Boston University School of Social Work

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With two campuses located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, Boston University (BU) enrolls over 35,000 students annually across more than 300 programs. Highly regarded for its schools of medicine and law, BU is a premier research institution that also boasts top programs in engineering, fine arts, and business.

Established in 1918, Boston University social work programs rank in U.S. News and World Report’s top 4% of graduate social work schools. The department offers a master of social work in person or online, as well as an on-campus Ph.D. program.

Featured Programs in Social Work

Boston University School of Social Work

With faculty specializing in diverse areas such as behavioral health, addictions, children and youth, military families, veterans, and public health, BU’s School of Social Work offers two degrees with five specialization options and more than 50 course offerings.

Boston University’s School of Social Work aims to prepare social workers through an innovative curriculum and a focus on social justice. With over 30 full-time faculty members, the school emphasizes research, housing two nationally recognized research centers.

Boston University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Boston University’s School of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Online Social Work Programs

BU’s School of Social Work offers a part-time master of social work online, with three potential tracks. The 65-credit traditional track is designed for three years of study across nine semesters, as is the 65-credit human services experience track, which is intended for students entering the program with a background in human services.

The 43-credit advanced standing track is open to students who hold CSWE-accredited social work degrees. This program can be completed in six semesters.

BU’s online master of social work does not include on-campus requirements, though students must complete local in-person internships. All tracks include weekly synchronous class meetings.

Application requirements are the same for online and in-person MSW programs, though advanced standing applicants must supply additional information.

On-Campus Social Work Programs

In addition to the online master of social work, BU offers a master of social work in person at its Charles River Campus in Boston. While the online option is designed for part-time study, students in the on-campus program can choose to study full or part time. The expedited advanced track is available for both.

BU’s School of Social Work also offers an on-campus Ph.D. in social work.

Boston University Online Social Work Programs

Online Master’s in Social Work

Program Overview

Department: School of Social Work

Program Name: Master of Social Work

Concentrations: Clinical practice; macro practice; traditional; human services experience; advanced standing.

Delivery

Format: Online

Instruction Style: Most classes occur asynchronously, though students are required to attend weekly live classroom sessions with their cohort.

Program Requirements

Prerequisites: To qualify for the human services experience track, students must enter with two years of supervised experience. To qualify for the advanced standing track, students have a CSWE-accredited undergraduate degree.

Credit Requirements: 65 credits for the traditional and human services experience tracks; 43 credits for the advanced standing track.

Field Education Requirements: The traditional track requires two field internships totaling 1,200 hours, while the human services experience track requires one internship totaling 1,000 hours. The advanced standing track also requires one internship totaling 1,000 hours.

Program Length

Program Options: Part-time only.

Program Length: 3 years for traditional and human services experience tracks. 2 years for advanced standing track.

Program Start Dates: Fall, spring

Admission Requirements

Application Deadline: November 15th for spring entry

GPA: Minimum 3.0 for advanced standing track.

Standardized Tests: GRE for applicants with GPAs below 3.0.

Work Experience: 2 years supervised work for human services experience track