Academics

Grounded in real-world practice, our programs prepare you to empower vulnerable communities, change the lives of individuals with mental illness, and conduct research that enhances our understanding of global challenges.

Academic Programs

Choose a specialized practice

Clinical

In clinical social work you relieve individual suffering for people with mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges.

 

Macro

In macro social work you focus on changing the external environment to alleviate suffering.

Choose a field of practice

Fields of Practice

Afrocentric Social Work
Children, Youth & Families
Global Practice
Health
Latinx Communities
Mental Health

Customize your learning experience 

Optional Certificates

Advanced Research 
Aging Populations & Gerontology
Black Leadership
Child Welfare 
Design Thinking for Social Change
Global Humanitarian Practice
Latinx Leadership 
Leaders for Equity & Justice in the Workplace 
Neuroscience & Social Work 
Refugees & Immigrants 
School Social Work   
Trauma
*Early Childhood Policy & Leadership (Lynch School)

Explore Certificates

Dual Degree Programs

Combine your MSW with a JD, MBA, or MA in Theology & Ministry

Dual Degrees

 

At a Glance

Designed as a 4-year program

You'll spend two years gaining research skills, 
then two years conducting independent scholarly research.

Individualized Support

Work alongside a faculty mentor
who shares similar research interests

 

 

Five Areas of Focus

Research
Teaching
Research Focus
Communication & Presentation Skills
Theory

BC Continuing Education, in collaboration with BC School of Social Work, offers a series of Social Work Workshops online via Zoom three times a year—in spring, summer, and fall—for new and experienced social workers looking to earn CEUs to maintain their license.

We also offer three online professional certificate programs, with each individual course offering 6 CEUs.

Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults
For the experienced clinician, the Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults provides a deep exploration of the cutting-edge theoretical perspectives of attachment, trauma-informed care, and neuroscience, as well as courses in various Treatment Modalities and Treatment Focuses, as they relate to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adults.

Advanced Clinical Practice for Children, Youth, and Families
For the experienced clinician, the Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice for Children, Youth, and Families provides a deep exploration of the cutting-edge theoretical perspectives of attachment, trauma-informed care, and neuroscience,  as well as courses in various Treatment Modalities and Treatment Focuses, as they relate to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of children, youth, and families.

Management and Supervision in Human Services
The Management and Supervision in Human Services Certificate program is geared toward professionals who find themselves in a management or supervisory role at an agency or organization, yet have not had formal management training or leadership experience.

Sponsored by the Center for Social Innovation, the Interdisciplinary Certificate in Humanitarian Assistance (ICHA) is designed to ensure that our graduates and humanitarian partners have access to up-to-date knowledge on how best to respond to rapidly changing needs in the field. Developed in close partnership with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and building on the academic strengths of Boston College faculty and staff, ICHA is a curriculum of eight modules available in an online format. 

Flexibility

This is a self-paced learning experience.

You will be able to stop and start the module at your convenience.

 

Modules

Migrants and Refugees in the Global Landscape
Basics of Refugee Determination
Community-based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Introduction to International Child Protection
Climate Change, Displacement and Human Rights
Gender Based Violence
Public Health in Emergencies
Education in Emergencies

Duration to complete each module: 4-6 hours approximately

Learning Formats

Videos
Text
Slliders that reveal information as you move
Hotspots on an image
And more

Learning Objectives

By the end of this certificate, you will be able to:

  • Identify different critical issues in humanitarian settings (e.g., migration, and forced displacement, emergencies) in order to prioritize levels of intervention needed in the field
  • Apply a biopsychosocial framework when designing effective, inclusive, and respectful interventions in humanitarian settings
  • Integrate interdisciplinary approaches to interventions in humanitarian settings to address multiple needs
  • Describe the foundations of interventions that are evidence-based, community led, and culturally sensitive programming
  • Identify the ethical and postcolonial tensions that exist in humanitarian settings in order to understand the role of the humanitarian workers for more effective interventions
  • Explain the principles of equity, justice, and inclusion as they relate to humanitarian interventions

Field Education

Learn from a mentor, practice autonomously.

Strong partnerships, flexibility, proximity, and care are what makes our field experience program the best in the country.
 

Explore Field Education Placements

Groundbreaking Approaches to Equity 

Latinx Leadership Initiative

The LLI develops leaders equipped to work with the Latinx community on sustainable solutions for complex problems.

Black Leadership Initiative

This initiative supports, develops, and prepares MSW-level practitioners to address issues faced by the Black community.

Leaders for Equity and Justice in the Workplace

This new certificate program (launched Fall 2021) prepares students to direct EJI programs at colleges, public agencies, and companies in the private sector.

By the Numbers

1:11

Faculty-student ratio

603

Master's students

24

PhD students

Social Work Library

Did you know?

BC's School of Social Work has its own library—the only one of its kind in New England. 

School of Social Work Library

Quick Links