Social Work M.S.W.

Program Summary

Transform Lives with Compassionate Social Work

In the Master of Social Work program at Roberts, you can dive deep into one of two specialized concentrations: Mental Health or Child/Family Services. You’ll work closely with expert faculty through an engaging curriculum that sparks critical thinking and integrates a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural perspective.

24-48 Months, Full or Part-Time

100% Online

60 Credits

(Advanced Standing available if you've earned your Bachelor of Social Work within the past 5 years)

FREE APPLICATION

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.

Concentration Option 1: Mental Health Specialized Practice

The Mental Health Specialized Practice/Concentration is designed to prepare students for advanced social work practice with adults in mental health settings. This concentration emphasizes assessment, case formulation, treatment plan development, intervention, and an analysis of the policies that affect mental health practice.

During the concentration year, students will gain social work knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of individuals seeking mental health services. This includes developing a broad theoretical framework and a diverse set of intervention skills, ensuring students are well-prepared to enter the mental health workforce.

Additional advanced-level coursework further equips students with knowledge, values, and skills related to group work, applied social work research and evaluation, and ethical issues relevant to mental health practitioners. The knowledge, values, and skills gained in coursework are put into practice in advanced field placement settings, culminating in 500 hours of fieldwork during the student’s concentration year.

Family Therapy

Concentration Option 2: Child and Family Services Specialized Practice

The Child and Family Services Specialized Practice curriculum provides an in-depth exploration of specific issues affecting children, adolescents, and families. This area of specialized practice allows students to develop advanced skills in addressing unique challenges and needs within these populations, such as trauma, developmental issues, family dynamics, and the impact of relevant policies. In-depth attention is given to intergenerational and environmental systems, as well as policy frameworks, that directly affect child, youth, and family functioning.

Additional advanced-level coursework further equips students with knowledge, values, and skills related to group work, applied social work research and evaluation, and ethical issues relevant to social work practitioners working with children, youth, and families. The knowledge, values, and skills gained in coursework are put into practice in advanced field placement settings, culminating in 500 hours of fieldwork during the student’s concentration year.

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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

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Comparison of Standard & Advanced Standing Programs

Masters of Social Work

 Standard ProgramAdvanced Program
Total Units6038
Completion Time (for full-time students)24 months11 months
Delivery methodOnline synchronousOnline synchronous
Degree Pre-Requisites
  • English Composition
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology
BSW from an accredited undergraduate program within 5 years of enrolling in Roberts' MSW program
Key Benefits  
Timeline Optionsfull-time or part-timefull-time or part-time
Compatible FocusSpecializing in Mental Health or Child & Family ServicesSpecializing in Mental Health or Child & Family Services
Start DatesAugust and January startsMay and January 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
Contact

Laurie Couch 

Schedule A Meeting

Laurie Couch

Schedule A Meeting

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

Graduate Financial Aid

Mission and Sample Coursework

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 provide a rigorous and supportive learning environment that:

  1. is grounded in Christin and social work values;
  2. upholds the standards of scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice;
  3. emphasizes intellectual, cultural, and spiritual humility;
  4. challenges students to confront injustices that impact the vulnerable and oppressed; and
  5. equips students with skills to enhance the holistic well-being of all people across diverse environments.

Browse course descriptions Visit the Department of Social Work

Curriculum Overview

Foundation/Generalist Level Courses (24 credit hours):

  • GSWK 5200 | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Anti-Oppressive Practice | 3 credits
  • GSWK 5250 | Human Behavior & Social Environment | 3 credits
  • GSWK 5300 | Social Welfare Policy & Services | 3 credits
  • GSWK 5400 | Social Work Research | 3 credits
  • GSWK 5500 | Individual, Family, & Group Intervention | 3 credits
  • GSWK 5520 | Organization & Community Intervention | 3 credits
  • GSWK 5600 | Spirituality and Religion in Social Work Practice | 3 credits
  • GSWK 5650 | Psychopathology | 3 credits

Foundation/Generalist Level Field Instruction (6 credit hours):

  • GSWK 5700 | Field Instruction I | 3 credits
  • GSWK 5750 | Field Instruction II | 3 credits
    OR
    GSWK 5800 | Field Instruction I & II Summer Block | 6 credits

Advanced Level Courses with Major Focus on Mental Health (11 credit hours):

  • GSWK 6260 | Mental Health Multidimensional Assessment | 3 credits
  • GSWK 6350 | Mental Health Policy | 2 credits
  • GSWK 6610 | Mental Health Theories | 3 credits
  • GSWK 6620 | Mental Health Interventions | 3 credits


Additional Advanced Level Courses (7 credit hours):

  • GSWK 6420 | Applied Social Work Research | 2 credits
  • GSWK 6640 | Group Work | 2 credits
  • GSWK 6150 | Justice, Values and Ethics | 3 credits
    OR
    GSWK 7150 | Integration of Social Work and Christian Theology | 3 credits


Advanced/Concentration Level Field Instruction (6 credit hours):

  • GSWK 6700 | Field Instruction III | 3 credits
  • GSWK 6750 | Field Instruction IV | 3 credits
    OR
    GSWK 6800 | Field Instruction for Summer Block Placement | 6 credits

Elective Courses (6 credit hours):

Two 3-credit hour elective courses (see the section on Elective Courses for details).

Advanced Level Courses with Major Focus on Children and Families (11 credit hours):

  • GSWK 6250 | Child and Family Multidimensional Assessment | 3 credits
  • GSWK 6300 | Child and Family Policy | 2 credits
  • GSWK 6510 | Child and Family Theories | 3 credits
  • GSWK 6520 | Child and Family Interventions | 3 credits

Additional Advanced Level Courses (7 credit hours):

  • GSWK 6420 | Applied Social Work Research | 2 credits
  • GSWK 6640 | Group Work | 2 credits
  • GSWK 6150 | Justice, Values and Ethics | 3 credits
    OR
    GSWK 7150 | Integration of Social Work and Christian Theology | 3 credits

Advanced/Concentration Level Field Placement (6 credit hours):

  • GSWK 6700 | Field Instruction III | 3 credits
  • GSWK 6750 | Field Instruction IV | 3 credits
    OR
    GSWK 6800 | Field Instruction for Summer Block Placement | 6 credits

Elective Courses (6 credit hours):

Two 3-credit hour elective courses (see the section on Elective Courses for details).

  • GSWK 7010 | Aging: Individual & Social Perspectives | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7020 | Understanding and Treating Substance Misuse | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7030 | Seminar: Evidence-Based Practices in Mental Health | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7040 | Nature-Based Interventions | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7050 | Death and Bereavement | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7210 | Human Rights & Social Work Practice Global Context | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7330 | Family Violence | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7340 | Play Therapy | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7360 | Working with Trauma: Theory & Intervention Social Work | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7450 | Environmental Social Work | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7630 | Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7940 | Cross-Cultural Experience in Social Work | 3 credits
  • GSWK 7950 | Independent Study | 3 credits

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)
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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Once students successfully earn their MSW degree from Roberts Wesleyan University, they can pursue social work licensure, both LMSW (licensed master of social worker) and LCSW (licensed clinical social worker). Our curriculum meets the current prerequisite education requirements for both LMSW and LCSW licensure in New York State (NYS).

After earning their MSW degree from Roberts, students residing in NYS can apply for their LMSW license through the NYS Education Department Office of Professions. To apply for the LCSW, candidates must complete at least three years of supervised post-MSW experience as outlined by the Office of Professions.

Students are encouraged to review the detailed NYS social work licensure requirements on the NYS Office of Professions website. 

For students residing or planning to reside outside of NYS, please contact the licensing board in the state or province where you plan to pursue licensure for their specific requirements.

A social work degree from a CSWE-accredited MSW program is only one requirement for applying for social work licensure. For additional details on social work licensure, visit the following websites:

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.

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.

If you have a strong desire to help others and make a difference in the world, then an MSW degree may be the right choice for you! Master level social workers are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, child welfare agencies, nursing homes, mental health clinics, schools, government, and human services agencies. MSWs are trained as clinical social workers and are able to diagnose and treat mental illnesses.

An MA in Social Work does not lead to a path of licensure in New York State. In order to obtain licensure as a social worker in New York State, an MSW degree is required. This degree must be earned from a graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In addition, successfully passing a national licensing exam is necessary to obtain status as a Licensed Master Social Worker. (LMSW). In order to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), the earned MSW degree must include clinical courses. It is also required that LCSWs have three years of post-degree supervised experience in clinical social work and pass the clinical licensing examination. The MSW program at Roberts Wesleyan University is accredited by CSWE, provides the clinical courses required for the LCSW, and offers a review course for MSW students to prepare for the LMSW exam.

You do not need a bachelors in social work to enter an MSW program. Many MSW students have a bachelor's degree in a field related to social work such as psychology or human services, although this is not necessary. MSW students come from a range of different backgrounds and have a variety of undergraduate degrees. However, students that have a bachelor's degree in social work can typically complete the program in a much shorter duration as an advanced standing student.

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Start Dates

January 13th, 2025

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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.

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