Social Work – BS

Program Overview:

The Social Work major prepares students for beginning generalist social work practice. Through academic study and agency field work, students become social workers qualified for entry-level professional positions. Graduates accept positions which serve people of all ages in settings such as schools, hospitals, residential treatment centers, mental health, substance abuse and alcohol treatment clinics, probation offices, long term care facilities such as nursing homes and daycare centers. Students gain skills in interviewing, assessing, problem-solving, researching, organizing, and many other facets of this helping profession. Clients include individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Since the preparation for the social work profession demands a study in various academic fields such as political science, sociology, and biology, as well as a strong background in liberal arts, Social Work majors are well prepared to pursue graduate study degrees in Social Work or related fields such as counseling, community psychology or law. Upon acceptance to the College, students must apply for admission to the Social Work major. Applications may be made any time after the first semester of the freshman year, but no later than the semester prior to taking SWK 378. Acceptance requires that the student must have a cumulative average of 2.3 at either the college or the community college from which the applicant has transferred; likewise, in order to be accepted into SWK 378 (pre-field), a student must have achieved a cumulative average of 2.3 overall and 2.3 in the major with a grade of “C” or higher in every course with an SOC or SWK prefix required of the major. Students may review “Admissions Policies for the Major in Social Work” for procedures.

In its policies and practices, the Social Work program shall not discriminate against persons on the basis of their age, race, gender, creed, religion, ethnicity, social class, political beliefs, handicap, or sexual orientation.

The Social Work program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Program Contacts:

To email Department Chair,

Maureen Rotondi, Social Work

Program Webpage:

Social Work, BS

Program Requirements:

Major in Social Work (64-65 credits)

BIO 127/127L	Human Biology	4
POS 111	Introduction to US Politics	3
SOC 111	Intro to Sociology	3
SOC 358	Sociological Theory	4
SOC 360	Class, Race, and Gender	3
SWK 114	Introduction to Social Work: Self-Awareness and Social Relations	3
SWK 213	Social Change and Social Services	3
	or
SWK 212	Societies/Social Welfare	2
SWK 215	Human Behavior in the Social Environment	3
SWK 315	Human Behavior in the Social Environment 2	3
SWK 322	Community Practice	3
SWK 375	Diversity Workshop	3
SWK 378	Pre-Field Experience	3
SWK 379	Social Work Practice with Individuals, Groups and Families	3
SWK 451	Social Work Research Methods	3
SWK 480	Field Practicum	4
SWK 481	Social Work Practice with Individual and Families	4
SWK 482	Field Practicum continued	4
SWK 483	Social Work Practice with Groups	3
SWK 489	Understand and Influencing Policy	3
	Social Work Elective	3

Other Requirements and Recommendations

Students must attend all sessions of the orientation to pre-field during the fall semester prior to entering SWK 378 the following spring. Students who earn a grade below C or its equivalent in SWK 378, SWK 480, and SWK 482 may retake any of these field placements only upon permission of the Social Work faculty. Social Work majors may apply BIO 127 and POS 111 to their Liberal Education requirements. Social Work majors may wish to pursue proficiency in Spanish. Seniors must pass integrative exams in SWK 481 and SWK 483.

School of Mathematics & Sciences Research Honors Concentration

In order to promote undergraduate research within The College of Saint Rose, the School of Mathematics & Sciences has created a research honors concentration program.

The School recognizes that what constitutes research may vary considerably across disciplines. The descriptions listed below represent the accepted definitions of research within the School of Mathematics & Sciences for individual departments currently offering research honors:

Empirical examination of one or more hypotheses using research protocols and experimental designs appropriate to the student’s discipline. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Physical and Biological Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology)
Robust exploratory examination of an advanced Computer Science topic (e.g. programming, design, analysis, simulation) following a traditional research trajectory and/or requiring implementation of a large-scale programming project. (Computer Science)
In depth critical or theoretical examination of the literature on an unresolved issue in the field. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Social Work, Sociology)
Qualitative examination using research protocols and designs appropriate to the student’s discipline. (Criminal Justice, Behavior and Law, Social Work, Sociology)
Qualitative or deconstructive research that challenges a discipline’s orthodoxy or grand narrative. (Social Work)

Procedural Details:

Students interested in pursuing research honors and who have achieved at least a B average at Saint Rose, must file an “Intent to Pursue Research Honors Concentration” document with the Dean of Mathematics & Sciences, accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member within the major, and sign up for Research Honors Concentration Candidacy in Mathematics & Sciences for their major at the academic advising office. This concentration will appear on their academic progress report and academic transcript as “Research Honors in Mathematics and Sciences – Department of Social Work.”
Students must select a primary research advisor within their major who agrees to oversee the student’s progress toward Research Honors.
Students must complete the research requirements for honors established for their major as indicated in the course catalog, and maintain an average of B or higher in these traditionally graded courses.
At the time of graduation, students must have a minimum overall average of B and must meet or exceed the minimum GPA for research honors within their major as established by their department.
At the conclusion of the research honors requirements, students will submit a thesis in a format appropriate for a scholarly journal within their discipline. Copies of the final thesis will be kept on file in the School of Mathematics & Sciences and in the Neil Hellman Library.

Social Work

In addition to the general requirements for the research honors concentration described above, students pursuing research honors in the Department of Social Work must meet the criteria stated below:

Completion of SWK 451 with a grade of B or higher
Completion of six credit hours of advanced research
Submission of a manuscript to a peer reviewed journal

Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Professional Accreditations:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org

The bachelor’s program in Social Work at The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Council for Social Work Education, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.cswe.org/

Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:

Social Work Careers

Your social work degree from Saint Rose will provide you with the knowledge and flexibility to serve populations spanning all ages and backgrounds. Some of the career opportunities available to you with a bachelor's degree in social work include:

Probation and parole officer
Hospital social worker
Case worker
Drug and alcohol counselor
Youth worker
Various positions within the field of geriatrics

Graduate Study

Saint Rose social work graduates have pursued master's degrees in social work, sociology, counseling, community psychology, political science, and educational psychology and have successfully attended law schools. By engaging in advanced study in social work or related fields, students can focus more clearly on their particular interests and gain specialized skills within specific populations. In addition, a master's degree in social work is required for social workers wishing to engage in private practice and in many professional positions. Saint Rose social work graduates have completed advanced degrees at many prestigious schools including:

Fordham University
Springfield College
University at Albany

Minor(s):

Although the minor does not prepare students for social work practice, this course of study is useful to students in majors dealing with interpersonal interaction such as education, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or other social sciences as well as Medical Technology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Business and the humanities. It includes academic work geared toward understanding and helping people and provides a sound background for graduate study in the helping professions.

Social Work Minor

Complete minors listing

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.

What Makes an Application Complete

Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
Official High School Transcripts
Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
Essay or Graded Paper
Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.

Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.

The Bottom Line

The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.

Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.

More about Financial Aid

Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.

The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.