Touro University Social Work Programs
Social work jobs are growing faster than ever, and Touro University Social Work Programs help students step into this booming field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over 89,000 new social workers by 2030 – a 12% increase that outpaces the average 8% growth across other careers.
Touro’s MSW program has evolved with the times. The Touro Graduate School of Social Work launched its first fully online master’s program in 2023. Students can now complete their coursework from anywhere while building practical skills. This new approach helps students build confidence and technical skills before they start working with clients. The program’s value shows in the numbers too – Touro’s MSW graduates earn around $58,117 per year. This piece walks you through Touro’s social work degrees, specialty areas, flexible study options, and what sets these programs apart to advance your career.
Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at Touro University
Touro University’s Graduate School of Social Work provides specialized social work education that helps students at every stage of their professional experience. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is the core of their academic offerings that gives you the advanced clinical skills and theoretical knowledge you’ll need for licensure and specialized practice.
Students in Touro’s MSW program learn through a well-laid-out curriculum that combines theory and practical applications. You’ll study human behavior, social policy, research methods, and clinical practice techniques. The program focuses on evidence-based interventions and culturally responsive approaches to social work practice.
Students new to social work can complete Touro’s traditional MSW track with two years of full-time study. The Advanced Standing option suits students who have earned their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an accredited institution, potentially cutting completion time by up to one year.
Touro supports practicing social workers with continuing education opportunities to maintain licensure or build expertise in new practice areas. Professional development workshops, certificate programs, and specialized training sessions help practitioners stay current in high-demand areas like trauma-informed care and telehealth service delivery.
Touro’s degree pathways merge core social work competencies with hands-on learning. The curriculum stays current with best practices and new trends in the profession. The programs are arranged with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards, which means your education meets nationally recognized measures for professional preparation.
Small faculty-to-student ratios in Touro’s social work programs create opportunities for tailored mentorship and individual attention throughout your academic experience.
Degree Specializations
Touro’s MSW program offers specialty tracks that set you up for focused careers in social work’s most needed areas. The Graduate School of Social Work has created three main concentrations that tackle growing needs in our society.
The Aging Education Fellowship gives chosen advanced-year students specialized skills to work with older adults. The need for geriatric social workers keeps growing as baby boomers age and people live longer. Students in this fellowship work in elder-focused settings like nursing homes, elder abuse programs, community agencies, or outpatient mental health centers.
Students passionate about education can choose the Social Work in Schools specialization to become a crucial bridge between schools, families, and communities. School social workers provide key support through behavior guidance, classroom help, parent-teacher mediation, and counseling services for groups and individuals. This track builds skills that help prevent school violence and support students during crises.
The Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health concentration partners with the New York State Office of Mental Health to help clients with serious or ongoing mental conditions. Students learn to work with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Fellows complete their practicum in NYSOMH-approved community facilities that follow evidence-based treatment protocols.
Beyond these main tracks, Touro’s curriculum lets you discover various therapy approaches. Students learn different treatment methods including cognitive-behavioral therapy, couples and family therapy, and group work. You can also specialize in helping specific groups like military veterans, recovering addicts, or troubled teens.
These specializations make you more valuable in different professional settings. A Touro MSW degree opens doors to careers in:
- Human resources, with roles like HR generalist, conflict mediator, or equity officer
- Healthcare settings, where you can help patients as an advocate or case manager
- Educational institutions, to support student wellbeing and academic success
- Private practice, with focus on specific behavioral health conditions
Each specialty track combines theory with hands-on practice through carefully chosen field placements. This approach ensures graduates have both expertise and real-world experience.
Online and Hybrid Options
Touro’s approach to social work education puts flexibility first, offering multiple pathways that fit your schedule and priorities. The Graduate School of Social Work gives students traditional and innovative options that make education accessible to everyone.
Students who need the most scheduling freedom can choose Touro’s fully online MSW program. This path lets you complete all coursework remotely while meeting the same high standards as on-campus learning. You’ll attend live classes through Zoom and work on additional assignments at your own pace. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has given this program its national accreditation, making it one of the few CSWE-accredited MSW programs you can complete entirely online.
The online program creates an interactive learning environment. You’ll do more than just post on discussion boards and watch videos – you’ll connect live with teachers and classmates. Touro’s advanced AI avatar technology enhances your online experience. A great example shows up during suicide prevention training, where AI avatars give you immediate feedback and guidance. Your teacher reviews these practice sessions to make sure you’re building the right skills.
Students who want a mix of both worlds can take evening and weekend classes in the traditional program, with options to complete almost half their courses online. This smart combination brings together classroom learning and digital education tools.
Your choice of format won’t affect the quality of attention you receive. Small class sizes, regular faculty contact, and personal support remain constant features of every program. Students get the same collaborative, hands-on experience no matter which path they choose.
Field education is a vital part of social work training that requires real-life practice. Online students complete their field hours through local internships where they work directly with clients in their communities.
The program offers flexible completion times with 16-month, 2-year, or 3-year options that work around your schedule. This adaptability means you can earn your MSW while managing your work and personal life.
Graduation Rates
Touro University’s student success metrics reveal compelling insights about their program effectiveness. The institution’s overall undergraduate graduation rate of 65% places it among the top 45% of colleges and universities nationwide. Students achieved this rate by completing their programs within 150% of the normal time frame.
Several patterns emerge in graduation rates based on demographic factors. The data shows female students graduating at a higher rate (69%) than their male counterparts (58%). Asian students achieve the highest graduation rate at 75%, with White students following at 68% and students of two or more races at 67%. Black or African American students and Hispanic/Latino students graduate at rates of 46% and 44% respectively.
A student’s financial background plays a significant role in completion rates. Students with Subsidized Stafford Loans who did not receive Pell Grants showed the highest graduation rate at 73%. Pell Grant recipients’ graduation rate stood at 59%.
Touro’s impressive achievements extend beyond graduation metrics. The university ranks in the top 20% nationally with an 87% retention rate. Their 6-year graduation rate reaches 69% (top 30%), while the 4-year rate is 54%.
The university awarded 773 degrees in 2023 across undergraduate and graduate programs. Women earned 73.9% of these degrees, while men received 26.1%. The racial and ethnic distribution shows White students receiving the largest share of degrees (289), which is approximately 1.8 times more than Black or African American students (161).
These figures demonstrate Touro’s steadfast dedication to student success in a variety of populations. The higher graduation rates among certain demographics point to effective support systems, though the university continues its work to close achievement gaps between different student groups.
Career Outcomes
Touro University Social Work Programs give their graduates excellent job opportunities in different fields. Your MSW degree makes you eligible to become a licensed LMSW, which creates new paths for career growth. The program shows remarkable results – some specialized tracks have achieved a 100% job placement rate for two consecutive years.
Touro’s dedication to student success goes well beyond the classroom. The university gives students detailed career services with personal job placement help, career advice in groups or one-on-one sessions, and connections to a vast alumni network. These resources guide you smoothly from student life to professional work.
Career fairs and campus recruiting events let you meet potential employers directly. The university’s strong reputation attracted 68 organizations to recruit on campus last year.
Your Touro MSW opens doors to many exciting careers:
- Healthcare settings: You can work as a patient advocate, case manager, or handle Medicare claims
- Corporate environments: Roles in human resources, conflict mediation, or equity and inclusion
- Educational institutions: Student counseling and advocacy positions
- Private practice: Starting your own therapy practice or consulting business
Social work graduates continue to see positive financial prospects. Social workers earn a national median salary of $50,390, with higher pay in city areas. Healthcare social workers in Los Angeles earn about $81,660 yearly, which makes this specialty particularly rewarding.
Most social workers find rewards beyond their paychecks by creating meaningful change in society. They often describe their work as “creative, challenging and purposeful” and value their role as “change agents” who strengthen communities and improve lives.
Touro’s thorough preparation gives you practical skills and theoretical knowledge to thrive in this rewarding field.
What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at Touro University
Touro’s social work programs stand out because of their all-encompassing educational philosophy. Students experience a values-based approach that blends Jewish social service traditions with contemporary social work practice. This unique foundation creates a learning environment where ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity shape every training aspect.
Small cohorts make Touro Graduate School of Social Work’s tailored educational experience special. Students receive individual attention that larger institutions rarely provide. The close-knit community helps build meaningful relationships with faculty mentors who guide students throughout their academic experience and professional career.
Touro’s innovative use of technology sets new standards in social work education. Students practice challenging client scenarios through AI avatar technology in a controlled environment. These virtual experiences help build confidence before working with actual clients.
The curriculum combines practical skill development with theoretical knowledge. Students apply concepts to realistic scenarios through case-based learning instead of treating these components separately. This method effectively connects classroom learning with field work.
Strong partnerships with community organizations of all types highlight another aspect of the Touro experience. These connections offer quality field placements and opportunities for community-based research. Students work on service projects that address real societal needs.
Touro’s social work programs go beyond simple preparation to emphasize career readiness. Professional identity development becomes part of coursework through role-playing, ethics discussions, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Graduates leave with technical skills and a clear professional identity that gives them purpose in the social work field.