Dean’s Welcome

At BUSSW, we prepare leaders who confront structural inequities, champion health and wellbeing, and work hand in hand with communities to create meaningful change. Social work is needed now more than ever.  

Our strategic priorities guide everything we do. 

Equity and Justice: we prepare students to recognize and dismantle systems of oppression and structural exclusion—so that the dignity, rights, and potential of every person are honored. This work shapes our curriculum, field placements, community engagement, and everything that we do. We emphasize antiracist pedagogy, trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and policy advocacy that centers those with lived experience. Students learn to combine critical analysis with community partnership. We are committed to continuous reflection and accountability, partnering with communities to co-create solutions that shift systems and expand opportunities.  

Health and Community Health: social work sits at the forefront of individual and community health. We are focused on advancing integrated, person–centered, community-informed models that address mental, physical, and social determinants of health across the lifespan — from prevention and health promotion to clinical care and population level interventions. Our students learn to design and implement these programs, partner with agencies and community members, and lead efforts to reduce health inequity.  

Community Engagement: we partner with community organizations as co-creators, ensuring our work is accountable, reciprocal, and locally relevant. These partnerships inform our teaching, field placements, and research, so interventions are practical, culturally grounded, and sustainable.   

Interdisciplinary Research with Real World Impact: our research is intentionally interdisciplinary — bridging social work, education, public health, medicine, policy, urban planning, and the behavioral sciences. Faculty and students collaborate across BU and with community partners to generate evidence that informs practice and policy. From studies on child health equity, housing stability and substance use to population mental health and immigrant and refugee wellbeing, our scholarship is committed to producing scalable solutions that improve lives.  

Leadership Preparation: we are educating the next generation of leaders through experiential learning, mentorship, and opportunities for engagement and practice. Our programs develop the skills to manage complex systems, lead interdisciplinary teams, advocate effectively, and create innovative community-based solutions and services. Our graduates emerge ready to influence clinical practice, shape policy, and drive social change at local, national, and global levels.  

Student Experience: our students are the heart of our school. We value and support them with a myriad of resources including advising, financial aid, wellness resources, and practicum placements that turn classroom learning into real-world impact. Our MSW academic offerings include dual degree programs that deepen interdisciplinary expertise — featuring partnerships with BU Schools of Education, Theology, and Public Health.  Our doctoral students are able to conduct hands-on research, gain teaching experience, all balanced with a rigorous curriculum. We are so proud of the challenging work they take on to become social work scholars, teachers and leaders.  For all of our students, we are committed to inclusive classrooms and professional development that empowers them to pursue their passions and make positive change in the world.  

Global Social Work: we are dedicated to being practitioners and scholars who engage ethically and effectively in an interconnected world, addressing transnational challenges such as migration, climate displacement, and global health inequities.  

At BUSSW, learning extends beyond the classroom. From immersive practicum placements and community health initiatives to collaborative, interdisciplinary research, our students practice an ethic of courage, compassion, and curiosity. We celebrate diverse perspectives and foster an environment where every person can grow, belong, and lead. Together, through scholarship and practice, we transform knowledge into action that advances justice, health, and opportunity.  

Explore our programs, connect with our community, and join us in pursuing a more just, healthy, and hopeful world. Together we WILL dismantle injustice and liberate possibilities.  

Warmly,  

Barbara L. Jones, PhD, MSW  

Dean, Boston University School of Social Work