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Customize your MSW Degree

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Practice 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.

Clinical Program

We challenge and prepare our clinical program students to integrate evidence-based interventions and culturally sensitive practice with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Students become proficient in assessment and diagnostic classification and learn to develop professional therapeutic alliance and relationship skills.

Through coursework and field practice, students are exposed to a broad overview of therapeutic interventions and have an opportunity to develop advanced practice skills and therapeutic techniques.

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Macro

Macro social work aims to affect change within large systems at the community, organizational, and policy levels. BCSSW’s macro specialization focuses on social innovation and leadership, emphasizing the development of ideas, mechanisms, and new social arrangements to enhance community capacity to address complex social challenges. Students train in the foundations of participatory community-based social work practice and research and learn recent advances in human-centered design, systems thinking, and other analytical tools to drive innovation, address complex social problems, and enable sustained social impact.ÌýÌý

In their coursework and field internships, students gain practice skills that focus on advocacy, leadership and administration, financial management and resource development, and novel approaches to drive social change and advance the common good.

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Two-year Curriculum Plans

Three-year Curriculum Plans

Fields of Practice

Within either specialized practice (clinical or macro), you will develop expertise by selecting one of six fields of practice.Ìý

• Black Leadership
• Children, Youth, and Families
• Global Practice
• Health
• Latinx Communities
• Mental Health

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.Ìý

• Advanced Research
• Aging Populations & Gerontology
• Black Leadership
• Child Welfare
• Design Thinking for Social Change
• Global Humanitarian Practice
• Latinx Leadership
• Neuroscience & Social Work
• Refugees & Immigrants
• School Social Work
  
• Social Work and Public Health
• Trauma
• Child Policy and Leadership* (Lynch School)

Electives

Our MSW program consists of 12 required courses and 5 electives.

Each semester there are 50+ electives to choose from.

With electives, students can customize their curriculum plan, deepen their knowledge, or venture into an area of practice that is new and fascinating.

Browse Electives

Full-time vs. Part-time

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Full-time

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.

Full-time MSW Program

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Part-time

Our three- or four-year MSW program offers the rigorous curriculum and valuable field experience of our full-time program in a flexible format that accommodates your busy schedule.

For those working in human services settings, the part-time program provides classroom learning that supports your work experience. Classes meet once per week and run between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. to accommodate your schedule. The opportunity to use your current job as a practicum opens the door for working people to continue to earn a living while pursuing an MSW.

Part-time MSW Program

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.

• Black Leadership Initiative

The BLI supports, develops, and prepares practitioners to effectively engage Black individuals, families, and communities emphasizing collective action and cultural context. BLI students take courses to develop essential tools for critically evaluating, intervening, and advocating for optimal health and well-being outcomes, and complete field placements in culturally responsive settings.

• Latinx Leadership Initiative

The LLI develops social work leaders who are equipped to work with the Latinx community to create sustainable solutions to problems such as access to equitable education, social services, and healthcare. Students develop a nuanced understanding of these issues through coursework, research, and field placements serving Latinx populations. Core courses are taught in Spanish.

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• Trauma Integration Initiative

The TII integrates trauma-informed theory, practice, and principles into the curriculum, field education, and research. It addresses the impact of trauma on individuals, families, and communities and prepares students to help their clients cope with trauma as well as guard themselves against its effects.

Dual Degrees

BCSSW offers three dual degree graduate programsÌýin partnership with other schools at Boston College. Students interested in the dual degree program must be admitted independently to the respective schools.

We also offer a BA/MSW degree for Boston College undergraduates.

• The MSW/JD Dual degree ProgramÌýwas developed by both the School of Social Work and the ¼¯ÃÀÂ鶹Law School. It is designed for students who are interested in serving the combined legal and social needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
  
  
• The MSW/MBA Dual Degree Program was developed by both the School of Social Work and the Carroll Graduate School of Management. The purpose is to provide professionals with a unique knowledge base combining the skills and credentials of management and social work.
  
  
• The MSW and ÌýMaster in Theology and Ministry dual degree was developed by both the School of Social Work and the School of Theology and Ministry.Ìý This dual degree is designed for students who are interested in serving both the pastoral and social needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities.Ìý

Learn More about Dual Degrees

Advanced Standing

The Advanced Standing MSW is an accelerated program that allows you to complete your master's degree in only three semesters so you can start making positive change in your community sooner.

Our Advanced Standing program was developed for students who have already proven their commitment to improving vulnerable lives by earning a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).Ìý

All students are able to choose their course of study (macro or clinical); one of six fields of practice; and over 50 electives. Advanced Standing students can complete up to two certificates.

12-Month and 16-Month Program Options

Advanced Standing MSW students can choose from two accelerated tracks — one that begins in January, and one that begins in May.

More on Advanced Standing

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