Points of Distinction

Today's universities are in need of innovative research centers that anticipate demographic and socio-economic trends, develop policies based on sound evidence, leverage interdisciplinary collaborations, and are capable of building bridges between academia and broader society.

Boston College Graduate School of Social Work recently launched a new lab and a new center. The Immigrant Integration Lab, led by GSSW faculty member Westy Egmont, is an applied research lab exploring the intersection of social work, social policy, and immigrant inclusion. The Center for Social Innovation, led by GSSW faculty Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes and Stephanie Berzin, fosters effective, sustainable social innovations that enhance social justice.

Two GSSW centers, the National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services, led by GSSW faculty Kevin Mahoney, and the Sloan Center on Aging and Work, led by GSSW faculty Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, are part of the Boston College Institute on Aging, directed by GSSW faculty James Lubben. Drs. Mahoney, Pitt-Catsouphes, and Lubben have been awarded multi-million dollars grants over the past years from private foundations and federal offices. The resources have been used to foster cutting-edge research and scholarship, sponsor MSW and PhD students, and disseminate evidence that informs public policy.

In addition, the Work and Family Researchers Network was formed in response to the need for a membership association of interdisciplinary work and family scholars. Unique among professional societies, the network provides an online peer-community with tools to strengthen connections between the global audience interested in work and family.

To facilitate learning and research, the GSSW is fortunate to be one of only a dozen schools of social work in the U.S. and the only one in New England to maintain its own Social Work Library.

Diversity

As a community we embrace diversity as a challenge and opportunity. Being aware of diversity means understanding the roots and consequences of the various forms of oppression, discrimination, and exclusion.

The Diversity Committee of the Graduate School of Social Work is dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Diversity awareness is a core value that prepares our students for effective and culturally-sensitive practices when working with diverse populations. Human needs, rights, issues, and solutions are intertwined with culture. We respect diversity knowing we have much to learn from each other.

Our diversity initiatives include speaker series, trainings, retreats, and discussion groups with faculty, staff, and students. Over the past years, our focus has been on race, sexual orientation, immigrants and refugees, poverty, and spirituality. This year's focus will be on disabilities.

Read more about Diversity at GSSW »

Our Global Focus

The Graduate School of Social Work has always been committed to the international dimensions of social problems and social justice. In recent years the School has enhanced its global focus, first by establishing the Global Practice concentration, and second by infusing global content throughout the entire curriculum. Faculty and students are engaged in international research and service collaborations, and reciprocal partnerships with organizations and communities in global settings have been formed.