Social Work Research Waiver Exam
Do you have a strong research methods background?
You may qualify for the SR 743 waiver exam. If so, please carefully read the following information.
Overview
We offer incoming students with a strong research methods background the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency by passing a research methods examination.
- The waiver exam is offered online 3 times a year to those enrolling in any of our MSW programs: On-Campus, Online, and Worcester Hybrid.
- The approximate cost of the waiver exam is $10.
- You may only take the exam once.
- To pass, you need to receive a threshold score of 70 or higher.
- Those who pass may waive the Research I (SR743) course requirement.
- You then need to replace SR 743 with an elective in your program plan.
- Note: you may not waive out of the second required research course, SR 744.
Please note: if you are an Advanced Standing student who would like to test out of Research I, you must still take the exam and, if you pass, you will not need to replace SR 743 with an elective class.
Step One: Create a BU email address
- In order to take the research waiver exam, you must have a Boston University email address. This is because the exam will be taken on Blackboard, an online learning management system that requires a BU login.
- To create your BU email, you must follow the instructions in your MSW acceptance letter and, if required, pay your deposit.
- You will then receive welcome materials and information from the Registrar on how to create your BU email address.
- We offer three opportunities to take the Social Work Research Waiver Exam each academic year: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Please note: Each program receives their acceptance letter and BU email set-up instructions at different times.
Forms, Deadlines & Exam Dates
- August Exam
- The deadline to complete the mandatory Research Waiver Exam Interest Form was August 10, 2026.
- The exam dates were August 17-20, 2026.
- December Exam
- April Exam
Prepare for the Exam
The exam consists of 72 multiple choice questions. To prepare for the exam, we suggest:
- Review course concepts in the assigned textbook, Engel, R.J. & Schutt, R.J. (2017) The Practice of Research in Social Work 4th ed. (This book is available at the Mugar Library.)
- You may also opt to obtain an earlier version of the textbook at a lower cost; either textbook will provide valuable study content.
Concepts to Know
- Research questions and hypotheses
- Quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry
- Independent and dependent variables
- Variables’ level of measurement
- Measurement reliability and validity
- Instrument construction
- Data collection methods
- Sampling strategies
- Research design
- Threats to internal and external validity
- Single subject design
SR 743 Condensed Syllabus
Module 1: The Social Work Research Process and the Researcher’s Role and Responsibilities
Session 1: Introduction and Overview of Course
- Consider the Role of the Researcher in the Research Process
- Understand the importance of centering social work research in antiracist & anti-oppressive practices
Session 2:
- Overview of the research process
- Differentiate inductive and deductive logic
- Formulate a research question
- Discover and evaluate the research evidence
Session 3: Ethical research principles
- Explain the history and importance of ethics in human subjects research
- Consider the role of the researcher in ethical research practices
Session 4: Community engagement
- Center the research within the community of interest
- Participatory Action Research (PAR)
Module 2: Essentials of Quantitative Research
Session 5: Getting Started with Quantitative Research
- Define independent, dependent and intervening variables
- Differentiate level of measurement of variables
- Use conceptual and operational definitions
- Formulate hypotheses
Session 6: Populations and Samples
- Identify the study population of interest
- Apply appropriate sampling strategies for various populations and research objectives
Session 7: Measurement in Quantitative Research
- Examine principles of Reliability and Validity
- Identify, select and construct appropriate measurement tools Workshop: finding measurement tools and developing measures
Session 8: Data collection methods in Quantitative Research
- Differentiate methods of obtaining information: surveys, interviews, observation
- Examine the role of Secondary Data in quantitative research
Session 9: Research Designs
- Differentiate Pre-, Quasi-, and Classic Experimental Designs
- Describe Single Subject Designs
Module 3: Essentials of Qualitative Research
Session 10: Theories and frameworks for qualitative methods
- Demonstrate appropriate uses for qualitative methods
- Differentiate methods of sampling in qualitative research
Session 11: Methods of qualitative data collection
- Differentiate and apply methods for in-depth interviews, focus groups, participant observation
Session 12: Methods of qualitative data analysis
- Consider positionality and reflexivity in qualitative research
- Differentiate and apply methods of qualitative data analysis
- Report qualitative findings
Module 4: Reporting and Sharing Research Findings
Session 14: Final Presentations: Synthesize Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
- To register for the exam, all students must submit the mandatory Research Waiver Exam Interest Form by the date listed above.
- After you’ve completed the form, you will receive an email from Academic Affairs Support with information about how to access the exam, select a date and time, and the exam requirements.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the research waiver exam, please contact sswsupp@bu.edu.