Social Work

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Social Work: Embrace the Call to Build Strong Communities

Transform your neighborhood by studying Social Work at Roberts Wesleyan University. In our CSWE-accredited program, we’ll equip you to create an empowering environment for individuals, communities, and society. Prepare for a rewarding career and become a compassionate social worker by embracing your call.


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4 Year Promise

At Roberts, we are committed to giving you a head start in earning income and achieving your personal goals by helping you graduate in four years. In fact, we guarantee it.

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Program Highlights

GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Learn crisis intervention skills in the Emergency Room Trauma Simulation Lab.

PROMOTE COMPASSION, EMPATHY, AND JUSTICE
Become equipped for social justice advocacy, recognizing the dignity and worth of all individuals.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY
You can earn your bachelor’s degree in as few as three years. You may be eligible for automatic acceptance into our Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

STORIES LEADING THE WAY

Alyssa and Ben Headshot

Alyssa and Ben Matz both graduated from this program in 2020. They stayed at Roberts for their Master’s of Social Work and graduated in 2022.

Alyssa says, “If you have a passion for serving others, advocating for all people, or a hunger for social justice- no matter what those things may look like, social work is for you. Both the Roberts Bachelor’s of Social Work and Master’s of Social Work programs set students up for success on whatever path they decide to take.”

Ben works as a school social worker at Neil Armstrong Elementary School and Alyssa is the Coordinator of Congregational Care and Family Ministry at Browncroft Community Church.

What Will I Learn

You’ll become a competent generalist social worker, ready to jump into the field or to go onto graduate school. You’ll be mentored to embrace the dignity and worth of each individual. You’ll learn to practice social work with integrity, embrace diversity, and apply evidence-based practice.

As Roberts is rooted in historical Christianity, we welcome all spiritual backgrounds and teach you spiritual integration and spiritually-sensitive social work practice.

You’ll Study:
  • Human behavior
  • Individuals, families, and groups
  • Spirituality and social work practice
  • Social policy and community practice
  • Social welfare history and research methods

The Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Social Work Facutly

Career Outlook

Field Placements

  • Center for Youth
  • Children Awaiting Parents
  • East Irondequoit Middle School
  • Edna Tina Wilson Living Center
  • Highland Geriatric Medicine
  • Lifetime Assistance, Inc.
  • Mary's Place Refugee Outreach
  • Open Door Mission
  • Person-Centered Housing Services
  • Rochester City School District
  • Rochester Regional Health – Behavioral Health
  • Willow Center for Domestic Violence

Careers

  • Social Worker
  • Case Manager
  • Director of Community Engagement
  • Adoption Specialist
  • Patient Advocate
  • Public Policy Manager
  • Family Support Educator
  • Public Educator
  • Alcohol and Drug Prevention Coordinator
  • Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator
  • Environmental Health Specialist
  • Human Trafficking Case Manager

Grad Schools

  • Roberts Wesleyan University
  • Columbia University
  • Syracuse University
  • University at Buffalo
  • University of Albany
  • University of South Carolina
  • Regent University
  • SUNY Brockport
  • Nazareth University

Frequently Asked Questions

Social work is a profession devoted to helping improve the lives of individuals and groups and addressing community problems.

Social workers use their skills in a range of settings, some of which include child welfare, healthcare, substance abuse, oncology, and gerontology cases. Others transfer their knowledge of the field to policy and advocacy.

The first step to becoming a licensed social worker is obtaining your bachelor’s of social work at a university like Roberts Wesleyan. You will then need to continue your education and earn your Masters of Social Work (MSW), which is also offered at Roberts.

Requirements differ by state, and it is recommended that you research for the area you intend to practice in.

A Social Work degree from Roberts will prepare you to become a competent generalist social worker. You’ll be equipped to dive into the field or go on to graduate school, empowered to make a positive impact on communities, individuals, and societies.

As a social work major, you’ll study courses such as:

  • Social work settings
  • Social welfare policy
  • Diversity and oppression
  • Social work research methods
  • Practice labs and fieldwork

As a Roberts student, you’ll benefit from the Student Social Work Association, testing your skills in our Emergency Room Trauma Simulation Lab and the ability to complete your degree in just 3 years.

A social work degree can prepare you to thrive in different settings, including:
  • Clinical social work
  • Child and family social work
  • Community development
  • Policy practice
  • Substance abuse counseling

According to the US Bureau of Labor, the median annual wage for social workers in 2021 was $50,390.

Naturally, the numbers will differ by employer, location, business, and position.

Yes! If you come to campus for an individual visit, you can meet individually with a professor to get an overview of the major and your individual questions answered. Our Discovery Day events typically include a Faculty & Services Expo, where you can meet your future professors.

We are committed to helping students meet the financial obligation to earn a degree and advance a career. Our Office of Student Financial Services works to assist all students in their effort to maximize financial aid. We award financial assistance to 100% of our undergraduate students.

Related Majors

Criminal Justice - The Criminal Justice major prepares students for positions in areas such as judicial services, law enforcement, Homeland Security, and private security, with their Criminal Justice degree.
Ministry - The Ministry major is designed for that person who is hoping to pursue ministry, while keeping open the possibility of attending seminary later on.
Music Therapy - Become a Music Therapist with a Music Therapy degree that prepares students for board-certification by thoughtfully combining coursework in Music Foundations, Psychology, Human Development, and Music Therapy.
Psy.D. Clinical/School Psychology - Earn your Doctorate in Psychology at Roberts. We prepare YOU to become an effective psychologist who can deliver evidence-based psychological services in a variety of settings.
Psychology - As a Psychology Major, you will meet our wonderful team of faculty, who love the Lord and love to teach Psychology Courses, as you work toward your Psychology Degree.
Public Health, M.S. - Earn your Master's in Public Health (MSPH) from Roberts Wesleyan University and prepare for a leadership role in public health by immersing yourself in a creative academic experience designed for working professionals.
School Psychology, M.S. - Our Masters in School Psychology program prepares students to evaluate, diagnose, and treat children and adolescents, in consultation with parents and teachers.
Social Work, MSW - The MSW program has a vision to lead the advancement of integrating Christian faith with social work practice, scholarship, and service en route to an MSW degree.
School of Social Work - 585.594.6467 - kelly_michele@roberts.edu