NYU Silver MSW Program at Shanghai and New York

NYU Silver’s MSW Program at Shanghai and New York is the only MSW program of an American university in China. The program provides the opportunity to experience an innovative global MSW education. Extended immersion in Shanghai and New York allows students to critically reflect on cultural, social, and economic similarities and differences between these two environments, and it enhances their learning about and capacity for culturally appropriate practice.

Global MSW Education

The MSW at Shanghai and New York program is designed for students of any nationality who desire a truly global social work education. The program consists of a generalist practice curriculum in Shanghai followed by a specialized practice curriculum in clinical social work in New York City. Global and multi-cultural content is infused throughout the curriculum. Shanghai practicum placements not only feature bilingual (English and Mandarin) opportunities, but also provide a focus on emerging social issues in China today. New York practicum placements provide a complementary focus on social and clinical issues within a U.S. context. 

Bilingual Program

All courses are taught in English. In Shanghai, students have their practicum placements at local social service agencies and hospitals. These placements are in either Chinese or English, depending on a student’s language capability. In New York, students have their practicum placements in the greater New York metropolitan area, where a wide variety of agency settings are available. These practicum placements are at sites where English is the primary language.

Full-Time and Part-Time Pathways

Two pathways are available to accommodate students’ varying schedules. For more information about these pathways, see below.

Special Application Instructions

Two-Year Applicants: In the NYU Silver Application Portal, select Full-Time Pathway as your Enrollment Status, Two-Year as your Program, and Shanghai as your Campus Location.

Extended Applicants: In the NYU Silver Application Portal, select Part-Time Pathway as your Enrollment Status, Extended as your Program, and Shanghai as your Campus Location.

Degree Pathways

Two-Year Pathway: This pathway consists of a generalist practice curriculum in Shanghai followed by a specialized practice curriculum in clinical social work in New York City. Students beginning practicum prior to Fall 2024 spend two semesters in a practicum instruction agency in each of the program’s two years, for a total of 1,200 hours of practicum learning experience. Students beginning practicum in Fall 2024 or later will spend two semester in a practicum instruction agency in each of the program’s two years, for a total of 900 hours of practicum learning experience. 

Extended Pathway: This pathway is designed to meet the needs of working professionals, consisting of part-time study during the Shanghai portion of the program and full-time study during the New York portion of the program. The extended pathway is available to Chinese nationals (including residents from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), and to non-Chinese nationals who have an appropriate visa for part-time study in China.

Two-Year Pathway

First Year in Shanghai

Fall

Spring

Second Year in New York

Fall

January Term

Spring

*Note: Students who wish to strengthen their language skills may choose to take the Chinese Language elective during the first semester in Shanghai. Students choosing to do so must take 7 elective credits during their year in New York (usually 1 credit in January and 6 credits in Spring). Students who choose not to take Chinese must take 9 elective credits during the year in New York (usually 3 credits in Fall and 6 credits in Spring).

Extended Pathway

Two Years in Shanghai

Fall (Year 1)

Spring (Year 1)

Fall (Year 2)

Spring (Year 2)

Third Year in New York

Fall

January Term

Spring

*Note: Students who wish to strengthen their language skills may choose to take the Chinese Language elective during any semester in Shanghai. Students choosing to do so must take 7 elective credits during their year in New York (usually 1 credit in January and 6 credits in Spring). Otherwise, students must take 9 elective credits during the year in New York (usually 3 credits in Fall and 6 credits in Spring).

Sequential courses are designed to be taken in order. Students are responsible for following their designated curriculum guide and cannot take these courses out of their designated order unless otherwise indicated by their academic advisor.