Social Work Majors at Marist College
Marist College appears in our ranking of the 20 High-value BSW Degrees in Metro Areas with Top Salaries for Social Workers.
Since 1982, the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences in Charles H. Dyson Center has awarded the Bachelor of Social Work to Marist College undergrads seeking altruistic careers serving needy individuals and groups. The 120-credit BSW builds atop 60 liberal arts credits to teach the effective methodologies for entry-level, generalist practice in urban Tri-State areas. Chaired by Dr. Daria Hanssen, the curriculum integrates courses like Social Change, Racial Inequality, Human Biology, Introduction to Psychology, and Social Welfare Policy with 20-30 peers for engagement. There's also an Adult Completion BSW track available for 2+2 transfers to follow the hybrid in-person and online format via iLearn. Accredited Marist coursework fulfills Advanced Standing qualifications in MSW programs to finish New York State licensing faster.
Earning the Marist Bachelor of Social Work involves 16 hours of weekly hands-on fieldwork for 400-500 total internship hours in the Mid-Hudson Valley and beyond. Potential placements include Ferncliff Nursing Home, The Pines, Astor Head Start, Healthy Families, Ulster County Probation, Dutchess Outreach, New Horizons, Grace Smith House, Putnam Hospital, River Haven, and Lexington Center for Recovery. The College to Career Program can help arrange gap year experiences with AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. In Manhattan, Marist College partners with MDRC for social policy research projects each summer. BSW majors may also volunteer via Best Buddies, join the Social Work Club, attend the Out of the Darkness Walk, present at the NASW-NYS Conference, study abroad in Florence, and enter the Emerging Leaders Program.
About Marist College
Marist College was initially formed as Saint Ann's Hermitage by Marcellin Champagnat's faithful followers in 1908 on the Edward Bech Estate. After 21 years, it was chartered by Brother Leo Brouilette to became the Marist Normal Training School with Fordham. Coeducational since 1966, the private, four-year Catholic AAC&U liberal arts university doubled its enrollment during the 1980s. Now budgeting $191.5 million yearly, Marist College serves 5,037 undergrad, 396 adult, and 958 post-grad Red Foxes, including Social Work majors. Occupying a main 75-building Poughkeepsie campus overlooking New York's Hudson River, Marist has extensions from Rensselaer to Hyde Park and online. Linked to 35,605 LinkedIn alumni, Marist has trained Ian O'Connor, Kathy Liebert, Bill O'Reilly, Gina Trapani, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Marist the ninth best Northern college, 32nd top value, and second most veteran-friendly campus with the 41st best online study nationally. On Niche, Marist College is America's 56th best test-optional school, 147th hardest university, and 318th top psychology program. Money magazine named Marist the 288th best buy with an average salary potential of $49,700. The Princeton Review crowned Marist the 15th most beautiful campus and 17th best study abroad opportunity. In Forbes, Marist College stands as the country's 158th best private institution with the 305th happiest grads. Bloomberg honored Marist in the Northeast's top 25 private undergrad schools. College Factual also applauded Marist for the 57th best social work program.
Marist College Accreditation Details
In 2013, Marist College had its Level V accreditation renewed without sanctions for 10 more years by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE) under CEO David N. Yellen. This regional agency in Philadelphia is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to check all of Marist's 47 baccalaureate, 14 master's, one doctoral, and 14 certificate majors for quality standards. The Marist curriculum is recognized by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Specifically, the Bachelor of Social Work is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through October 2020 too.
Marist College Application Requirements
The Fall 2016 acceptance rate of 41 percent proves that admission is "more selective" for prospective BSW majors at Marist College. First-year Red Foxes in Poughkeepsie must have finished a New York State Regents or equivalent diploma. This involves four years of English, three years of Math, three years of Science, and three years of History. Ranking in the top 50 percent of one's high school class is expected. Freshmen need a recalculated GPA between 3.3 and 3.7 or greater. Although voluntary, undergrads typically score at least 1200 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT. Involvement in social justice activities and leadership traits are also vital. For adults, online Bachelor of Social Work courses will require 60+ accredited college credits graded "C" or better.
Marist College has created an Early Action deadline of November 15th and Regular Decision deadline of February 1st for freshmen. The Adult Admission Office considers BSW entrants every Fall until August 1st. Prospective students file the Marist Application, Common Application, or MyCoalition Application wholly online. If needed, extra materials could be sent to [email protected], submitted on ZeeMee profiles, or mailed to 3399 North Road in Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Social workers shouldn't forget the following:
• One-time $50 fee by credit card or check
• Official copies of secondary/college transcripts
• Forwarded SAT/ACT test scores (optional)
• A counselor and teacher recommendation
• The typed, 500-word personal essay of intent
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time Bachelor of Social Work students at Marist College are billed $39,600 for yearly tuition and fees. Living in the Poughkeepsie dorms like Sheahan Hall adds $15,550 in room and board. Budgets should include $1,000 for books, $1,000 for travel, and $1,000 for personal expenses. Undergrad cost of attendance is $58,150 for residents and $42,600 for commuters per year. The BSW Completion Program offers a 50 percent tuition discount at $625 per credit for adults to finish in roughly $37,500 total.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 91 percent of full-time Marist Red Foxes share $57.3 million in annual aid packages averaging $13,369. Social work majors often receive institutional funds like the Presidential Scholarship, Brother James Kearney Scholarship, NCAA Athletic Scholarship, Dollars for Scholars Award, Dr. Armand Hammer Scholarship, Mary Lou Gantert Scholarship, and Jack Newman Scholarship. The Mid-Hudson River Valley Commuter Grant is worth $5,000. Filing the FAFSA via code 002765 opens Federal Pell and FSEOG Grant awards. Empire State residents may qualify for the Tuition Assistance Program, Enhanced Tuition Award, and NYS Child Welfare Incentive Scholarship. Other Marist College options include borrowing William D. Ford Direct loans, getting Work-Study jobs, claiming veterans benefits, and entering no-interest payment plans for $45.
Learn more about Marist College at the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences website.