Graduate School of Social Service

GSS Programs

GSS provides a foundation in the traditions of the social work profession while meeting the challenges of the future with a sophisticated interdisciplinary curriculum. Ranked among the best in the nation, our social work graduate programs offer a flexible, experiential education that will prepare you to change lives and transform communities.

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Popular Pages

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Alumni Success

From Google to the Classroom: How One Career Changer Found Purpose in Social Work

In 2013, Christine Igarta, GSS ’15, was living the computer scientist’s dream. After completing her undergraduate studies, she landed a job at Google coordinating high-profile events. Her days were filled with exciting projects and professional prestige. But despite the impressive resume bullets, something was missing. Find out how she found meaning through school social work at Fordham.

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Course Overview

GSS offers a wide array of courses for students to pursue. Take a look at your options.

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Study Abroad

Spend a summer in London learning about the history of settlement houses.

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Scholarships and Fellowships

Learn more about opportunities to help fund your education.

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Non-Matriculated Study

Get a feel for graduate education. Take classes now; commit later.

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Advanced Standing M.S.W.

Earn your M.S.W. in as little as nine months, and for half the cost.

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Licensing Prep

Whether you plan to practice in NYC or beyond, know what you need to be prepared.

Leading The Change For a Better Tomorrow

Fordham University GSS offers a flexible curriculum that prepares students to promote positive changes in individuals and communities through collaborative community relationships, evidence-based culturally responsive practices, and public advocacy. Join an academic community that's as passionate about helping others as you are.

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GSS Campus Locations

With three New York campus locations, the Fordham Graduate School of Social Service (GSS) has a place for you—whether you prefer a fast-paced urban campus, or the tree-lined suburbs. Whichever location you choose, you’ll be part of an exciting, diverse community that is making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and societies across the country and around the world.

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Westchester, West Harrison, NY

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Lincoln Center, Manhattan

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Long Island Molloy University Partnership

GSS News

M.S.W. Student Using Degree to Help Artists Age with Dignity

M.S.W. Student Using Degree to Help Artists Age with Dignity

Aimée Hayes has spent her career in the theater as a director and producer, shaping narratives and bringing stories to life on stage. Now, she is using her passion for storytelling to advocate for an often-overlooked population: aging artists.  As Hayes and her husband Tim Sanford—both lifelong theater professionals—witnessed a decline in opportunities for older […]

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Fordham’s Her Migrant Hub: Four Years of Empowering Women Asylum Seekers and Building Community

Fordham’s Her Migrant Hub: Four Years of Empowering Women Asylum Seekers and Building Community

Forced migration is a complex and traumatic experience, particularly for women. They must navigate a new country, often without resources or support. For most, the experience is overwhelming.  Addressing these complexities is nuanced and challenging, and it doesn’t seem to be getting easier anytime soon. However, there is a clear place to start: the need […]

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How to Write a Personal Statement for Graduate School

How to Write a Personal Statement for Graduate School

We can’t say this enough: Your personal statement is a crucial component of your Fordham Master of Social Work (MSW) application! Not only does the personal statement showcase your writing abilities, it’s a window into who you are and why you want to do this work. That’s a powerful thing, but it can come with […]

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Lessons from a Nonprofit CEO: This Is an Opportunity to Show Our Resilience

Lessons from a Nonprofit CEO: This Is an Opportunity to Show Our Resilience

Neela Mukherjee Lockel, GSS ’04, began her Master of Social Work (MSW) journey at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service (GSS) in 2001, just after New York City was shaken by the events of September 11th. Starting her coursework in the aftermath of such a historic tragedy, Lockel found herself immersed in deep conversations […]

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From Google to the Classroom: How One Career Changer Found Purpose in Social Work

From Google to the Classroom: How One Career Changer Found Purpose in Social Work

In 2013, Christine Igarta, GSS ’15, was living the computer scientist’s dream. After completing her undergraduate studies, she landed a job at Google coordinating high-profile events. Her days were filled with exciting projects and professional prestige. But despite the impressive resume bullets, something was missing. Christine was a contract worker at Google, and she said […]

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MSW Program Personal Statement Tips, From Fordham’s Admissions Team

MSW Program Personal Statement Tips, From Fordham’s Admissions Team

These tips are brought to you by Fordham GSS Associate Director of Admissions Stephen McGowan. Stephen reads thousands of personal statements per year and is a GSS alumnus. If anyone knows what the admissions team is looking for, he’s the one. To watch the video version of this article, view it on our Instagram.  Along […]

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Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Fordham

Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Fordham

Congratulations to our four GSS Community members who were honored at the University Convocation for celebrating 20 years of service to Fordham! The event was held on Sunday, March 9, at Fordham’s Law School. Professor G. Lawrence Farmer, Ph.D.; and Clinical Professor Rachelle Kammer, Ph.D. (third and fourth from left) were awarded the Bene Merenti Medal. […]

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Fordham MSW United Nations Interns Showcase International Social Work Skills

Fordham MSW United Nations Interns Showcase International Social Work Skills

Fordham Graduate School of Social Service Professor Elaine Congress, D.S.W., presented with four Fordham Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) students last week at the Eastern Psychological Association conference in New York City. The title of the presentation was “Preparing Graduate Students for International Careers – Fordham University United Nations Placement,” and it detailed Fordham GSS’s […]

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Race Rules Author Fatimah Gilliam Offers Pathways to Restore Civility and Connect Across Differences

Race Rules Author Fatimah Gilliam Offers Pathways to Restore Civility and Connect Across Differences

When we talk about racism and navigating polarizing topics, Fatimah Gilliam, Esq., is ready to meet you where you are. Her new book, Race Rules: What Your Black Friend Won’t Tell You, is a practical manual on how to connect across differences, build trust, strengthen relationships, restore civility, and be proactively antiracist in a country […]

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Fordham MSW Students Offer Their Best Graduate School Resume-Writing Tips

Fordham MSW Students Offer Their Best Graduate School Resume-Writing Tips

Your graduate school resume is often the first thing admissions teams access in your application, and we all know how important first impressions are. We asked our Fordham MSW students what tips they had to make a resume stand out. Here’s what they said: Tips from Lexi! Keep It Short & Sweet – Stick to […]

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