Looking to start or advance your career as a social worker in The Garden State? Then these rankings of the best MSW programs in New Jersey is the perfect place to start!
With about ten different Master In Social Work degree programs in NJ, this state doesn’t boast quite as many options as some of the other states we’ve looked at. However, choosing the right one can still feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure how to start your search.
So, to help you narrow down your options, we collected data on and ranked every available program in the state.
Then, we researched all the key information you need to know about the top MSW programs in New Jersey. This includes exam pass rates, degree pathways, admission requirements, tuition, and more.
So, read on to discover if one of these programs may be the right fit for you.
Table of Contents
- What Is The Best MSW Program In New Jersey?
- 5 Best MSW Programs In New Jersey Ranked
- Is An MSW Program In New Jersey Right For You?
- New Jersey MSW Programs FAQs
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What Is The Best MSW Program In New Jersey?
Ramapo College is the best MSW program in New Jersey based on our ranking criteria. Of the 112 graduates who took the ASWB Master’ Exam in 2022, 64 of them passed, giving this school a 57.1% pass rate.
Meanwhile, the school attained an impressive 76.1% pass rate on the Clinical Exam. 16 out of 21 graduates who took the test passed.
However, just because Ramapo came first in our rankings doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best fit for you. For example, while Ramapo boasts a high exam pass rate and offers several study abroad opportunities, Montclair State University’s curriculum specializes in child and family social work.
Ultimately, choosing the right MSW program depends on your own personal preferences and goals. So, to learn about your options and what makes each school stand out, keep reading.
5 Best MSW Programs In New Jersey Ranked
To rank the best MSW programs in New Jersey, we used official exam pass rate data from the Association of Social Work Boards. This way we were able to rank each school using an objective metric.
Since you’ll need to pass the Master’s Exam in order to become a Licensed Master of Social Work, these pass rates are a good measure of how well each school prepares you for social work practice.
The table below ranks every MSW program from the highest ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate to the lowest. To learn more about the top MSW programs in New Jersey, keep reading after the table.
| School | Masters Exam Pass Rate | Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| 1. Ramapo College | 57.1% | 76.2% |
| 2. Rutgers University (Camden) | 56.8% | 56.7% |
| 3. Rutgers University (New Brunswick) | 54.8% | 63.0% |
| 4. Montclair State University | 53.2% | 100.0% |
| 5. Stockton University | 46.6% | 38.1% |
| 6. Monmouth University | 45.1% | 50 |
| 7. Rutgers University (Newark) | 42.4% | 44.3% |
| 8. Kean University | 29.6% | 50.0% |
| 9. Seton Hall University | 27.6% | 57.1% |
1. Ramapo College
Ramapo College offers three different pathways to earn your MSW degree, including:
- Full-Time Advanced Standing: One-year (two-semester) track requiring the completion of 32 credits and 600 field hours
- Full-Time Traditional Standing: Two-year (four-semester) track requiring the completion of 64 credits and 1,200 field hours
- Part-Time Traditional Standing: Three-year (six-semester) track requiring the completion of 64 credits and 1,200 field hours
All of the tracks listed above are delivered in a hybrid format, require the completion of 21 field hours per week, and begin in the Fall semester.
Additionally, classes take place for two hours two nights a week for full-time students, or one night per week for part-time students, in addition to 30 minutes of online coursework per week.
Uniquely, this program also offers study abroad opportunities during Spring Break and the first week of May, such as:
- Cuba: A Community Model For Social Work
- Ghana: Social Work in West Africa
- Portugal: Addressing Substance Abuse Disorders
- Netherlands: Immigrant and Refugee Trauma and Social Justice
Finally, to gain entry into the MSW program at Ramapo College, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last five years
- Advanced Standing students must submit their BSW fieldwork evaluation
- Two survey recommendations; references will fill out surveys as opposed to submitting letters of recommendation
- Submission of resume and three- to five- page personal narrative
- Interview with program director may be required
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $851.82 per credit | N/A (tuition is the same as in-state) | 57.1% | 76.2% |
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2. Rutgers University (Camden Campus)
Number two in our rankings of the best MSW programs in New Jersey is Rutgers
University at Camden. Graduates from this school attained a 56.8% pass rate on the ASWB Master’s Exam, with 42 out of 74 passing.
Meanwhile, 17 out of 30 graduates passed the Clinical Exam, the equivalent of a 56.7% pass rate.
Rutgers University provides multiple format to earn your Master of Social Work degree, including:
- On-campus
- Blended online (three-year, part-time program for Traditional Standing students)
- 100% online
- Intensive weekends (designed especially for employed students)
While Traditional Standing students can opt for any of the options above, Advanced Standing students can choose any except the blended online option. Completion of the Traditional Standing track requires 60 credits, while Advanced Standing requires 39 credits.
Additionally, Advanced Standing students can choose to enroll on a full- or part-time basis. Full-time students complete the program in a year, while part-time students complete it in two years.
Meanwhile, full-time Traditional Standing students can complete the degree in two years, while part-time students require three years.
We should also note that you can choose from one of two areas of specialization: Clinical Social Work or Management and Policy. Additionally, there are multiple areas of emphasis you can pursue, such as:
- Social Policy
- Global Social Work
- Children, Youth, and Families
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Health
Like Ramapo College, this school also offers several study abroad opportunities, like:
- Romania (Summer)
- Mexico (Winter)
- Taiwan (Summer)
- Puerto Rico (Spring)
Finally, to gain entry into the MSW program at Rutgers University, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree
- Suggested minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in undergraduate coursework
- Completion of introductory statistics course
- Advanced Standing students must “demonstrate competency in all undergraduate social work courses”
- Three professional letters of recommendation
- Submission of resume and personal statement
- Advanced Standing students must submit BSW practicum learning evaluation
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $806 per credit (part-time); $9,672 per semester (full-time); $1,007 per credit (100% online) | $1,370 per credit (part-time); $16,440 per semester (full-time); $1,007 per credit (100% online; same as resident students) | 56.8% | 56.7% |
3. Rutgers University (New Brunswick Campus)
The third school in our rankings of the top MSW programs in New Jersey is Rutgers University at New Brunswick. 420 out of the 766 graduates taking the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022 passed, giving them a pass rate of 54.8%.
Meanwhile, the program boasts a 63.0% pass rate on the Clinical Exam. Of the 292 graduates who took the test, 184 of them passed.
As you may have noticed, Rutgers University also ranked second in our list of top MSW programs in New Jersey. However, the different campuses had different pass rates, so we included both in our rankings.
Since the Master of Social Work degree pathways are the same across the various campuses, we won’t provide the same information from the last section.
For now, we’ll just note that this school also has one more campus offering an MSW degree in Newark. However, that campus came seventh in our overall rankings, with a Master’s Exam pass rate of 42.4% and Clinical Exam pass rate of 44.3%.
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $806 per credit (part-time); $9,672 per semester (full-time); $1,007 per credit (100% online) | $1,370 per credit (part-time); $16,440 per semester (full-time); $1,007 per credit (100% online; same as resident students) | 54.8% | 63.0% |
4. Montclair State University
Number four in our rankings of the best MSW programs in New Jersey is Montclair State University with an ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate of 53.2%. Of the 46 graduates who took the test in 2022, 25 of them passed.
Meanwhile, this school boasts the highest Clinical pass rate in the state with an impressive 100%. While only one graduate took the test, they passed.
Montclair State University places a particular emphasis on serving the needs and strengths of vulnerable children, youth, and families. There are five different pathways through which you can earn your MSW degree, including:
- Two-Year, Full-Time Traditional Standing: Requires 60 total credits to complete, with 15 credits taken each semester for four semesters beginning in Fall. No summer semesters are required.
- Three-Year, Part-Time Traditional Standing: Requires 60 total credits to complete, with 9 credits taken each Fall and Spring semester. Elective courses are delivered in summer semesters for the first two years, for a total of eight semesters beginning in Fall
- Four-Year, Part-Time Traditional Standing: Requires 60 total credits to complete, with six to nine credits taken each semester for eight semesters beginning in Fall, with no summer semesters.
- One-Year, Full-Time Advanced Standing: Requires 33 total credits to complete, with 15 credits taken each semester, and beginning with one summer semester course
- Two-Year, Part-Time Advanced Standing: Requires 33 credits to complete, with 9 credits taken for three semesters, and six credits taken in the final semester with no summer courses required.
It’s also worth noting that the school offers both day and night cohorts. While the day cohort has three available time slots and meets two days per week, the night cohort has two available time slots and meets three times per week.
Finally, to gain admission into this MSW program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW degree in the last five years
- Preferred minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in undergraduate coursework; Advanced Standing students must also attain a grade of C- or better in all undergraduate social work courses
- Two letters of recommendation; Advanced Standing students should try to submit at least one from a BSW field advisor, field liaison, or faculty member
- Submission or resume and personal statement
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $37,210 total cost of degree (60-credit, Traditional Standing only; this equates to about $620 per credit); No tuition listed for Advanced Standing track, but the general graduate cost per credit is $840.93 | Not explicitly listed | 53.2% | 100.0% |
5. Stockton University
The fifth and final school in our rankings of the best MSW programs in New Jersey is Stockton University. Graduates from this school attained a 46.6% pass rate on the ASWB Master’ Exam in 2022, with 41 out of 88 passing.
Meanwhile, only 38.1% of graduates passed the Clinical Exam, with 8 out of 21 passing the test.
Stockton University’s MSW program has a specific focus on Practice in Working with Diverse Individuals, Families, and Communities. The school offers four different pathways to earn your MSW degree, including:
- Two-Year, Full-Time Generalist: Requires the completion of 60 total credits over four 15-credit semesters; requires no summer courses
- Three-Year, Part-Time Generalist: Requires the completion of 60 total credits over six nine-credit semesters, with one course in each of the first two summer semesters
- One-Year, Full-Time Advanced Standing: Requires the completion of 30 total credits over two 15-credit semesters; requires no summer courses
- Two-Year, Part-Time Advanced Standing: Requires the completion of 30 total credits over four six- to nine-credit semesters; requires no summer courses
We should also note that the Generalist track requires the completion of 400 practicum hours in your first year of study, and 500 in the second. Meanwhile, Advanced Practice students will need to complete just the second 500.
Additionally, by taking certain elective courses, you can earn an Elective Track in Leadership and Management or an Elective Track in Clinical Social Work.
Finally, to gain entry into the MSW program at Stockton University, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 24 undergraduate liberal arts credits
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in undergraduate coursework
- Proficiency in a language other than English is a strength
- Submission of resume, graduate application essay, and MSW program essays
- Three letters of recommendation; Advanced Standing students must submit at least one from a BSW practicum instructor or field advisor, or a supervisor at a social work agency where they’ve been employed
- Interviews and/or writing samples may be required
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $917 per credit | $1,289 per credit | 46.6% | 38.1% |
Is An MSW Program In New Jersey Right For You?
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While the overall ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate for graduates in New Jersey wasn’t the highest, there are still plenty of great programs to choose from.
While Ramapo College and Rutgers University offer exciting study abroad opportunities, schools like Stockton University place a special emphasis on social work practice with diverse individuals, families, and communities.
Of course, if you didn’t quite fall in love with any of the degree offerings from schools in this article, you’re not limited to New Jersey MSW programs.
In fact, you may want to look into online Master of Social Work degrees, which typically offer more flexibility and are less costly than traditional programs.
To explore MSW programs suited to your needs and preferences, fill out this form and we’ll help you get started!
New Jersey MSW Programs FAQs
How Much Is The Rutgers MSW Program?
The Rutgers University MSW program cost $9,672 per semester for full-time, in-state on-campus students. Meanwhile, the tuition for full-time, out-of-state, on-campus students is $16,440 per credit.
The tuition for part-time, in-state, on-campus students is $806 per credit, while for out-of-state students it is $1,370 per credit.
Finally, the tuition for the online MSW program at Rutgers University is $1,007 per credit for both in-state and out-of-state students.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Social Worker In New Jersey?
The amount of time it takes to become a social worker in New Jersey depends on your current level of education and experience.
For someone with no undergraduate degree, you can typically become a Master of Social Work in about five years. You’ll spend four years earning your BSW degree before entering a one-year Advanced Standing MSW program.
Meanwhile, for those with a non-social work Bachelor’s degree, you can usually become a Master of Social Work in two years of full-time study in an MSW program. Of course, if you opt to study part-time, an Advanced Standing program could take two years or longer, and a Generalist program could take up to four years.
