Welcome to our Online MSW Program!
You have an exciting and challenging year ahead and we look forward to guiding you through your graduate experience. The following information will help you prepare to enter the program.
Getting Started
- Setting Up Your Account
- Upload Your Profile Picture
- RSVP for Summer Orientation
- Complete SSW Graduate Student Academic Integrity Module
- Order Textbooks
- Review the following
- Complete Attestation
Important Resources for Incoming Students
- 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
- Registration Guide
Entering Summer 2026 Program Plans:
- Summer 2026 Cohort Program Plan – HSE Clinical
- Summer 2026 Cohort Program Plan – HSE Macro
- Summer 2026 Cohort Program Plan – Traditional Track Clinical
- Summer 2026 Cohort Program Plan – Traditional Track Macro
- Summer 2026 Cohort Program Plan – Advanced Standing -Clinical
- Summer 2026 Cohort Program Plan – Advanced Standing – Macro
Forms
Forms are available on the Registration and Student Accounting page.
* Please note: students need to meet with the appropriate program administrator before a leave of absence or withdrawal can be processed.
For questions, reach out to the Online Program Dept.: 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 practicum placement in their 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. Students begin working with a Practicum Coordinator as they near the start of their 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 student success in the program.
Additional information regarding practicum 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
Our Online Program offers student services support and advising including:
- 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. Students who have questions or are contemplating a change in their program plan should begin the process by submitting a request online using the Revised Program Plan Request form.
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 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 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. Students access the seminar through the Online Campus portal at onlinecampus.bu.edu.
Students must register for IS 600 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
Practicum Education is a dynamic and integral part of the curriculum at Boston University School of Social Work. Practicum 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) & Practicum 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 April 30th. If you are an advanced standing student, a copy of your final practicum 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
We offer 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