Fordham University Reviews

"My experience for online school - field placement takes forever, I accepted in March and on May 1 reached out to discuss placement. I had my initial field placement call on May 6. I was told it takes 4-6 weeks. Today is 7/12 and I still do not have placement. Field starts 8/26. I spoke with two other individuals but they are enrolled on campus - still no placement. Field placements are important, being able to work while in field placement is important to many. Very stressful"

"My experience at Fordham's MSW program has been deeply disillusioning. They have provided minimal support and structure during the pandemic, such that it is common for my peers to describe in class not having a sense of the place and/or not having connections with other students or professors. The majority of the classes are underwhelming, and seem to simply want to check boxes. The field department is a joke, with poor communication and no assistance with bad placements. I regret going here, and if considering the program would recommend that you look elsewhere.Read Less"

"Do not apply to this program. I will admit, I do not have experience with the on-campus version, since my program is online, but based on what I have seen, I do not have much faith they would be any better. I started my program in fall 2018, and was initially pleased with the whole-person view that Fordham seemed to take. Once I began my generalist field placement, that was a whole different story. -I was told my start date, and then later told I started "too early" but would have to continue through the proposed end date anyways, giving me nearly 200 more hours than required (and making it so that I could not work for all of that time, making it even more difficult to pay my bills, since you can't be paid for a field internship). Once I finally got a professor for my field seminar course, she was unhelpful, could not answer any of my questions about what was required of us as students in the field, did not offer a formal learning agreement, any kind of course calendar, or any of the other questions coming from my field supervisor. She was also unresponsive and unhelpful via email, even after insisting she would make herself available to us. -After about 1 semester (field seminar at Fordham is a 3-semester long course) my professor decided to leave the position due to health issues. It seemed as though this was a long time coming, so you would assume that whoever is her supervisor would already be in the know and have an eye out for a replacement, but that was not the case. I went nearly a FULL SEMESTER with NO PROFESSOR. This meant skipped classes, no mid-year evaluation, no 6 week starting evaluation, and no support or answers. During this time, all staff (my advisor, the person who was tasked with answering our questions, and the field director) were all very cagey and vague about what was happening, and refused to update students beyond anything more than "We're working on it. Soon." -I later found out (after emailing the director of field of the entire program online %26 on-campus multiple times with no response) that THERE WAS NO DIRECTOR OF FIELD at this time. That also seemed like something students should know, to me. But instead, I was re-directed, run around and asked "How can I help you?" by many people who very obviously could not help me. -Beyond field work, none of the syllabi we are given are accurate to the classes (currently I am about to start a class that is 8 weeks long, but we are using a syllabus that says there are 10 modules, and it was clarified that we will not be getting a new version), course material and assignments are confusing and professors often have to 'fudge' things so that they are do-able or make sense in relation to the content, and it is clear that whoever is designing these courses has no idea how the online platform works. -I have also had difficulties with my plan-of-study. When I began I signed up for the 8-term version, and was told that there was a potential to change if needed. Life has brought me to a point of needing to do that (most notably, moving between field work 1 and 2) and I filed for a change of study, asking to be brought to the 6-term version. It took about 5 months for this to be approved, even with constant communication with my adviser. I was constantly told that the board who had to review them was "on vacation" or "behind because they came back from vacation" or "non-responsive" etc. It seems an entire department just shut down for more than a semester just because they felt like it. On the whole, this program seems like a hoax. I am concerned about their CSWE accreditation, and I know that if I have difficulty getting my license after this awful experience, then Fordham will have to answer to me. I am disappointed, hurt, and worn out from dealing with the dishonesty, lack of transparency, and cagey defensiveness of everyone involved in this program. We were not informed that this is a brand-new way of teaching this program when we applied, and we are treated like lab rats and guinea pigs without an adequate platform for feedback. I feel as though Fordham does not value their (PAYING!) students and have created a system where it is easy for them to continue ignoring student/customer's feedback because there is no easy way to communicate with those in power. If you are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for a good education where you are already stressing yourself out to get where you would like to be, don't put yourself in a position to have to deal with Fordham's extra nonsense. Go to a better program. One that listens to students, or at the very least meets the CSWE requirements for everything. I also recognize this may sound like an angry rant from someone who is a dissatisfied customer. Please take heed of my experiences, whether that is what I am or not, and ask yourself if you are willing to put up with the same things my classmates and I have.Read Less"

"The Westchester campus offered great professors and core classes, which I thoroughly respected and enjoyed. However, the social work program is only as good as the field work and internships are. In this area, the program was a HUGE disappointment, and students learned quickly to keep their mouths shut and do whatever they could to accept inappropriate placements that did not meet Fordham learning guidelines. There is ZERO support for the student when the internship prevents learning or creates a hostile environment, and there are an inadequate number of internships to meet the needs of all students who are accepted into the program. Administration has not done their work to forge meaningful relationships and agreements with potential placement slots and the students suffer in ways that are unimaginable. You can be thrown out of the program for the smallest accusation, without opportunity to even prove your innocence. Disgraceful abuse of power by program administration.Read Less"

"This was the first year that Fordham offered a fully online MSW program with sychronous (on camera) and asynchronous (off camera) classes and I was an Advanced Standing student, meaning that I got my degree in two semesters. I am also a long-distance student who would have to take a plane to get to the school. That being said, I had the worst experience at a time when I should've really been thrilled to be at this juncture. There IS NO SUPPORT from staff for long-distance online students. You only get to speak to Student Success Advisors, who are nothing more than sounding boards and middle-men who can't do anything to help. They are here to stop your complaints or concerns because they are not "authorized" to do anything and complaints go nowhere. Most times, they don't know the answer to most questions. Seriously. They just tsk-tsk and tell you how sorry they are for your "bad experience, but this is new and your input will help others." Really? When you try to elevate a situation, such as a horrible teacher who then grades badly and was unprepared for their synchronous classes and was unprofessional, you get promises of being called/emailed back and no one ever does. You only have ONE class to decide if you want to change classes. You don't even know how awful the teacher can be until, maybe, after the second class...but it doesn't matter. They don't care at all. You don't get anywhere near the same accessibility to support as your on-campus peers...you get none. They take your money and give you unrealistic reading/textbook assignments and make you waste money on books that the instructors NEVER include in their work. I was crying from disappointment and frustration most of my time from this experience. So, if you just want to get a degree without really learning much, not having any support, being discounted and disrespected and love wasting your money, then do come to Fordham.Read Less"

"This is a great school with a great Social Work program. They have three campuses one in Westchester NY, one in the Bronx called the Rose Hill campus, and the last in Lincoln Center. They also give the option of taking classes online. My favorite thing about the school is the four options of concentrations which are Clinical, Leadership and Macro-Practice (Focus A Human Services Leadership and Focus B Community Based Practice and Leadership), and Research. There is a place for every kind of student. The professors in this school is very knowledgeable and they listen to the needs of the students. They are easy to talk to and really care about the success of the students.Read Less"

"Rigorous curriculum but lots of support from staff & fellow students."

"I went to the Westchester campus and really liked it. The hours were flexible and my internship was fantastic. The teachers were great. The only thing is that a fair amount of the coursework was repetitive from when I got my Bachelors degree in the same subject."

"I was admitted to Fordham University School of Social Service with advanced standing in Social Work. In one year, I completed the intensive weekend program with my field placement. My experience at Fordham was that all professors truly cared about their students becoming competent social workers. They prepared their students for the upcoming licensing exams as well as preparing them for the situations they may face in life."

"Fordham university's Graduate School of Social services was amazing. The best decision I mind. It is expensive but they do offer scholarships based off need. Their social work program has three sections once you complete your foundation courses. Clinical, research, and the other I get the name wrong but it is a hybrid of both clinical and policy making. Once you select which program for your second year then your remaining courses are to enhance those skills. Also your placement is based off that selection as well.Read Less"

"I feel that I learned a lot of practical information in school, however I learned so much more when out on the field doing my internships- that really prepared me more for my career."

"I had a wonderful experience in grad school at Fordham. The Saturday class schedule allowed me to work full time. The Westchester satellite campus was convenient. The quality of the education was excellent."

"Fordham University is a dream come true. I am currently attending the Graduate School of Social Service and loving every minute of it. I love the school, the mission, the faculty and my classmates. I attend school part-time while holding down a full-time job. Fordham gives a lot of flexibility on how and when to take courses which has allowed me to realistically pursue my degree. It's been a challenging yet rewarding experience and I'm extremely happy to call Fordham my school."

"Fordham University is a great institution for students of all ethic backgrounds and beliefs. The Graduate School of Social Services Program has given me a new outlook on the aspects of Social Work. The education the professors provide and learning experiences I have encountered have encouraged me to continue on in my field of study so I can make a difference in todays communities, as well as in our country. I am proud and honored to be able to attend such an elite University."

"Fordham University is a great Institution and I recommend going if you are looking for a friendly and more intimate environment. You are not left behind and the professors are great. I can not thank my professors enough for being patient and reachable when ever you need them."

"The program is centered on a human rights approach. The classes allow you to be able to freely express your opinions without being harshly criticized by the professor and encouraged open communication between classmates. The professors encourage communication with any problems, questions, and comments, with a quick reply. While the materials for the classroom is online (for online students), you still need to buy textbooks in addition to the material."

"Fordham University provides learning opportunities across degree programs in a variety of formats that are designed to meet the needs of students and the technology based society. Their Social Work program is student oriented and thoughtful. It is evident that the faculty is focused on student successes and invested in getting to know students well through their learning."

"So far Fordham Westchester has been a positive experience. I find the curriculum thought provoking and the professors helpful, encouraging and approachable. It is pricey though and for a degree in social work you would wish they would price according to earning potential. Overall I am grateful I made the decision to go back to school and that I chose Fordham."

"For years I have wanted to go back to school for my masters in social work but financial fear kept me from taking the leap. Since enrolling in Fordham GSS Westchester Campus I now feel I am self actualizing and moving in a direction towards my full potential, and it's a wonderful feeling. I have found the curriculum stimulating and thought provoking and through this increase in knowledge and self awareness I find my authentic voice is emerging. My professors have been extremely supportive, approachable and encouraging. Many of the students are serious about learning, focused, and collaborative, however, some students talk and text during class and do not appear as focused on their education. I have chosen to gravitate to the more focused, serious students and find team work encouraged here at Fordham. Unfortunately Fordham is pricey and offers only small scholarships to counterbalance the high tuition rate, which is daunting for one who has chosen a career in social work. With all the being said I know I made the right decision by taking the risk to go back to school and I know I made the right choice with Fordham.Read Less"

"Fordham's MSW social work program is excellent. I feel it combines clinical social work with a perspective of social justice. It's the right mix of macro/community-based social work and micro/psychotherapy-based social work. The professors are excellent, the classes are small, and the school is located in its modern Lincoln Center campus. It's easily accessible via many subways, and right be beautiful Central Park."