Through a new partnership with the Audacia Foundation, Inc., St. Joseph’s University, New York (SJNY) will offer free tuition to eligible students working toward a Master of Social Work (MSW).
Announced in May, the alliance with the New York-based non-profit allows SJNY to offer a fully funded MSW program through the New York State Department of Health’s Career Pathways Training Program (CPT). Through CPT, SJNY will offer eligible students the opportunity to earn an MSW with the cost of tuition, books and fees fully covered in exchange for committing to three years of meaningful work in healthcare or mental health organizations serving uninsured or Medicaid-reliant communities.
This new accord with Audacia not only provides substantial financial relief for committed students, it reinforces social responsibility and service — pillars that are part of SJNY’s value-oriented, mission-driven education. At the same time, it echoes the visionary and impactful lives of the University’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph.
“St. Joseph’s University, New York is proud to be a part of this transformative program that will help students meet their educational goals while ensuring that some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers receive extraordinary care from social workers trained at SJNY,” said Jo Anne Durovich, Ph.D., director of SJNY’s MSW program. “At St. Joseph’s, we remain committed to excellence, innovation and the highest standards of professional education, setting a foundation for transformative impact in the communities our graduates will serve.”
Social workers are needed across the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of social workers is projected to grow seven percent from 2023 to 2033.
SJNY’s Accredited MSW Program
SJNY’s MSW program, established in 2022 and accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in November 2024, prepares students to work in the field of professional social work as generalist and clinical practitioners with a commitment to social justice, diversity and individual and community empowerment. The program provides students with flexible scheduling, including day, evening, weekend and hybrid classes, and firsthand experience through two internships during their studies.
SJNY’s 2024 MSW graduates are working for employers such as local school districts, private practices, the juvenile justice system, substance abuse treatment facilities and in the public sector. All who have taken their licensure exams have passed and are now able to practice as licensed master social workers, according to SNJY.
The University’s second MSW cohort graduated last month.
Virtual Information Session on June 24
SJNY will hold a virtual information session about its MSW program and the partnership with the Audacia Foundation on June 24 at 5:30 p.m. Follow this link for more information on this virtual information session.
