Simmons University School of Social Work

Simmons University is located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts – one of the country’s top college towns. Founded in 1899 as a private university, Simmons now features a women’s undergraduate program and coeducational graduate programs. The school remains dedicated to opportunities for women and equity and justice for all.

The Simmons University social work program was created in 1904 as the first school in the country to offer advanced clinical social work training. The school offers undergraduate and graduate social work degrees, including licensure and certificate options. Certificates in trauma practice and urban leadership are considered the school’s specialties.

Featured Programs in Social Work

Simmons University School of Social Work

Simmons University’s school of social work is highly regarded for its groundbreaking training, focus on field experience, and innovative programs. Students can begin engaging with fieldwork in their first semester. The school partners with over 300 field placement sites. The department prepares students to become agents of social change through social work advocacy, policy analysis, and practice.

Master of social work (MSW) students can choose from three specialized courses of study in child and family, mental health and addictions, or health and aging. The school boasts a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and an 80% job placement rate in the six months following graduation. Simmons University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Simmons University’s school of social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Online Social Work Programs

Simmons University’s online MSW program is a clinically focused program with social justice values and a multicultural perspective. Students can complete the 65-credit program in 16-32 months, with full-time, part-time, and accelerated options available. Each student can complete over 1,000 hours of field experience and may take part in some hours in a virtual field lab, in addition to a placement in their community. The MSW follows a cohort format with collaborative, synchronous courses. The program does not require campus visits. Admission requirements for the online and on-campus programs are the same, with several start dates available.

On-Campus Social Work Programs

Simmons University offers undergraduate and graduate on-campus programs. The bachelor of social work (BSW) program is open to undergraduate women. The 3+1 social work program provides an intensive path to a BSW and MSW in just four years. The on-campus MSW program offers the same curriculum options as the online program, except the trauma and interpersonal violence specialization. The doctorate in social work is available full time and part time. The Ph.D. program offers teaching and research opportunities, and all doctoral students must complete a dissertation.

Simmons University Online Social Work Programs