Global Practice Concentration

Our Global Practice Concentration leads the education of social workers whose passion is to become part of initiating and sustaining change in the international arena. We can prepare you, in both Clinical and Macro practices, to become involved with people and communities across the globe.

You will learn how to collaborate effectively with partners confronting complex issues such as humanitarian aid, social development, and capacity building. Your work will be guided by the principles of human rights, global justice, and sustainability.

To place Global Practice students in the field, we partner with major non-governmental organizations providing much of the humanitarian relief and development work throughout the world. You will learn how to facilitate financing, launch and manage programs, and initiate grass-roots involvement.

Clinical and Macro Social Work

Required courses include:
SW 797 Frameworks and Tools for Global Practice
SW 806 Global Policy Issues and Implications

Go to Curriculum Plans »

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Who is eligible to participate in the Global Practice Concentration and International Field Placement?
2. What are the requirements of the Global Practice Concentration?
3. What is the application process for the Global Practice Concentration?
4. What types of international field education opportunities are available?
5. When do students complete the international field placement and for how long?
6. What are the costs associated with an International Field Placement?
7. How are the assignments made for the international field placement?

1. Who is eligible to participate in the Global Practice Concentration and International Field Placement?
   Two-year, Three-year and Advanced Standing (January start) students interested in a career in international relief and development are encouraged to apply for the Global Practice Concentration. There is a separate application process and a maximum of 20 students are selected each year. Strong applicants demonstrate that they have international experience, two years of professional job experience, and language abilities. The International Field Placement opportunities are only open to Graduate School of Social Work students who have been accepted into the Global Practice Concentration.
2. What are the requirements of the Global Practice Concentration?
   To meet Global Practice Concentration requirements, it is mandatory for accepted students to:
   
   • Complete SW797 Frameworks & Tools for Global Practice, SW747 Research Methods, and 1 elective course during the Summer semester;
   • Complete SW806 Global Policy Issues, SW841 Program Evaluation, and 3 elective courses during the Fall semester;
   • Complete 720 hours in an International Field Placement during the final Spring semester.
     
3. What is the application process for the Global Practice Concentration?
   Along with completing the standard GSSW Field Placement Application, an additional Global Practice Application must be submitted. The Global Practice Concentration Application process involves the following:
   
   • Completion of the Global Practice application (PDF) which consists of a series of essay questions;
   • Submission of one letter of reference form from the student's faculty advisor (PDF) and one letter of reference form from the student's field supervisor (PDF); Advanced Standing students can submit two professional reference forms (PDF);
   • Completion of two interviews with members of the International Field Education Team.
   Students who have been provisionally approved for participation in the Global Practice Concentration will be notified early in the Spring semester. Assignment to a specific field placement location and agency will occur during the following Fall semester.
   
   Prior to being placed in an International Field Placement, accepted students must:
   
   • Receive health clearance from their primary care provider;
   • Remain in good academic standing;
   • Demonstrate skills and abilities that are conducive to successful completion of an International Field Placement;
   • Complete an interview with a representative of the hosting agency;
   • Attend all Global Practice meetings, workshops, and seminars including the Pre-Departure Seminar which takes place during the Fall semester prior to departure;
   • Complete all GSSW and Agency-specific travel forms prior to departure.
4. What types of International Field Placement opportunities are available?
   There are a variety of International Field Placement opportunities available to Global Practice students. Boston College Graduate School of Social Work has partnerships with several international and local non-governmental organizations which offer learning opportunities to Global Practice students. In the past, International Field Placement opportunities have included the following types of learning activities: program development, resource development and communications, training development and delivery, grant writing, program evaluation, policy analysis, advocacy, community needs assessment, case management, and psycho-educational group development and facilitation.
5. When do students complete the international field placement and for how long?
   International Field Placements occur during the Spring semester of the final year of the MSW program. Students must complete 720 hours in their International Field Placement to fulfill MSW program requirements. Generally, the International Field Placement runs from January-May. Students often have the opportunity to continue the internship beyond the end of the semester; however, it is dependent upon the needs of the hosting organization, the student’s availability, and the agreement between GSSW and the agency.
6. What are the costs associated with an International Field Placement?
   There are two sets of costs associated with the International Field Placement, the tuition costs for SW933/934 or SW943/944 Field Education III & IV (8 credits) and living and travel costs. The living and travel costs depend upon the location of the International Field Placement and length of stay. Living and travel costs to consider are airfare, local travel, accommodation, food, travel health insurance, visas, vaccinations, medications, and medical supplies. Additionally, students are required to carry the mandated health insurance required by the State of Massachusetts. Students are responsible for covering all tuition, living, and travel costs.
7. How are the assignments made for the international field placement?
   Placement assignments are made based upon the needs of the agencies and the student’s knowledge, skills, experience, and interests. The student’s expressed learning needs and the learning opportunities of the hosting agency are taken into consideration when making assignments. Language skills and abilities are an important factor since students are required to be fluent in the language in which business is conducted in the country of assignment.

For More Information

Eileen Ihrig
Director of International Programs
Graduate School of Social Work
Boston College
McGuinn 126
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-552-1612
eileen.ihrig@bc.edu