New Jersey · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Paterson, NJ (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Paterson, New Jersey (population 156,452) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 6 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 6 New Jersey programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for New Jersey licensure.
Best MSW programs in Paterson, NJ
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Paterson, NJ. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Paterson, NJ
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Paterson, NJ, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Newark · ~13 mi National #19 Online #19
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ, NJ · CSWE-accredited since 1957 · Online or On-Campus
9.1
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey has held CSWE accreditation since 1957, 69 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (New Brunswick, NJ; Camden, NJ; Newark, NJ; and more). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Management or Administration). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 5 dual-degree options and 6 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Management or Administration
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 10.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 West Long Branch · ~44 mi
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ, NJ · CSWE-accredited since 2000 · Online or On-Campus
6.5
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Monmouth University has held CSWE accreditation since 2000, 26 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (West Long Branch, NJ). It records 2 concentrations (Advanced Generalist; Clinical or Direct Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist, Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.1
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #3 South Orange · ~13 mi
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ, NJ · CSWE-accredited since 2015 · Online or On-Campus
6.1
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Seton Hall University has held CSWE accreditation since 2015, 11 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (South Orange, NJ). It records 2 concentrations (Forensic Social Work; Behavioral Health). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Forensic Social Work, Behavioral Health
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.3
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 5.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #4 Union · ~16 mi
Kean University
Union, NJ, NJ · CSWE-accredited since 1998 · Online or On-Campus
6.0
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Kean University has held CSWE accreditation since 1998, 28 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Union, NJ). It records 1 concentration (Clinical or Direct Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #5 Montclair · ~7 mi
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ, NJ · CSWE-accredited since 2018 · Online or On-Campus
5.7
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Montclair State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2018, 8 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Montclair, NJ). It records 2 concentrations (Children, Youth, and Families; Clinical or Direct Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 embedded certificate.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #6 Mahwah · ~12 mi
Ramapo College
Mahwah, NJ, NJ · CSWE-accredited since 2015 · On-Campus
4.8
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Ramapo College has held CSWE accreditation since 2015, 11 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Mahwah, NJ). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.3
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Paterson, NJ
New Jersey-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Paterson, NJ residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 1957 | Yes | #19 |
| Monmouth University | 2000 | Yes | #142 |
| Seton Hall University | 2015 | Yes | #174 |
| Kean University | 1998 | Yes | #183 |
| Montclair State University | 2018 | Yes | #221 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | 2020 | Yes | #286 |
How much do social workers make in Paterson, NJ in 2026?
Paterson, New Jersey sits within the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 55,130 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $85,080 median. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program (May 2025).
| Occupation | Employed | Median wage | Typical range (10th–90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare social workers | 17,250 | $78,610 | $50,060 – $108,260 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 12,090 | $82,450 | $52,800 – $125,870 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 24,350 | $66,540 | $49,820 – $108,720 |
| Social workers, all other | 1,440 | $85,080 | $58,810 – $118,350 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 16,090 | $100,570 | $68,210 – $162,290 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Paterson, NJ earn a median of $66,540 versus $76,280 statewide in New Jersey and $67,310 nationally. That is below the New Jersey median.
Where do social workers work in Paterson, NJ in 2026?
Paterson, New Jersey sits in Passaic County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Passaic County Mental Health and Addiction Services
- St. Joseph’s Health (St. Joseph’s University Medical Center)
- Paterson Public Schools
- New Bridge Services
- Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children
Representative local employers known to operate in the area; illustrative, not an exhaustive or BLS-sourced list.
Nationally, BLS projects social worker employment to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, driven by demand in healthcare and mental-health settings. Macro roles such as social and community service managers are projected to grow alongside them. See pay by role in our career guides.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Paterson, NJ?
After an MSW from Paterson, NJ or anywhere, these are the New Jersey social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Social Worker 1 (CSW1) | Bachelor of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
| Certified Social Worker 2 (CSW2) | 1600 hours | Exam Not Required | |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Masters |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the New Jersey state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Paterson, NJ?
How much do social workers earn in Paterson, NJ?
Can I earn an MSW online from Paterson, NJ?
What license do MSW graduates need in New Jersey?
MSW programs in other New Jersey cities
Sources
- CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs for program accreditation, campuses, and structure.
- U.S. Census Bureau 2023 Gazetteer (city coordinates) and Population Estimates Program (population).
- ASWB social work licensure database for New Jersey license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.