Rutgers School of Social Work is pleased to welcome its newest cohort of Master of Social Work (MSW) students for the 2026-27 academic year.
The new class reflects the broad range of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and perspectives that enrich the School’s community. Students range in age from 20 to 70 and come to Rutgers from more than 230 different undergraduate institutions. The universities sending the largest numbers of new students include Rutgers University, Montclair State University, Kean University, Stockton University, and Rowan University.
The majority of new MSW students are enrolled in the School’s On-Campus and 100% Online MSW programs, with 405 students in the On-Campus program and 395 in the 100% Online program. An additional 47 students have enrolled in the Blended Online MSW program and 53 in the Intensive Weekend MSW program.
The newest class also includes 10 international students from China, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela, further contributing to the global perspectives represented within the School. As in previous years, the incoming class reflects a diverse range of racial and ethnic backgrounds. Among new MSW students, 8% identified as Asian, 19% as Black, 16% as Hispanic, 7% as Puerto Rican, 4% as multiracial, and 45% as white.
The School also welcomed 10 new Excellence Scholars, who demonstrated exceptional academic and personal accomplishments in their applications. The scholars earned their undergraduate degrees from institutions including Brown University, Elon University, University of Miami, University of Pittsburgh, and Rutgers University, among other institutions. The Excellence Scholars bring a wide range of interests and aspirations to their social work education. Their areas of interest include disability advocacy, health care for aging adults, community organizing, intimate partner violence support, and interventions for at-risk youth.
Together, the newest MSW students bring a wealth of experiences and perspectives to Rutgers School of Social Work as they prepare to advance their education and develop the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
Interested in learning more about Rutgers’ MSW programs? Visit the School of Social Work’s Office of Admissions to explore program options and upcoming recruitment events.
