Pursuing an online master’s degree in social work is a significant undertaking with tremendous rewards. It is natural to have questions about the program. Below you’ll find some of the most common ones we hear. After reviewing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions not addressed here at busswad@bu.edu:
What is required for admission into the online program?
All applicants will need to hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably in the liberal arts, from an accredited college or university. If you have at least 2 years of supervised, direct human or social service experience you may apply to be considered for the Human Service Experience Track (a single 1,000 hour field internship).
If you have completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, you may apply to the Advanced Standing track for admission, if the following requirements are met:
- You’ve maintained a minimum undergraduate academic average of 3.0 (B)
- You’ve earned your Bachelor of Social Work degree within 6 years of entry into the program
- If you’ve completed an undergraduate social work program, you’ll need to supply a copy of your final field evaluation from your senior year. If you are currently enrolled, a copy of your mid-year evaluation from your senior year is required. (The person who completes your field evaluation will need to be different than the person who submits a reference for you.)
If you do not meet the criteria for the Human Service Experience or Advanced Standing tracks, you will then default to the Traditional Program track (2 field internships, a total of 1,200 hours). We accept applications for the Online MSW Program each semester for entry in September (fall), January (spring), or May (summer).
Do I have to be a social worker already?
No, you don’t need to be a practicing social worker. Our Traditional Track will equip you with the academic & professional skills you’ll need to become a social worker.
If you are interested in the Human Service Experience track, you will need to have a minimum of 2 years of full-time human services work experience. This can come from a variety of roles: direct care in residential settings, case management, group leadership, referral services, counseling, advocacy, assessment and care planning, and more. Your work experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Do I need references?
Yes. Three reference letters are required with your application. If you are applying to the human services track, one of your three references will need to be submitted by the human services job supervisor who completes the employment verification form.
How long will it take to earn the online MSW degree?
If you keep to the recommended course schedule, you’ll complete the online program in 9 semesters or approximately 3 years. If you’re an Advanced Standing student, you’ll complete the program in 6 semesters, or approximately 2 years.
How does the field internship work?
Can I complete my internship where I work?
If you are already working in the social work field, you may be able to complete one of your two internships at your place of employment, as long as certain conditions are met. This includes the opportunity to intern in a different role with a different qualified supervisor, with a focus on acquiring new skills. Our practicum education team will evaluate and consider each placement once you are enrolled in the MSW program.
How do I attend online classes? Do I have to be at my computer at a certain time each day?
You will access your courses through the BU Online Campus platform. Coursework can be accessed online anytime, day or night. And you’ll also enroll in weekly, required Live Classroom sessions that are held for 1 to 1.5 hours a week on Sunday OR Monday evenings between 6-10:30 p.m. ET. You will register for these sessions in advance. There will almost always be course offerings on Sundays and Mondays and you can choose which of those two evenings work best for you during that 7-week course.
As an online student, what type of support is available to me?
A variety of academic, field, program and technical supports are available to you. You’ll be assigned a Student Services Administrator (SSA) upon entering the program and you’ll will work with this SSA throughout your entire educational journey. You can learn more about the types of support available by visiting the following webpages:
Do I have the right computer equipment and software for online learning? What are the system requirements?
Nearly all modern computers far exceed the minimum system requirements to use Boston University’s online learning system. Please see our technical requirements page for complete specifications. Online programs are accessible to both Windows and Mac OS X users. To fully participate in the program, you will need to have a computer, a webcam, a headset with a microphone, and high-speed internet access. In addition, you will need to register in advance for the weekly Live Classroom sessions that are 60 to 90 minutes in length either Sunday or Monday evening.
Is this online MSW program accredited?
Yes, Boston University School of Social Work is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NECHE).
Can I get a course waiver?
If you are an Advanced Standing student who enters the MSW program with a research background, you are eligible to take a proficiency examination to waive the Research I (SSW SR 743) 3-credit course requirement.
Do I need to reside in the United States to complete this program?
Yes. You must be living within the 50 U.S. states at the time the program begins in order to participate. Unfortunately, if you are living in U.S. Territories, countries outside of the U.S., and military bases outside of the 50 states, you are ineligible for our Online MSW Program.
Please note 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, and the International Students & Scholars Office does not require an admissions file for online students. If you are living abroad, you may apply for the program, but you must be living in one of the 50 states by the start of the program.
What if my GPA score is below a 3.0 (B) or English is not my first language?
We review applicants holistically so there is no minimum GPA requirement except for those pursuing our Advanced Standing track. If you are an Advanced Standing applicant, you will need to have earned a minimum of a 3.0 (B) undergraduate academic average. Additionally, we do NOT require the GRE. Please note, we encourage you to briefly address/explain your lower GPA in their personal statement.
International students: If English is not your first language or you didn’t receive your bachelor’s degree from an all English-speaking university, then you will need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam.
How much does the Online Program cost?
You will enroll in 6-9 credit hours per semester and pay per credit, per semester. Please note, these costs are only in effect for the 2025/26 academic year (fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026)
| 2025-2026 Online Program Tuition: | $910 per credit |
| Part-Time Student Services Fee: | $60 per semester |
Are there specific guidelines for the personal statement?
Your statement should be 3-4 pages, typed and double-spaced. Please save it as a MS Word document or PDF and upload it directly to the online application
(instructions are included in the application).
We request a personal statement as part of your application to the MSW Program to obtain a clear understanding of your background, why you have chosen to enter the social work profession, your readiness for graduate education, and your motivation to apply to our program.
Boston University School of Social Work is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Please comment on these principles in the context of your professional experience and aspirations.
Please describe how your academic, professional, personal, and volunteer experiences have prepared you for graduate studies in social work. This statement is considered a writing sample and is reviewed for content and writing quality.
Please touch on the following areas in your essay (as applicable):
- Discuss why you believe Boston University School of Social Work is best suited to meet your graduate education needs.
- How do you believe you will manage the rigorous demands of coursework and field education during graduate study?
- If you have low or inconsistent grades in undergraduate (or graduate) study or have attended multiple schools to earn a degree, please discuss any issues you faced to help us better understand your academic background.
- Identify your strengths and areas in need of improvement that are relevant to the profession of social work.
- What inspires you to pursue this profession?
- If you have clear career goals, please tell us what type of work you see yourself engaged in after earning the MSW.
Transfer Applicants:
If you wish to apply credits completed at another MSW program OR another non-social work graduate program, you will need to first apply to the BUSSW program and be accepted before sending any transfer materials. Make sure to review the requirements on our website! In order to receive transfer credits for any course, you will need to:
- Have received a grade of B or better in the course
- Have taken the course within the past five years
- Send a copy of the “Request to Transfer Credit” form for each course with the following materials to mgrattan@bu.edu:
- Course outline/syllabus
- Official transcript (or written evaluation indicating a grade of B or better in case of a pass/fail grade)
- Letter of Good Standing
What is the process for admissions review?
Our review committee convenes three times each year, immediately following application deadlines. All applications are reviewed after the deadline for each term, and you will be notified of the decision via email. We do not offer rolling admissions.