Roberts Wesleyan University MSW Program

Founded in 1866 by Benjamin Titus Roberts, Roberts Wesleyan University started as Chili Seminary in North Chili, New York, just outside Rochester. The school began in a farmhouse on a 145-acre property that cost $17,000, and has grown substantially while staying true to its founding principles. B.T. Roberts, an evangelical Methodist minister and the first general superintendent of the Free Methodist Church, started the institution to provide Christian education to boys and girls whatever their economic circumstances.

The institution’s name changed several times over its 157-year history. From Chili Seminary, it became A.M. Chesbrough Seminary (1885), Roberts Junior College (1945), Roberts Wesleyan College (1949), and Roberts Wesleyan University in 2022. This move to university status shows the success of decades of program development and the institution’s ambitious vision.

The university’s 188-acre campus serves about 1,393 undergraduate students with a student-faculty ratio of 10:1. Small class sizes—usually fewer than 20 students—help create meaningful interactions between students and faculty.

Roberts Wesleyan stands as New York’s leading university for character education by weaving Christian worldview into its teaching approach. The university’s mission aims to “prepare thoughtful, spiritually mature, service-oriented people who will help transform society”. This mission drives its four key pillars: Christian faith foundation, customized learning paths, leadership preparation, and thriving communities.

US News & World Report ranks Roberts Wesleyan University No. 84 among Regional Universities North and No. 30 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. The university’s graduates show strong career success—47% receive job offers before graduation and one in five students graduate without debt.

Students can choose from more than 90 programs including traditional undergraduate studies, bachelor’s and advanced degrees for working adults, and seminary studies. The university earned its status by offering 26 master’s and two doctoral programs.

The university’s social work program has built a strong reputation since 1980 when its Bachelor of Social Work program earned accreditation. The Master of Social Work program followed with its original accreditation in 1996. The Department of Social Work gives students the ability to create positive change for individuals, communities, and society while pursuing social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.

Programs offered

The Roberts Wesleyan University MSW program gives you two paths based on your education and career goals. The program creates skilled clinical social workers who excel in their field. Their graduates’ LMSW and LCSW exam passing rates are a big deal as it means that they surpass both state and national averages.

Standard Program (60 credits)
The complete Standard Program needs 60 total credits. Full-time students can finish in 24 months, while part-time students take 48 months. This option welcomes students with bachelor’s degrees in any field who meet the prerequisites. Students can start their learning experience in January or August.

Advanced Standing Program (38 credits)
Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last 5-8 years can take the Advanced Standing option. This faster track needs just 38 credits. Full-time students can graduate in 11 months, while part-time students take 22 months. New classes begin in January and May.

Program Delivery Format
Both programs run online with live classes scheduled in late afternoons and evenings. Students who want face-to-face learning can join clinical courses on Saturdays. Small class sizes help create a supportive environment where faculty members take a personal interest in your growth.

Concentration Options
Whatever program path you choose, you’ll pick one of two specialized concentrations:

Mental Health Specialized Practice
This concentration teaches advanced social work practice with adults in mental health settings. Students learn assessment, case formulation, treatment planning, and intervention skills. You’ll build a broad theoretical framework and learn various intervention techniques needed to succeed in mental health work.

Child and Family Services Specialized Practice
This concentration focuses on challenges facing children, adolescents, and families. Students develop advanced skills to help these groups with trauma, developmental issues, and family dynamics. The coursework looks at family systems across generations and policies that shape how families function.

Both concentrations end with 500 hours of fieldwork during your final year. This hands-on experience lets you use your classroom knowledge in real-life settings.

About the online program

Roberts Wesleyan University’s MSW program offers a complete online experience that works well for professionals. You’ll attend virtual classes in real-time through a synchronous format. Classes are scheduled in late afternoon and evening hours. This lets you interact with professors and classmates while keeping up with your work commitments.

This online program stands out because it blends flexibility with interaction. The program runs online but gives you a choice to take clinical courses in person on Saturdays. Students who want face-to-face instruction for these significant components can choose this option. You’ll get hands-on clinical training without giving up the convenience of online learning.

Learning at Roberts follows a weekly pattern. Instead of classroom sessions, you’ll read assigned materials, watch instructor videos, and join online discussions to better understand course material. Some classes use real-time video conferencing to build meaningful collaboration with faculty and peers. Small class sizes create a supportive environment where faculty invest in your growth.

Success depends on good time management. You should plan to spend 12-15 hours each week on coursework, about 4-5 hours per credit. The program works best for self-motivated students who can handle deadlines on their own.

Roberts Wesleyan gives online students complete support through:

• Online orientation to help you succeed in virtual learning
• Library resources and librarian support available 24/7
• Round-the-clock technical assistance
• Learning Center services with tutoring and writing support

The quality of Roberts’ online MSW program has earned national recognition. It ranks #16 among the 25 Best CSWE Accredited Online MSW Programs. This ranking looked at tuition costs, student reviews, and graduate salaries.

The program starts with an online orientation to help you direct your way through virtual learning. You’ll connect regularly with faculty and classmates, building a real community despite the distance format.

Accreditation

Quality assurance in any social work program depends heavily on accreditation as its foundation. Roberts Wesleyan University has earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). This accreditation will give a solid foundation to your career growth, since licensed social workers must graduate from CSWE-accredited programs.

The university’s social work education has stood the test of time with accredited programs. The Bachelor of Social Work program earned its CSWE accreditation back in 1980. The Master of Social Work program followed suit in 1996. This long history shows the school’s steadfast dedication to delivering excellent social work education.

Roberts Wesleyan stands out as the nation’s first Christian college to receive CSWE accreditation for its MSW program. This milestone highlights the school’s role as an innovator in faith-based social work education. In spite of that, students from all backgrounds are welcome here. The program creates an inclusive space where different points of view improve the learning experience.

Roberts Wesleyan University also holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The university had its accreditation reaffirmed in June 2025, and the next evaluation will take place in 2032-2033. This institutional recognition proves academic quality in programs of all types.

CSWE accreditation brings significant benefits to your professional future:

• Your degree will meet industry standards that employers recognize
• You can take licensing exams in all 50 states
• The program offers proper fieldwork experiences
• The curriculum matches social work competencies and practice behaviors

CSWE-accredited programs must submit assessment data yearly as required by both the Council of Social Work Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These reports measure how well students achieve core competencies and practice behaviors in both BSW and MSW programs.

The university’s membership in professional groups like the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD) further improves program quality. This connection puts the university in touch with leaders who share a commitment to excellence through shared improvement efforts.

Admission Requirements

Your path to a social work career at Roberts Wesleyan University MSW program starts with meeting the admission requirements. The university tailors its requirements based on your education and chosen program path.

The Standard Program (60 credits) needs a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Students who earned at least 3.00 during their last 60 credit hours also qualify. You must complete these courses before enrollment:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Sociology
• English Composition
• 9-12 credits of Humanities (such as English, Writing, or History)

The Advanced Standing option (38 credits) comes with specific requirements. This faster path needs:

• A BSW from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program earned in the last 5 years. This timeline extends to 8 years with post-BSW social work experience
• A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale from undergraduate studies
• A BSW-level field evaluation and academic writing sample that shows you’re ready for advanced graduate education

After acceptance into Advanced Standing, these preparatory courses await:

• Advanced Standing Seminar (2 credits)
• Spirituality and Religion in Social Work Practice (3 credits)
• Psychopathology (3 credits)

Your GPA must stay at a B average or higher in these three courses. The program allows only one B- grade before you move to specialized practice coursework.

Roberts reviews transfer credits case by case. You’ll need to submit formal course descriptions for each class you want to transfer. These courses should be from the last five years before MSW program acceptance. Remember that you must complete at least 30 credits of graduate coursework at Roberts Wesleyan University.

Part-time enrollment requirements match the full-time program. Accepted students take at least 4 credit hours each term during fall and spring. The program lets you complete all coursework within 12 terms from your start date.

Roberts stands out by not requiring GRE scores for either program option. Canadian students who hold a CASWE-accredited BSW can apply to both program paths.

Tuition

The Roberts Wesleyan University MSW program has straightforward costs you should know about. The 2025-26 cost per credit for the MSW program is $805, not including other fees. Your total cost depends on which path you choose:

Standard Program (60 credits): $48,300 total tuition

Advanced Standing (38 credits): $30,590 total tuition

These rates apply to everyone – it doesn’t matter if you’re from in-state or out-of-state. The good news is that you’ll likely pay much less after financial aid kicks in.

Roberts Wesleyan wants education to be affordable. The university’s corporate partners’ employees and their families can get a 25% discount on tuition. Roberts alumni coming back for their MSW get an extra 10% off tuition.

You have several ways to pay for your degree:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $20,500 yearly
• Private loans from banks or other lenders
• Employer tuition assistance programs
• Military benefits including Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® & Yellow Ribbon Program

Roberts Wesleyan’s Net Price Calculator helps you figure out your actual costs after financial aid. This is a big deal as it means that your final cost could be nowhere near the listed price – you’ll pay the total minus any scholarships, grants, and loans.

The university’s costs are lower than many private schools. Roberts Wesleyan ranks in the top 45% nationally for tuition and fees, but costs less than private non-profit four-year colleges that average $54,501 annually.

Additional Information

Roberts Wesleyan University’s MSW program shows remarkable career success rates among its graduates. Recent alumni surveys reveal impressive numbers: 91% found full-time jobs, 38% went on to graduate school, and 95% now work in their chosen field. These numbers prove how valuable an MSW from Roberts Wesleyan can be.

The university’s Career Development team provides complete support throughout your educational trip. You’ll get resources to explore your calling and build professional skills as you prepare for life after graduation. This support goes beyond classroom learning to help you succeed on the ground.

Your MSW degree will create paths to many professional roles. Graduates typically become mental health therapists, medical social workers, child welfare workers, family therapists, crisis counselors, veterans affairs specialists, or gerontology social workers. These positions are available in hospitals, healthcare systems, mental health clinics, school districts, nursing homes, substance abuse treatment centers, and veteran affairs offices.

Students gain valuable experience through field placements at respected organizations:

• Brockport Central School District
• Highland Hospital
• University of Rochester Medical Center
• Department of Corrections

Social work professionals can look forward to excellent job prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 13% growth from 2019 to 2029—much faster than other job markets. This growth shows a rising need for qualified MSW graduates.

New York residents have a special chance through the Career Pathways Training Program. This program pays for tuition after applying free financial aid and covers textbooks, supplies, and other educational expenses. Participants agree to work for three years with a New York State provider serving at least 30% Medicaid members or uninsured individuals.

Roberts Wesleyan combines academic excellence with practical career preparation to give you the tools needed for meaningful contributions in your professional social work practice.