Experience the Best of Classroom, Field and Online Learning
The Worcester Hybrid MSW Program offers an innovative, Off-Campus/Online part-time format with majors in both Clinical and Macro Social Work Practice, plus 2 track options, ensuring that each student’s graduate program is tailored to his or her academic and work experience. Our professionally guided field placement process matches students with field internships in their community, and all students will be eligible to apply for social work licensure as specified by their state of residence. Learn more about the program’s beginnings here.
Program Options
- Traditional Track: 65 credits completed in 9 semesters, including 2 field internships
- Human Service Experience (HSE) Track: Open to applicants with a minimum of 2 years of full-time human service experience supervised by a master’s-level practitioner; 65 credits completed in 9 semesters including a single extended field internship
Program Structure
- Semesters 1—4: Classes are held once per week (Tuesdays, 4-9pm) at the Worcester campus. Students take one course at a time over 7 weeks. Traditional and Human Service Experience Track students start their field internship in semester 4.
- Semesters 5—9: Students transfer to the Online Program and complete their MSW by taking practice, advanced and elective courses online and continue in field education simultaneously. Each course is taken one at a time over 7 weeks.
Curriculum
Our curriculum emphasizes diversity, ethics, populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice, which is integrated throughout the foundation courses and the advanced electives.
Students enroll in foundation 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, Social Welfare Policy, Social Work Research, Introduction to Clinical Practice, Introduction to Macro Practice and Social Work Practice Ethics.
Field Education
Field education is a dynamic and integral part of our curriculum. Our Field Education team has extensive experience placing students in the geographic areas in which they live. Each field internship is structured based on the student’s program track and are completed concurrently with practice courses. Our dedicated team works individually and collaboratively with each student to determine the most appropriate field placement options.
*Internships must occur during normal business hours for field agencies.
Community
As a student enrolled in the Worcester Hybrid MSW Program, you’ll receive all the 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. Courses incorporate online lectures, simulations, videos, audio, interactive animations, discussion boards, and weekly required Live Classroom sessions.
Members of BUSSW faculty and staff are readily available and committed to providing online students a high-quality educational experience.
Technology
Online students at BUSSW access their courses through the Boston University Online Campus. Coursework can be accessed online anytime, day or night. Students also enroll in weekly, required Live Classroom sessions that are held for 1 to 1.5 hours a week on Sunday or Monday evenings. Students register for these sessions in advance. You can view an online course demo here.
You can view the supports offered for online students by visiting the following web pages:
BUSSW Online Program
BU Online Learning