A quick look at BUSSW
Urban Pratcice Is Our Priority
Our Distinguishing Characteristics...
Diversity In Student Population
History Of The School
Accreditation
Discover The Art Of Making A Difference At The Boston University School Of Social Work
Optimists wanted to:
Provide child and adolescent services
Relieve the pain of trauma
Assist couples and families
Treat clients with addictions
Lead therapeutic groups
Deliver services for older adults
Provide short-term treatment and crisis intervention
Organize community groups
Manage human service agencies
Develop and plan programs
Help change the world at every level
The Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) education program is organized in full- and part-time options consisting of classes and fieldwork leading to the advanced practice degree of Master of Social Work.
The BUSchool of Social Work is located on the Charles River Campus in Boston. The School has full- and part-time programs in Boston and off-campus, part-time weekend program sites in northeastern Massachusetts (Tyngsboro) and southeastern Massachusetts (Fall River and Barnstable/Cape Cod). These off-campus programs give students who live at a distance from Boston the opportunity to pursue a Master of Social Work degree in a part-time format by taking classes on the weekends.
The School’s curriculum emphasizes a broad approach to social and personal problems and the differential use of social work methods. During the first year of graduate study, the student is introduced to social work knowledge, values, and practice areas through a series of foundation courses.
Subsequently, students take advanced coursework to develop and deepen their competence according to their special interests and talents, and specialize in a single method of social work:
- Clinical Social Work Practice
(with individuals, families, and groups) - Macro Social Work Practice
(community organization, management, and planning) - Nationally recognized faculty
- Personalized instruction
- Full-time program and part-time program in Boston
- Part-time weekend programs in Northeastern Massachusetts (Tyngsboro) and Southeastern Massachusetts (Fall River and Cape Cod)
- Career services office
- Advanced standing program
- Dual degree programs in public health, education, law, and theology
- Certificate programs in family therapy, trauma, gerontology, human services management, and clinical social work and behavioral medicine
- Specialization in group work
- An interdisciplinary PhD program in social work and sociology
- Continuing professional education programs
- School Social Worker
- Substance Abuse Social Worker
- AIDS Advocate
- Medical Social Worker
- Gerontological Social Worker
- Crisis Intervention Specialist
- Occupational Social Worker
- Family and Couples Therapist
- Private Practitioner
- Policy Analyst
- Community Organizer...and more helping specialties
In the last semester, students are required to take a social work practice ethics course.
The School also offers a rich array of program options, including dual degree programs in education, public health, and theology, and specialization and certificate programs in trauma, family therapy, gerontology, group work, human services management, and clinical social work and behavioral medicine.
Details on the School’s curriculum and special and dual degree programs may be found in the pages that follow.
Urban practice is our priority
For many years, BUSSW has maintained a mission that emphasizes social work practice in urban settings and in standard metropolitan statistical areas. Student learning objectives focus on intervention with the urban poor and other disadvantaged groups. There are a number of opportunities for creative enhancement of links between community agencies and organizations and the School.
In addition, many faculty and administrators are actively involved in urban social work practice, consultation, research, and scholarship. The School provides fertile ground both for those with a long-standing interest in the urban environment and for those new to the field who wish to explore the dynamic realm of urban social work practice.
Our Distinguishing Characteristics…
Diversity In Student Population
BUSSW has a strong commitment to diversity in its student population. For this reason the School’s composition reflects the changing face of the urban environment and attracts students with different racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds; students with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students; and students of various ages and life experience.
A particular emphasis is placed on the recruitment of ALANA students (Africa Americans/Blacks, Latinos, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans). Scholarships earmarked for ALANA students have provided important support for these efforts.
There is also a special scholarship for students with disabilities—The Wendy Carol Byers Memorial Scholarship. To assist with its recruitment programs for students with disabilities, all of the School’s sites are wheelchair accessible, and a TTY/TTD machine is available for deaf and hearing impaired students by calling 617-353-3765. The staff also works closely with the Boston University Disability Services office to provide support for students.
History of the School
The Boston University School of Social Work is located on the Charles River Campus in Boston, with off-campus, part-time weekend program sites in northeastern Massachusetts (Tyngsboro) and southeastern Massachusetts (Fall River and Barnstable/Cape Cod). The School had its beginnings in the School of Education in 1918–19 and was later called the School of Religious and Social Work.
In 1937 the Division of Social Work inaugurated a two-year graduate program. In 1939 it was accredited provisionally as a school of social work, and in 1940 became a separate entity as the School of Social Work. Since 1942 it has offered only the graduate program, and since 1943 it has had full accreditation as a school of social work.
The Boston University School of Social Work developed its off-campus programs to provide access to professional education for people living and working in educationally underserved areas of Massachusetts. The Southeastern Massachusetts Program was established in 1982; the Northeastern Massachusetts Program was established in 1985; and in 2002 an off-campus program site was established on Cape Cod. With off-campus program sites located in Fall River, Tyngsboro, and Barnstable, students who live at a distance from Boston have the opportunity to pursue a Master of Social Work degree in a part-time format on weekends.
Accreditation
Boston University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., one of the six nationally recognized accrediting agencies. The individual schools and colleges at BU carry additional accreditation in their fields. The MSW degree program at the Boston University School of Social Work and its satellite programs in northeastern and southeastern Massachusetts are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.Discover the Art of Making a Difference at the Boston University School of Social Work
The Boston University School of Social Work is an urban-focused graduate program which prepares and develops highly trained, flexible practitioners to respond to contemporary problems. Meaningful careers in social work include:
Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
2 December 2008
Boston University
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