Career Services
We’re here to support you!
As a student at BUSSW, you’ll be welcomed into a community of mentors and peers committed to your success.
We will work with you to develop a plan of action as you launch your social work career.
- Learn about career exploration, the job search, job offers and counteroffers, building a professional network, licensure preparation, and resume building.
- Access numerous resources that will prepare you for success in the social work profession. In addition to the rich practical experience obtained through practicum education, you’ll find a variety of workshops on topics such as licensure prep, resume writing, networking, interviewing, and job resources.
- Did you know that the majority of our graduates find jobs soon after the program, and over half are from their practicum placements?
- You’ll prepare for social work licensure as specified by your state of residence.
- Thanks to our program’s rigorous courses, practical experience and supportive workshops, our graduates have an over 90% success rate on the licensing exam.
Career Resources Available to ALL BUSSW Students
Regardless of your campus or program — On-Campus (Boston-CRC), Worcester Hybrid, and Online — every BUSSW student has access to a variety of career development resources to support your professional growth.
BU Center for Career Development (CCD)
The BU Center for Career Development (CCD) provides career education, employer connections, workshops, and online resources to help students prepare for internships and employment.
Additionally, the virtual career center provides 24/7 online career resources, including:
- Resume and cover letter guides
- Interview preparation tool VMock
- Networking resources on the website
- Career exploration tools
- Salary negotiation resources
- LinkedIn guidance
- Career Planning tools on the website
- Coming soon: Virtual Indeed Job Search Academy
Visit BU CCD
Handshake
Handshake is Boston University’s primary career platform. Use Handshake to:
- Search for jobs and internships
- Register for career fairs
- Attend employer information sessions
- RSVP for workshops
- Connect with employers
- Learn more about BU Handshake
Access BU Handshake
BU Connects
BU Connects is a networking platform exclusively for Boston University alumni, students, faculty, and staff, bringing Terriers together on a global scale. It gives you access to a networking directory, mentoring, industry and affinity groups, and job opportunities.
Access BU Connects
Graduate & Postdoctoral Success Office (GPS)
Graduate students can participate in:
- Professional development workshops
- Career development programming
- Graduate student career events
- Master’s-level professional resources
Access BU GPS
BUSSW Career Services
Throughout the academic year, BUSSW offers career-focused programming that complements the services provided by the university, including:
- Alumni career panels
- Partnered networking events
- Social work licensure workshops
- Career readiness workshops
- Alumni networking opportunities
- Students are eligible to join the professional organization National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and take advantage of NASW’s numerous career resources.
Career Resources by Program
On-Campus (Boston-CRC)
Individual Career Coaching
On-Campus (Boston-CRC) students have access to individual appointments with the BU CCD career success coaches. Appointments include:
- Resume and CV reviews
- Cover letter feedback
- Interview preparation
- Job search strategy
- Salary negotiation
- LinkedIn and professional branding
- Career exploration
Career Coaching After Graduation
- First year after graduation: up to 6 appointments
- Beyond the first year: up to 3 appointments annually
Career Success Coach: Education & Human Services Career Community
Agustina Moron, career success coach with the CCD, specializes in careers related to:
- Social Work
- Human Services
- Education
- Community Organizations
- Nonprofits
Appointments are scheduled through Handshake for On-Campus (Boston-CRC) Students.
Online & Worcester Hybrid Programs
Online and Worcester Hybrid students can find career support in the following ways:
- Support from your student services advisor
- Connect with the BUSSW Student Services team for guidance and referrals to appropriate career resources.
- Participate in career workshops through BUSSW and partnerships with CCD and GPS
- Explore the CCD’s Virtual Career Center.
- Register for CCD workshops and career fairs through Handshake.
Got questions?
Reach out to your program’s student services team.
On-Campus (Boston-CRC) Student Services
Online Program Student Services
Off-Campus & Hybrid Student Services
BUSSW Career Guide
Our guide takes you through every step in the social work job search process, from preparing for your search to accepting a position. You’ll learn all about the career resources available to you and find extensive guidance on choosing a career path, interviewing, cover letters and resumes, licensure, loan forgiveness, and more.
View or download: BUSSW Career Guide
Career Workshops
Workshop recordings are available for download.
What Can You Do with a Master’s in Social Work?
Graduates of the BUSSW MSW program are prepared for social work careers in clinical practice, community organizations, schools, health care, behavioral health, policy, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership.
Clinical Practice Careers
- Child and family therapist
- School social worker
- Substance use disorder counselor
- Outpatient clinician
- Clinical director
- Hospice social worker
- School adjustment counselor
- Clinical social worker in Veterans Administration
- In-home therapist
- College counseling social worker/clinician
- Medical social worker
- Gerontological social worker
- Corrections social worker
- Crisis intervention specialist
- MSW field instructor and advisor
Macro Practice Careers
- Community organizer
- Policy analyst
- Program manager
- Nonprofit director
- Local government staff
- Social justice advocate
- Public health social worker
- Researcher in social policy
- Union organizer
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) specialist
- Human resources specialist
Licensure Support
Most states require a social work license to practice clinical social work, and there are many benefits to licensure for macro social workers as well. The information provided below will help you navigate the process.
License Prep Workshops & Study Groups
You’ll have access to a wide variety of license preparation opportunities, including exam prep workshops and study groups. Additional resources are available to those who may have historically experienced barriers in testing and/or who may have encountered difficulties in test-taking
Click this box to check out upcoming sessions.
Learn More
Social Work Licensing Basics
- A social work license is a credential issued by a state’s licensing board with requirements regulated by state law.
- Each state has its specific license titles (e.g. Licensed Certified Social Worker, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker)
- Most states have two levels of licensure:
- Masters level licensure – can be earned upon graduation from an MSW program accredited by Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Advanced licensure (Clinical or Advanced Generalist)
Licensing Application Process
- Information about where to complete the licensing application can be found on each state’s licensing board website.
- State-specific information about licensure is available here.
- Most states require applicants to have completed their MSW before beginning the application process.
- Social work licensing applicants will likely be required to provide some or all of the following:
- An application (applications in most states are online)
- References
- Passing score on the ASWB licensing exam
- An official sealed transcript stating you have graduated with an MSW **
- Payment (application fee and license fee)
- Criminal background check
- Fingerprinting
- Passport-sized photograph
- Citizenship/Immigration verification
This is not an exhaustive list, please check with your state’s licensing board to confirm the required application documents.
The most accurate and up-to-date information can be found on your state’s social work licensing website.
Transcripts
- For May graduates, transcripts can be requested the Monday after graduation.
- Transcripts can be ordered on the BU Student Link or from the BU Registrar here.
- Please note the University’s Registrar issues transcripts, not the BUSSW Registrar. Generally, the BU registrar’s office takes 3 to 5 business days to process requests.
- Questions regarding ordering transcripts should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar at 617-353-3612.
Social Work Licensing Exam
- Many states require the licensing exam for initial licensure.
- The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) develops and maintains the social work licensing examinations that are used to test a social worker’s competence to practice ethically and safely. Exams are administered yearly at secure U.S. and international test centers.
- Information regarding licensing and the licensing exam can be found at: www.aswb.org
- A free, downloadable exam guidebook is available on the ASWB website.
- The exam registration process:
- ASWB and your state licensing board will provide information on the steps required for registering for the exam. The process varies by state.
- The state board must approve you before registering for the exam.
- Once approved, you will register and pay for the exam and then schedule your exam.
- Exam fees are:
– Masters exam: $230
– Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam: $260
- Please note exam fees are nonrefundable.
- Licensing exam candidates may apply for approval for “Non-standard Testing Arrangements” if they:
- Have a learning, physical, medical, or mental health disability
- Are a non-native English speaker
- Need lactation arrangements
Requests for non-standard testing arrangements must be submitted when registering for the exam.
Exam candidates can access ASWB’s Candidate Service Center by:
State Requirements & ASWB Guidebook
ASWB Guidebook & Additional Study Resources
Access to a Comprehensive Licensing Exam Prep Study Guide:
We are pleased to offer many resources to our prospective and recent graduates to help prepare for the social work licensing process, including taking the ASWB licensing exam. In addition to a number of workshops throughout the year, we have several study guidebooks available for students to borrow. The guidebook, Social Work Licensing Masters Exam: A Comprehensive Study Guide by Dawn Apgar, covers the four exam content areas and provides end-of-section questions to test your understanding and retention. The books also include 2 full-length practice exams. To access a copy of the book:
OLP, CRC and OCHP students: You can access a digital copy of the Apgar book through the BU library. You can follow this link to connect. You may borrow the book for 7 days. After 7 days the copy of the book gets returned to the digital library. Directions are here.
CRC students: Please follow these instructions to borrow a physical copy of the guidebook. Copies are available at the Welcome Center in the School of Social Work.
OCHP students: Please contact Carmen DeCristofaro at cdecrist@bu.edu to make arrangements to borrow the book.
Download the ASWB Guidebook for free here.
Additional Study Resources:
Please note: BUSSW does not endorse or recommend these review courses. They are listed in no particular order.
Resources for BUSSW Alumni
After graduation, you’ll join a global network of nearly 10,000 BUSSW alumni with many opportunities to stay engaged. Connect directly with Dana Benton, director of Alumni & External Relations at danab@bu.edu.