New York · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Middletown, NY (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Middletown, New York (population 30,152) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city , with 10 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 17 New York programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for New York licensure.
Best MSW programs in Middletown, NY
Accredited programs with a campus in Middletown, NY, ranked by our five-factor model. National and online rank badges appear only for programs in the top 25 (nationally, or among online programs).
- #1 In Middletown, NY
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 1951 · Online or On-Campus
7.9
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Adelphi University has held CSWE accreditation since 1951, 75 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Garden City, NY; Hauppauge, NY; New York, NY; and more). 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%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 10.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Best MSW programs near Middletown, NY
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Middletown, NY, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 New York · ~60 mi National #24 Online #24
New York University
Bronxville, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 1955 · Online or On-Campus
8.9
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
New York University has held CSWE accreditation since 1955, 71 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Bronxville, NY; New York, NY; Sparkill, NY; and more). 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. The program also offers 3 dual-degree options and 6 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 New York · ~60 mi
Columbia University
New York, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 1919 · Online or On-Campus
8.6
7 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Columbia University has held CSWE accreditation since 1919, 107 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (New York, NY). It records 7 concentrations (Advanced Generalist; Clinical or Direct Practice; Social Justice; and more). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 9 dual-degree options.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist, Clinical or Direct Practice, Social Justice, Management or Administration, Social Policy, Integrated Practice, Leadership
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #3 New York · ~60 mi
Yeshiva University
New York, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 1959 · Online or On-Campus
8.6
3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Yeshiva University has held CSWE accreditation since 1959, 67 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (New York, NY). It records 3 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems; Other). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 6 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Other
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #4 New York · ~60 mi
Fordham University
New York, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 1929 · Online or On-Campus
8.5
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Fordham University has held CSWE accreditation since 1929, 97 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (New York, NY; West Harrison, NY). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. A part-time plan of study is available. The program also offers 2 dual-degree options and 2 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.3
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
- #5 New York · ~60 mi
Hunter College, City University of New York
New York, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 1958 · On-Campus
8.0
15 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Hunter College, City University of New York has held CSWE accreditation since 1958, 68 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (New York, NY). It records 15 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Community Development and Social Systems; Social Justice; and more). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 dual-degree options.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Social Justice, Management or Administration, Mental Health, Occupational, Program Evaluation, Research, School Social Work, Social Policy, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Trauma, Macro Social Work, Practice with a Specific Racial or Ethnic Group, Organizational Leadership
Visit the Hunter College, City University of New York MSW program site
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #6 New York · ~60 mi
Touro University
New York, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 2007 · Online or On-Campus
6.7
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Touro University has held CSWE accreditation since 2007, 19 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (New York, NY; Brooklyn NY). 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. The program also offers 4 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.3
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 9.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #7 New York · ~60 mi
Long Island University, Post & Brooklyn Collaborative
Brookville, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 2003 · On-Campus
6.7
3 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Long Island University, Post & Brooklyn Collaborative has held CSWE accreditation since 2003, 23 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 3 approved campuses (Brookville, NY; Brooklyn NY; Brentwood, NY). It records 3 concentrations (Substance Use Disorders; Children, Youth, and Families; Forensic Social Work). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Substance Use Disorders, Children, Youth, and Families, Forensic Social Work
Visit the Long Island University, Post & Brooklyn Collaborative MSW program site
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.8
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #8 New York · ~60 mi
Lehman College, City University of New York
Bronx, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 2004 · On-Campus
5.4
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
Lehman College, City University of New York has held CSWE accreditation since 2004, 22 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Bronx, NY). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). 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
Visit the Lehman College, City University of New York MSW program site
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 5.5
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #9 New York · ~60 mi
College of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 2014 · On-Campus
4.9
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
College of Staten Island has held CSWE accreditation since 2014, 12 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Staten Island, NY). It records 1 concentration (Disabilities). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Concentrations
Disabilities
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.4
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #10 New York · ~60 mi
York College, City University of New York
Queens, NY, NY · CSWE-accredited since 2018 · On-Campus
4.6
1 concentration No Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
York College, City University of New York has held CSWE accreditation since 2018, 8 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Queens, NY). It records 1 concentration (Healthcare). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Concentrations
Healthcare
Visit the York College, City University of New York MSW program site
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 3.2
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 5.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Middletown, NY
New York-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Middletown, NY residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York University | 1955 | Yes | #24 |
| Syracuse University | 1958 | Yes | #28 |
| Columbia University | 1919 | Yes | #42 |
| Yeshiva University | 1959 | Yes | #45 |
| Fordham University | 1929 | Yes | #46 |
| University at Buffalo, State University of New York | 1934 | Yes | #48 |
| University at Albany, State University of New York | 1968 | Yes | #56 |
| State University of New York at Stony Brook | 1971 | Yes | #59 |
| Adelphi University | 1951 | Yes | #72 |
| Touro University | 2007 | Yes | #120 |
| Roberts Wesleyan University | 1997 | Yes | #125 |
| Binghamton University, State University of New York | 2003 | Yes | #156 |
| Nazareth University | 2002 | Yes | #202 |
| Keuka College | 2015 | Yes | #238 |
| Utica University | 2021 | No | #292 |
| Daemen University | 2015 | Yes | #322 |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh | 2024 | No | #349 |
How much do social workers make in Middletown, NY in 2026?
Middletown, New York sits within the Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 1,870 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $81,710 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 | 510 | $71,630 | $49,620 – $94,970 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 410 | $79,870 | $51,490 – $115,070 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 870 | $77,260 | $48,240 – $101,570 |
| Social workers, all other | 80 | $81,710 | $58,150 – $111,380 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 600 | $89,610 | $63,540 – $132,450 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Middletown, NY earn a median of $77,260 versus $65,100 statewide in New York and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the New York median.
Where do social workers work in Middletown, NY in 2026?
Middletown, New York sits in Orange County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Orange County Department of Mental Health
- Garnet Health Medical Center
- Middletown City School District
- Access: Supports for Living
- Orange County Department of Social Services
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 Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Middletown, NY?
After an MSW from Middletown, NY or anywhere, these are the New York social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Master of Social Work | 2000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | Master of Social Work | — | Masters |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the New York state board before applying.
Why social work demand is rising in Middletown
Middletown is one of the growing cities of the Hudson Valley, drawing new residents to Orange County as the region expands outward from the New York City metro. Growth of that kind reshapes the demand for social services, from schools absorbing new families to health systems serving a larger and more varied population.
For someone entering the field, a growing city is a place where need and opportunity rise together. Social workers are asked to help communities absorb change while keeping vulnerable residents from falling through the cracks. That systems-level view is exactly what macro and community practice is built for, and our explainer on the difference between macro and mezzo work shows where those roles fit.
Why bilingual social workers are in demand in Middletown
Middletown is home to a substantial Latino and immigrant community, and that shapes the work in concrete ways. Families navigating a new country need help with far more than paperwork; they face barriers around health care, schooling, housing, and trust in institutions that a culturally attuned social worker can help bridge.
Bilingual practitioners are especially valued here. Being able to conduct an assessment in a family's first language, and to understand the cultural context behind it, makes services genuinely accessible rather than nominally available. MSW students who speak Spanish often find their skills in immediate demand across the area's agencies. Programs with a strong equity orientation, like those in our roundup of social-justice-focused MSW programs, prepare clinicians well for this kind of practice.
Healthcare social work in Middletown
As Orange County grows, so does the load on its hospitals and clinics, and social workers are woven through that system. In Middletown's medical settings they manage discharges, connect patients to community resources, and help families make sense of diagnoses and long-term care decisions.
Healthcare social work here carries an added dimension: serving patients across language and cultural lines, and coordinating care for families who may be uninsured or newly arrived. That makes cultural humility as important as clinical skill. For MSW graduates, it is steady, meaningful work with clear demand, and our guide to healthcare social work describes what the role involves day to day.
Child and family social work in Middletown
Child and family welfare is central work in Middletown, where county agencies and nonprofits support families through instability, and where cultural and language considerations often sit at the center of a case. Reaching immigrant families, in particular, calls for practitioners who can build trust and explain systems that may feel foreign or intimidating.
This is a field where an MSW opens the door and where mentorship runs deep, since the need is constant. Students often find their first placements here, learning to balance mandated oversight with genuine family support. Our overview of child and family social work lays out the path, and New York's LMSW and LCSW routes appear on our credentials page.
Rural and suburban social work around Middletown
Middletown sits at an interesting seam, part growing suburb, part gateway to the rural western reaches of Orange County. Social workers based here serve both the denser neighborhoods of the city and the scattered small towns beyond it, which means the same caseload can hold very different lives.
That mix teaches flexibility. A practitioner may spend one morning coordinating urban services and the afternoon working out how a rural family without easy transportation can reach the care they need. Telehealth and creative case management fill many of those gaps. For students, it is broad, grounding experience that prepares you for practice almost anywhere, and it pairs well with the community roles described in our careers overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Middletown, NY?
How much do social workers earn in Middletown, NY?
Can I earn an MSW online from Middletown, NY?
What license do MSW graduates need in New York?
MSW programs in other New York 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 York license requirements.
Published 2026-06-12; last updated 2026-06-23. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.