BU School of Social Work offers three dual degree programs with other Boston University graduate schools of public health, education, and theology. These programs provide opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and advanced coursework in specific practice methods and/or populations. In addition, our students can earn a second graduate degree in less time and at lower cost.
Social Work & Public Health
Public health social work is an integrated approach to preventing, addressing, and solving health problems. The discipline draws on both social work and public health theories, frameworks, research, and practice. We are proud to serve as home to the nation’s oldest and largest dual degree in public health and social work. Our graduates emerge with a rich and relevant educational experience, extensive field experience, and the ability to work in many areas of the social service and health care systems.
At a Glance:
- Master of Social Work & Master of Public Health
- Program Length: Variable (minimum of 3 years)
- Full-Time or Part-Time: Both
Degree Requirements:
Students complete 65 credits for the MSW degree, which include 14 credits of social work field internship hours and up to 16 credits of MPH core courses. In addition, dual degree students complete 40 credits at the School of Public Health. This generally takes six semesters of full-time fall and spring coursework, and some students consider summer courses. One degree may be granted in advance of the other, provided all residency, course, and credit requirements have been completed.
At the School of Social Work, students may major in either Clinical or Macro Practice. Approximately two-thirds are Clinical Practice majors. At the School of Public Health, students may choose from any number of functional and context certificates, including Health Policy and Law; Program Management; Global Health; Social Justice, Human Rights, and Health Equity; and more.
For more information about the dual degree program, please contact the admissions team at busswad@bu.edu or view our Frequently Asked Questions.
Contact
MSW/MPH Program Director:
Luz Marilis López, Clinical Professor, BU School of Social Work
- Email: luzlopez@bu.edu
MSW/MPH Program Advisor:
Rick Cresta, LICSW, MPH, Lecturer, BU School of Social Work
- Email: cresta@bu.edu
Social Work & Education
Social workers and educators are deeply involved in working with children and families who are at risk. Our MSW/EdM dual degree option provides opportunities for students to develop skills in both professional arenas and to take leadership in designing and administering creative direct service and programmatic responses to the changing needs of schools, families, and communities.
At a Glance:
- Master of Social Work & Master of Education (EdM) in either Special Education or Educational Leadership
- Number of credits for MSW/EdM: 83, minimum of 24 in residence at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and 50 in residence at BUSSW
- Program Length: Variable (minimum of 2.5 years)
- Full-Time or Part-Time: Both
At the School of Social Work, students may major in either Clinical or Macro Practice. Our graduates are currently working in a wide variety of positions from early intervention programs to AIDS education, school administration and school social work to YMCA program planning. Some describe themselves as primarily social workers, others as primarily teachers/administrators, and still others as both.
Degree Requirements:
The MSW/EdM program usually takes two and a half years of full-time study, and three years full-time if the student wishes to pursue teacher licensure.
A total of 83 credits is required to complete the MSW/EdM dual degree option.
- Students are expected to meet the core requirements of both Schools. Course savings come from the capacity to use electives in one program to take courses in the other School, and from a limited number of pre-approved courses that count for credit in both Schools.
- Students starting at the School of Social Work will find their first-year coursework similar to that of other social work students. In the second year, coursework is commonly done at both Schools. Students who start in the School of Education may count some of their education courses toward fulfilling the social work elective requirements.
- With approval of the student’s advisor almost all education courses are open to dual degree students in fulfillment of their education degree.
The BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development requires student teaching only for students who are seeking teaching licensure. The School of Social Work requires two social work field education internships for all students.
For more information about the dual degree program, please contact the admissions team at busswad@bu.edu.
Contact
MSW/EdM Program Coordinators:
Jennifer Greif Green, Associate Professor in Special Education, BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
- Email: jggreen@bu.edu
- Phone: 617-353-3253
Nina Aronoff, Clinical Associate Professor, BU School of Social Work
- Email: naronoff@bu.edu
Social Work & Theology
Since 1980, BU School of Social Work has hosted a dual degree program with BU School of Theology in order to support social work students seeking to add a faith dimension to their social work education.
At a Glance:
- Master of Social Work & Master in Theological Studies (MTS) or Master of Social Work & Master in Divinity Studies (MDiv)
- Program Length: Variable (typically 3 years for MSW/MTS and 4 years for MSW/MDiv)
- Full-Time
Degree Requirements:
At the School of Social Work, students may major in either Clinical or Macro Practice. In the third and fourth semesters at SSW, approved elective course credit exchanges between the dual degree programs are possible. MSW degree requirements remain the same for both STH degree options.
The STH degree requirements vary and should be obtained from the BU Bulletin. For MDiv students with practicum requirements at both schools, the field education departments of both schools make every effort to find practicum sites permitting both social work and theology-related practice and supervision. In this way, credit toward each degree’s practice education requirements might be earned simultaneously, depending on availability of sites.
For more information about the dual degree program, please contact the admissions team at busswad@bu.edu.
Program Plans:
Contact
Social Work & Theology Dual Degree Program Director:
Hope Haslam Straughan, Clinical Associate Professor, BU School of Social Work
- Email: hopehs@bu.edu