Drive social change with a top-ranked MSW program at a campus near you!
For 40 years, we’ve brought the BU School of Social Work MSW program to students throughout Massachusetts in a part-time format designed to fit a working adult’s busy schedule.
- Balance work and family life while you advance your career with a valuable MSW degree.
- Guided by world-renowned BU faculty who are accessible and supportive, you’ll expand your social work knowledge through our challenging, evidence-based curriculum.
Ready to apply? Start your application and get information about admissions requirements and support here.
- Standard Deadline – March 13, 2025
- Final Deadline – June 4, 2025
WHY CHOOSE OUR OFF-CAMPUS & HYBRID MSW PROGRAMS?
- Enjoy access to the same top-ranked BU academic experience as the Boston program at a location close to home.
- Take one course at a time, allowing you to focus on a single topic and fully immerse yourself in the material.
- Be part of small, intimate classes with no more than 15-25 students per course section.
- Take classes with the same student group (cohort) and build supportive connections with your peers while learning from their lived experiences. Learn more from a Fall River student here.
- Get hands-on, practical field experience from our expansive network of agency partners.
- Find an internship near you through our professionally guided field placement process.
- More than half of our students find a job through their field placements.
- Prepare for social work licensure as specified by your state of residence after graduation.
CHOOSE FROM FOUR CAMPUS LOCATIONS & FORMATS
Part-Time Weeknight Hybrid Program
Worcester, Mass. In-person/online, weeknight classes
- Semesters 1-4: You’ll take classes in-person on Tuesday evenings.
- Semesters 5-9: You’ll take classes online on Sunday or Monday evenings.
- Complete two consecutive 7-week classes per semester.
Part-Time Weekend Programs
Bedford, Mass. In-person weekend classes
- Complete each semester in 8 weekends.
Fall River, Mass. In-person weekend classes
- Complete each semester in 8 weekends.
Cape Cod, Mass. Blended (in-person/online) format, enrolling every other year
- Complete fall & spring semesters in 8 weekends.
- Complete summer online courses in 7 weeks.
Curriculum
Our curriculum emphasizes ethics, populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice, which are integrated throughout foundation courses and advanced electives.
You’ll take required courses including Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Racial Justice and Cultural Oppression, Social Welfare Policy, Social Work Research, Social Work Practice with Individuals, and Social Work Practice Ethics.
Field Education
Field education is a dynamic, rigorous, and integral part of our curriculum. Our Field Education team has extensive experience placing students in the geographic areas in which they live or work. Each field internship is structured based on the student’s program track and is completed concurrently with courses. Our dedicated team works individually and collaboratively with each student to determine the most appropriate field placement options.
*Please note many internships occur during normal business hours for field agencies.
The BUSSW Community
As a student at Boston University School of Social Work, you’ll be welcomed into a community of mentors and peers who are here to support your education and career.
You’ll have access to numerous resources that will prepare you for success in the social work profession. In addition to the rich practical experience obtained through field education, you’ll find a variety of workshops on topics such as licensure prep, resume writing, and interviewing.
After graduation, you’ll join a global network of nearly 10,000 BU School of Social Work alumni with many opportunities to stay engaged, including:
- Alumni events
- Career advice and support
- Discounted professional development opportunities
Learn more about career resources for students here.
Outcomes
Thanks to our program’s rigorous courses, practical experience and supportive workshops, our graduates have an over 90% success rate on the licensing exam.
The majority of graduates find jobs soon after the program, and over half are from their field placements.
The BUSSW MSW degree opens the door to a wide array of career paths across macro and clinical social work settings, from private practice to public policy work.
The range of positions includes:
- Substance use counselor
- School adjustment counselor
- Chief of staff in local government
- Outpatient clinician
- Union organizer
- Clinical director
- Hospice social worker
- Clinical social worker in Veterans Administration
- In-home therapist
- College counseling social worker/clinician
- MSW field instructor and advisor
Plus, the Network for Professional Education at BUSSW offers seminars, courses, and certificates so you can stay on the cutting edge of the social work field.
During your MSW experience, you’ll gain the core social work competencies set by the Council on Social Work Education.
Admissions
Are you ready to apply? Visit our Applying & Deadlines webpage to get started!
We admit new students to our Bedford, Fall River and Worcester campuses annually. The Cape Blended Program admits new students every other year.
All campuses are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2024 start term.
To apply for admission, you’ll need:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or be enrolled in a course of study that will result in a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university before you begin your MSW studies.
- Advanced Standing applicants are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- No GPA requirement for Traditional or Human Service Experience track applicants
To learn more about our admission requirements, please visit our admissions requirements page.
Here are a few other resources you may want to check out as you prepare to apply: