Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College

What Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College does

The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College is the oldest and largest public school of social work in New York, operating within the City University of New York (CUNY) system since its founding in 1956. The school delivers CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs, enrolls more than 1,400 master's-level students and over 100 bachelor's-level students, and graduated more than 550 students in the Class of 2019. It supplements its degree programs with a PhD in Social Welfare (delivered jointly with the CUNY Graduate Center), continuing education for licensed practitioners, and the Strell Executive Leadership Fellows Program. Teaching is delivered on a single East Harlem campus (2180 Third Avenue) using CUNY-standard Brightspace and CUNYfirst systems, with the educational product extended through a field education network spanning hundreds of NYC community agencies, hospitals, schools, and social-service organizations.

The school's revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees set under CUNY guidelines, supplemented by externally sponsored research from federal agencies (Department of Homeland Security, NIH/NIMH, NCI) and foundations (The New York Community Trust, Russell Sage Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation). Recent grants include an $890,000 DHS research award and a $200,000 NY Community Trust workforce-diversification grant, alongside participation in a $13.5 million NCI cooperative agreement with Temple University. The go-to-market is a direct-to-consumer admissions model targeting prospective BSW/MSW students regionally (primarily NYC), with a continuing-education offering serving practicing social workers nationally.

The school's competitive position rests on three reinforcing assets: 68 years of brand heritage as a public social-work institution, an extensive field-practicum ecosystem that funnels graduates into NYC's public human-services workforce, and a faculty roster that includes CSWE award recipients and NIH-funded researchers. Its mission emphasizes anti-racist pedagogy, social justice, and preparation of a diverse workforce for public service, and its alumni base functions as the primary staffing pipeline for NYC nonprofit and public-sector social-service employers.

Name

Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College

Legal name

Lois V. and Samuel J. Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College

Website

https://sssw.hunter.cuny.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College is the oldest and largest public school of social work in New York, offering CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW degrees, a PhD, continuing education, and field practicum placements to more than 1,500 students and NYC's social-service workforce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Social Work Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

School Counseling & Student Support Services Preparation Programs (EDAHAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community College / Training Provider Workforce Pathways Programs (EDAAAOAO), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), School Counseling & Guidance Services (Academic/Social-Emotional) (EDAJALAF)

Keywords

• Social work education
• Graduate degree programs
• Undergraduate social work
• Continuing professional education
• Field practicum training

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition and fees for BSW, MSW, and continuing education programs. Public institution within CUNY system.
2. Research Grants and Contracts: External funding from government agencies, foundations, and organizations for faculty research including NIH, Department of Homeland Security, and private foundations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Silberman School of Social Work offers accredited undergraduate (BSW), graduate (MSW), and doctoral (PhD in Social Welfare) social work degree programs, complemented by continuing education, the Strell Executive Leadership Fellows Program, and a field education practicum network. Programs are delivered on the East Harlem campus and through hundreds of community agency partnerships, preparing students for clinical, community organizing, and organizational management practice across New York City's human services sector.

Product overview

The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College is an educational institution offering a comprehensive suite of social work degree programs and professional development offerings. The core portfolio consists of accredited undergraduate (BSW) and graduate (MSW) degree programs, along with a doctoral program (PhD) in social welfare. These degree programs are complemented by professional development through the Continuing Education division, which includes the Belle and George Strell Executive Leadership Fellows Program, specialized clinical and community organizing training, and field education practicum placements. The school employs multiple practice methods including Clinical Practice, Community Organizing/Planning/Development, and Organizational Management & Leadership, with various fields of practice specializations. The institution serves as an anchor institution for New York City's social service workforce, with its student body, field agencies, and alumni forming the primary workforce for public human-service departments and not-for-profit agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program An undergraduate degree program preparing students for entry-level social work practice, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Master of Social Work (MSW) Program A graduate-level social work degree program with multiple methods and fields of practice specializations, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• PhD in Social Welfare A doctoral program in social welfare offered in collaboration with the CUNY Graduate Center, preparing scholars for advanced research and academic careers.
• Continuing Education Professional development courses including clinical skills, community organizing, licensing preparation, organizational management, and specialized training for practicing social workers.
• Belle and George Strell Executive Leadership Fellows Program A professional development program within the Strell Executive Leadership Program focused on developing leadership skills for social work professionals.
• Undergraduate Minor in Community Organizing An undergraduate minor in community organizing, launched in 2017, open to students across Hunter College.
• Field Education (Practicum) Supervised field placements at community agencies providing hands-on social work experience, including partnerships with various organizations across New York City.

Quantifiable outcome

• 605 students enrolled in largest first-year class (6.7% increase)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Drama ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2025Nonprofit teaching improv drama skills to young people in secure settings including Crossroads, Children's Village, and Rikers Island. Associate Professor Adam Brown serves as co-investigator on Department of Homeland Security research grant (~$890,000) evaluating Drama Club's program efficacy.
• Children's VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Silberman School of Social Work on a $200,000 grant from The New York Community Trust to diversify the child welfare workforce pipeline. The project recruits students of color and individuals from low-income backgrounds, providing financial support, mentorship, specialized coursework, and field placements emphasizing anti-racist, anti-oppression leadership.
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccrediting body for BSW and MSW programs. Silberman maintains accreditation status for its Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs at 1701 Duke Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.
• Field Education AgenciescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHundreds of community agencies, hospitals, schools, and social service organizations across NYC serve as field practicum sites for MSW and BSW students, providing hands-on training opportunities.
• PROVE Program (Project for Return and Opportunity in Veterans Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative program operating since 2007 helping student veterans connect to needed resources as they transition from military to college life. Students Fatmata Britton and Shannon Lubin participated while activated in Army National Guard during COVID-19 pandemic.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SilbermanSSW
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCj0TVtyQpaCaxQpq3keI3KQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SilbermanSSW
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silberman-school-of-social-work-at-hunter-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College