Because change can’t wait.
If you have earned or will complete a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE accredited undergraduate program in social work, we offer an Advanced Standing Track at the following campuses:
- Charles River Campus (Boston): Full-time and part-time Advanced Standing options
- Off-Campus Program: Fall River and Bedford campuses offer part-time Advanced Standing
- Online Program: Offers part-time Advanced Standing
The Advanced Standing option is open to candidates with an undergraduate social work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. A minimum undergraduate academic GPA of 3.0 (B) is required for admission. The undergraduate social work degree must have been obtained within six years before entry into the program.
Students accepted to our Advanced Standing Program are given 22-25 credit hours. The additional 43 credits required for graduation (or 40 credits if the student passes the Research 1 Waiver Exam) must be taken at the School of Social Work or as part of a School of Social Work-approved course of study. No additional transfer credits will be accepted toward the MSW degree.
In order to apply, you must:
- Meet all requirements for general applicants
- Have an undergraduate social work degree from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education within six years of program entry
- Have a minimum undergraduate cumulative academic average of 3.0 or higher
- Submit a copy of your final field evaluation from your senior year field placement. If you are in your last year of your placement while applying, please submit your mid-year 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.
- Submit three mandatory references.
- If you have yet to graduate from your undergraduate program, one of your references must be from your senior year field placement supervisor.
- If you have already graduated from your undergraduate program, we highly recommend, but do not require, a reference from your senior year field placement supervisor.
- If admitted to the program, acceptance is contingent upon receipt and approval of your final field evaluation (if not already submitted during the admissions process).
Advanced Standing at the Charles River Campus (Boston)
Classes for full- and part-time Advanced Standing students begin in the fall semester. All Advanced Standing students complete 1,000 hours of field work. Full-time Advanced Standing students are in field placement 24 hours per week beginning in September and continuing through August. Accepted students planning to attend full-time will need to be available for an agency interview in early spring, prior to enrollment.
Part-time Advanced Standing students begin their field placement in the second year of the program. Due to the timing of the placement process and some specific agency requirements, some agencies may not be available for Advanced Standing students.
Advanced Standing Program tuition is separate for the academic year (the current full-time tuition from September to May) and the summer (8 additional credits at the current per credit rate).
For prospective students with an extensive social work background and experience, a special request to simultaneously pursue the Advanced Standing program and a dual degree option (in education, public health, or theology) may be considered. Advanced Standing applicants should discuss their eligibility with the appropriate program director.
Clinical Practice majors take intermediate and advanced Clinical Practice courses along with electives in social welfare policy and human behavior and required courses in social research, ethics, and racial justice.
Macro Practice majors take three required Macro Practice courses along with electives in social welfare policy and human behavior and required courses in social research, ethics, and racial justice.
Advanced Standing in the Part-Time Off-Campus Program (Fall River & Bedford)
Part-time Advanced Standing students at the three satellite campuses enter the program in September and complete the program over six consecutive semesters. Students enroll in courses in their first semester and continue with courses while enrolled in an advanced 1,000 hour field internship for the rest of the program.
Fall River & Bedford Advanced Standing Program Plan – Clinical Major
Advanced Standing in the Part-Time Online Program
Part-time Advanced Standing Online Program students complete the program over six consecutive semesters with coursework that includes both asynchronous content and weekly live classroom sessions. In the first two semesters, students enroll in coursework; in their third semester, students enroll in 2 courses while completing an advanced 1,000 hour field internship which begins after the first two semesters are complete.
All coursework can be accessed online anytime, day or night. Our BU faculty use a variety of teaching and learning modules, including live classroom sessions, discussion forums with instructors, guest speakers and other students, role play, research projects, and individual and group presentations.
OLP Advanced Standing Program Plan – Clinical Major
OLP Advanced Standing Program Plan – Macro Major