You can live and work anywhere in the U.S. while earning a top-ranked, fully online, part-time MSW degree taught by renowned BU faculty. Experience a high-quality, evidence-based education, delivered in a user-friendly web-based format. And you’ll also gain access to our national network of 2000+ field agencies that provide you with hands-on, practical field experience close to home.
Be part of small, intimate classes with no more than 15-25 students per course section.
Take classes with the same student group (cohort), building supportive connections with your peers, while learning from their lived experiences.
Take courses in a convenient online format via a mix of self-paced coursework and weekly Live Classroom online sessions.
You’ll have one-on-one professional advising from BUSSW staff to help you find an internship close to you.
Top-ranked education & career advancement
You’ll get the same top-ranked BU academic experience as the Boston program from the comfort of your home.
Learn from experienced professors and lecturers who bring cutting-edge research into the online classroom, and are engaged, accessible and supportive.
Dynamic class content features online lectures, simulations, videos, audio, interactive animations, and discussion boards.
More than half of our students find a job through their placements.
Prepare for social work licensure, as specified by your state of residence, through our courses and workshops; over 90% of BUSSW graduates pass on their first try.
Our curriculum emphasizes ethics, populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice.
The Online Program can typically be completed in 6–9 consecutive semesters, depending on your track.
Coursework can be accessed online anytime, day or night, through the BU Online Campus portal.
Weekly, required Live Classroom sessions are held for 1 to 1.5 hours a week on Sunday and Monday evenings. You’ll register for these sessions in advance. Check out an online course demo here.
First year: coursework with weekly required Live Classroom sessions; 1 course at a time for 7 weeks; 2 courses per semester
Second year: 2 courses per semester; plus 1 or 2 practicum internships (depending on your track) within or near your geographic area.
The instructors for all of your courses are part of the BUSSW faculty and are committed to providing leadership, mentorship, and sharing their expertise and research initiatives.
Additional resources for online students are offered by the University’s BU Virtual team.
Visit the BU Bulletin for more detailed information on courses and requirements.
The Online MSW Student Experience
Hear from Atlanta-based Carmetra J. (SSW’18) about her Online MSW experience.
Please note: If you would like to change tracks, this needs to be done during the application phase and prior to the application deadline. Unfortunately, you cannot transfer to another campus (ex: on-campus to online campus) to change tracks once you are enrolled in the program.
Traditional Track
Consists of 65 credits which can be completed in 3 years over 9 semesters (fall, spring, and summer).
You’ll take foundation and advanced courses online and attend weekly required Live Classroom sessions held Sunday or Monday nights.
You’ll complete 2 field internships for a total of 1,200 hours in the field (14)credits,
480 hours in the foundation placement, 720 hours in advanced placement
Human Service Experience Track
Open to applicants with a minimum of 2 years of full-time supervised human services experience.
Consists of 65 credits which can be completed in 3 years over the course of 9 semesters (fall, spring, and summer).
You’ll take foundation and advanced courses online and attend weekly required Live Classroom sessions held Sunday or Monday nights.
You’ll complete a single 1,000-hour field internship (12 credits) and a 2-credit field education capstone project.
Advanced Standing Track
Open to applicants with an undergraduate social work degree from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The undergraduate social work degree must have been earned within 6 years of entry into the program.
Consists of 43 credits (or 40 credits if you pass the Research 1 Waiver Exam) which can be completed over 6 consecutive semesters (no additional transfer credits will be accepted toward the MSW degree).
You’ll enroll in courses online and attend weekly required Live Classroom sessions held Sunday or Monday nights.
You’ll complete a single advanced 1,000-hour (10 credits) field internship.
Career Services
Take advantage of our Career Resources team. With customized career prep, advising, and workshops, you’ll be ready for internships and permanent positions.
Applicants living within the 50 states at the time the program begins are eligible to enroll in our Online Program.
Unfortunately, those living in U.S. Territories, countries outside of the U.S., and military bases outside of the 50 states are not eligible.
BU allows students to enroll in online programs regardless of immigration status. However, online students are not eligible for F-1 immigration sponsorship through BU. Also, the International Student Services Office at BU does not require an admissions file for online students.
FAQs
Have more questions about our online program? Visit our FAQ page to learn more.
