New Alliance Funds Tuition-Free Master of Social Work at SJNY
The alliance with the New York-based nonprofit allows SJNY to offer a fully funded MSW program through the New York State Department of Health’s Career Pathways Training Program (CPT). Through CPT, SJNY will offer eligible students the opportunity to earn an MSW in exchange for committing to three years of meaningful work in health care or mental health organizations serving uninsured or Medicaid-reliant communities.
Social workers are needed across the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of social workers is projected to grow seven percent from 2023 to 2033. New York state’s projections are even higher. The New York State Department of Labor says long-term occupational employment for counselors, social workers and other community and social service specialists is predicted to rise 23 percent between 2022 and 2032. Growth of mental health and substance abuse and healthcare social workers is projected at 27 and 25.3 percent, respectively, for that time span.
This new accord not only provides substantial financial relief for committed students, it also reinforces social responsibility and service — pillars that are part of SJNY’s value-oriented, mission-driven education. At the same time, it echoes the visionary and impactful lives of the University’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph.
SJNY’s MSW program, established in 2022 and accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in November 2024, prepares students to work in the field of professional social work as generalists and clinical practitioners with a commitment to social justice, diversity and individual and community empowerment.
“St. Joseph’s University, New York is proud to be a part of this transformative program that will help students meet their educational goals while ensuring that some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers receive extraordinary care from social workers trained at SJNY,” said Jo Anne Durovich, Ph.D., director of SJNY’s MSW program. “At St. Joseph’s, we remain committed to excellence, innovation and the highest standards of professional education, setting a foundation for transformative impact in the communities our graduates will serve.”