Part Time | Advanced Standing

Full-Time Admission Criteria

The admission criteria are divided into three sections: academic preparation, completion of the liberal arts perspective, and personal qualities and professional readiness. Each student will submit transcripts from previously attended colleges and universities. In order to be considered for admission to the two-year program, students must have earned an undergraduate degree. In addition, they need to have earned a grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4 point scale) at the undergraduate level, or 3.0 (on a 4 point scale) during the last 60 completed credit hours.

The transcripts submitted by students are used to evaluate their completion of the liberal arts perspective. The criteria for admission include the completion at a "C" average level the following liberal arts courses:

3 semester hours of Introduction to Psychology
3 semester hours of Introduction to Sociology
3 semester hours of Introduction to Statistics
9 - 12 semester hours in humanities (must include either an oral or written communication course)

If the criteria for academic preparation and the liberal arts perspective are met, the students autobiographic statement submitted with the applications is evaluated for writing skills, personal characteristics and professional readiness for graduate study and advanced social work practice. The three references submitted on behalf of the student are used to assess personal characteristics and professional readiness. The Admissions Committee may request a personal interview.

Applicants' academic records, application with writing sample autobiographies and references are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Emotional Stability - Social work is not a field for individuals who desire to solve their own emotional needs or problems by working in a helping role. Individuals entering advanced social work practice need to maintain emotional stability and be able to cope with the emotional stress that is common in this demanding profession.

2. Self-confidence and assertiveness - These characteristics are necessary in working with client systems, colleagues, professionals from other disciplines, and supervisors, especially in order to work actively as a case and cause advocate for the rights of clients.

3. Ability to accept constructive criticism - As lifelong learners, individuals need to accept that there is room for improvement in their personal and professional behavior. Once individuals accept this need for improvement, they can constructively use the insights regarding their behavior provided by colleagues, supervisors, administrators, or governing boards, and work towards change.

4. Interest in and motivation for social work profession - Social workers entering graduate study in their profession need to be motivated both as students and as professionals. This motivation and interest in the field should come from a strong desire to serve others in society, especially the poor in urban communities.

5. Intellectual ability - Problem-solving and critical analysis skills are fundamental for effective social work practice. Complex individual, group, family, organization, and community problems require advanced practitioners to think clearly and logically in a systematic manner if problems are to be ameliorated or resolved.

6. Communication skills - Both oral and written communication skills are vital in the social work profession. Fluency in a foreign language is a definite asset in the profession.

7. Ability to form and maintain positive relationships - Social work is a people-oriented profession, and relationship building is foundational to effective practice. There needs to be the capacity to empathize and establish effective interpersonal relationships with diverse client populations.

8. Ability to work with diverse groups - Social workers need to be aware of their own prejudices and actively work to address these attitudes and actions using the feedback provided by client systems, colleagues, and supervisors. Advanced practitioners need to be able to work with diverse client populations in a non-judgmental manner, accepting individuals' rights to differing perspectives.

9. Leadership qualities - The ability to work effectively in a leadership role is necessary for advanced practitioners. Social workers assume positions of leadership with client systems as well as roles in agencies as supervisors, administrators, and consultants.

10. Social work values and ethics consistent with social work - Social workers can be influential upon client systems. Therefore, it is essential that advanced practitioners be of good moral character. Social workers should be aware of their own values and have respect for others' values, which may be different. Their own values should have some consistency with the Judeo-Christian heritage and with the values reflected in the profession's Code of Ethics.

 

Part-Time Admission Criteria

The admissions criteria for the part-time program are same as for full-time admissions. Students must identify whether they are applying for full-time or part-time status. Moving from one status to another requires a formal application process and is possible as space is available.

Advanced Standing Program Admission Criteria

To avoid duplication and redundancy for BSW graduates, the Program offers an Advanced Standing option.

In order to be considered for admission to the advanced standing program students must have completed an undergraduate degree from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, with at least an overall G.P.A. of 3.0. Recommendations and autobiography must demonstrate readiness to begin at the advanced level of graduate education and advanced social work practice.

To be eligible for advanced standing, the B.S.W. must have been completed within five years of enrollment in the program. This five-year limit may be extended for up to 8 years if the student has post-B.S.W. social work practice experience (such experience to be approved by the Admissions Committee). For each 2 years of acceptable practice experience applicants may be granted credit of one year toward the extension of the time limit. For example, an applicant with a B.S.W. received 7 years prior to the time of application to the M.S.W. program may be granted advanced standing admission if he/she has completed 4 years of acceptable practice experience.

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Transfer Credit

Graduate credit earned in accredited graduate schools and carrying a grade of B or better will be transferable toward an advanced degree at Roberts Wesleyan College to the extent that the student can demonstrate equivalence to course(s) in the RWC degree program and pending approval by The Division of Social Work and Social Sciences. This equivalence can be demonstrated by students providing the Division and their advisors with catalog course descriptions, course syllabi, and completed assignments for the courses being considered for transfer.

A maximum of 12 credits taken by students on a non-matriculated basis may be transferred toward the 60-credit MSW degree requirement. Transfer courses may be accepted for credit if they have been completed five years from the time of acceptance into the MSW Program. Transfer credit is not accepted for credits earned following matriculation at Roberts Wesleyan College. Applicants to the 2-year program may transfer up to one full year of credit (a maximun of 30 credit hours) from another CSWE-accredited MSW Program in which they were matriculated graduate students in good standing. A minimum of 30 credits of graduate coursework is required from Roberts Wesleyan College. Academic credit is not given for life experience or previous work experience.

PACE Admission Criteria

PACE (Professional Advancement and Continuing Education) courses are MSW courses that are graduate credit social work courses for non-matriculated students. You may enroll if you have earned a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university. Only a simplified application process is required to register.

All courses will be recorded on a transcript. PACE courses with a grade of B or better may be applied toward the MSW degree. Successful completion of PACE courses does not, however, guarantee admission into the matriculated program.

PACE courses include Social and Cultural Diversity, Social Welfare Policy, Social Work Practice and Religion, Psychopathology, and electives.