Iona College

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Studying Social Work at Iona College

This school appears on our ranking of 20 High-value BSW Degrees in Metro Areas with Top Salaries for Social Workers.

The School of Arts & Science at Iona College has conferred a B.S. in Social Work since 1998 to prepare selfless practitioners for outreach interventions that touch the lives of at-risk citizens. Chaired by Dr. Penelope Moore, the 2007 Hugh McCabe Award for Social Justice winner, the 45-credit, CSWE-accredited major nurtures Catholic compassion to improve human suffering. Face-to-face courses in New Rochelle have a 15:1 student-faculty ratio for discussing topics like Social Welfare Policy, Human Diversity, Abnormal Psychology, and Sociological Problems. Boasting a 100 percent benchmark pass rate, the curriculum opens eligibility for 4+1 Advanced Standing MSW study and LMSW licensing. Others might jumpstart Iona's 54-credit M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy program.

Each B.S. in Social Work major must complete 500+ hands-on experience hours in the Fields of Practice Program before the senior capstone conference. Potential NYC Metro practicum sites include Hope Community Services, Westchester Independent Living Center, Youth Voices Center, Westchester ARC, Center for Urban Community, Catholic Charities, Coalition for the Homeless, and Dress for Success. Upper-division students can engage in the Center for Social Research, which is well-published in CUR Quarterly, Journal of Social Work, and others. Undergrads get involved in Social Work Club for annual events like Human Trafficking Awareness and A Thread of Hope. Students might also join Best Buddies, attend the Kairos Weekend Retreat, and take mission trips to Zambia.

About Iona College

Iona College was founded by the Congregation of Christian Brothers in 1940 as an all-male, working-class diocesan academy upholding Saint Columba's values. Dedicated to "Certa Bonum Certamen," Iona prospered during the mid-20th century under Brother Arthur Austin Loftus into a private, four-year Catholic ACCU member. Endowed for $116.4 million, Iona now enrolls 3,792 Gaels from 45 countries. Iona College confers 60+ majors via the School of Arts & Sciences, including the B.S. in Social Work, with a graduation rate of 64 percent. Just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, Iona surrounds Robert V. LaPenta Union with a 45-acre campus in Business Week's best New York town. Linked to 29,652 LinkedIn alumni, Iona College has taught Don McLean, Eileen Ivers, John Bonacic, and others.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Iona the North's 75th best university and 84th top value school with the 172nd best part-time business education. Forbes crowned Iona College the 154th top Northeastern college and 282nd best private school with "C+" finances. On Niche, Iona was America's 75th best Catholic college, 255th most diverse university, and 340th top Common Application school. College Factual applauded Iona for the 99th best social work programs with the 20th highest-paid graduates. Given a $1 million Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation Award in 2017, Iona College was placed 263rd nationally on the Social Mobility Index. The "College of Distinction" was honored for the 217th most service participation and 232nd highest Ph.D. completion in Washington Monthly too.

Iona College Accreditation Details

In 2013, Iona College had its Level IV accreditation reaffirmed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) for another decade under president Joseph Nyre. This regional approval without public sanctions ensures all 22 academic departments are authorized for Federal Title-IV eligibility by the U.S. Department of Education. Specifically, the B.S. in Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Social Work Department's MFT Master's was also reaffirmed by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).

Iona College Application Requirements

Pursuing the B.S. in Social Work at Iona College can appear easier with a "less selective" Fall 2016 acceptance of 91 percent, but certain criteria must be fulfilled. First-year Gaels must have completed a New York State Regents diploma, an out-of-state equivalent, or the GED. Admission staff looks for a minimum 85 average or 3.0 GPA within college-prep courses, including four years of English. Freshmen are expected to achieve composite scores above 1050 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT. Transfers into the Social Work Department should have finished 24-64 non-remedial credits from regionally accredited colleges with cumulative GPAs over 2.5. Joining the 3,300 international students requires scoring above 550 on the TOEFL pBT or 6.5 on the IELTS English exams.

Iona College has established a non-binding Early Action deadline of December 1st and Regular Action deadline of February 15th for freshmen. Transfers have rolling admission, but foreign I-20 students must apply by December 1st for Fall or October 15th for Spring. Either the Iona Application or Common Application can be submitted online for the B.S. in Social Work. If needed, extra materials may be sent to 715 North Avenue in New Rochelle, NY 10801 or emailed to [email protected]. Budding social workers shouldn't forget the following:

• $50 application fee (or waiver request)

• Official high school and college transcripts

• College Board entrance exam scores

• One or two teacher letters of recommendation

• Typed personal goals essay of 250+ words

• Proof of English language aptitude (if applicable)

Iona College Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Iona College will charge full-time B.S. in Social Work students $36,612 annually regardless of residence. Taking one to 11 credits would cost $1,211 apiece part-time. One comprehensive fee of $2,200 is added per year. Living in dorms like Rice Hall costs New Rochelle residents $15,278 for annual room and board. Total annual Iona cost of attendance is $38,812 for commuters and $54,090 for residents full-time. Ambitious undergrads entering the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy early will pay $968 per credit with a $245 semester fee.

According to the NCES College Navigator, 88 percent of full-time Gaels share $57.86 million in yearly financial assistance packages that average $20,166. Social work majors should file the FAFSA application via code 002737 by April 15th for Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant consideration. Undergrads cautiously borrow Federal William D. Ford Direct loans, which may later qualify for the NYS Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness Program. Empire State natives typically benefit from the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Educational Opportunity Award. Those with cumulative GPAs over 3.3 might earn the NYS Achievement and Investment in Merit Scholarship. The Federal Work-Study Program offers campus jobs worth at least $12/hour. B.S. in Social Work students at Iona College also qualify for institutional funds, such as the Brother Offer Scholarship, Founders Grant, Heritage Scholarship, Transfer Scholarship, Athletic Award, and Piper's Scholarship.