We are pleased to offer many resources to our 2025 graduates this year to help you prepare for the social work licensing process, including taking the ASWB licensing exam (for those of you living in a state that requires the licensing exam for initial licensure).
Our menu of options is listed below with corresponding registration links. Please register for the options that interest you and complete this google form.
Feel free to contact Diane Zipoli at dzipoli@bu.edu or Meg Matthews at megmsw@bu.edu with any questions.
Please check this webpage periodically as it will be updated as additional information becomes available.
UPCOMING EVENTS OPEN TO ALL BUSSW STUDENTS
Licensing Exam Study Group
June 26, 2025 at 7:00 – 8:00 PM (ET)
Join fellow 2025 graduates for 1-hour study group session facilitated by a BUSSW staff member familiar with ASWB licensing exam preparation.
Licensing Exam Study Group
July 16, 2025 at 7:00 – 8:00 PM (ET)
Join fellow 2025 graduates for 1-hour study group session facilitated by a BUSSW staff member familiar with ASWB licensing exam preparation.
Social Work Licensing Exam Prep Workshop
August 7, 2025 at 7:00 – 8:30 PM (ET)
This First Thursdays workshop will provide an overview of the ASWB licensing exam, which is required in many states for initial licensure. It will cover exam preparation resources, what to expect when taking the exam, and test-taking strategies. We will also review sample test questions to expose students to the types of questions asked.
Presented by: Meg Matthews & Diane Zipoli, OLP Student Services Administrators, BUSSW
Social Work Licensing Overview
October 2, 2025 – Time TBD
This First Thursdays presentation offers a general overview of licensing requirements and the opportunity to hear from BUSSW alums about their experiences navigating the licensure process.
Presented by: Meg Matthews & Diane Zipoli, OLP Student Services Administrators, BUSSW
Registration Link to Follow
Social Work Licensing Exam Prep Workshop
November 6, 2025 at 7:00 – 8:30 PM (ET)
This First Thursdays workshop will provide an overview of the ASWB licensing exam, which is required in many states for initial licensure. It will cover exam preparation resources, what to expect when taking the exam, and test-taking strategies. We will also review sample test questions to expose students to the types of questions asked.
Presented by: Meg Matthews & Diane Zipoli, OLP Student Services Administrators, BUSSW
Registration Link to Follow
For BUSSW-sponsored events:
Boston University strives to be accessible, inclusive and diverse in our facilities, programming and academic offerings. Your experience in this event is important to us. If you have a disability (including but not limited to learning or attention, mental health, concussion, vision, mobility, hearing, physical or other health related), require communication access services for the deaf or hard of hearing, or believe that you require a reasonable accommodation for another reason please contact Diane Zipoli at dzipoli@bu.edu or Meg Matthews at megmsw@bu.edu 3 weeks prior to each event to discuss your needs.
STATE LICENSING APPLICATION FEE ASSISTANCE INFORMATION
BUSSW has some limited funding to provide reimbursement for the cost of the initial social work license application for 2025 graduates.
All of the following criteria must be met to apply for reimbursement:
- Be a January, May or August 2025 BUSSW grad
- Plan to take the exam in a state which requires the initial (Masters) social work license (the one available right after graduation) AND that charges a fee for the application to sit for the exam.
- Plan to complete the application to take the exam within 6 months of your graduation conferral date (you do not have to actually sit for the exam by that time)
Students will be able to apply for reimbursement as they get close to their graduation date:
If you are an August 2025 graduate who meets the criteria and would like to apply for reimbursements, please click here to complete the application by between June 15th and August 1st.
Please note some states do not charge an application fee when applying for the state license. MA is currently one of these states. Please check your state’s license fee requirements. Please don’t apply for this funding if your state does not require a FEE for your state license application.
If you have questions about BUSSW’s state licensing application fee assistance, please reach out to Debra Berglin at dberglin@bu.edu
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ACCESS TO A COMPREHENSIVE LICENSING EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE:
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:
CRC students: Please follow these instructions to borrow a 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 arrange getting the book to you.
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.
Download the ASWB Guidebook for free here.
Additional Study Resources:
- Pocket Prep App
- Therapist Development Center
- Social Work Examination Services
- Savvy Social Worker Exam Prep – YouTube
- Agents of Change ASWB Test Prep
- Raytube
- Quizlet
- University of Michigan Exam Prep Course
- https://aatbs.com/
Please note: BUSSW does not endorse or recommend these review courses. They are listed in no particular order.
FOR MASS. STUDENTS ONLY:
Are you a Mass. community health center employee seeking licensure who identifies as a Person of Color, speaks English as a second language, OR is 32+ years old? If so, apply to LEAP (Licensure Equity Achievement Program).
LEAP is a partnership with MassGeneral Brigham (MGB) Equitable Care Collaborative and The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Mass League). LEAP’s core mission is to ensure equal access to licensure opportunities by eliminating barriers hindering diverse individuals from becoming licensed behavioral health professionals. The support includes funding for participants to access testing resources, one-on-one coaching from curated list of coaches and facilitated peer support groups for community and encouragement.
Application process is now open and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interested applicants should contact leap@massleague.org.
PAST WORKSHOPS
Social Work Licensing Overview (3/6/25)
This presentation offered a general overview of licensing requirements and the opportunity to hear from BUSSW alums about their experiences navigating the licensure process.
A recording and presentation slides from the event can be found on Blackboard: Student Resource & Comm Hub > Events & First Thursdays > First Thursdays > March 2025 Social Work Licensing Overview
I’m a Macro student. Why should I get licensed? (4/24/25)
A conversation about licensing considerations for macro students with a macro alum and Diane Crowley, MSW, LCSW – BUSSW Macro Practice Field Education Coordinator
A recording and presentation slides from the event can be found on Blackboard: Student Resource & Comm Hub > Events & First Thursdays > Career Presentations
Managing Test Anxiety: Calm and Ready for the Licensing Exam (5/6/25)
This workshop on managing exam anxiety explored effective tools and techniques to help students feel prepared and confident when facing high-stakes tests. BUSSSW alumni share their personal experiences and strategies for handling exam-related anxiety. Hosted by: Deb Berglin, MSW, LICSW – Cape Cod Campus Director, BUSSW
A recording and presentation slides from the event can be found on Blackboard: Student Resource & Comm Hub > Events & First Thursdays > Career Presentations
Social Work Licensing Overview (6/6/25)
This First Thursdays presentation offers a general overview of licensing requirements and the opportunity to hear from BUSSW alums about their experiences navigating the licensure process.
A recording and presentation slides from the event can be found on Blackboard: Student Resource & Comm Hub > Events & First Thursdays > First Thursdays > June 2025 Social Work Licensing Overview
Additional study resources can also be found on the Career Resources webpage here.