Welcome to Boston University School of Social Work’s Worcester Hybrid 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.
Worcester Hybrid Program COVID-19 Protocol
BUSSW has returned to in-person teaching for the fall 2022 semester for the Charles River, Off-Campus and Hybrid programs.
If you have not yet been accepted into one of our Off-Campus sites and have questions related to COVID-19, please email our admissions team at busswad@bu.edu.
Boston University requires all students enrolled in classes on all campuses to be vaccinated before the start of classes. To upload your vaccination documents, please go here. Also, you can find more Covid 19 information and resources here.
Students accepted to the Off-Campus or Hybrid programs will receive regular communications from the Off-Campus Program & Hybrid (OCPH) office starting in early summer.
The OCPH team is ready to assist you. Please contact us at sswocp@bu.edu.
Getting Started
Important Dates
REGISTRATION FOR INCOMING FALL STUDENTS
June 2023 – Registration Opens
DOCUMENT SUBMISSION DEADLINES
August 15, 2023 – Transfer Credit Requests Due
TBD – Medical Report Form Due
———– PRE-ENTRANCE ACTIVITIES ———–
Off-Campus Pre-Orientation: August TBA 2023
This is a mandatory event for all incoming Off Campus and Worcester Hybrid students where you will have the opportunity to learn about the expectations and structure of the programs, to explore systems with which you will be working during your tenure at BUSSW, and to meet all incoming off campus students as well as spend time with your campus cohort members.
———– FALL 2023 SEMESTER ———–
September TBA 2023 – All-Student Orientation
This is a mandatory event at the Boston campus for all incoming students. Please set aside this day on your calendar and plan to attend. More information and registration link TBA.
September 5, 2023 – Classes begin for Worcester Hybrid Program
BUSSW School Wide Events: http://www.bu.edu/ssw/news/calendar/
Orientation
Orientation
PRE-ENTRANCE ACTIVITIES
Off-Campus and Worcester Hybrid Pre-Orientation: August TBA 2023
This is a mandatory event for all incoming Worcester Hybrid students where you will have the opportunity to learn about the expectations and structure of the program, to explore the systems with which you will be working during your tenure at BUSSW, and to meet all incoming off campus students as well as spend time with the Worcester Hybrid cohort members.
ALL-STUDENT ORIENTATION
September TBA 2023
Please go here for more information.
Financial Aid Information for Worcester Hybrid Students
Boston University School of Social Work Worcester Hybrid 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, and/or veterans benefits.
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan 2023 Fact Sheet
- SSW Student Expense Budget
- SSW Scholarship Opportunities (Incoming)
- Private Scholarship Resources
- Credit-Based Loan Information
- Financial Aid Checklist
- Information About Your Financial Aid Award
- Financial Aid Award Appeal Process
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
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 Services
Please click here for information on veterans services.
Important Resources for Incoming Students
Student Services and Advising
The BUSSW Off-Campus & Hybrid programs offer student services and advisement which includes the following:
- Group and Individual Advising
- Academic Support and Program Planning
- The Professional Development Seminar
GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL ADVISING
Students are assigned to an advisor when they enter the program and they keep the same advisor throughout their enrollment in the program. Advisors meet with students individual and as a group, as appropriate. Often, advisors offer group advising meetings to provide students with the opportunity for peer supports and to build relationships with student colleagues, while managing the transition to graduate social work education and learning about the social work profession.
Off-Campus and Hybrid Program Advisors are hired as adjunct advisors on a part-time basis and serve as the primary BUSSW representatives to students and field placement agencies and provide oversight and consultation to the students and field instructors. Advisors mentor students, monitor student performance, and consult to agencies. Students are assigned to an advisor when they enter the program, and students keep the same advisor throughout their enrollment in the program.
ACADEMIC ADVISING AND PROGRAM PLANNING
The Off-Campus and Hybrid Program Directors provide academic advising 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 OCP and Hybrid Program Team can also help identify resources for assistance with academic, personal, financial aid, and career planning needs.
Contact: Off-Campus & Hybrid Program Team
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: professional development; 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.
Students must register for IS100 Professional Development Seminar every semester in order to access the seminar online content. Although the Seminar is not credit based, it is a required component of the program. Participation, attendance and completion of the Seminar tasks is required in order to receive a passing grade.
The Seminar consists of 12 sessions and includes a self-paced component combined with live classroom meetings held virtually or in-person. Additionally, a number of First Thursday Virtual Events are offered throughout the year. Students access the seminar through the Online Campus portal at online.bu.edu.
Seminar Syllabus for Traditional and Human Service Experience Students:
- Part I – For TT & HSE Students Enrolled in their First Year of the Program
- Part II – For TT & HSE Students Enrolled in their Second Year of the Program
- Part III – For TT & HSE Students Enrolled in their Third Year of the Program
Seminar Syllabus for Advanced Standing Students Seminar Syllabus for Advanced Standing Students
- Part I – For AS Students Enrolled in their First Year of the Program
- Part II – For AS Students Enrolled in their Second Year of the Program
Field Education Information
Part-time Students (Off-Campus and Worcester Hybrid Programs)
Worcester Hybrid Program students do not enroll in a Field Internship in their first year. Advanced Standing students enroll in a Field Internship in their second semester in the program. Additional information regarding field education: https://www.bu.edu/ssw/academics/field/.
Official Transcripts (All Students)
University-issued official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate, if applicable, institutions should be mailed to the Admissions and Financial Aid Office or sent electronically to busswad@bu.edu by June 15. If you are currently completing the final semester of undergraduate study, an official copy of your transcript indicating that you received a bachelor’s degree must be mailed to the Admissions and Financial Aid Office by June 15.
Our mailing address is:
Boston University School of Social Work
Admissions and Financial Aid Office
264 Bay State Road
Boston, MA 02215
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
- Information about International Distance Education
Contact Us
- Susan Brostrup-Jensen (sabj@bu.edu ) Director of the Worcester Hybrid Program
- Sonia Mee (smee@bu.edu) Interim Assistant Dean for Off-Campus & Online Programs
- Carmen Decristofaro, Senior Program Coordinator (617) 353-2115 (office) | Email: sswocp@bu.edu
- Christine Gales, Administrative Assistant (617) 353-3766 (office) | Email: sswooh@bu.edu