Applying & Deadlines

1. Applicants are encouraged to use a Gmail account when creating an application to ensure that you receive all emails regarding application status updates, admission decisions, and other important communications.
2. Once you are enrolled in a program, you will not be able to switch tracks (ex. Traditional Track to Human Service Experience Track). If you would like to switch tracks, this must be done during the application phase and prior to the application deadline. Additionally, you cannot transfer to another campus or program (ex. Charles River Campus to Online Program) to switch tracks once enrolled in a program.
3. Applicants may apply for only one campus per application cycle.
4. If you have applied and were not accepted, you must wait one year to reapply to any of our campuses or programs, including the Online MSW Program.
5. Advanced Standing applicants: Applicants who are currently in their senior year of a Bachelor of Social Work program and completing their field internship must submit a mid-year field evaluation with their application or as soon as it becomes available. Your acceptance is conditional upon receiving your final 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.

• Fall 2026: Open Now
• Final Deadline – March 11, 2026
• Apply here

• Summer 2026: Open Now
• Final Deadline – February 24, 2026
• Apply here

Applicants to our Online MSW Program are eligible for a $95 application fee waiver. To request a fee waiver, please email busswad@bu.edu before submitting your application.

The Online MSW Program accepts students three times a year. Students can apply to begin the online program in the spring (January), summer (May), or fall (September) semester. 

• Fall 2026: Open Now
• Standard Deadline – March 12, 2026
• Final Deadline – June 4, 2026
• Apply here

Applicants to our Worcester Hybrid MSW Program are eligible for a $95 application fee waiver. To request a fee waiver, please email busswad@bu.edu before submitting your application.

On-Campus (Boston – Charles River)

• Full-time traditional track (65 credits, 2 field internships, typically completed in 2 years)
• Part-time traditional track (65 credits, 2 field internships, typically completed in 3-4 years)
• Part-time Human Service Experience track (65 credits, 1 field internship, typically completed in 6 semesters)
• Advanced Standing (40 or 43 credits, 1 field internship, typically completed in 3 semesters)
• Options to major in Clinical Practice or Macro Practice, minor in Macro, and pursue a specialization in aging; behavioral health; trauma and violence; or children, youth and families
• Three track options

Online Program

• Traditional Track (65 credits, 2 field internships, 9 semesters)
• Human Service Experience Track (65 credits, 1 field internship, 9 semesters)
• Advanced Standing (40 or 43 credits, 1 field internship, typically completed in 6 semesters)
• Options to major in Clinical Practice or Macro Practice, and to minor in Macro
• Option to pursue a specialization in aging; behavioral health; trauma and violence; or children, youth and families

Applicants must be living within the 50 states at the time the Online Program begins in order to participate in the program. Those living in US territories, countries outside of the US, and military bases outside of the 50 states are ineligible for the Online Program. Boston University allows students to enroll in online programs regardless of immigration status. However, online students are not eligible for F-1 immigration sponsorship through Boston University. Applicants living abroad may apply for the program but must be living in one of the 50 states by the start of the program.

State Board of Education requirements and state licensing requirements for social workers differ from state to state. Please be sure to research your state’s Board of Education and social work licensing requirements.

Worcester Hybrid Program

• Part-time classes held at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.
• Cohort model
• Field internships within your local community
• Clinical Practice major, with the option to minor in Macro Practice
• Option to pursue a specialization in aging; behavioral health; trauma and violence; or children, youth and families
• Traditional Track (8 semesters, 65 credits, 2 field internships) available
• Human Service Experience Track (65 credits, 1 field internship, 8 semesters)

Please note: applicants to the Worcester Hybrid Program must be living within the 50 states at the time the program begins in order to participate. Those living in U.S. Territories, countries outside of the U.S., and military bases outside of the 50 states are ineligible for the Worcester Hybrid Program due to online course requirements.

The BU School of Social Work will waive, or partially cover, the $95 admissions application fee for applicants who are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents, and who fall into one of the following categories:

• AmeriCorps members or alumni
• Attendees at select admissions events
• BU affiliates (current Boston University employees, students, or alumni)
• City Year members or alumni
• Individuals who demonstrate financial need
• McNair Scholars
• Peace Corps members or alumni
• Veterans

Once you have started your application and received a CAS ID number, you may request a fee waiver.  Directions on how to submit a fee waiver request are outlined below.

To all applicants: Please do not submit your application until you receive an e-mail notifying you whether your waiver request has been approved or denied.  If you submit your application before your waiver has been approved, your waiver will be nullified, and we will be unable to refund your application fee.

Fee Waiver Documentation Requirements

• AmeriCorps, City Year, or Peace Corps members and alumni: Your service verification letter
• BU affiliates (current Boston University employees, students, or alumni): Your BU ID number
• Individuals who demonstrate financial need: For individuals currently in school, please send us a copy of your most recent financial aid assistance package from your financial aid office. For individuals not currently in school, you may send us a letter outlining your current financial situation. In this letter please include documentation of financial need (ie: a recent pay stub, W2, or a bank statement).
• Veterans: Any documentation that verifies you have served in the US military
• Attendees at select admissions events: Name of event attended and date

Fee Waiver Instructions

To request an application fee waiver, please send an e-mail to busswad@bu.edu with “Fee Waiver” in the subject line.

In the e-mail, please include your CAS ID number, and the supporting documentation of the reason for which you are requesting a fee waiver.

Fee Waiver Deadlines

To be considered for a fee waiver, please submit all required documentation prior to submitting an application. All questions can be directed to busswad@bu.edu.

Former Wheelock College graduate students that did not transition to Boston University prior to June 1, 2018, may petition for reconsideration to transition. Learn more.

If a student will not be able to complete the MSW or PhD program within the allowed timeframe after previously taking a leave of absence*, or has completely withdrawn from a program and wishes to return, the student must re-apply to the program by completing the full admissions process.

Please indicate on your application that you are re-applying in the “Personal Information” section under the “Other Information” tab. Be sure to upload transcripts indicating any courses taken within BUSSW. Indicate in your personal statement when you last attended.

*MSW students must complete their degree within six years of the start of the program. PhD students must complete their degree within seven years of their start date.