By: SocialWorkGuide.org Staff
Last Updated: April 2020
Pursuing an online social work degree at any level can qualify you to take on meaningful administrative and service roles that can change the trajectory of your clients' lives. Whether addressing relational problems, substance abuse, mental health issues, or life transitions, social workers fill vital roles in helping people handle life's challenges.
Additionally, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that roles for these professionals will increase by 11% between 2018 and 2028. Keep reading to learn about employment opportunities, licensure requirements, and social work degree paths.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Online Social Work Degree Programs in New Jersey
| University | Degree Program |
|---|---|
| Thomas Edison State University - NJ | Associate's in Social Work (ASW) |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick - NJ | Master's in Social Work (MSW) |
Employment Outlook for Social Workers in New Jersey
| Social Work Career | Job Growth (2018-28) | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 11% | $79,130 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | 4.1% | $64,570 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 4.4% | $67,700 |
| Social Workers, All Other | 4% | $68,630 |
| Bachelor of Social Work | $49,000 |
|---|---|
| Master of Social Work | $52,000 |
| Doctor of Social Work | $68,000 |
Social Work Licensure in New Jersey
Three licensure paths exist for social workers in New Jersey: certified social worker (CSW), licensed social worker (LSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Graduates of bachelor's programs can apply to the CSW, while a master's degree or above is required for the LSW and LCSW. Eligibility requirements vary by type of license, but general mandates set by the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners include:
- Completed application
- Criminal history background check
- Official transcripts from a CSWE-accredited institution demonstrating completion of specific courses
- Evidence of a passing score on the ASWB examination
- Completion of supervised experience hours
- Payment of application fees
For more social work licensing information in your state, visit New Jersey's social work guide.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Should You Earn an Online Social Work Degree in New Jersey?
Pursuing an online social work degree in New Jersey makes sense for many reasons. If you decide to attend a public institution, you can look forward to paying in-state tuition that can help you save thousands of dollars. Some schools also allow all distance learners, regardless of location, to pay in-state tuition. Check with an admissions counselor to see how the school in question handles online rates.
Whether pursuing an associate or a doctoral social work degree, students learn skills to support clients. Curricula build an awareness of diverse clientele, provide tools for handling common problems encountered throughout the lifespan, and promote empathy when listening to others' problems or concerns.
Once you graduate, leverage your alumni network for connections to organizations seeking social workers.
Schools can connect you with experienced social workers during networking events and guest lectures, either in-person or through virtual platforms. When it comes time to graduate, the career services department can help with resume creation, interview preparation, professionalism, internship placement support, and access to job boards. Once you graduate, leverage your alumni network for connections to organizations seeking social workers.
Online social work degrees are not for everyone. The most successful students possess the discipline and focus needed to work independently and the time restraints to appreciate being able to learn without visiting campus.
Online Associate's in Social Work (ASW) Programs in New Jersey
Thomas Edison State University -- Associate Degree in Human Services
Founded in 1972 as a public institution, Thomas Edison State University strives to serve the educational needs of working adults. From its Trenton, New Jersey, campus TESU offers more than 100 different undergraduate and graduate programs and certificates, including a completely online associate of arts degree in human services.
Students with at least six months or 800 hours of work experience in the field of human services can apply for this 60-credit program, offered through the Watson School of Public Service. The college requires documentation of work experience, which must be approved before admittance.
Prerequisites include six credits in English composition, six credits in social sciences, and 15 credits in other required courses. This program puts students on track to earn the school's 120-credit bachelor of science in human services.
Required courses in human services cover theory, intervention, and client population. Students must complete a capstone course, including a final project at the end of the program. TESU's generous transfer policy allows students to transfer up to 80 community college credits toward their degree.
Accreditation
- Thomas Edison State University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Admissions
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Prerequisites: Six months or 800 hours of work experience in human services.
- GRE required?: No
Tuition
- Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $399 credit/$509 credit
- Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $668
Academics
- Online Social Work Programs: Associate degree in human services
- Program Length: Two years
- Information Relevant for Transfer Students: Students can transfer up to 80 regionally accredited community college credits
Social Work Coursework
- Tracks/Concentrations: Optional pathway to a bachelor's degree in human services
- Field Education/Practicum Required?: No
- Capstone/Thesis Required?: Capstone required
- Core Courses: Theoretical foundation, intervention, client population, and capstone
- In-Person Requirements: None
Student Support
- Technical Support: Yes
- Special Services Provided to Online Students: Free online tutoring through Smartthinking and online writing assistance through Purdue Owl
Online Master's in Social Work (MSW) Programs in New Jersey
Rutgers University-New Brunswick -- Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work
A public research institution with more than 250 years of history, Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers 15 fully online degrees through its division of continuing studies. The university features a completely online master of social work degree with specializations in clinical social work or management and policy.
Classes in this New Jersey social work program run asynchronously, but students must still meet assignment deadlines and participate in online discussions. The program operates entirely online except for the required internship, which includes two field placements at a social service agency.
The first internship lasts three semesters and requires students to complete 11.25 hours per week. The second internship, an advanced clinical placement internship, requires 13.5 hours per week over four semesters. Advanced standing students must complete a placement of 16 hours per week for four semesters.
This program, one of the best online social work programs in New Jersey, takes students three years to complete. Advanced standing students holding a bachelor's degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program can earn their degree in just two years (four semesters).
Students have the option to earn a Violence Against Women and Children Certification, taking specialized courses that cover the theories and frameworks used to study violence. Application requires letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a personal statement, and a resume.
Accreditation
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
- Rutgers' master of social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Admissions
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Prerequisites: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college
- GRE required?: No
- Other Admission Requirements: Admissions prefers previous social work experience but does not require it. Students must take an introductory statistics course before beginning the program.
Tuition
- Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $550 credit (online undergraduate)
- Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $900 credit (online MSW students)
- Notes: Tuition varies for different online programs
Academics
- Online Social Work Programs: Master of social work in clinical social work
- Program Length: 2-3 years
- Information Relevant for Transfer Students: The college accepts a maximum of 18 credits from an accredited CSWE program.
Social Work Coursework
- Tracks/Concentrations: Clinical social work or management and policy
- Field Education/Practicum Required?: Yes. Students must complete 11.25-16 hours a week
- Capstone/Thesis Required?: No
- Core Courses: Social work practice with individuals, families, and groups; social work practice II; human behavior and the social environment; social welfare policy and services; methods of social work research; diversity and oppression; clinical assessment and diagnosis; field education practicum I and II.
- In-Person Requirements: Two field placements
Student Support
- Technical Support: Yes
- Special Services Provided to Online Students: 24/7 help desk through Teaching and Learning with Technology
Accreditation Information for New Jersey Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accred.5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookdale Community College | 22% | 18% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $5,923 |
| Camden County College | 11% | 18% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $8,425 |
| Centenary College | 61% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $25,615 |
| Cumberland County College | 23% | 12% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $8,294 |
| Essex County College | 8% | 13% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $2,748 |
| Georgian Court University | 48% | 35% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $18,778 |
| Hudson County Community College | 9% | 14% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $6,415 |
| Kean University | 48% | 25% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #201 tie | $15,110 |
| Monmouth University | 67% | 28% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #68 tie | $27,149 |
| Montclair State University | 64% | 23% | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Not Ranked | $14,798 |
| Ocean County College | 30% | 17% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $9,234 |
| Passaic County Community College | 10% | 13% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $7,096 |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey | 72% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $15,771 |
| Rutgers University-Camden | 53% | 27% | No | Yes | No | No | Not Ranked | $12,201 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | 81% | 11% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #17 tie | $15,917 |
| Rutgers University-Newark | 66% | 18% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $9,858 |
| Seton Hall University | 66% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $26,585 |
| Stockton University | 67% | 14% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #174 tie | $15,215 |
| Sussex County Community College | 22% | 22% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $10,770 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Directory of New Jersey Social Work School Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Rd
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1597
(732) 224-2345
http://www.brookdalecc.edu
Camden County College
200 College Dr
Blackwood, NJ 08012
(856) 227-7200
http://www.camdencc.edu
Centenary College*
400 Jefferson St
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
(908) 852-1400
http://www.centenarycollege.edu
Cumberland County College
3322 College Dr
Vineland, NJ 08362-1500
(856) 691-8600
http://www.cccnj.edu
Essex County College
303 University Ave
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 877-3000
http://www.essex.edu
Georgian Court University*
900 Lakewood Ave
Lakewood, NJ 08701-2697
(732) 987-2200
http://www.georgian.edu
Hudson County Community College
70 Sip Ave
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 714-7100
http://www.hccc.edu
Kean University*
1000 Morris Ave
Union, NJ 07083
(908) 737-5326
http://www.kean.edu
Monmouth University*
400 Cedar Ave
West Long Branch, NJ 07764-1898
(732) 571-3400
http://www.monmouth.edu
Montclair State University
1 Normal Ave
Montclair, NJ 07043-1624
(973) 655-4000
http://www.montclair.edu
Ocean County College
1 College Dr
Toms River, NJ 08754-2001
(732) 255-0400
http://www.ocean.edu
Passaic County Community College
One College Blvd
Paterson, NJ 07505-1179
(973) 684-6800
http://www.pccc.edu
Ramapo College of New Jersey*
505 Ramapo Valley Rd
Mahwah, NJ 07430-1680
(201) 684-7500
http://www.ramapo.edu
Rutgers University-Camden
406 Penn
Camden, NJ 08102
(856) 225-6095
https://www.rutgers.edu
Rutgers University-New Brunswick*
83 Somerset St
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1281
(732) 932-1766
https://www.rutgers.edu
Student Review: “The Rutgers University social work program is a very well esteemed program. It is challenging, and for this, it is accepted by almost any employer in the field. The issues with the program lay in its size. The school is too large and too widespread, therefore, resources and faculty are spread too thin at times. The program was rigorous and would definitely pay off to a student who does not mind learning and studying on their own. However, someone like me, who needs instruction, may not always benefit, depending on the specific class (some psych classes contained 300+ students). These large class sizes also made it hard to communicate with the instructor one-on-one. Office hours were a struggle and were always crowded. However, email was always a viable option thankfully. Another plus for the program was in its staff, who were all very well qualified through their attained degrees, and moreover, their work experience in social work, psychology, and clinical psychology. The facilities were always up to standard because of the wide range of available facilities on campus. Therefore, the program, and the school were very well qualified to offer this course of study, it just needed more attention and less crowding in facilities and courses.” – Student at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-Newark*
249 University Ave
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 353-1766
https://www.rutgers.edu
Seton Hall University*
400 S Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079-2697
(973) 761-9000
http://www.shu.edu
Stockton University*
101 Vera King Farris Dr
Galloway, NJ 08205-9441
(609) 652-1776
http://www.stockton.edu
Sussex County Community College
One College Hill Rd
Newton, NJ 07860
(973) 300-2100
http://www.sussex.edu
Thomas Edison State University
101 W State St
Trenton, NJ 08608
(888) 442-8372
https://www.tesu.edu/
Student Review: “I really enjoyed the social work program. Most of the classes were online which caused me to work even harder and really focus on the content which caused me to learn a lot more. I found the material to be very thought-provoking and enjoyable to read and study. I only have two complaints regarding the program. My first issue with the program is that the advisers who ran the program were not really helpful when it came to questions regarding the classes. My second issue with the program is that they offered help with post-employment and they didn’t really follow through. I would not really recommend the program from this school as I feel both my complaints are major things to consider.” – Student at Thomas Edison State University
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4.
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx