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Social Work M.S.W.

Serving Those Around You With Compassion and Care

At Roberts, our Master of Social Work program consistently prepares skilled clinical social workers in two concentrations: Mental Health and Child & Family Services. Our graduates’ passing rates for the LMSW and LCSW exams exceed both state and national averages.

Our curriculum provides a solid theoretical foundation and hands-on clinical skills, including a unique group work class. As the first Christian college with CSWE accreditation for an MSW, we welcome students from all backgrounds. 

Even though we take pride in being a strong clinical social work program, we also mentor and nurture students whose career interests focus more on community and macro level social work. You can engage in research through independent studies and conferences, with funding opportunities available.

Our program emphasizes local, national, and global service. For example, past experiences include donating Thanksgiving meals to individuals facing homelessness, trips to Albany, NY and Washington DC to lobby for policy changes, and cross-cultural trips to a number of countries.

Our program provides the academic depth, practical experience, and global perspective to equip you for meaningful social work practice.

Want more information about this program?

Download a program guide with detailed information on cost, courses, and outcomes

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I can honestly say that being a part of this program has been the best experience of my life. This program molds and refines you into the best version of yourself.

Katie, Social Work Graduate

Roberts gave me an opportunity to have experiences that furthered my education in areas that I was passionate about.

For example, this program helped me create a church-based social work internship, allowing me to explore my passion while giving me excellent educational experience.

Alyssa, Social Work Graduate

Social Work Programs Online & In Rochester, NY

What will you learn?

  • Leadership Grounded in Integrity: Our graduate and professional programs are designed to develop your leadership skills to be effective in your field, grounded in ethical decision-making and integrity. Make a positive impact in your workplaces and communities.
  • Education Beyond Skill Development: We focus on educating the whole person. Professional competencies are paired with a strong emphasis on character and purpose, empowering you, an adult learner, to excel in your career as a principled leader with transferable skills. We provide education for what's next.
  • Values-Driven Curriculum: Our courses integrate core values like compassion, ethical responsibility, and community engagement, essential qualities for working adults aiming to lead with purpose in today’s challenging environments.
  • Becoming a Trustworthy Leader: We prepare graduate students to be trusted professionals. We’ll help you foster ethical workplace cultures and build strong, collaborative teams based on character, empathy, and respect.
  • A Foundation for Positive Change: Our programs will help you change more than just your job title, it’ll help you change your community. A Roberts education will help you contribute to meaningful change and lead with a higher sense of mission and service.

Cost of Social Work, M.S.W.

Total Program 
Sticker Price:

$46,920 (Standard)

$29,716 (Advanced Standing)

Less than

26%

of students 
pay this amount

25%

tuition discount for benefit-eligible 
employees, spouses, and dependents 
of our corporate partners

Coursework

Interested in seeing what Social Work courses you can take? Check out our course catalog!

Admissions Requirements

For the Standard Program (2-years full-time; 4-years part-time):

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Accumulated grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a scale of 4.00 (or 3.00 during the last 60 completed credit hours)
  • Prerequisite courses: Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, English Composition, and 9-12 credits of Humanities (e.g. English, Writing, History, etc)

For the Advanced Standing program (1 year full-time; 2 years part-time):

  • Accumulated GPA of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00
  • BSW from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program
    • BSW must have been completed within five years of enrollment in Robert's program. This limit may be extended for up to 8 years if the student has post BSW social work experience.

Not required:

  • Entrance Exam (GRE)

Frequently Asked Questions

We offer two specialized concentrations: Mental Health and Child & Family Services. Both provide a strong foundation for clinical social work practice.

Courses are held online in a 15-week synchronous format, with late afternoon and evening classes designed for adult learners.

The Standard Program takes 24-48 months, while the Advanced Standing Program (for BSW graduates) takes 11-22 months, depending on whether you study full-time or part-time.

Classes are small, with fewer than 20 students per class, allowing for personalized attention and meaningful interaction.

Roberts Wesleyan University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA).

Examples of careers include:

  • School Social Worker
  • Addictions Therapists
  • Mental Health Therapist
  • Medical Social Worker
  • Child Welfare Worker
  • Child and Family Therapist
  • Medicaid Service Coordinator
  • Palliative & Hospice Care Worker
  • Veteran & Military Social Worker
  • Foster Care and Adoptions Services Social Worker
  • Crisis Counselor
  • Gerontology Social Worker

Examples of employers include:

  • Hospitals and Healthcare Systems
  • Child and Family Agencies
  • School Districts
  • Mental Health Clinics
  • Nursing Homes
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
  • Veteran Affairs
  • National Associations

Yes, we provide hands-on field work opportunities with a variety of local, national, and global placement options.

All students take Spirituality and Religion in Social Work Practice course.

In addition, students with a Christian faith commitment can explore their faith more deeply through the Integration of Social Work and Christian Theology course. Alternatively, students can take the Justice, Values, and Ethics course that is grounded in Judeo-Christian values.

Questions?

Meet Your Enrollment Representative!

Laurie Couch
Assistant Director of Admissions

True peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of justice.

Martin Luther King

Social Work is the Art of Listening and the Science of Hope.

unkown

Comparison of Standard & Advanced Standing Programs

Masters of Social Work

 Standard ProgramAdvanced Program
Total Units6038
Completion Time24 months12 months
Delivery methodonline synchronousonline synchronous
Degree Pre-Requisites  
Key Benefits  
Timeline Optionsfull-time or part-timefull-time or part-time
Compatible FocusSpecialing in Mental Health or Child & Family ServicesSpecialing in Mental Health or Child & Family Services
Start DatesSpring, Summer, Fall startsSpring, Summer, Fall starts
Application Deadlinesrolling admissionsrolling admissions
Tuition & Fees$46,920$29,716
Scholarships & Grants25% tuition discount for benefit-eligible, employees, spouses, and dependents of our corporate partners25% tuition discount for benefit-eligible, employees, spouses, and dependents of our corporate partners
ContactLaurie CouchLaurie Couch