Full-Time Study at CRC

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

Part-Time Study at CRC

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 term.

The first year of part-time study consists of academic coursework only. (Most generalist courses offer a class section scheduled in the late afternoon and evening time blocks.) In subsequent years, two practicum placements are generally taken in conjunction with the academic course curriculum. Students must be available (during regular weekday hours) for 16 hours a week for their first practicum 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 practicum settings for a full year.

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

Practicum Education

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

Human Service Experience at CRC

The school offers a Human Service Experience (HSE) Track for applicants who have a minimum of two years of full-time equivalent human service experience with weekly supervision provided by a master’s-level practitioner. This option is only available in our part-time programming and may be completed in six terms and consists of 65 units and a single practicum placement. HSE Track students complete a single 1,000-hour practicum (a minimum of 16 hours/week for 3–5 terms) during the second and third years in the program and complete a 2-unit Practicum Education capstone project (a total of 14 units).

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

Advanced Standing at CRC

The school offers an Advanced Standing program for applicants who have earned an undergraduate social work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education within six years of entry into the BUSSW MSW program. A minimum undergraduate academic average of 3.0 (B) is required for admission. Advanced Standing students are given units for 22 academic unit hours upon admission to the program. The additional 43 units required for graduation (or 40 units if the student passes the Research I Waiver Exam) must be completed at the School of Social Work. No additional transfer units will be accepted toward the MSW degree. All Advanced Standing students complete a 1,000-hour practicum placement.

All full-time Advanced Standing students begin the program in September and participate in practicum placement for 24 hours a week until the end of the following August.

Part-time Advanced Standing students follow a specific program plan. Part-time students also begin taking classes in September and start their advanced practicum 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)

Macro Minor at CRC

Clinical Social Work Practice majors may also choose a 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. 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

Macro Minor Project

In addition to the required courses, the macro minor project provides an opportunity to gain macro social work skills. The project is completed during the advanced practicum and must be appropriate for the placement’s setting, strategy, and population. It is developed with input and approval from your practicum instructor and the macro practicum education coordinator.

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.

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 and provides the same high-caliber curriculum, faculty, and resources as the programs offered at our main campus.

Program Options

• Traditional Track: 65 units completed in nine terms, including two practicum placements.
• 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 units completed in nine terms, including a single extended practicum placement.

Program Structure and Supports

• Terms 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 practicum placement in term 4.
• Terms 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 practicum placement, and HSE Track students complete their practicum placement.

Students enrolled in the Worcester Hybrid MSW Program receive all 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 generalist courses and the advanced electives.

Students enroll in generalist 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 and Cultural Oppression, Social Welfare Policy, Social Work Research, Social Work Practice with Groups, Communities and Organizations, 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.

Practicum Education

Practicum education is a dynamic and integral part of our curriculum. Our Practicum Education team has extensive experience placing students in the geographic areas in which they live. Each practicum placement 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 practicum placement options.

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

Human Service Experience Track students complete a single 1,000-hour practicum placement (a minimum of 16 hours/week for three to five terms) during the second and third years in the program and complete a 2-unit Practicum Education capstone course (a total of 14 units).

*Practicum placements must occur during normal business hours for practicum agencies.

Technology

Students enrolled in online courses access the curriculum 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.

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 term units. 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 and the University’s State Authorization website for state specific licensing information.

Macro Minor

Clinical Social Work Practice majors may declare a 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. These activities can be practiced within a clinical social work setting.

Students who wish to minor in macro practice are asked to discuss plan options with the Off-Campus program director by the start of the fourth term in the program. Students need to complete two of the following macro courses through the online program:

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

Macro Minor Project

In addition to the required courses, the macro minor project will provide an opportunity to gain macro social work skills. The project is completed during the advanced practicum placement and must be appropriate for the placement’s setting, strategy, and population. It is developed with input and approval from your practicum instructor, your program director, and the online program macro coordinator.

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.

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). Additionally, Clinical Social Work Practice majors may declare a macro minor.

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 all courses online and complete one or two practicum placements (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.

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 terms and consists of 65 units and two practicum placements.
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 terms and consists of 65 units and a single practicum placement.
Advanced Standing Track: The Advanced Standing Track is for applicants who have earned an undergraduate social work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education within six years of entry into BUSSW’s MSW program. A minimum undergraduate academic average of 3.0 (B) is required for admission. This option can be completed in six terms and consists of 40–43 units and a single practicum placement.

Students fulfill all the requirements for the MSW degree by taking courses online and by enrolling in practicum placement(s). Courses are delivered both asynchronously and synchronously, with required weekly live classroom sessions. Students enroll in courses in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Courses are taken sequentially, lasting seven weeks. The first year of study consists of coursework. Students enroll in practicum placements in their second and third years of the program. This schedule varies slightly for Advanced Standing students who complete the program in two years.

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 term units. Advanced Standing students must complete 40–43 units. For students not continuously enrolled, all degree requirements must be completed within six years of initial enrollment.

Practicum Education

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

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

Human Service Experience Track students complete a single 1,000-hour practicum placement (a minimum of 16 hours/week for three to five terms) during the second and third years in the program and complete a 2-unit Practicum Education capstone project (a total of 14 units).

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

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.

Macro Minor

Clinical Social Work Practice majors may declare a 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. These activities can be practiced within a clinical social work setting.

Students who wish to minor in macro practice are asked to discuss plan options with the Online program macro coordinator by the start of the fourth term in the program. Students need to complete two of the following macro courses through the online program:

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

Macro Minor Project

In addition to the required courses, the macro minor project will provide an opportunity to gain macro social work skills. The project is completed during the advanced practicum placement and must be appropriate for the placement’s setting, strategy, and population. It is developed with input and approval from your practicum instructor, your program director, or online program practicum coordinator, and the online program macro coordinator.

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.