Expand Your Impact with Dual Expertise
Transform schools, families, and communities through two powerful disciplines with the Master of Social Work/Master of Education (MSW/EdM) in either Special Education or Educational Leadership & Policy Studies. With this dual degree, you’ll develop skills in two professional areas and take leadership in designing and administering creative direct service and programmatic responses addressing a range of educational and social issues.
Boston University offers the MSW/EdM dual degree program through Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and the School of Social Work. This dual degree program is one of only a few in the country that combines social work and education. You’ll choose a concentration in (which includes behavioral and mental health) or Educational Leadership at BU Wheelock, or in Clinical or Macro Social Work at SSW. Applicants are encouraged to apply to both programs simultaneously and to begin their studies at the BU School of Social Work.
Program Pathways
With a dual degree in social work and education, you’ll be uniquely positioned to tackle challenges facing communities through multiple lenses and approaches that integrate practices and perspectives from both two fields. The dual degree program (MSW/EdM) in Social Work & Education prepares leaders who have a rich understanding of work with families and can also design and administer creative programmatic responses to the changing needs of schools and communities.
While dual degree students typically do not obtain licensure in education, they may obtain teacher or school administrator licensure with additional coursework, extending the length of their program.
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development requires a practicum placement only for students who are seeking Special Education Teaching licensure. However, it is recommended for all students.
The School of Social Work requires two social work practica for all students except Advanced Standing students, who are required to complete one 1,000-hour practicum. The two social work practica for traditional track students generally equate to 16 hours per week in the first placement and 24 hours per week in the second placement.
“It has been wonderful how BU Wheelock’s courses complement and build on my studies at the School of Social Work. BU Wheelock has reinforced the importance of an interdisciplinary approach, and I now know that this is something I will continue to apply in my life after graduation.”
Career Outcomes
Prepare to lead across social work and education in diverse schools and communities. With the MSW/EdM dual degree, you’ll build the skills to:
- Integrate social work and education to address challenges facing students, families, and communities
- Apply justice-based, anti-oppressive approaches to advance equity and well-being
- Build leadership and program skills to design effective services and programs
- Develop interdisciplinary expertise for careers in social work, education, mental health, advocacy, and policy
Alumni of the Dual Degree in Social Work and Education
Graduates of the MSW/EdM dual degree are prepared for a range of roles across social work, education, and community settings, including:
- Early intervention and after-school programs
- Community-based mental health services
- School social work and administration
- Program design, leadership, advocacy, and policy development
Faculty Coordinators
Faculty from Boston University School of Social Work and BU Wheelock work closely together to coordinate the dual degree program and support students throughout their studies. Together, they bring expertise in mental health, educational leadership, systems change, and special education.
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Jennifer Greif Green
Professor
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Jeffrey M. Young
Program Director, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
Master Lecturer
Nina Aronoff, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Social Work
Dr. Jennifer Greif Green is a professor of special education and child clinical psychologist at Boston University Wheelock. Her research focuses on improving student mental health and well-being, including reducing disparities in access to mental health services and preventing bullying. She also co-directs BU’s Social Adjustment & Bullying Prevention Laboratory.
Courses in the Education and Social Work Dual Degree
Dual degree students are expected to meet the core requirements of both the School of Social Work and Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. You may use electives in one program to take courses in the other school, and select from a limited number of courses that count for credit in both schools. Students seeking two master’s degrees may graduate with both degrees with a total of 83 credits as opposed to 101 credits if the degrees were taken separately.
Related Programs
Learn effective instruction, intentional collaboration, proactive advocacy, and reflective practice as an educator. Choose from multiple tracks and learning experiences, including structured tracks that lead to Massachusetts teaching licensure as well as more flexible and customizable non-licensure program options.
Dive deeper into leadership and policy, and become a transformational leader in any PreK–12 school or district. Our program offers field work and research experience, faculty mentorship, and flexible licensure and non-licensure options, including principal licensure programs.
Scholarships Available
Ready to start your dual master’s degree in social work and education (MSW/EdM)? Merit-based scholarships are available to graduate students.
Admissions & Dates
Fall & Spring 2027
Aug 3, 2026
Application Opens
Spring 2027 Start
Dec 15, 2026
Application Closes
Fall 2027 Start
Jan 15, 2027
Priority Deadline
Fall 2027 Start
Aug 1, 2027
Application Closes
Connect with BU Wheelock to learn more about the dual degree in social work and education (MSW/EdM). Learn about application requirements and deadlines, sign up for an information session, or start your application today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Boston University MSW/EdM dual degree combines graduate study in social work and education, preparing you to address the complex needs of students, families, schools, and communities. You’ll earn both a Master of Social Work and a Master of Education.
You’ll choose a concentration in Clinical or Macro Social Work at BU School of Social Work and Special Education or Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at BU Wheelock. The Special Education concentration includes behavioral and mental health.
The MSW/EdM typically takes 2.5 to 3 years of full-time study for students who begin in the MSW program. Students who begin in the EdM program or pursue licensure may need additional time.
Graduates pursue careers in school social work, school administration, community-based mental health, early intervention, program leadership, advocacy, and education policy. The dual degree prepares you to work across social work, education, and community settings.
Yes. You can pursue Special Education teacher licensure or school administrator licensure with additional coursework beyond the MSW/EdM requirements. Licensure may extend the time needed to complete the program.