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 2.5 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 2.5 overall and 2.5 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:
Maureen Rotondi
Social Work Department Chair
Email: rotondim@mail.strose.edu
Program Webpage:
Social Work, BS
Program Requirements:
Major in Social Work (64-65 credits)
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.
For those interested in honors-level undergraduate research, please refer to the Honors Research section.
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
Year 1
Fall (17 credits)
SWK 114--3
SOC 111 (L11)--3
ENG 105 (L01)--4
Lib Ed requirement (L02)--3
Lib Ed requirement (L04)--4
Spring (15 credits)
POS 111 (L10)--3
Lib Ed requirement (L07)--3
General Electives--6
Year 2
Fall (16 credits)
BIO 127 and BIO 127L (L09)--4
Lib Ed requirement (L03)--3
General electives--9
Spring (15 credits)
SOC 360--3
Lib Ed requirement (L08)--3
General electives--12
Year 3
Fall (16-19 credits)
SWK 215--3
SWK 212 or SWK 213--2 or 3
SOC 358--4
Lib Ed requirement (L05)--3
Lib Ed requirement (L12)--1
Lib Ed requirement (L06)--3
Spring (15 credits)
SWK 315--3
SWK 322--3
SWK 375--3
SWK 378--3
SWK 379--3
Year 4
Fall (15 credits)
SWK 451--3
SWK 480--4
SWK 481--4
Lib Ed requirement (Further Disciplinary Study)--3
Lib Ed requirement (L12)--1
Spring (16 credits)
SWk 482--4
SWK 483--3
SWK 489--3
General electives--6
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Student gain field experience in SWK 378, SWK 480, and SWK 482. SWK 114 and SWK 322 both have service learning requirements as well.
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Courses:
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
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
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.
Find Out More: