ONRAMP: Online Exploratory Option
Your online path to a potential social work career!
As an ONRAMP student, you will have the opportunity to join a distinct, virtual community interested in exploring the social work profession and the many opportunities it provides to make a difference in people’s lives. You will be able to experience NYU Silver’s rigorous coursework at a reduced cost, without coming to campus or committing to the full MSW degree program. You will also expand your readiness for graduate-level work and enhance your admissions qualifications should you choose to pursue an MSW.
Courses
ONRAMP students may take two sequential foundational courses ‒ one per semester ‒ for three credits each. The first course is a prerequisite for the second. Both courses are exclusively remote and are taught by NYU Silver Faculty who are experienced online instructors. Class sessions are one and a half hours each and are held one evening per week. In addition to online classes, students are guided through the course content (e.g., texts, graphics, and videos) with activities to be completed between class sessions that are designed to help them understand and critically analyze the material.
The courses are centered in the bio-psycho-social perspective, which stresses a multi-dimensional view of human development and behavior in the context of the environment, taking into consideration the challenges that occur throughout the life cycle. Human Behavior in the Social Environment I, offered in the first semester, focuses on birth through late childhood. Human Behavior in the Social Environment II, offered in the second semester, focuses on early adolescence through old age.
Students who decide to apply to NYU Silver’s MSW program and are admitted will receive credits toward their degree for each course in which they earned a grade of B or better.
Additional Benefits
Students enrolled in ONRAMP receive remote, electronic access to:
- NYU Silver’s online career and professional development workshops and events
- NYU’s renowned Bobst Library
- NYU’s Moses Center for Student Accessibility
“ONRAMP gave me the opportunity to figure out that this is what I want to do.”
“While the work in ONRAMP is rigorous, it is intellectually interesting and personally fulfilling. I also now know that I can matriculate into an MSW program at my age and feel like I belong.”
“ONRAMP was a great way to acquaint myself with the style of NYU, get used to being a student again, and ease into the full-time degree program.”
ONRAMP Faculty
Nicholas Lanzieri, PhD, LCSW, MSW, BA
Clinical Associate Professor
Nicholas Lanzieri is a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Silver where he is engaged in teaching courses in Human Behavior, Practice, and Practicum Education. Professor Lanzieri is currently working on developing simulations to enhance the practice skills of social work students. He has developed several virtual reality modules and is conducting research on their efficacy in social work education. Professor Lanzieri is also very interested in education technology and has developed numerous core courses for online teaching and is currently researching more about online learning and teaching in social work education.
Shirley de Peña, PhD, LCSW
Adjunct Lecturer
Shirley de Peña is an Adjunct Lecturer at NYU Silver, an organizational consultant, and the Director of the Foster Youth College Success Initiative at the City University of New York. Previously, Dr. de Peña spent 14 years at The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, most recently serving as the Internship Coordinator and Master Trainer in the agency’s Martha K. Selig Educational Institute. Dr. de Peña also managed the Jewish Board’s Bicultural Institute, an educational support program for the agency’s social work interns of color. In addition, Dr. de Peña provides training and consultation on topics including the impact of race and culture on clinical and case work practice and race relations in the workplace.
Tuition and Fees
ONRAMP students save 25% on tuition (per 3 credit course) vs. the in-person Non-Matriculated rate.
Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Tuition: $4,431 per course including fees
Application Information
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university is a prerequisite for admission to ONRAMP. No social work background is required.
The application for ONRAMP consists of:
The completed online application
A brief essay on the reasons for your interest in exploring social work through the ONRAMP option
Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (we encourage these to uploaded with your application; see details below)
One letter of recommendation (see details below)
A résumé or curriculum vitae
A $60 nonrefundable application fee must accompany the completed application and is not credited toward tuition. If you enroll in ONRAMP, you will not be charged an additional application fee should you go on to apply to our MSW Program.
We require transcripts from all colleges or universities where you earned 12 or more credits (including the institution where you are in the process of earning your bachelor’s degree).
You will be asked to upload an unofficial electronic copy of your transcript into the online application system. This can be either a copy issued to you from your academic institution or a copy in your possession.
We encourage you to upload your transcripts from your previous colleges or universities with your application; however, if you are unable, official transcripts may be mailed to:
New York University
Silver School of Social Work
Admissions and Enrollment Services Office
1 Washington Square North
New York, NY 10003-6654
We are unable to make admission decisions without your uploaded transcripts. While we do not need your official transcripts in order to apply to our MSW program, if you are admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts showing all grades and degree conferrals.
Letters of recommendation should not be personal references. Your recommender should be able to speak to your abilities as a prospective future social worker and should be able to evaluate your potential for graduate school education (e.g.: employers, supervisors, and college professors).
When you enter your recommender’s name into the online application system, they will automatically be notified of your recommendation request. The recommender will receive an email prompting them to complete a questionnaire and upload a letter of recommendation online. Be sure to inform them of the submission deadline, as we are unable to review your applications without the required recommendation letter. You should visit your online application regularly to monitor completion of this important part of your application. The system will accept your letter after you submit your application; however, a letter submitted after the application deadline will greatly delay the processing of your application. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a backup recommender.
Ready to Explore?
Contact Us
Have questions? Email us or call 212.998.5910