1. Applicants are encouraged to use a Gmail account when creating an application to ensure that you receive all emails regarding application status updates, admission decisions, and other important communications.
2. Once you are enrolled in a program, you cannot switch tracks (ex. Traditional Track to Human Service Experience Track). If you would like to switch tracks, this must be done during the application phase and prior to the application deadline. Additionally, you cannot transfer to another campus or program (ex. Charles River Campus to Online Program) to switch tracks once enrolled in a program.
3. Applicants may apply for only ONE campus per application cycle.
4. If you have applied and were not accepted, you must wait one year to reapply to any of our campuses or programs, including the Online MSW Program.
5. Advanced Standing applicants: Applicants who are currently in their senior year of a Bachelor of Social Work program and completing their field internship must submit a mid-year field evaluation with their application or as soon as it becomes available. Your acceptance is conditional upon receiving your final field evaluation. If you are doing a block placement and do not have a mid-year evaluation yet, please email busswad@bu.edu for instructions on what to submit with your advanced standing application.

Contact us at busswad@bu.edu or 1-833-255-8970 for assistance or questions.

• The fall 2021 application portal is now closed. The fall 2022 application portal will open August 2021.

The application for summer 2021 entry is open!

• Final Deadline: March 8, 2021

Please note, the application portal for spring 2021 entry is now closed. Additionally, the summer 2021 priority deadline of February 8th has now passed. We are still accepting applications for summer 2021 entry and the final deadline is listed above.

The online program accepts students three times a year. Students can apply to begin the online program in the spring (January), summer (May), or fall (September) semester. The application portal is only open for one semester at a time, whichever is the next upcoming entry term. If interested in future entry terms, please email busswad@bu.edu to inquire about the deadlines.

The application for Fall 2021 entry is open!

Priority Deadline: December 1, 2020

Standard Deadline: March 8, 2021

• All applicants who apply by the Standard Deadline are eligible for a 50% application fee waiver by emailing busswad@bu.edu at least one week prior to the deadline and including your application ID in your email request. You must have an application in-progress before requesting a fee waiver in order to obtain your application ID (located in top right corner of your application portal). Please do not submit your application until you receive an e-mail notifying you whether your waiver request has been approved or denied. If you submit your application before your waiver has been approved, your waiver will be nullified, and we will be unable to refund your application fee.

Final Deadline: June 2, 2021

The application for Fall 2021 entry is open!

Priority Deadline: December 1, 2020

Standard Deadline: March 8, 2021

• All applicants who apply by the Standard Deadline are eligible for a 50% application fee waiver by emailing busswad@bu.edu at least one week prior to the deadline and including your application ID in your email request. You must have an application in-progress before requesting a fee waiver in order to obtain your application ID (located in top right corner of your application portal). Please do not submit your application until you receive an e-mail notifying you whether your waiver request has been approved or denied. If you submit your application before your waiver has been approved, your waiver will be nullified, and we will be unable to refund your application fee.

Final Deadline: June 2, 2021

Charles River Campus (Boston)

• Full-time (65 credits, 2 field internships, typically completed in 2 years)
• Part-time (65 credits, 2 field internships, typically completed in 3-4 years)
• Advanced Standing (40 or 43 credits, 1 field internship, typically completed in 3 semesters)
• Options to major in Clinical Practice or Macro Practice

Off-Campus Program (BU North–Bedford, Fall River & Cape Cod) and Worcester Hybrid Program

• Part-time, weekend classes at four Massachusetts locations (Middlesex Community College, Bristol Community College, Cape Cod Community College)
• Cohort model of education
• Field internships within your local community
• Clinical Practice major
• Traditional Track (8 semesters, 65 credits, 2 field internships) available at all campuses
• Human Service Experience Track (65 credits, 1 field internship, 8 semesters)
• Advanced Standing (6 consecutive semesters, 40-43 credits, 1 field internship) available at all off-campus locations except Worcester

Please Note: Applicants to the Worcester Hybrid Program must be living within the 50 states at the time the program begins in order to participate. Those living in U.S. Territories, countries outside of the U.S., and military bases outside of the 50 states are ineligible for the Worcester Hybrid Program due to online course requirements.

Online Program

• Traditional Track (65 credits, 2 field internships, 9 semesters)
• Human Service Experience Track (65 credits, 1 field internship, 9 semesters)
• Advanced Standing (40 or 43 credits, 1 field internship, typically completed in 6 semesters)
• Options to major in Clinical Practice or Macro Practice

Applicants must be living within the 50 states at the time the Online Program begins to participate in the program. Those living in US Territories, countries outside of the US, and Military Bases outside of the 50 states are ineligible for the Online Program. Boston University allows students to enroll in online programs regardless of immigration status. However, online students are not eligible for F-1 immigration sponsorship through Boston University. Applicants living abroad may apply for the program, but must be living in one of the 50 states by the start of the program.

State Board of Education requirements and state licensing requirements for social workers differ from state to state. Please be sure to research your state’s Board of Education and social work licensing requirements.

The Boston University School of Social Work will waive, or partially cover, the $95 admissions application fee for applicants who are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents, and who fall into one of the following categories:

• AmeriCorps members or alumni
• Attendees at select admissions events
• BU affiliates (current Boston University employees, students, or alumni)
• City Year members or alumni
• Individuals who demonstrate financial need
• McNair Scholars
• Peace Corps members or alumni
• Veterans

Once you have started your application and received a CAS ID number, you may request a fee waiver.  Directions on how to submit a fee waiver request are outlined below.

To all applicants: Please do not submit your application until you receive an e-mail notifying you whether your waiver request has been approved or denied.  If you submit your application before your waiver has been approved, your waiver will be nullified, and we will be unable to refund your application fee.

Fee Waiver Documentation Requirements

• AmeriCorps, City Year, or Peace Corps members and alumni: Your service verification letter
• BU affiliates (current Boston University employees, students, or alumni): Your BU ID number
• Individuals who demonstrate financial need: For individuals currently in school, please send us a copy of your most recent financial aid assistance package from your financial aid office. For individuals not currently in school, you may send us a letter outlining your current financial situation. In this letter please include documentation of financial need (ie: a recent pay stub, W2, or a bank statement).
• Veterans: Any documentation that verifies you have served in the US military
• Attendees at select admissions events: Name of event attended and date

Fee Waiver Instructions

To request an application fee waiver, please send an e-mail to busswad@bu.edu with “Fee Waiver” in the subject line.

In the e-mail, please include your CAS ID number, and the supporting documentation of the reason for which you are requesting a fee waiver.

Fee Waiver Deadlines

To be considered for a fee waiver, please submit all required documentation by the following deadlines:

• Online Program final deadline applicants (summer 2021): March 1, 2021
• Off-Campus standard deadline applicants (fall 2021): March 1, 2021

Any requests sent after the deadlines will not be considered.

Former Wheelock College graduate students that did not transition to Boston University prior to June 1, 2018 may petition for reconsideration to transition. Learn more.