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Small classes.
Full-time MSW Program
Our full-time, two-year Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers a rigorous curriculum, valuable field education opportunities, and the ability to tailor your degree by selecting a specialization and field of practice and pursuing optional certificates in a range of subjects.
- Support to help you succeed: Throughout the program, you'll benefit from BCSSW's culture of support, including guidance and mentoring from professors, advisors, staff, and alumni. Our dedicated Career Services staff help you explore promising opportunities, connect with potential employers, polish résumés, and more. Our annual events include a job fair, alumni networking opportunities, and mock interviewing. Even after you graduate, you can participate in the Alumni Mentoring Program connecting young professionals with more seasoned social workers.
3.8
Average undergrad GPA
(Class of 2024-25)
29%
AHANA *African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American
At a Glance
Program format:
In person
How long will it take?
2 years
Are scholarships available?
When you submit your application for admission, you are automatically considered for BCSSW scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, and research assistantships.
Overview
- All students can choose the following:
- Course of study (macro or clinical)
- One of six fields of practice, which requires both a practice and policy course in advanced practice
- Two yearlong practicum experiences where coursework and experiential learning combine to support a well-rounded practitioner
- Students can take five electives, which are the best way to customize their curriculum plan, to deepen their knowledge, or to venture into an area of practice that is new and fascinating.
- For a complete list of application requirements and to apply, visit MSW Admission & Aid.
Training in the field
Our students engage in direct social work practice in public schools, medical centers, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and a wide range of settings in the human services sector. The Field Education team works with each student to ensure that they find an agency that aligns with their career goals.
Sample agency sites include:
- Boston Medical Center
- Boston Public Schools
- Boys & Girls Club of Watertown
- Cambridge Health Alliance
- Camp Harbor View
- Carroll Center for the Blind
- Catholic Charities
- Italian Home for Children
- Jesuit Refugee Service
- United Way
- Veterans’ Administration Medical Centers
More on Field Education
Practice Specialty
You will choose between clinical and macro. The clinical program teaches students how to integrate evidence-based interventions. Macro social work aims to effect change within large systems at the community, organizational, and policy levels.
Fields of Practice
Within either specialized practice (clinical or macro), you will develop expertise by selecting one of six fields of practice.
Certificates
Build additional knowledge and specialized skills by completing an optional certificate. Certificates give students the opportunity to build knowledge in subject-specific areas of social work. Certificates require the completion of three specified courses within a chosen area.
Electives
Our MSW program consists of 12 required courses and 5 electives.
Each semester there are 50+ electives to choose from. With electives, students can customize their curriculum plan, deepen their knowledge, or venture into an area of practice that is new and fascinating.
Learn more
5 tips for completing. your application:
Personal Statement: Put time into your personal statement and tell us about yourself. What drives you to want to be a social worker? Who do you want to help and why?
References: Be sure to reach out to your contacts early so we can review your complete application. References should know you well enough to evaluate your potential in the field of social work.
Apply Early: The earlier you apply, the better chance you’ll have of getting more scholarships, tuition, and aid. Submit your application as soon as it’s ready.
Transcripts: Transcripts from all undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate schools attended are required for application review. Official transcripts may be sent electronically or in hard copy.
No GRE Required: We value your lived experience and look forward to seeing your potential as a future social worker. Think about ways you can stand out from the crowd in your personal statement.
Curriculum
Foundation Year
In their first year, all clinical and macro MSW students take eight foundation and specialized practice courses that provide a theoretical, practice, policy, and research foundation for more advanced coursework.
In addition to your time in the classroom, you will also spend two days in the field—usually Monday and Tuesday—for a total of 16 hours per week.
By the end of your first semester, you will select a field of practice to further customize your degree.
Professor Kathleen Flinton's class
Fall
| Course # | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCWK 7721 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
| SCWK 7723 | Rethinking Diversity: Systems of Oppression and Privilege | 3 |
| SCWK 7762 | Basic Skills in Clinical Social Work | 3 |
| SCWK 8800 | Basic Skills in Macro Social Work | 3 |
| SCWK 9921 | Field Education I (16 hours per week) | 3 |
Spring
| Course # | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCWK 7701 | Social Welfare System | 3 |
| SCWK 7722 | Psychosocial Pathology | 3 |
| SCWK 8855 | Clinical Practice with Children & Families: Assessment, Intervention & Evidence-based Practice | 3 |
| SCWK 8856 | Clinical Practice with Adults: Assessment, Intervention & Evidence-based Practice | 3 |
| SCWK 9932 | Field Education II-CSW (16 hours per week) | 3 |
Summer (optional)
| Course Name | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 |
Fall
| Course # | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCWK 7721 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
| SCWK 7723 | Rethinking Diversity: Systems of Oppression and Privilege | 3 |
| SCWK 7762 | Basic Skills in Clinical Social Work | 3 |
| SCWK 8800 | Basic Skills in Macro Social Work | 3 |
| SCWK 9921 | Field Education I* | 3 |
Spring
| Course # | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCWK 7701 | Social Welfare System | 3 |
| SCWK 8833 | Leadership & Social Transformation | 3 |
| SCWK 8888 | Community Engagement for Social Change | 3 |
| SCWK 8889 | Social Innovation | 3 |
| SCWK 9942 | Field Education II-Macro* | 3 |
Summer (optional)
| Course Name | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 |
*Field 2 days per week in first year.
Advanced Year
In your second year, you will complete courses that fulfill your specialized practice (clinical or macro), field of practice, and certificate requirements.
You will also spend three days per week in the field—usually Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Fall
| Course # | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCWK 7747 | Research Methods in SW Practice | 3 |
| Advanced Course in Field-of-Practice** | 3 | |
| Elective (Clinical)*** | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective (if not taken during summer) | 3 | |
| SCWK 9933 | Field Education III-CSW**** | 4 |
Spring
| Course # | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCWK 8841 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Advanced Policy** | 3 | |
| Elective (Clinical)*** | 3 | |
| Elective (if not taken during summer) | 3 | |
| SCWK 9934 | Field Education IV-CSW**** | 4 |
** See Final Year curriculum plans for Field-of-Practice requirements
*** 2 out of 5 electives must be taken in student’s specialized practice (Clinical or Macro), 1 of which must be taken concurrent with Field Education IV-CSW
**** Field 3 days per week in final year.
Fall
| Course # | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCWK 7747 | Research Methods in SW Practice | 3 |
| Advanced Practice in Field-of-Practice** | 3 | |
| Elective (Macro)*** | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective (if not taken during summer) | 3 | |
| SCWK 9943 | Field Education III-Macro**** | 4 |
Spring
| Course # | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCWK 8841 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Advanced Policy** | 3 | |
| Elective (Macro)*** | 3 | |
| Elective (if not taken during summer) | 3 | |
| SCWK 9944 | Field Education IV-Macro**** | 4 |
** See Final Year curriculum plans for Field-of-Practice requirements
*** 2 out of 5 electives must be taken in student’s specialized practice (Clinical or Macro), 1 of which must be taken concurrent with Field Education IV-Macro
**** Field 3 days per week in final year.
Our Community
Our current students and alumni serve communities locally and across the globe, sustaining positive social change through critical work.
Career Outcomes
From inpatient clinician to community manager to school-based therapist, the job titles of our alumni all have one thing in common: service to others. Our students start making an impact on the communities they want to serve as soon as they graduate.
Select Job Titles:
Aging Life Care Manager
Caseworkers (Asylum-Seeking Families)
Child Protection and MHPSS Lead
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Forensic Specialist
Homeless Engagement Counselor
Hospice Social Worker
Inpatient Clinician
Medical Social Worker
Program Coordinator, Volunteer Services
School-Based Therapist
Researcher/Writer
Select Agencies:
Boston Medical Center
Catholic Relief Services
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
The Home for Little Wanderers
Jesuit Refugee Service
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Massachusetts General Hospital
United Nations Headquarters
United States Peace Corps
Cohort-Based Initaitives
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Start Your Social Work Journey
The BCSSW Admissions team is available to support students throughout the application process. Join us for a virtual information session or connect with a member of the Admissions team for a one-on-one chat.