The On-Campus MSW program at Boston University School of Social Work offers a dynamic, hands-on learning experience, nestled in the heart of vibrant Boston—a leading city for education, healthcare, and nonprofits.
Our students complete a multi-method curriculum guided by faculty experts and dedicated practitioners that prepares each student for success in a range of social work careers. After selecting a major, students may choose from four specialization areas, as well as one of three dual degree options.
Students also have the option to be full-time or part-time students and to choose between three tracks: traditional track, Advanced Standing, and the Human Service Experience (HSE) track for part-time students.
Full-time Program
Full-time students on our Charles River Campus typically fulfill the degree requirements in two years. All full-time Charles River Campus students take courses including Communities & Organization, Introduction to Social Work Clinical Practice, Human Behavior, Social Welfare Policy, and Research. In addition, our students take advanced Clinical or Macro Practice courses that correspond to their major during advanced placement.
Visit the BU Bulletin for more detailed information on courses and requirements.
Foundation Year Program
For full-time students, a foundation year typically comprises 27-semester credits in coursework and 6 in field education.
Advanced Year Program
During your second year, an advanced-year program includes 24-semester credits in coursework and 8 in the field.
Part-time Program
Traditional Track
Part-time, traditional track students on our Charles River Campus (Boston) fulfill the degree requirements in either three years (with summers) or four years (without summers). Students take two to three courses per semester.
The first year of study consists of academic coursework only. (Most foundation courses offer a class section scheduled in the evening time blocks). In subsequent years, two field placements are required in conjunction with the academic course curriculum. During the fall and spring semesters, students must have time available during the regular workweek for both coursework and a field internship. 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 in some field settings of a 16-hour/week placement for a full year.
Human Service Experience (HSE) Track
The Human Service Experience (HSE) Track is a part-time program designed for applicants with a minimum of two years of full-time supervised human services experience.
The program consists of 65 credits completed part-time in two and a half years over the course of 7 semesters (3 fall, 2 spring, and 2 summer). HSE students begin their 24-hour/week field placement in the second year of the program and continue through the following summer to complete the single 1,000-hour field internship.