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MSW/MA (Pastoral Ministry)

In 1989 the three-year MSW/MA (Pastoral Ministry) was established in conjunction with the Boston College Institute for Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry, now a department in the new School of Theology and Ministry (STM).  The program consists of a foundation year in each curriculum with a third year of jointly administered class and field instruction. Areas of focus include clinical work in hospitals and prisons, organizational services/administration, and parish social ministry.

Purpose

The Dual Degree in Social Work (MSW) and Pastoral Ministry (MA) reflects the University's mission to educate individuals who are committed to the pursuit of social justice. A specific goal is to develop the skills and credentials necessary to plan, administer and/or provide social services within a local church or church-related agency. Students admitted to the program may expect to receive both the Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MA) and the Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees in approximately 3 years of full-time study (less if taking STM summer courses; more if approved for part-time study by the GSSW).

Objectives

1. To educate practitioners in social work and pastoral ministry who can effectively integrate their theological understanding with the theories and practice of social work.
2. To provide the core curriculum of each discipline while enabling students to concentrate in the specific area of knowledge and practice that corresponds to their professional goals.
3. To provide applied learning experiences with professional supervision through two field internships. In the second year the student is under LICSW supervision. The opportunity for pastoral supervision is also provided.
4. To prepare practitioners who have a commitment to work with the church in bringing about a human condition that is free from violence, oppression and discrimination, and one that protects and promotes the development of all peoples.

Program Requirements

1. Students must be accepted independently to the STM and to the GSSW.
2. Students may begin their studies in either the STM or GSSW (see notes on Options A & B worksheets). GSSW requirements are sequenced but STM requirements need not be.
3. The program is designed for completion in three years with extension to four years for those starting on a part-time basis. Requests for extensions must be approved by the GSSW Academic Standards Review Committee and the Dean of the GSSW.
4. The integrity of both the MA and the MSW degrees is to be maintained as follows:
   1. GSSW requires 65 credits for the MSW degree, 9 of which are taken in STM courses.
   2. STM requires 35 credits for the Summer Program (Option A) MA degree, 8 credits of which are taken in GSSW courses.
   3. STM requires 44 credits for the Academic Year Program (Option B), 10 credits of which are taken in GSSW courses.
   4. Dual degree students in the STM Summer Program (Option A) complete the requirements for both degrees with a total of 83 credits rather than 100 credits if taken independently; and students in the STM Academic Year Program (Option B) complete the degrees with 90credits rather than 109 credits if taken independently.
   5. Students are to develop an appropriate course of study working with the designated faculty advisors at the respective schools.
   6. Students pursuing the STM Summer Program (Option A) enroll in TH730 Holistic Formation for the Practice of Ministry (1 credit) in their first STM summer; and students pursuing the Academic Year Program (Option B) enroll in TH730 in the fall and continue through the spring semester of their STM year.
   7. Students pursuing the STM Summer Program (Option A) normally receive both degrees on August 30th; and students pursuing the Academic Year Program (Option B) are expected to receive both degrees at May commencement.
   8. The two required field internships are through the GSSW. The first internship is during the student's MSW first full-time year; the second is during the final academic year.

Student Advisement

The STM Associate Director for Academic Affairs assigns each student a Course Selection Advisor in the STM when his or her graduate studies begin. The GSSW also assigns each student a Faculty Advisor when a student begins his or her program of studies for the dual degree. Students are encouraged to meet with advisors in each school to plan their individual programs.

The School of Theology and Ministry and the Graduate School of Social Work each has a Liaison for the MA/MSW Dual degree Program. They can help answer your questions regarding the program in general and will serve as your primary contact in each of the schools throughout the course of your studies. The Liaisons for the Dual Degree Program are:

STM: Jennifer Bader, Associate Dean, 129 Lake St 126C, 617-552-4478 or baderje@bc.edu.
John Shea, Faculty Liaison, 129 Lake St 206, 617-552-1315 or john.shea.3@bc.edu
GSSW: Regina O'Grady-LeShane, Associate Dean, McGuinn 134, 617-552-4762 or ogrady@bc.edu.

For information concerning adding or dropping a course, course scheduling and availability, etc., please contact:

STM: Donna DeRosa, Student Services Assistant, 129 Lake St 149, 617-552-8441 or derosado@bc.edu

GSSW: Regina O'Grady-LeShane, Associate Dean, Academic & Student Services, 617-552-4762 or ogrady@bc.edu

Field Education

The dual degree requires two field placements during the two years of social work study. The first-year social work placement is designed to be a broadening experience, and can be done in a religious setting or a placement setting that honors the spiritual dimension of the person. The second year of field education through the Graduate School of Social Work (or final year of studies) affords the student the option of being placed within an agency that is consistent with the student's pastoral goals. Although the Graduate School of Social Work sets up the placements with the dual degree students, the Institute has identified a list of possible placement sites available to dual degree students. These include hospital-based placements, mental health centers, hospice programs, various programs with Catholic Charities, women's shelters, etc. There are opportunities for working with children, families, the aging, teens, etc., in clinical, community organizing, and administration settings.

In planning for your second placement, students should meet with the Field Faculty at the GSSW before finalizing the placement application.

Field Placements: Bob Johnson, Field Education Specialist, 617-552-0776 or johnsofa@bc.edu.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition is paid to the school in which the dual degree student is currently enrolled. If a full-time student is taking some courses in each of the two schools, they should pay tuition to the school they are enrolled in more than part-time. Financial aid packages are provided by each school independently. Students must apply for financial aid in each school. For example, students who begin their studies in social work in the fall should complete applications for financial aid to the Institute in the following spring to be applied the following academic year when they will be studying pastoral ministry.

Mailboxes

The Graduate School of Social Work will provide individual mailboxes in the Student Lounge (McGuinn 128) for those dual degree students who are currently studying at the Graduate School of Social Work. On a space available basis, they will provide boxes for the dual degree students who have already completed a year with the GSSW and are currently in their pastoral ministry studies. Students should check these boxes for mail from the GSSW.

MA/MSW Student Forum

The dual degree students lead a Student Forum which has proven to be an effective link between the two schools. The forum has contributed to the academic, social, and professional life of the students and to the development of the dual degree program. Student Forum programs may include a panel of social worker/ministers sharing their experiences of integrating their professional identities, a discussion of career opportunities open to dual degree graduates, potluck dinners, and a retreat for dual degree students.

Look for posting of the first meeting of the Student Forum during the academic year. This meeting will provide an opportunity for both continuing and new students to get to know one another and make suggestions for Student Forum events.

Course Work

Students should meet with their Course Selection Advisor to discuss course options prior to registration. Worksheets for Options A (3 summers/2 academic years), Option B (Integrated, 3 academic years) and C (School specific, 3 academic years) of the MSW/MA Dual degree Program are available.