until it was purchased by the university in 1958. In 1937, the school became the New Jersey Teachers College and Newark State College in 1959, a year after moving to the Kean estate. In 1973, in honor of the Kean family, the school was renamed Kean College of New Jersey. Today, there are almost 16,000 students enrolled at Kean University, which offers 48 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs.
Nathan Weiss Graduate College
The Nathan Weiss Graduate College is named for a former president of the college and supports the goals of the university through graduate education and research. The school aims to be a place of distinction that establishes a strong reputation for Kean University as an outstanding educator of leaders in multiple industries. Through classroom instruction, research projects and community service, students develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their chosen profession.
Social Work
The Master of Social Work program at the Weiss School at Kean University prepares students as advanced generalist social workers with the skills to problem solve issues facing individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. Students develop knowledge in the principles of multi-culturalism, as well as social and economic justice. Field education is a critical part of the program so that students develop the practical skills necessary to work in the profession. Students must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must provide official transcripts from all institutions attended and must answer the MSW Supplemental Questions found with the application. Students must provide a professional resume, three letters of recommendation and complete a personal statement.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Mr. Steven Koch
Graduate Admissions Counselor
Nathan Weiss Graduate College
Kean University of New Jersey
1000 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
Telephone: 908-737-5924
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Monmouth University
Monmouth University was founded in 1933 to provide higher education to high school students in the area who could not afford to go away to college during the Depression. It was a two-year college, only holding classes in the evening as Monmouth Junior College. In 1956, the school was accredited to offer four-year programs and the school became Monmouth College. The same year, the college acquired what is now known as Woodrow Wilson Hall, a mansion that was the private residence of Hubert Templeton Parson, president of the F.W. Woolworth Company. In 1960, the college obtained the Guggenheim Cottage, which was the summer home of Murry and Leonie Guggenheim, and the cottage now houses the university library. In 1995, the school gained university status, becoming Monmouth University. U.S. News and World Report ranks Monmouth in the top 50 regional universities and the Princeton Review featured the university in the Best 378 Colleges in 2014.
School of Social Work
The School of Social Work at Monmouth focuses on social justice and advancing the rights of all humans. It is ranked as one of the top social work programs in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report. Students develop hands-on experience in areas of study that include:
- School social work
- Mental health
- Substance abuse
- Child welfare
- Gerontology
- Community organization
- Grant and policy writing
Bachelor of Social Work
The Social Work program at Monmouth is designed to prepare students for careers in the social work profession with an understanding of diversity in society. The curriculum is a generalist social work program that prepares students for entry-level positions. Students are:
- Introduced to other students and community leaders in the surrounding community;
- Introduced to relevant social work and social welfare issues; and
- Prepared for graduate social work education.
The program incorporates content in five categories of social work:
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- Social Welfare Policy and Services
- Research
- Social Work Practice and Techniques
- Field Placement
Students must also complete Field Practicums with 30 volunteer hours in their Sophomore year, 100 internship hours in their Junior Year and 448 internship hours in their Senior Year.
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work program at Monmouth is committed to preparing graduates for professional practice in order to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals, families, groups and communities at all levels. Students gain the skills necessary to articulate and implement strategies using human rights, social and economic justice as well as empowerment to address issues facing individuals, families or groups. Students develop an understanding of human experiences and the skills to evaluate and analyze situations in order to address the needs of all members of a community.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Monmouth University
400 Cedar Avenue
West Long Branch, NJ 07764-1898
Telephone: 732-571-3400
Program Website
Ramapo College
Ramapo College stands on ground that was home to Native Americans when settlers came to the area. In 1700, Blandina Bayard, a widow and the first Euro-American settler in the area, established a trading post near the Ramapo river, which was soon surrounded by pioneer farms owned by Dutch and French settlers. One of them, Theodore Havemeyer, bought a home on the north side of Ramapo Valley Road and developed a model farm and estate. One of his daughters, Lillie, married the overseer of the estate, John Mayer, and the Havemeyer's built a red brick Queen Anne style mansion for the newlyweds. In 1900, Lillie died of an accidental gunshot wound, and the other children of the now deceased Havemeyer sold the estate to Stephen Birch, a former tutor of the children. When he died in 1940, the property was inherited by Stephen Jr., who died in a fall in 1970. The founders of Ramapo College were seeking a location for their campus and they purchased the buildings on the property and 300 acres of land. Today, Ramapo is a liberal arts college providing a strong foundation in academics.
School of Social Science and Human Services
The School of Social Science and Human Services enrolls over 1,600 students and is one of the largest schools on campus. The school provides student with the tools necessary to continue their professional development in the public and private sector. Faculty at the school have published over 20 books and numerous articles in journals. Social work students applying for graduate school achieve advanced standing 86 percent of the time.
Social Work Major
The Social Work program at Ramapo prepares students for entry-level positions in the profession with knowledge regarding a culturally diverse society and an increasingly global environment. The program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree and prepares students for graduate social work studies as well. Students develop an understanding of:
- Social issues
- Cultural diversity
- Environmental sustainability
- Social thought
- Social welfare history
- Social services and human need
- Social work values and ethics
- Human behavior and the social environment
- Social, economic and environmental justice
- Populations at-risk
- Social policy
- Research methods
- Generalist social work practice skills
Supervised field work is an important component of the curriculum, and over a two-year period, students work 600 hours in field placements designed to provide hands-on experience that integrate classroom learning with real practice. Students may declare their interest in social work when they enter the college, but are not officially social work majors until the beginning of their junior year. In order to be accepted into the program, students must complete:
- Social Issues
- Introduction to Sociology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Biology
- Political Economy of Social Welfare or Introduction to Macroeconomics
- Sociology of the Family
- History and Philosphy of Social Welfare
- Introduction to Social Work
The last two courses must have a combined "B" average and the Introduction to Social Work requires 80 hours of pre-professional field work. Students must have completed 60 academic credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Office of Admissions
McBride House
505 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430
Telephone: 201-684-7300
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
In November 1968, the New Jersey legislature earmarked $15 million to build a state college in southern New Jersey, and in 1969, a 1,600-acre tract of land in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, was chosen for the site of the new college. Originally, the school was to be called South Jersey State College, but some of the Trustees were afraid the name would be confused with Rutgers' College of South Jersey. Instead, they chose to name the school in honor of New Jersey's signer of the Declaration of Independence, Richard Stockton. When it became clear that the buildings would not be ready for classes to begin in 1971, the Mayflower Hotel in Atlantic City was chosen for temporary classroom space. Classes began on the official campus in 1972. Today, there are 8,458 students enrolled at Stockton, and 96 percent of the faculty hold the highest degrees in their field.
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Stockton is the largest school at the college, comprising over 26 percent of undergraduate majors. The school focuses on all aspects of human behavior and relationships as individuals, in society and as a culture. Students engage with faculty in research and are mentored through off-campus internship experiences.
Baccalaureate Social Work (BSW) Program
The undergraduate social work program at Stockton empowers students to help others enhance their well-being and promote social change. The program is based on values and ethics found throughout the social work profession, with a focus on meeting human needs, especially those that are vulnerable or oppressed. Students may apply to the social work program once they have successfully completed the introductory courses required. Students must also discuss their intent to study social work with a social work program preceptor.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Program
The Master of Social Work at Stockton prepares students for advanced-level practice, and students may choose between the two-year program and the advanced standing program. The two-year program is open to all students with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, while advanced standing is for students who have earned a bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited program. The two-year program builds a strong foundation of generalist social work understanding with students gaining an understanding of ecosystems and strengths perspective, as well as empowerment theory. In the advanced program, students complete the second year of the two-year program.
Accreditation
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Council on Social Work
Contact
Admissions Office
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
101 Vera King Farris Drive
Galloway, NJ 08205
Telephone: 609-652-1776
BSW
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Rutgers is the only land-grant, colonial and leading public research facility in the United States. It is the eighth oldest institute of higher learning in the country. The college was founded in 1766 as the all-male Queen's College in New Brunswick, and was renamed Rutgers College in 1825 in honor of Revolutionary War hero and college trustee, Colonel Henry Rutgers. Women were admitted in 1918 when the New Jersey College for Women was founded. In 1946, the school became The State University of New Jersey. Today, there are more than 65,000 students enrolled at Rutgers and it is one of the most comprehensive research universities in the nation.
School of Social Work
The School of Social Work at Rutgers offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees and classes are held on three of Rutgers' campuses. The school has a distinguished reputation for instruction, research and public service. The school is affiliated with more than 800 social service agencies in the area, providing students with networking and internship opportunities to enhance their education.
B.A. in Social Work
The Bachelor of Arts Social Work degree at Rutgers prepares students for beginning-level generalist social work practice. Students learn the skills necessary to work with special populations, including the poor, oppressed or other at-risk group. Students acquire the knowledge base and professional ethics to work with individuals, families, groups and organizations, while also preparing students for graduate level work. The program is offered at the Camden, Newark and New Brunswick campuses. Students are admitted to the program at the beginning of their junior year, and must have a 3.0 grade point average to enter the program.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The Master of Social Work at Rutgers is the school's largest program and prepares students for careers in both the public and private sector of social welfare. Students are prepared for administrative leadership roles in social welfare departments and agencies, as well as the voluntary sector. The program is offered at the Camden, Newark and New Brunswick campuses. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and an introductory statistics course is required.
Masters in Social Work Online
In addition to the on-campus Bachelor's and Master's in Social Work Programs at Rutgers, the school also offers a graduate level program that can be earned 100% online from anywhere in the nation with an internet connection. The part-time 3-year Masters in Social Work Program prepares graduates for rewarding work with communities, families, and social justice agencies. Applicants are required to possess a Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and provide 3 letters of recommendation as well as a personal statement. Online Masters in Social Work students can complete an internship anywhere in the U.S.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
BASW
Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey
57 US Highway 1
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554
Telephone: 732-445-INFO (4636)
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
MSW
The Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
56 College Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Telephone: 848-932-7711
Program Website
Online MSW
Program Website
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Newark Campus
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Newark Campus began in 1908 when the New Jersey Law School first opened. Four other educational institutions in Newark developed an alliance:
- Dana College
- Newark Institute of Arts & Sciences
- Seth Boyden School of Business
- Mercer Beasley School of Law
The schools merged in 1936, creating the University of Newark. In 1946, the school became Rutgers University in Newark when the state legislature voted to make the Newark campus part of Rutgers.
Newark College of Arts and Sciences
The Newark College of Arts and Sciences enrolls approximately 60 percent of the undergraduates at Rutgers-Newark. The program traces its history back to the establishment of Dana College in 1930. The school works in conjunction with University College in order to provide flexibility to non-traditional students so they may attend evening or weekend classes.
Department of Social Work
The Rutgers Newark program prepares students for generalist social work professions, providing them with the tools to work with a diverse client base that are often the most vulnerable members of society. Students develop:
- Passion and calling for the social work profession
- Understanding and need to adhere to social work ethics and values
- Respect for diversity and the ability to demonstrate cultural awareness
- Advocacy skills for social and economic justice
- Contribution to policy and research
- A desire for lifelong learning
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
57 US Highway 1
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554
Telephone: 732-445-INFO (4636)
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University was founded in 1856 as Seton Hall College by Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley who wanted to create a home for the "mind, the heart and the spirit." Originally, the school was known as the Catholic University of New Jersey, located in Madison, New Jersey. The school was renamed Seton Hall after Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, the earliest American-born saint and the aunt of Bishop Bayley. Diversity has existed almost from the beginning of the school, when more than 500 freshmen from 17 states and six foreign countries attended Seton Hall in the first 12 years of operation. The college expanded, even during setbacks during the depression and Civil war, and by 1937, the college became Seton Hall University. Today, there are 5,500 students enrolled in the more than 90 programs available at the university.
College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall provides learning, teaching and research environments that promote the Catholic mission of the college. Programs are based on a liberal course of study grounded in the Catholic tradition.
B.A., Major in Social Work
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Seton Hall prepares students for entry-level positions in the social work field and qualifies graduates for New Jersey state certification. Graduates of the program are eligible for licensing in generalist social work in the state, and are qualified to work in a wide range of employment settings. The curriculum is based on Seton Hall's liberal arts base and a professional foundation of ethics commonly found in the social work profession.
Accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council on Social Work Education
Contact
Office of Admissions
Seton Hall University
400 South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079
Telephone: 1-800-THE-HALL (843-4255)
Email: [email protected]
Program Website
With statistics showing that there are residents of New Jersey who still suffer from drug or alcohol addiction, as well as many who are dealing with mental illness, some serious, there is a growing need for social workers in the state. In addition, many caseworkers indicate that they have too heavy a caseload to do their job adequately, which is why many employers in the state are seeking those who have successfully obtained social work degrees in New Jersey.