Career Services
As a student at BUSSW, you’ll be welcomed into a community of mentors and peers who are here to support your education and career.
Our Director of Career Services, Alumni and External Relations, Dana Benton, Ed.M, MSW, LICSW, is committed to working with you to develop a plan of action as you prepare to launch your social work career. Connect with her directly and learn about the types of appointments and supports available as you prepare to graduate.
Topics
- Learn about career exploration, the job search, job offers and counteroffers, building a professional network, licensure preparation, and resume building.
- You have access to numerous resources that will prepare you for success in the social work profession. In addition to the rich practical experience obtained through field education, you’ll find a variety of workshops on topics such as licensure prep, resume writing, networking, interviewing, and job resources.
- The majority of our graduates find jobs soon after the program, and over half are from their field 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.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Dana Benton directly or your program’s student services team:
On-Campus (Boston-CRC) Student Services
Online Program Student Services
Off-Campus & Hybrid Student Services
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.
BUSSW Career Guide
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
Career resource workshop recordings are available for download.
MSW Graduates Make a Difference
The BUSSW MSW degree opens the door to a wide array of career paths across macro and clinical social work settings, from private practice to public policy work.
Clinical Practice Careers
- Child and family therapist
- Substance use disorder counselor
- School adjustment counselor
- Clinical social worker in Veterans Administration
- College counseling social worker/clinician
- Gerontological social worker
- Corrections social worker
- Crisis intervention specialist
- MSW field instructor and advisor
Macro Practice Careers
- Public health social worker
- Researcher in social policy
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) specialist
- Human resources specialist
Resources for BUSSW Alumni
After graduation, you’ll join a global network of nearly 10,000 BUSSW alumni with many opportunities to stay engaged.
BU Connects & BU Handshakes
BU Connects is a platform exclusively for Boston University alumni, students, faculty, and staff that brings Terriers together for networking on a global scale. It gives you access to a networking directory, mentoring, industry and affinity groups, and job opportunities.
BU Handshake is BU’s online hub for career resources and the number one site for college students to find jobs. It allows you to browse for jobs and internship opportunities and to learn and register for events, including networking sessions, panels, career fairs, and more.
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.