Online Students
Welcome to our Online MSW Program!
You have an exciting and challenging journey ahead and we look forward to guiding you through your graduate experience. The following information will help you prepare to enter the program.
Looking for information about transfer credits?
Getting Started
Important Resources
- Online Campus
- Current MSW Student Resources
- Summer 2026 Academic Calendar
- Important Dates
- Request for Transfer Credit Form
- Incoming Student Guide
- Incoming Student Checklist
- Disability and Access Services
- Conduct & Netiquette for Learning at BUSSW
Entering Summer 2026 Program Plans:
Find program plans for each entering cohort here.
Forms
Forms are available on the Registrar page.
* Please note: students need to meet with the appropriate program administrator before a leave of absence or withdrawal can be processed.
For questions, please reach out to the Online Program Dept. at sswolp@bu.edu
Advanced Standing Students
- Advanced Standing students in the Online Program complete the program over six consecutive semesters.
- You’ll enroll in courses in the first two semesters of the program and then begin your practicum placement in your third semester of the program.
Practicum Education and the Placement Process
- Online Program Advanced Standing students begin their practicum placement in the third semester of the program.
- You’ll begin working with a practicum coordinator as you near the start of your practicum placement (often during the first or early in the second semester).
- All students work with a student services administrator, practicum coordinator and practicum liaison who collaborate as a team to monitor your success in the program.
Additional information regarding practicum education can be found here.
Curriculum and Program Plans
- Please be sure to follow your specific program plan to ensure that you meet the requirements for graduation: Program Plan by Cohort
Student Services and Advising
Our Online Program offers student services support and advising including the following:
- Group and Individual Advising
- Academic Support and Program Planning
- The Professional Development Seminar
Group and Individual Advising
- The Student Services team provides academic support and program planning to students beginning at Orientation and continuing throughout the student’s enrollment in the program. Students can explore their academic interests and personalize their educational program plan to meet their goals. The Student Services Team can also help identify resources for assistance with academic, personal, financial aid, and career planning needs. If you have questions or are contemplating a change in your program plan, you’ll begin the process by submitting a request online using the Online Program Revised Program Plan Request form.
The Student Services Administrator
- You’ll be assigned a student services administrator (SSA) when you enter the program. SSA’s are members of the BUSSW Online Program team and will meet with you through monthly, small group seminars and individually, as needed. This group advising process offers you the opportunity for socialization with student colleagues while managing your transition to graduate social work education and learning about the social work profession. SSA’s will be your contact for all academic questions (i.e. revised program plans, program resources, leave of absence etc.).
The Professional Development Seminar
The Professional Development Seminar is comprised of three parts, each part focusing on your developmental phase while you are enrolled in the MSW program.
The seminar covers:
- an overview of the social work profession including its values and ethics
- an orientation to, and integration of curriculum and practicum education
- career preparation and an overview of social work professional licensing
The Seminar consists of a self-paced component combined with group advising session held virtually. You’ll access the seminar through the Online Campus portal at onlinecampus.bu.edu.
You will need to register for IS600 Professional Development Seminar every semester to access the seminar online content. While not credit based, the Seminar is a required component of the program. Participation, attendance, and completion of the Seminar tasks are required in order to receive a passing grade.
Additionally, we offer a number of First Thursday Virtual Events throughout the year.
Practicum Education
- Practicum Education is a dynamic and integral part of the curriculum at BUSSW.
- It provides you with opportunities to apply what you learn in the classroom to actual practice in social work and other human service settings.
Financial Aid
- Our Online Program students may be eligible for funding in the form of a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Direct Loan, private credit-based loans, tuition reimbursement through employers as well as veterans benefits.
- BUSSW scholarship funding is not available to online students.
Tuition Payment Plan
- Students and their families may choose to budget all or part of their academic charges in monthly installments with the Tuition Payment Plan.
Veterans & Military Services
- Please click here for information on veterans services.
Loan Forgiveness
- Association of American Medical Colleges provides information on loan forgiveness programs in most states. For example, in some places, it may be possible for social workers working full-time in an underserved area at a community health center to be eligible for a repayment per year of service of $12,500.
- Information about loan forgiveness programs not specific to social workers, but still possibly applicable, are available online.
- These programs include Americorps, Peace Corps, and National Health Service Corps, as well as other paths to forgiveness.
Official Transcripts & Practicum Evaluation
- April 30, 2026
- Deadline for University-issued official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) institutions. Please mail it to the Admissions and Financial Aid Office or send it electronically to busswad@bu.edu.
- Deadline for sending an official copy of your transcript indicating that you received a bachelor’s degree, if you are currently completing the final semester of undergraduate study. Please mail it to the Admissions and Financial Aid Office.
- Deadline for advanced standing students to send a copy of your final practicum evaluation to the Admissions and Financial Aid Office.
Our mailing address is:
Boston University School of Social Work Admissions and Financial Aid Office
264 Bay State Road
Boston, MA 02215
Research Waiver Exam
For detailed information about the Research Waiver Exam, including important deadlines and contact information, go to the Social Work Research Waiver Exam webpage.
Social Work Career & Licensing Information
- Social work licensing requirements vary from state to state. Please be sure to check specific regulations for your state of residence available through the following resources:
Career Services & Professional Development
- Explore the many ways our Career Services office and BU support you in your professional development.
State Authorization & Distance Education
The Boston University State Authorization and Distance Education Disclosures site provides a variety of information regarding distance education programs, including:
- SARA and Boston University Approval
- Complaint Resolution Process
- The University’s Refund Policy
- Information about distance education programs that lead to professional licensure and certification
- Information about International Distance Education