Full-time MSW Program
Our full-time, two-year MSW program offers a rigorous curriculum, valuable field education opportunities, and the ability to customize 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.
Our Initiatives
To have the greatest impact, it is crucial that our curriculum, field placements, and research be informed through collaboration with the people they are meant to serve. Our initiatives encourage our students to develop a more nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by specific populations, so they can move us closer to solutions. Learn more about the Black Leadership Initiative, Latinx Leadership Initiative, and Trauma Integration Initiative.
Coursework
All students are able to choose their course of study (macro or clinical); one of six fields of practice; certificates that will help to build knowledge in subject-specific areas of social work; and two yearlong practicum experiences where coursework and experiential learning combine to support a well-rounded practitioner. With over 50 electives to choose from, students can customize their curriculum plan, deepen their knowledge, or venture into an area of practice that is new and fascinating.
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.
Clinical Program
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 |
Macro Program
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.
Clinical Program
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.
Macro Program
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.
2023-24 Two-Year Class Profile
184
Class size
25%
Students who identify as AHANA*
*African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American
3.61
Mean undergraduate GPA
Customize your MSW Degree
PrintPractice Specialty
You will choose between clinical or macro. The clinical program teaches students how to integrate evidence-based interventions. Macro social work aims to affect 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 a field 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
With over 50 electives to choose from, students can customize their curriculum plan, deepen their knowledge, or venture into an area of practice that is new and fascinating.
Field Practicum
The Field Education team will consult with you to organize the practicum experience that aligns with the social work perspective and build the skills and competencies needed as a master’s level practitioner.
Initiatives
To have the greatest impact, it is crucial that our curriculum, field placements, and research be informed through collaboration with the people they are meant to serve. Our initiatives encourage our students to develop a more nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by specific populations, so they can move us closer to solutions. Learn more about the Black Leadership Initiative, Latinx Leadership Initiative, and Trauma Integration Initiative.
Student Groups
MSW students can find community in the BCSSW student groups, including the Social Workers for Social Justice Committee, Social Work and Spirituality group, Umoja, Spectrum, and the Macro Social Work Student Group, among others.
Ministry at BC
Jesuits look inward and turn outward, transforming their reflection into action through ministry and service. St. Ignatius Loyola emphasized improving the world through education, advocacy for the poor, and missionary work—establishing a precedent for the Jesuits to work toward reducing the gap between rich and poor, combatting hatred, and helping those who have suffered or are still suffering to heal. Ministry is a service rooted in faith and marked by a sense of vocation.
Meet Our Students & Alumni
They serve communities locally and across the globe, sustaining positive social change through critical work.
Connect with Us
Campus Tours & Virtual Visits
Get to know us on your schedule: Visit our beautiful campus in person, take a virtual tour, or sign up for an admissions webinar. Boston College offers a wealth of resources—from libraries and dining halls to an art museum and 244,000-square-foot fitness center—just six miles from downtown Boston.
Admissions Guidance
The BCSSW Admissions team is available to support students throughout the application process. We are proud to offer scholarships to 100% of our students. Join us for a virtual information session to learn more or connect with a member of the Admissions team for a one-on-one chat.
Why Boston College School of Social Work?
100%
Of students receive a scholarship
48%
Faculty diversity
100%
Employment rate within 1 year of graduation
6
Weeks of average length of job search
Ready to make an impact on your community?
Develop your skillset with an MSW degree.