Siena University Social Work Programs

Siena University excels at preparing students for successful careers in social work and clinical practice. This leader in social work education builds its foundation on academic excellence and service to humanity.

Students thrive in Siena University’s vibrant academic community. The campus provides a supportive learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities. Clinical simulation labs, research centers, and shared learning spaces help students develop essential professional skills.

Social work programs at Siena blend theoretical knowledge with practical experience effectively. Faculty members bring their extensive field experience to classrooms. Students learn from professionals who understand contemporary social work practice firsthand. These expert educators blend academic rigor with real-life insights to prepare students for serving diverse communities.

Social justice and ethical practice form the foundation of Siena University’s educational philosophy. Students learn cultural competence, evidence-based interventions, and advocacy skills – everything needed in today’s complex society. Well-laid-out coursework and supervised field placements help students develop their professional identity and critical thinking abilities for licensed clinical practice.

Strategic collaborations with community organizations, healthcare facilities, and social service agencies create valuable networking opportunities for students. These partnerships help students find potential employment connections. The university arranges its programs with current industry needs and emerging trends in social work practice.

Siena University offers educational pathways that match your career goals, whether you’re starting your career in social work or advancing your credentials. The university shows its steadfast dedication to student success through detailed support services. Social work students benefit from academic advising, career counseling, and professional development workshops designed specifically for them.

Social work programs offered

Siena University provides a complete range of social work education programs that prepare you for various professional roles. The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW) program has managed to keep its Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation since 1985. College Factual ranks this nationally recognized program among the top 20% of social work programs in the country.

Students need to complete 37 credits of core social work courses and 21 auxiliary credits in the BSW curriculum. The program follows a well-laid-out sequence that concludes with a 400-hour field placement in your senior year. You’ll apply your classroom knowledge in real-life settings like schools, nursing homes, probation offices, and domestic violence shelters.

The Social Work Minor needs 19 credits—a great option if you find social work later in your studies or plan to get a Master’s degree in the future.

Siena’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program, now in pre-candidacy for CSWE accreditation, offers two paths:

• Traditional two-year, 60-credit program open to students from all backgrounds
• Accelerated one-year, 30-credit option for graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs

Working professionals can complete both MSW tracks part-time. Students focus on advanced clinical practice, ethical leadership, and community participation through coursework and field education—400 hours in the first year and 500 hours in the second year.

Siena stands out with its cohort learning model that starts in the BSW program’s junior year. Students form a supportive community and tackle challenges together. The university provides individual-specific education where professors mentor you throughout your academic growth.

Your degree prepares you for roles like case manager, counselor, community organizer—working with individuals, families, groups, and communities. BSW graduates can also qualify for advanced standing in many MSW programs and potentially complete their Master’s degree in less than two years.

Online program options

Prospective social work students at Siena University will find modern technology enhancing their traditional education experience. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program does not offer a fully online option. All the same, students can take advantage of the university’s flexible hybrid learning options.

Siena’s system helps students who can’t make it to campus. Every lecture streams live and gets recorded for later viewing on the university’s digital platform. This approach lets students keep up with their studies while meeting all academic requirements.

Face-to-face instruction remains at the heart of social work programs, yet Siena has built strong online capabilities across other areas. The Bilingual Education Extension stands out as a completely online, self-paced program that prepares educators to work with diverse student populations. Master’s-level programs also feature digital learning elements, showing Siena’s commitment to modern educational technology.

Siena delivers quality education whatever the format as teaching methods evolve. The university strikes a balance between social work education’s relationship-focused nature and practical access needs. The Social Work Department welcomes direct questions about online components in specific courses or any updates to program delivery options.

Take time to consider how your learning priorities match Siena’s teaching approach. The traditional program’s hybrid elements might give you the flexibility you need for occasional remote learning while preserving the personal connections that make social work education work.

Admissions

Students seeking admission to Siena University’s social work programs need to meet specific academic standards and follow clear application steps. BSW program candidates must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.3 and achieve at least 2.7 in social work courses.

The application package needs a detailed online submission that has your current resume, a personal statement about social work values, and a recent writing sample. You’ll also need one letter of recommendation from a faculty member outside the social work department.

Students pursuing an MSW degree need a Bachelor’s of Social Work from a CSWE accredited program with a 3.0 GPA and B or better grades in core social work classes.

Siena students should submit their applications to the social work program before their sophomore year ends. Students transferring from other institutions need to apply before starting their junior year.

After submitting your materials, you’ll interview with one or two Social Work Department faculty members. This helps ensure the program matches your abilities and interests well.

The program offers different application deadlines. Early action applications are due December 15, early decision November 15, and regular admissions February 15.Tuition

The financial investment for your social work education at Siena University has several important components. Full-time undergraduate tuition costs $46,690 annually or $23,345 per semester for 12-17 credit hours. Students in graduate programs pay different rates based on their specialty – MSA programs cost $1,100 per credit while other programs including social work cost $900 per credit.

Students must also pay required fees each year. These include a $300 student activity fee and $1,000 programming and support fee. Students who live on campus can choose from various housing options. The costs range from $10,000 for standard rooms to $13,705 for MacClosky Townhouses yearly. Meal plans start at $3,635.

Most students can access financial support at Siena. In fact, over 97% of Siena students receive financial aid, and Saints receive more than $23,000 annually on average from the institution. New York state residents pursuing social work degrees can apply for one of 10 full-tuition scholarships from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

Resident students typically pay around $34,547 per year after scholarships. The university offers several payment options. Students can make semester payments due by August 20 for fall and January 7 for spring.

The university does not offer graduate program scholarships. However, Siena’s tuition rates remain competitive compared to similar institutions.

Other information

After you graduate, you’ll need to pass the ASWB licensing exam to become a clinical social worker. The exam fees are $230 for Bachelor’s level and $260 for Clinical level tests. Study materials from providers like Agents of Change will support you until you pass.

Siena offers internships that let you work with many different groups. Students help children, teens, veterans, and people facing homelessness, mental health challenges, addiction, or involvement with the criminal justice system. These hands-on experiences give you skills you’ll need in your career.

The program shows great results – 95% of graduates find jobs or continue their studies within a year. Students succeed because Siena takes an integrated approach to career development and weaves practical training throughout their courses.

The program goes beyond classroom learning. You can study abroad, spend a semester in Washington, or choose specialized field placements that will expand your professional viewpoint.