Welcome to Boston University School of Social Work’s Online MSW Program!
You have an exciting and challenging year ahead and we look forward to guiding you through your graduate education at BUSSW. The following information will help you prepare to enter the program.
Guide to the Online MSW
Getting Started
Important Resources for Incoming Students
- Online Campus
- BUSSW Online Information Central
- Academic Calendar
- Important Dates
- Request for Transfer Credit Form
- Incoming Student Guide
- Disability and Access Services
- Conduct & Netiquette for Learning at BUSSW
Entering Spring 2025 Program Plans:
- Spring 2025 Cohort Program Plan – HSE Clinical
- Spring 2025 Cohort Program Plan – HSE Macro
- Spring 2025 Cohort Program Plan – Traditional Track Clinical
- Spring 2025 Cohort Program Plan – Traditional Track Macro
- Spring 2025 Cohort Program Plan – Advanced Standing -Clinical
- Spring 2025 Cohort Program Plan – Advanced Standing – Macro
Forms
Request for Pre-Approval of Transfer Credits
Change of Address/Personal Info on the Student Link
Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form*
* Please note: students need to meet with the appropriate program administrator before a leave of absence or withdrawal can be processed.
Online Program: sswolp@bu.edu
Advanced Standing Students
Advanced Standing students in the Online Program complete the program over six consecutive semesters. Students enroll in courses in the first two semesters of the program and then begin their field internship in their third semester of the program.
Field Education and the Field Placement Process
Online Program Advanced Standing students begin their field placement in the third semester of the program. Students begin working with a Field Coordinator as they near the start of their field placement (often during the first or early in the second semester). All students work with a Student Services Administrator, Field Coordinator and Field Liaison who collaborate as a team to monitor student success in the program.
Additional information regarding field education can be found at: https://www.bu.edu/ssw/academics/field/.
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
The BUSSW Online program offers student services and advisement which includes the following:
- Group and Individual Advising
- Academic Support and Program Planning
- The Professional Development Seminar
The Online Program (OLP) 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 OLP Team can also help identify resources for assistance with academic, personal, financial aid, and career planning needs. Students who have questions or are contemplating a change in their program plan should begin the process by submitting a request online using the Online Program Revised Program Plan Request form.
THE ONLINE PROGRAM TEAM
The Student Services Administrator
Students are assigned a Student Services Administrator when they enter the program. Student Services Administrators are members of the BUSSW Online Program Team, they meet with students through monthly, small group seminars and individually, as needed. This group advising process offers students the opportunity for socialization with student colleagues while managing the transition to graduate social work education and learning about the social work profession. Student Services Administrators will be the contact for all academic questions (i.e. revised program plans, program resources, leave of absence etc.).
The Field Coordinator
The Field Coordinator is a member of the field education team. Students begin working with a Field Coordinator as they near the start of their field placement (often during the second or early in the third semester. The Field Coordinator will be the point person for the placement search. They will assist students in defining areas of interest, locate a field placement that meets learning goals and confirm that the setting meets BUSSW agency expectations.
The Field Liaison
A student begins working with a Field Liaison when they begin their placement. The Field Liaison will serve as the point person for a student’s internship experience. The Field Liaison will assess how students are doing in their field placement. They will review and provide feedback on learning contracts, process recordings, and reflection and policy assignments, as well as conduct a site visit at least once each semester with the student and their field instructor. The Field Liaison will be the contact person for any field related matters. They will recommend the field grade at the end of each semester.
The Student Services Administrator, Field Coordinator and Field Liaison collaborate as a team to monitor student success in the program.
| Pod by Region | Student Services Administrators | Field Coordinators | Field Liaisons |
| 1 – Students living in the following states:
MA, RI, NH |
MA – Cynthia Bramble Daley
RI, NH – Yunieska Trujillo-Ramirez (contact smee@bu.edu) |
Dorothy Bergold | |
| 2 – Students living in the following states:
ME, VT, CT, NY |
Heidi O’Neil | Susan Lundon | Leah Sivick |
| 3 – Students living in the following states:
AL, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, WI, VA |
Diane Zipoli | Vicky Mateu | Crystal Griffin |
| 4 – Students living in the following states:
AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, KS, LA, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY |
Meg Matthews | Meredith Block | Nancy Kaye |
| Macro students – all states | Elise Eckelkamp | Jen Lemmerman | |
| Advanced Standing students – all states | Susan Brostrup-Jensen | All coordinators | All field liaisons |
THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR
The Professional Development Seminar is comprised of three parts, each part focusing on the students’ developmental phase while 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 field 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. Students access the seminar through the Online Campus portal at onlinecampus.bu.edu.
Students must 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, a number of First Thursday Virtual Events are offered throughout the year.
Field Education Information
Field Education
Field Education is a dynamic and integral part of the curriculum at Boston University School of Social Work. Field Education provides students with opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom to actual practice in social work and other human service settings.
Boston University School of Social Work 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.Financial Aid Information for Online Program Students
Official Transcripts (All Students) & Field Evaluation (Advanced Standing Students)
University-issued official transcripts displaying a conferred degree from all undergraduate and graduate institutions, if applicable, should be mailed to the Admissions and Financial Aid Office or sent electronically to busswad@bu.edu by December 18th. If you are an advanced standing student, a copy of your final field evaluation must also be sent to us by this date.
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 and Licensing Information
Social Work Career and 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:
Master of Social Work Licensing Disclosure
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Career Resources and Professional Development
The Boston University School of Social Work offers career resources to assist students and alumni in their employment search.
The BU Center for Career Development
The University’s Center for Career Development on the Charles River Campus (Boston) offers digital resource for students and is home to BU Handshake—a digital hub for those exploring employment opportunities.
Career Resources for Online Students
Connect with BUSSW alumni via our LinkedIn group and make use of BU’s Career Advisory Network (CAN) to connect with alumni across the country. As a student, you are eligible to join your professional organization, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and take advantage of NASW’s numerous career resources.
Professional Supports
- BU School of Social Work Alumni Association
- BU Alumni Association
- Association of Social Work Boards
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Terrier Perks for Alumni
LOAN FORGIVENESS
The 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.
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.
State Authorization and Distance Education
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; and
- Information about International Distance Education