Introduction to Off-Campus Programs

The Boston University School of Social Work offers a graduate clinical social work education in a non-traditional structure. The program allows students to continue working in their underserved communities while attending graduate school. The off-campus sites are geographically situated in underserved areas providing an accessible, more affordable graduate education.

The program goals are to further social and economic justice in the urban environment; to offer opportunities rooted in each community for people with work and family responsibilities; to provide internships in students’ geographic areas and to enhance support tailored to adult learners

Boston University School of Social Work has over twenty years of off-campus teaching experience using the cohort model of graduate education. The program’s philosophy is rooted in the principles of Androgogy, the adult learning model. Because of the cohort nature of the model, awareness of stages of group development and process are critical ingredients in both the students experience and the administrative oversight.

Off-Campus Program Delivery Model

The BUSSW Off-Campus Programs uses the cohort model of education. Students take all classes as a cohort throughout their time in the program. This sixty-five credit, MSW degree spans eight semesters including two summer sessions. Courses are taken sequentially, one at the time. Classes are held on weekends: Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Classes are compressed into three-five weeks, resulting in the same number of hours Charles River Campus classes meet.

Once a month, Integrative Seminars are held after class (1PM to 2:30 PM). The first year in the program focuses on foundation theory courses. During the second year students take foundation methods courses and do the foundation internship. In the third year students take advanced curriculum and do the advanced field internship. Although classes are held on weekend, field placements occur during the week.