Social Work, MSW
[Social Work-2104]
Roberts Wesleyan University’s MSW program, anchored in the work and vision of B.T. Roberts, prepares competent and compassionate social work professionals to serve as leaders in their communities locally, nationally, and internationally. We commit to providing a rigorous and supportive learning environment that 1) is grounded in Christian and social work values; 2) emphasizes intellectual, cultural, and spiritual humility; 3) challenges students to confront injustices that impact the vulnerable and oppressed; and 4) equips students with skills to enhance the holistic well-being of all people.
The program offers concentrations in both Child and Family Services and Mental Health, preparing students for exemplary service and leadership in private and public agencies.
Admission Criteria:
For the 2-Year Program (including Part-Time format):
- 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 Advanced Standing:
- Bachelor's degree from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education*, with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Provide a BSW-level field evaluation and an academic writing sample that exhibits readiness to begin the advanced level of graduate education and social work practice
- Application materials reflect a mastery of foundational knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective functioning unique to the mission of the Roberts Wesleyan University MSW program prior to beginning the concentration year
*BSW must have been completed within five years of enrollment in Robert’s program. This limit may be extended for up to eight years if the student has post-BSW social work experience.
For Part-time Enrollment:
The admissions standards for the part-time program are the same as the full-time program. Once accepted into part-time status, students must take a minimum of 4 credit hours per term (fall and spring terms) until they have graduated. All courses must be taken within 12 terms from the time they begin as matriculated part-time students (summer is included as a term).
Transfer Credit:
A formal course description (for example, from a course catalog or course syllabus) must be provided for each course that the applicant wishes Roberts to consider. The Program Director will compare the course description with that of similar courses in the Roberts MSW program to determine equivalence. The course description will also be presented to the Registrar’s office as evidence of equivalence, just as an official transcript is presented as evidence of successful course completion.
Transfer courses may be accepted for credit if they have been completed within five years prior to the time of acceptance into the MSW Program. Transfer credits earned following matriculation at Roberts will not be accepted. Applicants to the 2-year 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.
SPECIFICS OF THE SOCIAL WORK, MSW DEGREE
Minimum Total Hours: 38 for the Advanced Standing Program; 60 for Standard Program
Program Requirements:
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 must be maintained, with no grade less than a B-. Any required course with a grade less than B- will need to be repeated. A student may not repeat a course more than one time. Upon taking a course for the second time, if the student again receives less than a B-, the student may be dismissed from the program. In a situation where a student withdraws from a course that is being retaken, and at the time of withdrawal is earning a grade below a B-, the student will not be permitted to attempt the course a third time. Elective courses with a grade lower than B- need not be repeated, but no credit will be given toward graduation.
Students who receive less than a B- in field practice courses will be referred to the Social Work Department’s Academic and Professional Evaluation Committee (APEC) for special action, which may include termination from the program.
Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 may be referred to APEC who will act in accordance with the policies identified below. At a minimum, students with GPAs below 3.0 will be placed on probation. The student's curriculum plan will be reviewed and necessary adjustments made. Students who are on academic probation for two consecutive terms may be dismissed from the program. A student whose term GPA falls below 2.75 will be dismissed from the program unless there are extenuating circumstances which justify a probationary status. Students who wish to reapply for the program must allow at least one term (excluding summer) before reapplying. All students must have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to begin their concentration year courses. This may result in a delay of the student’s academic progress due to when courses are offered during the academic year.
The following standards pertain to advanced standing students while taking the three preparatory advanced standing courses (GSWK 5440, 5600, and 5650). A student who fails to meet any of the following standards will not be allowed to continue in the advanced standing program.
- Obtain a cumulative GPA for the three required courses of at least 3.0
- Receive a grade no less than a B- in each of the three required courses
- Receive no more than one B- in the three required courses
Credits in the Program:
Advanced Standing Courses: 38
- GSWK 5440 (2) Advanced Standing Seminar
- GSWK 5600 (3) Social Work Practice & Religion
- GSWK 5650 (3) Psychopathology
- GSWK 6150 (3) Justice, Values and Ethics, or GSWK 7150 (3) Integration of SW & Christian Theology
- GSWK 6420 (2) Applied Social Work Research
- GSWK 6640 (2) Group Work
- GSWK 6700* (3) Field Instruction III
- GSWK 6750* (3) Field Instruction IV
- Two Elective Courses (3 each)
Concentration Courses (choose one concentration):
Child and Family Concentration:
- GSWK 6250 (3) Child-Family Multidimensional Assessment
- GSWK 6300 (2) Child and Family Policy
- GSWK 6510 (3) Child and Family Theories
- GSWK 6520 (3) Child and Family Interventions
Mental Health Concentration:
- GSWK 6260 (3) Mental Health Multidimensional Assessment
- GSWK 6350 (2) Mental Health Policy
- GSWK 6610 (3) Mental Health Theories
- GSWK 6620 (3) Mental Health Interventions
Two Year Program Courses: 60
- GSWK 5200 (3) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- GSWK 5250 (3) Human Behavior and Social Environment
- GSWK 5300 (3) Social Welfare Policy and Services
- GSWK 5400 (3) Social Work Research
- GSWK 5500 (3) Individual, Family, & Group Intervention
- GSWK 5520 (3) Organization & Community Intervention
- GSWK 5600 (3) Social Work Practice & Religion
- GSWK 5650 (3) Psychopathology
- GSWK 5700* (3) Field Instruction I
- GSWK 5750* (3) Field Instruction II
- GSWK 6150 (3) Justice, Values and Ethics, or GSWK 7150 (3) Integration of SW & Christian Theology
- GSWK 6420 (2) Applied Social Work Research
- GSWK 6640 (2) Group Work
- GSWK 6700* (3) Field Instruction III
- GSWK 6750* (3) Field Instruction IV
- Two Elective Courses (3 each)
Concentration Courses (choose one concentration):
Child and Family Concentration:
- GSWK 6250 (3) Child-Family Multidimensional Assessment
- GSWK 6300 (2) Child and Family Policy
- GSWK 6510 (3) Child and Family Theories
- GSWK 6520 (3) Child and Family Interventions
Mental Health Concentration:
- GSWK 6260 (3) Mental Health Multidimensional Assessment
- GSWK 6350 (2) Mental Health Policy
- GSWK 6610 (3) Mental Health Theories
- GSWK 6620 (3) Mental Health Interventions
*Refer to the field manual for additional requirements that must be met for field seminar courses.