School of Social Work among Nation’s 20 Best

SSW advances six spots in U.S. News ranking

Dean Gail Steketee, Boston University BU School of Social Work SSW

Dean Gail Steketee says the School of Social Work’s faculty shares the credit for the bravos from outside rating groups. Photo by Vernon Doucette

May 23, 2012
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The School of Social Work is the 16th best graduate program in its field nationally, U.S. News & World Report declares in its most recent rankings.

The last such survey, in 2008, placed SSW at number 22. This year’s rankings compare 206 graduate schools of social work and “are based solely on the results of peer assessment surveys sent to deans, other administrators, and/or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools,” according to the magazine.

BU was in an 8-way tie for the number 16 spot.

SSW has also caught the approving eye of an independent rating website, thebestschools.org, which recently ranked the school’s online master of social work program fourth best in the nation.

“That peer social work educators rate our program among the nation’s very best indicates the high quality of our faculty and academic programs, our urban mission, and our dedication to graduating excellent social workers with skill and compassion,” SSW Dean Gail Steketee says. The school’s quality is confirmed by the high enrollment rate among accepted applicants and the “high pass rates” of alumni on social work licensing exams, she says.

SSW is the third BU school recently to score well in national rankings. U.S. News placed Sargent College’s graduate programs among the top 25 health therapy schools, while Bloomberg Businessweek lauded the School of Management as number 18 among undergraduate business programs.

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There are 6 comments on School of Social Work among Nation’s 20 Best

  2. What a great school, I was fortunate to get my MSW and also the same applies to my alma mater U.C. Berkeley. Having the great experience to get my degrees from both highly ranked schools, has opened doors that I never believed would be possible, when I started my academic career so many years ago.

    Getting a fine education does matter and so does where you get that education. Way to go BUSSW!

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    1. Yes it matters where you go. I went to a “name” school. The cost extremely high, and then I discovered their ranking was not high. My experience was “hell”. Racism at its highest, field placement is questionable. Field placement students hours are signed off yet they spend their days doing home work. Nothing to do but they got credit and “Yes for program they are signed off that they are competent and they learn what never happened” lies. But only 4% of social workers are minority. some teachers dont want you to talk about god, they make you feel it in your grade.I wish I knew I would have saved my money. They teach one thing and if you open your mouth they literally gang up on you. Guess what they use to get you grades. Yes it matters where you go.

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  4. I am finishing my application right now and I have to say I am impressed. I didn’t consider this school until last week. I just realized within the last few months that I want to become a clinical social worker. BU has made this a much easier decision. I really hope that they accept me!

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