{"id":70870,"date":"2025-03-19T11:39:47","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T15:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/?page_id=70870"},"modified":"2026-04-14T15:22:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T19:22:33","slug":"deans-message","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/about\/deans-message\/","title":{"rendered":"Dean’s Welcome"},"content":{"rendered":"

At BUSSW,\u00a0we\u00a0prepare\u00a0leaders who confront structural inequities, champion health and wellbeing, and work hand<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>hand with communities to create meaningful change. Social work is needed now more than ever.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our\u00a0strategic\u00a0priorities guide everything we do<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Equity and Justice:<\/strong>\u00a0we prepare students to recognize and dismantle systems of oppression and structural exclusion\u2014so that the dignity, rights, and potential of every person are honored. This work shapes our curriculum, field placements, community engagement<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and everything that we do. We emphasize antiracist pedagogy,\u00a0trauma-informed\u00a0care, restorative practices, and policy advocacy that centers those with lived experience. Students learn to combine critical analysis with community\u00a0partnership. We\u00a0are\u00a0committed\u00a0to continuous reflection and accountability, partnering with communities to co-create solutions that shift systems and expand\u00a0opportunities.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Health and Community Health:<\/strong>\u00a0social work\u00a0sits at the forefront of individual and community health. We\u00a0are focused on\u00a0advancing\u00a0integrated, person<\/span>–<\/span>centered, community-informed models that address mental, physical, and social determinants of health across the lifespan \u2014 from prevention and health promotion to clinical care and population<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>level interventions. Our students learn to design and implement\u00a0these\u00a0programs, partner with agencies and community members, and lead efforts to reduce health inequity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Community Engagement:<\/strong>\u00a0we\u00a0partner with community organizations as\u00a0co-creators, ensuring our work is accountable, reciprocal, and locally relevant. These partnerships inform our teaching, field placements, and\u00a0research<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0so interventions are practical, culturally grounded, and sustainable.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Interdisciplinary Research with Real\u00a0<\/strong>World\u00a0Impact<\/strong>: our\u00a0research is intentionally interdisciplinary \u2014 bridging social work, education, public health, medicine, policy, urban planning, and the behavioral sciences. Faculty and students collaborate across BU and with community partners to generate evidence that informs practice and policy. From studies on child health equity, housing stability and substance use to population mental health and immigrant and refugee wellbeing, our scholarship\u00a0is committed\u00a0to producing\u00a0scalable solutions that improve lives.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Leadership Preparation:\u00a0<\/strong>we\u00a0are educating the next generation of\u00a0leaders through experiential learning, mentorship, and opportunities for engagement and practice. Our programs develop the skills to manage complex systems, lead interdisciplinary teams, advocate effectively, and\u00a0create\u00a0innovative\u00a0community-based solutions and\u00a0services.\u00a0Our graduates\u00a0emerge\u00a0ready to influence\u00a0clinical\u00a0practice, shape policy, and drive social change at local, national, and global levels.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Student Experience:\u00a0<\/strong>our students are the heart of our school. We value and support them with a myriad of resources including advising, financial aid, wellness resources, and practicum placements that turn classroom learning into real-world impact. Our MSW academic offerings include dual<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>degree programs that deepen interdisciplinary expertise \u2014 featuring partnerships with BU Schools of Education, Theology, and Public Health.\u00a0 Our doctoral students are able to conduct hands-on research, gain teaching experience, all balanced with a rigorous curriculum. We are so proud of the challenging work they take on to become social work scholars, teachers and leaders.\u00a0 For all of our students, we are committed to inclusive classrooms and professional development that empowers them to pursue their passions and make positive change in the world. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Global Social Work:<\/strong>\u00a0we\u00a0are dedicated to being\u00a0practitioners and\u00a0scholars\u00a0who\u00a0engage\u00a0ethically and effectively in an interconnected world, addressing transnational challenges such as migration, climate displacement, and global health inequities.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At BU<\/span>SSW, learning extends beyond the classroom. From immersive\u00a0practicum\u00a0placements and community health initiatives to collaborative, interdisciplinary research, our students practice an ethic of courage, compassion, and curiosity. We celebrate diverse perspectives and foster an environment where every person can grow, belong, and lead. Together, through scholarship and practice, we transform knowledge into action that advances justice, health, and opportunity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Explore our programs, connect with our\u00a0community, and join us in pursuing a more just, healthy, and hopeful world. Together we WILL dismantle injustice and liberate possibilities.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Warmly,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Barbara L. Jones, PhD, MSW\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dean, Boston University School of Social Work\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At BUSSW,\u00a0we\u00a0prepare\u00a0leaders who confront structural inequities, champion health and wellbeing, and work hand\u00a0in\u00a0hand with communities to create meaningful change. Social work is needed now more than ever.\u00a0\u00a0 Our\u00a0strategic\u00a0priorities guide everything we do.\u00a0 Equity and Justice:\u00a0we prepare students to recognize and dismantle systems of oppression and structural exclusion\u2014so that the dignity, rights, and potential of every […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1301,"featured_media":0,"parent":70795,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70870"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70870"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70870\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80398,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70870\/revisions\/80398"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ssw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}