Clinical Social Work & Behavioral Medicine Certificate Program

Beginning in 2003, the Boston University School of Social Work and the Boston University School of Medicine’s program in Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine began offering a specialty program in Clinical Social Work & Behavioral Medicine. Behavioral medicine is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the development, integration, and application of behavioral and biomedical scientific knowledge and techniques to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of various complex illnesses and disorders. This certificate program expands the knowledge base for clinical social work practice by including specialized courses on behavioral neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and applied behavioral medicine. This program is especially useful to clinicians who wish to practice effectively in interdisciplinary teams focused on emerging and chronic health issues such as HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, obesity and its complications, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and substance abuse. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to work effectively across disciplines using this new synthesis of knowledge and skills.

Structure of Program

This program is designed primarily for clinical majors, and requires a total of 71 credits, 6 credits more than the 65 needed for the MSW. During their two-year MSW program, students take three courses at the School of Medicine in the following content areas: behavioral medicine, psychopharmacology, and behavioral neuroscience. A fourth course is an elective which can be taken at either School and which relates to a student’s particular interests. An integrative group seminar meets three times yearly. The program is open to both full- and part-time students. Full-time students are required to take two summer courses between first and second year and will graduate with their class in the following May. The field placement process remains the same, but students are encouraged to choose placements in health or mental health care settings in which a behavioral medicine component may be integrated.

Admissions

The Admissions Process for the Certificate Program in Clinical Social Work and Behavioral Medicine (CSWBM)

Please note that there are two admission points into this program depending on when students want to begin their studies (First-year admission/Second-year admission). Full-time students wishing to begin their studies during their first year must apply by late October of their first semester and if accepted, will begin their course of studies in January of their first year. Full-time students may delay entry and begin their coursework at the School of Medicine in their second year, applying for admission to the program in February of their first year. In both cases, full-time students must take 6 summer credits between first and second year if they wish to graduate with their entering class. Part-time students may apply any time and an individual program will be created for them.

Applying to the Certificate Program in Clinical Social Work and Behavioral Medicine

Interested students should complete the process described below:

• Attend one of the Program Information Sessions
• Submit a Program Application with résumé attached to the Program Director. Applications may be obtained outside SSW Room 221 on the CSWBM bulletin board.
• Be in good academic standing
• Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Be able to document the ability to do graduate-level work in science-related content (undergraduate coursework in some sciences or physiological psychology)
• Be a full-time first-year student, able and willing to take two summer courses or be a part-time student able to attend classes at the School of Medicine in the coming year

Acceptance to the Program

You will receive a letter of acceptance to the program from Program Director Janice Furlong.

Participation in the Program

While in the program, students will enjoy academic advising from a SSW-based adviser, as well as program advising with the Program Director. Three times a year, students will meet as a group to discuss and support one another in integrating the Behavioral Medicine content to social work practice. Students are warmly welcomed into the BUSM Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine program and are supported through coffees, orientation, and other social events. Please be advised that the Boston University School of Medicine is located on the Medical Center Campus about three miles away. The BU Shuttle travels back and forth several times an hour and is free to BU students. Many students carpool or travel back and forth together.

Tuition and Financial Aid

There are additional costs associated with this program because students are required to take two SSW summer courses between first and second years. The additional 6 credits taken in summer will amount to approximately $4,428. Generally, students may obtain loans to cover the costs, because 6 credits amount to “half time” tuition. Financial aid is not otherwise affected by your participation. Your coursework at BUSM is done through cross-registration and does not affect the cost of tuition in any way.

Certificates

Graduates of the certificate program are issued professional certificates with both the School of Social Work and the School of Medicine logos on them, suitable for display. These certificates will be awarded at the GMS Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine commencement services. Students are invited to attend the GMS services, or may ask to have their certificate mailed.

Sample Program Plans for Full-time Students Considering First- or Second-year Admissions

Please note that part-time students will plan individually with the Program Director. Students who have tested out of Research 1 or any other required course and have an opening in their spring schedule should definitely apply first year to take advantage of the opportunity to do the Behavioral Medicine coursework in the best possible sequence. Be advised that the School of Graduate Medical Sciences makes changes to their schedules that can affect when courses are offered. They work hard to meet the scheduling needs of all students; however, CSWBM students must be prepared to alter their field schedules and other course selections to accommodate the GMS schedule as needed.

CSWBM Certificate First Year Admission

Year 1/Semester 1/Fall (“Fast Track”)

• Intro to Clinical Practice 3 cr
• Intro to Macro Practice 3 cr
• Social Welfare Policy 1 3 cr
• Human Behavior/Social Environment 3 cr
• Field Education 1 3 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 15

Year 1/Semester 2/Spring

• Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience* or Behavioral Medicine* (Category C) 3 cr
• Clinical Assessment and Intervention 3 cr
• Social Welfare Policy 2 3 cr
• Human Behavior (required elective) 3 cr
• Social Research 1 3 cr
• Field Education 2 3 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 33

Summer Term

• Social Welfare Policy (Category A) 3 cr
• Implications of Racism 3 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 39

Year 2/Semester 1/Fall

• Social Research 2 3 cr
• Differential Treatment with Groups 3 cr
• Psychopharmacology* 3 cr
• Adult Psychopathology (Category B) 3 cr
• Field Education 3 4 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 55

Year 2/Semester 2/Spring

• Neuroscience* or Behavioral Medicine* 3 cr
• Professional Ethics 3 cr
• CSWBM-Related Clinical Electives 3 cr
• Advanced Clinical Elective 3 cr
• Field Education 4 4 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 71 (Degree & Certificate Granted)

* Course taken at BUSM Graduate School of Medical Sciences
** Clinical course must be “related” to Certificate Program but can be taken at either SSW or BUSM; will function as a Cat. C

CSWBM Certificate Second Year Admission (“Regular Admission”)

Year 1/Semester 1/Fall

• Intro to Clinical Practice 3 cr
• Intro to Macro Practice 3 cr
• Social Welfare Policy 1 3 cr
• Human Behavior/Social Environment 3 cr
• Field Education 1 3 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 15

Year 1/Semester 2/Spring

• Differential Treatment/Groups 3 cr
• Clinical Assessment and Intervention 3 cr
• Social Welfare Policy 2 3 cr
• Human Behavior/Social Environment 3 cr
• Social Research 1 3 cr
• Field Education 2 3 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 33

Summer Term

• Social Welfare Policy (Category A) 3 cr
• Implications of Racism 3 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 39

Year 2/Semester 1/Fall

• Social Research 2 3 cr
• Psychopharmacology* 3 cr
• CSWBM-Related Clinical Elective ** (Cat C) 3 cr
• Advanced Clinical Elective 3 cr
• Field Education 3 4 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 55

Year 2/Semester 2/Spring

• Behavioral Medicine* 3 cr
• Neuroscience for Mental Health* (Cat C) 3 cr
• Professional Ethics 3 cr
• Adult Psychopathology (Category B) 3 cr
• Field Education 4 4 cr
• Total Cumulative Credits 71 (Degree & Certificate Granted)

* Course taken at BUSM Graduate School of Medical Sciences
** Course must be “related” to Certificate Program but can be taken at either SSW or BUSM; functions as Cat C.

TOTAL CREDITS: 71 (Degree & Certificate Granted)

* Course taken at BUSM Graduate School of Medical Sciences
* ** Course must be “related” to Certificate Program but can be taken at either SSW or BUSM; functions as Cat C.

Contact Information

Please see the bulletin board outside Room 221 for program announcements and general information. Please plan on attending one of the Program Information Sessions in the first and early second semester of each academic year. Contact Janice Furlong, Program Director, with any additional questions. You may also contact Dr. Steve Brady, the Director of the Master’s Program in Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine at the Graduate School of Medical Sciences.