Full-Time Study

The full-time program includes two years of full-time study on the Charles River Campus in Boston. The usual program in the foundation year includes 27 semester credits in coursework and 6 semester credits in field education. The advanced-year program includes 24 semester credits in coursework and 8 semester credits in the field. To view sample full-time program plans, please visit Curriculum & Program Plans.

Part-Time Study

The school offers an extended part-time program on the Charles River Campus. Part-time students fulfill the degree requirements in either three years (plus summers) or four years (without summers). Students enroll in two to three courses per semester.

The first year of part-time study consists of academic coursework only. (Most foundation courses offer a class section scheduled in the late afternoon and evening time blocks.) In subsequent years, two field placements are required in conjunction with the academic course curriculum. Students must have time available during the regular workweek for the field placement and coursework. Students must be available (during regular weekday hours) for 16 hours a week for their first field placement and 24 hours a week for their second placement. (For their second placement, students may choose the option of a 16-hour/week placement in some field settings for a full year.)

If there is sufficient interest (this fluctuates from year to year), part-time students who have had previous social work experience and for whom the plan is considered educationally sound may meet the requirements of the first field experience in a summer block placement after their first year.

To view sample part-time program plans, please visit Curriculum & Program Plans.

Human Service Experience

The school offers a Human Service Experience (HSE) Track for applicants who have a minimum of two years of human service experience working under a master’s-level supervisor. This option can be completed in four semesters (full time) or six semesters (part time) and consists of 65 credits and a single field internship. HSE Track students complete a single 1,000-hour field internship (a minimum of 16 hours/week for 3–5 semesters) during the second and third years in the program and complete a 2-credit Field Education capstone project (a total of 14 credits).

Advanced Standing students enroll in a single 1,000-hour (a total of 10 credits) field internship during their first and second years in the program (a minimum of 16 hours for 3–5 semesters).

To view sample HSE program plans, please visit Curriculum & Program Plans.

CRC Advanced Standing

The school offers an Advanced Standing program for graduates of an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. A minimum undergraduate academic average of 3.0 (B) is required for admission. The Bachelor of Social Work must have been received within six years prior to entry into the program.

Advanced Standing students are given credit for 24 academic credit hours upon admission to the program. The additional 41 credits required for graduation (or 38 credits if the student passes the Research I Waiver Exam) must be completed at the School of Social Work. No additional transfer credits will be accepted toward the MSW degree. All Advanced Standing students complete 1,000 hours of fieldwork.

All full-time Advanced Standing students begin the program in September and are in the field 24 hours a week until the end of the following August.

Part-time Advanced Standing students develop an individual plan with the school’s Director of Student Services. Part-time students also begin taking classes in September and start their advanced field placement for a minimum of 16 hours per week the following June.

Summer school tuition is not included in the academic year tuition (September to May) for Charles River Campus students. It is separate and additional.

For selected prospective students with extensive background and experience, a special request to pursue Advanced Standing and dual degree programs in public health, education, or theology will be considered. Special requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and require approval of the director of the dual degree program for which the student is applying, as well as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Applicants interested in learning more about the Advanced Standing and dual degree programs should contact the director of the appropriate dual degree program to discuss their application. Persons interested in the Advanced Standing program should contact the Admissions office for detailed information on the application procedure or see the Advanced Standing webpage for sample program plans and more detailed program information. Additional program information can be also found at:

• Dual Degree Program in Social Work and Education (MSW/EdM, MSW/EdD)
• Dual Degree Program in Social Work and Public Health (MSW/MPH)
• Dual Degree Program in Social Work and Theology (MSW/MDiv, MSW/MTS)

The Boston University School of Social Work Off-Campus Program (OCP) offers a graduate part-time course of study in Clinical Social Work Practice. Those wishing to earn a Macro minor can do so by enrolling in three Macro courses through the Online Program.

Courses are held on Friday evenings and weekends at three locations: Bedford (Merrimack Valley), Fall River, and Cape Cod (Barnstable; blended program).

The BU School of Social Work has more than 30 years of off-campus teaching experience using the cohort model of graduate education. Students enroll in courses in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Courses are taken sequentially, most lasting for four weeks. The first year of study consists of coursework. During the second and third years of the program, students enroll in courses and field internship(s). This schedule varies slightly for Advanced Standing students who complete the program in two years.

This program allows individuals to earn an MSW degree while continuing to live and work in their own communities. Students take the required and elective courses on weekends at their off-campus location and complete one or two field internships (depending upon education and relevant work experience) in their geographic area (see Requirements section below).

Those enrolled in the Cape Cod Blended Program will take in-person courses at the Cape Campus during the fall and spring semesters and will enroll in online courses during the two summer semesters.

Courses are taught by Boston University’s faculty, who are committed to providing leadership and mentorship, and to sharing their expertise and current research initiatives in the Master of Social Work Program. This program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and provides the same quality education as the programs offered at our main campus.

Off-Campus Program Structure

The SSW Off-Campus Program offers three options to complete the MSW degree, depending on educational background:

• Traditional MSW Track (TT): The Traditional Track can be completed in eight consecutive semesters and consists of 65 credits and two field internships.
• Human Service Experience (HSE) Track: Applicants who have a minimum of two years of human service experience supervised by a master’s-level practitioner may apply to be considered for the Human Service Experience (HSE) Track. This option can be completed in eight semesters and consists of 65 credits and a single field internship.
• Advanced Standing Track: The Advanced Standing Track is for applicants with an undergraduate social work degree earned within six years of entry to our MSW program from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. This option can be completed in six semesters and consists of 40–43 credits and a single field internship.

MSW Degree Requirements

Boston University confers the degree of Master of Social Work on candidates recommended by the faculty of the School of Social Work and approved by the president and trustees of the University. The faculty’s recommendation is based on the candidate’s development of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for social work practice and on the student’s commitment to the values and the ethical base of the social work profession.

Traditional Track and HSE students must complete 65 semester credits. Advanced Standing students must complete 40–43 credits. For students not continuously enrolled, all degree requirements must be completed within six years of initial enrollment.

Field Education

Field internships are available within the students’ communities during normal business hours, generally on weekdays.

Traditional Track students enroll in a foundation field placement (16 hours/week for a total of 480 hours) during the second year in the program, and in an advanced field placement (16 or 24 hours/week for a total of 720 hours) during the third year in the program (a total of 14 credits).

Human Service Experience Track students complete a single 1,000-hour field internship (a minimum of 16 hours/week for three to five semesters) during the second and third years in the program and complete a 2-credit Field Education capstone course (a total of 14 credits).

Advanced Standing students enroll in a single 1,000-hour (a total of 10 credits) field internship during their first and second years in the program (a minimum of 16 hours for three to five semesters).

The Online MSW Program at Boston University School of Social Work offers an MSW degree through enrollment in our innovative online program. This part-time course of study in Clinical Social Work Practice or Macro Social Work Practice has three options to complete the MSW (see Online Program Structure section below).

Utilizing a convenient online learning format, the program allows individuals to earn an MSW degree while continuing to live and work in their own communities. Students take the required and elective courses online and complete one or two field internships (depending upon education and relevant work experience) in their geographic area.

Courses are taught by Boston University’s faculty, who provide leadership and mentorship, and who share their expertise and current research initiatives through the online Master of Social Work Program.

Learning Outcomes for MSW Program

Students will become competent in the following ways:

• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
• Engage diversity and difference in practice.
• Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
• Engage in policy practice.
• Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Practice evaluation with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Online Program Structure

The SSW Online Program offers three options to complete the MSW degree:

• Traditional MSW Track (TT): The Traditional Track can be completed in nine consecutive semesters and consists of 65 credits and two field internships.
• Human Service Experience (HSE) Track: Applicants who have a minimum of two years of human service experience working under a master’s-level supervisor may apply to be considered for this track. This option can be completed in nine semesters and consists of 65 credits and a single field internship.
• Advanced Standing Track: The Advanced Standing Track is for applicants with an undergraduate social work degree, earned within six years of program entry, from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. This option can be completed in six semesters and consists of 40–43 credits and a single field internship.

Students fulfill all the requirements for the MSW degree by taking courses online, which are delivered asynchronously and via weekly required live classroom sessions, and by enrolling in field internship(s). Students enroll in courses in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Courses are taken sequentially, with most lasting for seven weeks. The first year of study consists of coursework.

MSW Degree Requirements

Boston University confers the degree of Master of Social Work on candidates recommended by the faculty of the School of Social Work and approved by the president and trustees of the University. The faculty’s recommendation is based on the candidate’s development of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for social work practice and on the student’s commitment to the values and the ethical base of the social work profession.

Traditional Track and HSE students must complete 65 semester credits. Advanced Standing students must complete 40–43 credits. For students not continuously enrolled, all degree requirements must be completed within six years of initial enrollment.

Field Education

Field internships are available within the students’ communities during normal business hours, generally on weekdays.

Traditional Track students enroll in a foundation field placement (16 hours/week for a total of 480 hours) during the second year in the program, and in an advanced field placement (16 or 24 hours/week for a total of 720 hours) during the third year in the program (a total of 14 credits).

Human Service Experience Track students complete a single 1,000-hour field internship (a minimum of 16 hours/week for three to five semesters) during the second and third years in the program and complete a 2-credit Field Education capstone project (a total of 14 credits).

Advanced Standing students enroll in a single 1,000-hour (a total of 10 credits) field internship during their first and second years in the program (a minimum of 16 hours for three to five semesters).

Macro Minor

Macro social work practice focuses on changing larger systems, such as communities and organizations. It encompasses a broad spectrum of practice, including planning, program development, community organizing, policy analysis and implementation, legislative advocacy, program evaluation, task-oriented group work, community education, and human services management. All of these activities can be practiced within a clinical social work setting.

Students who wish to minor in macro practice need to complete two of the following macro courses:

• SSW MP 773 Human Services Management
• SSW MP 781 Community Organizing
• SSW MP 783 Planning and Program Development

In addition to the required courses, a macro minor project provides an opportunity to gain macro social work skills. The project, completed during the advanced field placement, is developed with input and approval from a student’s field instructor and the macro field education coordinator and is appropriate for the placement’s setting, strategies, and population.

Learning Outcomes for Macro Minor

Students will be able to:

• Utilize strategies to engage the individuals that comprise communities, organizations, and larger systems to advance practice effectiveness.
• Utilize a range of methods to ensure comprehensive assessment and recognize the implications of the larger practice contexts in the assessment process.
• Utilize methods of identifying, analyzing, and implementing evidence-informed approaches to achieve community and organizational goals.
• Recognize the importance of evaluating processes and outcomes using qualitative and quantitative methods to advance practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness.

NOTE: The online program is available for individuals living in the USA except those in US territories. At this time, the Online MSW Program is not open to international applicants.

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 requirements. Social work licensing regulations can be found at ASWB.org. Information about State Authorization and Complaint Resolution can be found here.

The Cape Cod Blended MSW Program is an innovative, off-campus/online part-time program offering a concentration in Clinical Social Work Practice. This program allows individuals to earn an MSW while continuing to live and work in their own communities. Our program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and provides the same high-caliber curriculum, faculty, and resources as the programs offered at our main campus.

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn how to:

• Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors.
• Engage diversity and difference in practice.
• Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
• Engage in policy practice.
• Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Assess with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Practice evaluation with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Qualified students may complete the MSW using one of three different program options:

• Traditional Track: 65 credits completed in eight semesters, including two field internships.
• Human Service Experience (HSE) Track: Open to applicants with a minimum of two years of full-time human service experience supervised by a master’s-level practitioner; 65 credits completed in eight semesters, including a single extended field internship.
• Advanced Standing (AS): Open to applicants with an undergraduate social work degree from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Consists of 43 credits (or 40 credits if the student passes the Research 1 Waiver Exam), which can be completed over six consecutive semesters, including a single advanced 1,000-hour field internship.

Program Structure and Supports

• Regardless of program option, all students enter the program in the fall semester. Traditional and Human Service Experience (HSE) Tracks complete the program in eight consecutive semesters. Advanced Standing students complete the program in six consecutive semesters. Students take in-person courses at the Cape Cod Campus during the fall and spring semesters and enroll in courses through the SSW Online Program during the summer semesters.
• In-person, face-to-face courses: Classes are held on Fridays from 6 to 9 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm at the Cape Cod Campus. Students take one course at a time over four weekends. Traditional and HSE Track students take classes in person for semesters 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8; and take courses online in the summer in semesters 3 and 6. Advanced Standing students take classes in person for semesters 1, 2, 4, and 5; and take courses online in the summer in semesters 3 and 6.
• Online courses: Students enroll in courses through the Online Program during their two summer semesters in the program by taking two courses online each summer. Students take one course at a time over seven weeks and enroll in a total of four online courses. Online courses require weekly live classroom (real-time) sessions that are held on Sunday or Monday evenings.

Students enrolled in the Cape Cod Blended MSW Program receive all the supports available to traditional School of Social Work students. Our off-campus and online classes are small, with no more than 15–20 students per course section. When enrolled in online courses, students interact with our faculty and other students through a user-friendly web-based learning portal. Online courses incorporate online lectures, simulations, videos, audio, interactive animations, discussion boards, and weekly required live classroom sessions.

Curriculum

Our curriculum emphasizes diversity, ethics, populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice, which is integrated throughout the foundation courses and the advanced electives.

Students enroll in foundation, advanced practice, and elective courses at the Cape Cod Campus and complete their degree by taking courses online during the summer semesters. Required foundation coursework includes: Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Racial Justice, Social Welfare Policy, Social Work Research, Introduction to Clinical Practice, Introduction to Macro Practice, and Social Work Practice Ethics. Required advanced coursework for Clinical Practice includes: Clinical Practice with Individuals, Groups, and Families, and advanced electives.

Courses are taught by Boston University’s faculty, who are committed to providing leadership and mentorship, and to sharing their expertise and current research initiatives.

Field Education

Field education is a dynamic and integral part of our curriculum. Our Field Education team has extensive experience placing students in the geographic areas in which they live. Each field internship is structured based on the student’s program track and completed concurrently with practice courses. Our dedicated team works individually and collaboratively with each student to determine the most appropriate field placement options.

Traditional Track students enroll in a foundation field placement (16 hours/week for a total of 480 hours) during the second year in the program, and in an advanced field placement (16 or 24 hours/week for a total of 720 hours) during the third year in the program (a total of 14 credits).

Human Service Experience Track students complete a single 1,000-hour field internship (a minimum of 16 hours/week for three to four semesters) during the second and third years in the program and complete a 2-credit Field Education capstone course (a total of 14 credits).

Advanced Standing students complete a single 1,000-hour field internship (a minimum of 16 hours/week for three to four semesters) beginning in their second semester and continuing through their second year in the program (a total of 10 credits).

Technology

SSW students enrolled in online courses access their courses through the Boston University Online Campus portal. Coursework can be accessed online anytime, day or night. Students also enroll in weekly required live classroom sessions that are held for 1–1.5 hours a week on Sunday and Monday evenings. Students register for these sessions in advance. You can view an online course demo here.

MSW Degree Requirements

Boston University confers the degree of Master of Social Work on candidates recommended by the faculty of the School of Social Work and approved by the president and trustees of the University. The faculty’s recommendation is based on the candidate’s development of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for social work practice and the student’s commitment to the values and the ethical base of the social work profession.

Traditional and HSE Track degree candidates must complete 65 semester credits. Advanced Standing candidates must complete 43 semester credits. For students not continuously enrolled, all degree requirements must be completed within six years of initial enrollment.

NOTE: 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 at Association of Social Work Boards and the University’s State Authorization website for state-specific licensing information.

The Worcester Hybrid MSW Program is an innovative, off-campus/online part-time program offering majors in Clinical and Macro Social Work Practice and two track options to complete the degree.

This program allows individuals to earn an MSW degree while continuing to live and work in their own communities. Our program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and provides the same high-caliber curriculum, faculty, and resources as the programs offered at our main campus.

Program Options

• Traditional Track: 65 credits completed in nine semesters, including two field internships.
• Human Service Experience (HSE) Track: Open to applicants with a minimum of two years of full-time human service experience supervised by a master’s-level practitioner; 65 credits completed in nine semesters, including a single extended field internship.

Program Structure and Supports

• Semesters 1–4: Classes are held once per week (Tuesdays, 4–9 pm) at the Worcester Campus. Students take one course at a time over seven weeks. Traditional Track students start their field internship in semester 4.
• Semesters 5–9: Students transfer to the Online Program and complete their MSW by taking practice, advanced, and elective courses online. Each course is taken one at a time over seven weeks. Traditional Track students complete their second field internship, and HSE Track students complete their field internship.

Students enrolled in the Worcester Hybrid MSW Program receive all the supports available to traditional School of Social Work students. Our off-campus and online classes are small, with no more than 15–20 students per course section. When enrolled in online courses, students interact with our faculty and other students through a user-friendly web-based learning portal. Courses incorporate online lectures, simulations, videos, audio, interactive animations, discussion boards, and weekly required live classroom sessions.

Curriculum

Our curriculum emphasizes diversity, ethics, populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice, which is integrated throughout the foundation courses and the advanced electives.

Students enroll in foundation courses at the Worcester Campus and complete their degree by taking additional practice, advanced, and elective courses online. Required coursework includes: Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Racial Justice, Social Welfare Policy, Social Work Research, Introduction to Clinical Practice, Introduction to Macro Practice, and Social Work Practice Ethics.

Courses are taught by Boston University’s faculty, who are committed to providing leadership and mentorship, and to sharing their expertise and current research initiatives.

Field Education

Field education is a dynamic and integral part of our curriculum. Our Field Education team has extensive experience placing students in the geographic areas in which they live. Each field internship is structured based on the student’s program track and completed concurrently with practice courses. Our dedicated team works individually and collaboratively with each student to determine the most appropriate field placement options.

Traditional Track students enroll in a foundation field placement (16 hours/week for a total of 480 hours) during the second year in the program, and in an advanced field placement (16 or 24 hours/week for a total of 720 hours) during the third year in the program (a total of 14 credits).

Human Service Experience Track students complete a single 1,000-hour field internship (a minimum of 16 hours/week for three to five semesters) during the second and third years in the program and complete a 2-credit Field Education capstone course (a total of 14 credits).

*Internships must occur during normal business hours for field agencies.

Technology

SSW students enrolled in online courses access their courses through the Boston University Online Campus portal. Coursework can be accessed online anytime, day or night. Students also enroll in weekly required live classroom sessions that are held for 1–1.5 hours a week on Sunday and Monday evenings. Students register for these sessions in advance. You can view an online course demo here.

MSW Degree Requirements

Boston University confers the degree of Master of Social Work on candidates recommended by the faculty of the School of Social Work and approved by the president and trustees of the University. The faculty’s recommendation is based on the candidate’s development of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for social work practice and the student’s commitment to the values and the ethical base of the social work profession.

Traditional Track and HSE students must complete 65 semester credits. For students not continuously enrolled, all degree requirements must be completed within six years of initial enrollment.

NOTE: 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 at the Association of Social Work Boards.