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MSW - Admissions & Application

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Roberts Wesleyan University maintains rigorous admissions standards to ensure students are prepared for the intensive social work training program. As a graduate of the MSW program, you will be thoroughly equipped to enter advanced social work practice in whatever concentration you choose.

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, Statistics or Research Methods, 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.

Application

To apply for the MSW program at Roberts Wesleyan University, please complete the following:

  • Free Online Application
  • 2 Recommendation Forms– For Standard program candidates, two professional and/or academic references are preferred. In the case that a Standard program candidate cannot obtain a second professional and/or academic reference, one personal reference may be submitted (i.e. volunteer or pastoral reference). Advanced Standing candidates are required to submit at least one academic reference.
  • An autobiographical statement (instructions)
  • A current professional résumé
  • Applicants interested in the Advanced Standing program are required to provide an additional academic writing sample and a BSW field evaluation
  • Official transcripts from every college or university you attended. NOTE: All official transcripts can be sent electronically to AGE-Admissions@roberts.edu OR via mail to Roberts Wesleyan University "ATTN: AGE Admissions Office" 2301 Westside Drive Rochester, NY 14624

Application Deadline

The Roberts Wesleyan University Master of Social Work program has a “rolling admissions” process. This allows our Admissions Committee to review applications as they are completed and provides the opportunity to respond to prospective students in a timely manner. While we will continue accepting applications up until two weeks prior to the start of the program, prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications at least two months prior to their start date.

Advanced Standing

Students who meet Advance Standing criteria may have the foundation year courses waived if the following criteria are met (in addition to the general admissions criteria):

  • Demonstrate that the foundation knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective functioning taught at the BSW level have been sufficiently mastered.
  • Successful completion* of three Advanced Standing Courses (offered in the summer prior to beginning the concentration year).
    • GSWK 5440 | Advanced Standing Seminar
    • GSWK 5600 | Spirituality and Religion in Social Work Practice
    • GSWK 5650 | Psychopathology
      * Students must average at least a B across these three courses (with only one B- allowed) in order to begin MSW concentration year course work 


Transfer Credit

Graduate credit earned at a CSWE-accredited MSW program with a grade of B or better may be transferable to the extent that the student can demonstrate equivalence to courses in the MSW degree program. Students will need to provide the program administrators with descriptions and syllabi for the courses being considered for transfer.

Transfer courses may be accepted for credit if they have been completed within five years from the time of acceptance into the MSW Program. Transfer credits earned following matriculation at Roberts will not be accepted. Applicants to the standard program may transfer up to one full year of credit 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 University. Academic credit is not given for life experience or previous work experience.

Need Housing?

If you are in need of housing while studying at Roberts, please contact AGE-Admissions@roberts.edu for a list of housing options near campus or visit www.roberts.edu/GradHousing for on-campus housing for full-time, graduate students.

Application Questions:

Call: 585.594.6600 | 800.777.4792 (toll free) | Email: AGE-Admissions@roberts.edu

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Adult and Graduate Admissions - 585.594.6600 | 800.777.4792 (toll free) - AGE-Admissions@roberts.edu