Boston College School of Social Work
In keeping with the four-century-old Jesuit tradition of educating students in the service of humanity, Boston College established a School of Social Work (SSW) in March 1936. The SSW offers the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (Ph.D.) degrees. In addition to providing foundation courses for all students, the Master of Social Work program of study affords each student the opportunity to specialize in a social work practice intervention method. The two areas of specialized practice are Clinical Social Work and Macro Social Work on the master’s level. Six advanced Fields-of-Practice are offered: Children, Youth, and Families; Global Practice; Health; Latinx Communities; Mental Health; and Older Adults and Families. The School also offers a research-oriented Doctoral program that prepares scholars to pursue knowledge that will advance the field of social welfare and social work practice.
Professional Program: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Introduction to the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
The M.S.W. Program offers students a choice of specialized practice. Students select either Clinical Social Work Practice or Macro Social Work Practice.
Clinical Social Work is the process of working with individuals, families, and groups to help them deal with intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental problems. The process utilizes a bio-psychosocial assessment and intervention model to increase an individual’s well-being. Each person, family, or group has a unique story to share, one that is shaped by cherished beliefs, values, and traditions, one that is connected to the larger stories of communities and nations. The complex process of helping others is, fundamentally, one of empowerment. In practicing clinical social work, the aim is to strengthen, support, and accompany clients in their healthy efforts to repair their past and build a future that honors their uniqueness and brings into reality their personal dreams. Our challenging, dynamic, and contemporary program of professional formation transforms compassion into therapeutic empathy. We integrate social work’s enduring values, theories, and skills with bold and innovative ways of helping others. This fusion of old and new creates an environment where students learn that interventions, guided by evidence-based practice, become powerfully therapeutic when imbedded in a relationship of respect and authentic concern.
Macro Social Work Practice prepares students to develop and foster social innovation by understanding the process of innovation and through skill development related to assessment, strategic planning, organizational development, financial management, and administration. Students are prepared to develop innovative solutions to solve today’s complex problems, lead organizations that foster these solutions, and mobilize strategic partners, political resources, and community resources to initiate and sustain social change.
The M.S.W. Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and is designed for completion in either two full-time academic years of concurrent class and field work or in a Three-Year or Four-Year Program. All degree requirements must be fulfilled within a period of five years.
The M.S.W. curriculum is divided into four overlapping components: Foundation, Specialized Practice, Field-of-Practice, and Electives. This configuration allows students to establish a solid foundation in social work practice, choose either Clinical or Macro Social Work Practice as their area of specialized practice, and then choose a Field-of-Practice to gain advanced practice skills in a particular area. The Field-of-Practice choices are: Children, Youth, and Families; Global Practice; Health; Latinx Communities; Mental Health; and Older Adults and Families.
Foundation Courses
Seven foundation courses provide the basis for the advanced curriculum. In compliance with Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) Accreditation Standards, the foundation curriculum includes content on Social Work competencies: professional and ethical behavior, diversity, human rights and justice, research, policy, engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
The following courses comprise the Foundation curriculum:
- SCWK7701 The Social Welfare System
- SCWK7721 Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- SCWK7723 Re-thinking Diversity: Systems of Oppression and Privilege
- SCWK7747 Research Methods in Social Work Practice
- SCWK7762 Basic Skills in Clinical Social Work
- SCWK8800 Basic Skills in Macro Practice
- SCWK9921 Field Education I
Specialized Practice Courses
Students select one of two areas of specialized practice to focus their acquisition of practice skills: Clinical Social Work or Macro Social Work. Required Clinical courses include an advanced human behavior course, SCWK7722 Psychosocial Pathology, and two methods courses that focus on clinical assessment, practice theory, and evidenced-based practice interventions for a variety of problem areas and populations utilizing various treatment modalities—individual, family, and group.
The required Clinical courses are as follows:
- SCWK7722 Psychosocial Pathology
- SCWK8855 Clinical Practice with Children and Families: Assessment, Intervention, and Evidenced-Based Practice
- SCWK8856 Clinical Practice with Adults: Assessment, Intervention, and Evidenced-Based Practice
- SCWK8841 Program Evaluation
- One Advanced Policy Course (SCWK8802 Policy Issues for an Aging Society, SCWK8805 Policy Issues in Family and Children, SCWK8806 Global Policy Issues, or SCWK8817 Health and Mental Health Policy)
- SCWK9932 Field Education II—Clinical Social Work
Required Macro courses include an advanced human behavior course, SCWK8833 Leadership and Social Transformation, and two methods courses that focus on organizational and leadership analysis, marketing, resource development and financial management, and the development of social innovation skills necessary to implement and sustain change.
The required Macro courses are as follows:
- SCWK8833 Leadership and Social Transformation
- SCWK8886 Financial Management and Resource Development
- SCWK8889 Social Innovation
- SCWK8841 Program Evaluation
- One Advanced Policy Course (SCWK8802 Policy Issues for an Aging Society, SCWK8805 Policy Issues in Family and Children, SCWK8806 Global Policy Issues, or SCWK8817 Health and Mental Health Policy)
- SCWK9942 Field Education II—Macro Social Work
Fields-of-Practice
Students entering their final full-time year will choose a Field-of-Practice. Each Field-of-Practice consists of an advanced practice course. All Fields-of-Practice require either SCWK9933–9934 Field Education III–IV—Clinical Social Work or SCWK9943–9944 Field Education III–IV—Macro Social Work.
Children, Youth, and Families
The Children, Youth, and Families Field-of-Practice prepares students for professional practice with children, adolescents, and families seen across multiple settings. Clinical students will be proficient in practice with child and adolescent mental health intervention, including individual, group, and family modalities. Macro students will develop competence in leadership and administration, including personnel management, grant writing, and financial management within the context of community-based nonprofit organizations and public systems. Required courses include:
Clinical Social Work
- SCWK8872 Advanced Clinical Practice with Children, Youth, and Families
Macro Social Work
- SCWK8885 Management of Organizations Serving Children, Youth, and Families
Global Practice
The Global Practice Field-of-Practice prepares students to become effective international social workers. Students learn how to collaborate with local partners around issues of humanitarian aid, social development, and capacity-building. Guiding principles are human rights, global justice, and diversity. Final year field placements will be managed in partnership with international organizations. Required course includes:
Clinical Social Work and Macro Social Work
- SCWK7797 Frameworks and Tools of Global Practice
Health
The Health Field-of-Practice prepares students for clinical or macro practice in healthcare settings by providing specialized knowledge and skills in assessment, interventions, and health and mental health policy.
Clinical Social Work students, with knowledge of diagnostic assessment and evidenced-based interventions, will focus on treatment with individuals, couples, families, and small groups that are aimed at dealing with the impact of illness on the client system in culturally diverse environments within medical/healthcare settings.
Macro Social Work students, with knowledge of financial management, leadership, and social innovation, will focus on skills in planning, designing, and funding for innovating and sustaining current programs within medical/healthcare settings. Required courses include:
Clinical Social Work
- SCWK8873 Psychosocial Dimensions of Health and Medical Care Practice
Macro Social Work
- SCWK8897 Planning for Health and Mental Health Services
Latinx Communities
The Latinx Communities Field-of-Practice trains MSW students to work with Latinx communities in the U.S. and around the world. Our innovative program includes: culturally-centered coursework and field placements, tailored mentoring, self-advocacy training, and career development guidance.
From an asset-based approach, students will develop a nuanced understanding of the barriers Latinx populations encounter in accessing equitable education, social services, and health care, as well as a deep understanding of how to implement evidence-based interventions that address systemic inequities.
Following a cohort model, students will take core classes taught in Spanish and intern at a field placement with one of our many partners in the Greater Boston area that serve the legal, medical, behavioral health, immigration, and educational needs of the Latinx community. Required course includes:
Clinical Social Work and Macro Social Work
- SCWK8837 Social Services with Latin Populations in the U.S.
Mental Health
The Mental Health Field-of-Practice prepares students for clinical or macro practice in mental health settings by providing specialized knowledge and skills in assessment, interventions, and health and mental health policy.
Clinical Social Work students, with knowledge of diagnostic assessment and evidenced-based interventions, will focus on family systems work in culturally diverse environments within mental health settings and select from a broad range of elective courses in various practice modalities.
Macro Social Work students, with knowledge of financial management, leadership, and social innovation, will focus on skills in planning, designing, and funding for innovating and sustaining current programs within mental health settings. Required courses include:
Clinical Social Work
- SCWK8865 Family Therapy
Macro Social Work
- SCWK8897 Planning for Health and Mental Health Services
Older Adults and Families
The Older Adults and Families Field-of-Practice prepares social work students for an integrated macro and clinical practice approach to working with older adults, their families, and the social policies and programs that affect their lives. Coursework for the concentration encompasses the entire range of health and mental health services from those provided to older adults as they “age in place” in their homes and communities through policy and advocacy functions of the local, state, and national aging network. Required course includes:
Clinical Social Work and Macro Social Work
- SCWK8823 Practice in Health and Mental Health Settings with Older Adults
Field Education
Students complete a total of 1200 hours of field education (480 hours in Field Education I and II and 720 hours in Field Education III and IV). Students participate in Field Education 2 days per week in Field Education I and II and 3 days per week in Field Education III and IV.
Electives
Students take five electives to round out their knowledge and skill-building with courses that offer advanced training in a particular area or provide new knowledge and skills in an area of interest to the student. The required Field-of-Practice advanced policy and advanced practice courses may be taken as electives by students from other Fields-of-Practice on a space-available basis. Elective courses are offered pending sufficient enrollment. The following courses may be offered as Elective options:
- SCWK7724 Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience in the Life Course
- SCWK7725 Families Impacted by Military Service
- SCWK7726 Neuroscience of Human Relationships and Development
- SCWK7727 Substance Use Disorders
- SCWK7728 Global Perspectives on Gender Inequalities
- SCWK7729 Public Health Social Work
- SCWK7733 Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth, Families, and Adults
- SCWK7735 Social Determinants of Health and Mental Health
- SCWK7777 Services to Migrants: A Border Perspective
- SCWK7780 Community Based Systems Dynamics for Understanding Complex Social Problems
- SCWK7794 Immigrants and Refugee Issues
- SCWK8808 Legal Aspects of Social Work
- SCWK8822 Impact of Traumatic Victimization on Children and Adolescents
- SCWK8824 Practice in Home and Community Settings with Older Adults
- SCWK8830 Social Work and Spirituality
- SCWK8831 Dying, Grief, and Bereavement
- SCWK8835 Veterans’ Health and Mental Health
- SCWK8836 Psychodynamic Theories of Individual Development
- SCWK8837 Social Services with Latinx Populations in the U.S.
- SCWK8838 Dismantling Organizational Bias through Evidence-Based Practice
- SCWK8840 Climate Change and Environmental Justice: Implications for Social Work
- SCWK8851 Policy Analysis Research for Social Reform
- SCWK8857 Group Therapy for Children and Adolescents
- SCWK8858 Clinical Practice in Schools
- SCWK8859 Integrating Play in Therapeutic Settings
- SCWK8860 Couples Therapy
- SCWK8862 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- SCWK8864 Group Therapy
- SCWK8867 Internal Family Systems Therapy
- SCWK8868 Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- SCWK8874 Adult Psychological Trauma
- SCWK8876 Solution-Focused Therapy
- SCWK8877 Narrative Therapy
- SCWK8880 Social Work Practice in Child Welfare
- SCWK8881 School Social Work: Program Development and Educational Policies
- SCWK8883 Creating and Sustaining Social Enterprises
- SCWK8884 Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
- SCWK8887 Global Child Protection
- SCWK8888 Community Organizing and Political Strategies
- SCWK8890 Philanthropy and Strategic Fundraising
Dual Degree Programs
The Boston College School of Social Work has instituted three dual degree programs with other graduate departments of Boston College and one dual degree program with the undergraduate Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences and the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. A description of the programs is available from the respective admission offices. Candidates must apply to, and be accepted by, each of the relevant schools independently.
Established in 1980, the M.S.W./M.B.A. Program, in cooperation with the Carroll School of Management Graduate Programs, involves three full-time years—one each in the foundation years of both schools, and the third incorporating joint class and field education.
The four-year M.S.W./J.D. Program, inaugurated in 1988 with Boston College Law School, requires a foundation year in each school followed by two years of joint class and field instruction with selected emphasis on such areas as family law and services; child welfare and advocacy; and socio-legal aspects and interventions relating to poverty, homelessness, immigration, etc.
The three-year M.S.W./M.A. (Theology and Ministry), in conjunction with the Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry, began in 1989. Three options for completing the M.S.W./M.A. include a foundation year in each curriculum with a third year of jointly administered class and field instruction; a program of summer courses taken in STM and a two-year academic program in the SSW; or an integrated program of study with courses taken in STM and the SSW during three years of study. Areas of focus include clinical work in hospitals and prisons, organizational services/administration, and parish social ministry.
In cooperation with the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences and the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, the Boston College School of Social Work has instituted an Accelerated B.A./M.S.W. Program that enables Psychology, Sociology, and Applied Psychology and Human Development majors to complete the Social Work foundation courses during their junior and senior years. Students receive the B.A. at the end of four years, and then apply for admission to the School of Social Work for a final year of study in the M.S.W. Program. For sophomore prerequisites and application information, undergraduates should call the School of Social Work Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management at 617-552-4025.
The School also offers an upper-division introductory course that is not applicable to the M.S.W. degree: SCWK6600 Introduction to Social Work is cross-listed with the departments of Psychology and Sociology in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program
Introduction to Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program
The School offers a research-oriented Ph.D. program that prepares scholars committed to pursue knowledge that will advance the field of social welfare and social work practice. Students master a substantive area of scholarship and gain methodological expertise to excel as researchers and teachers in leading academic and social welfare settings throughout the world. Grounded in core values of human dignity and social justice, the program nurtures independence and originality of thought in crafting innovative research and policy agendas for constructive social change.
The School of Social Work doctoral program offers three programs of study: a Ph.D. in Social Work, a Ph.D. in Social Welfare, and a combined M.S.W./Ph.D. The Ph.D. in Social Work is designed for students with an M.S.W. or equivalent degree. The Ph.D. in Social Welfare is designed for students enrolled in the International Doctoral Program with partner Jesuit Universities in Latin America. The M.S.W./Ph.D. is designed for exceptionally talented students with several years’ work experience and another master’s degree.
Program of Study—Social Work
Research training is at the core of the program. Students acquire expertise in applied social and behavioral science research methodologies that are especially appropriate for investigating critical policy and practice questions. This set of courses emphasizes analytic skills needed to understand, appraise, and advance knowledge in social work. The learning process involves more than classroom instruction. Students are expected to work closely with faculty mentors in their roles as scholars and researchers. Besides required courses, students can select from an array of elective academic courses, independent studies, research internships, and teaching practicums.
A minimum of 51 credit hours are required to complete the degree: 45 credits for academic courses and 6 credits for the dissertation. Among the 15 elective credits, 3 elective credits are specified to be an advanced social or behavioral science theory course, and 9 credits are specified to be a methods course. Students must pass the qualifying exam at the end of year two. For the qualifying exam, students need to produce a publishable paper that meets the requirements for publication in a scholarly journal. Before beginning research on the dissertation, the student must complete all required courses and the publishable paper. Required courses include the following:
- SCWK9950 Professional Development Seminar
- SCWK9951 Survey of Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Science
- SCWK9956 The Dialectics of Social and Behavioral Theory
- SCWK9959 Doctoral Publishable Writing Project
- SCWK9960 Regression Analysis for Social and Behavioral Sciences
- SCWK9964 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis
- SCWK9991 Doctoral Teaching Practicum
- SCWK9992 Theories and Methods of Teaching in Professional Education
- SCWK9993 Research Internship
- SCWK9994 Integrative Dissertation Seminar
Total Credits
The 51 credits are a minimal requirement. The actual number of courses taken by an individual student varies according to prior educational background and coursework.
Program of Study—Social Welfare
Students in the International Doctoral Program in Social Welfare enroll in courses in both Boston College and a partner Jesuit university in Latin America. Students start the program in the partner university taking elective courses in social behavioral science theory and other courses that provide a foundation in a social problem likely to be the focus of the student’s research. In subsequent years, student’s residence alternates between Boston College and the partner university. The International Doctoral Program in Social Welfare encourages and facilitates students to focus their doctoral research on topics and populations drawn from Latin American countries.
The program provides a strong foundation in research and preparation for an academic career through nine required courses and two dissertation direction courses. Students will enroll in a total of four to six courses in the partner university during year one and year three. The remaining four elective courses will be taken during students’ residency at Boston College in year two. Students must also pass a written comprehensive examination and produce a manuscript that is fitting for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Before beginning research on the dissertation, the student must complete all required courses and pass an oral qualifying examination based upon the publishable paper requirement. Required courses include the following:
- SCWK9951 Survey of Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Science
- SCWK9952 Tools for Scholarship in Social and Behavioral Science
- SCWK9980 History and Philosophy of Social Welfare in the U.S.
- SCWK9954 Models for Social Welfare Intervention Research
- SCWK9959 Doctoral Publishable Writing Project
- SCWK9960 Statistical Analysis for Social and Behavioral Research
- SCWK9961 Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling
- SCWK9992 Theories and Methods of Teaching in Professional Education
- SCWK9994 Integrative Seminar for Doctoral Students
Total Credits
The minimal credit requirement is 51, of which 38 credits are taken at Boston College and include required and elective courses and 6 credits for the dissertation. The remaining elective credits are taken at the partner university and may vary in accordance with the partner university’s academic offerings. The actual number of courses taken by an individual student varies according to prior educational background and coursework.
Dual Degree Program—M.S.W./Ph.D.
BCSSW provides an option for those who don’t already have a master’s of social work to earn both the M.S.W. and the Ph.D. degrees. Applicants will be considered for acceptance into the M.S.W./Ph.D. program in exceptional cases and must possess a master’s degree in a behavioral or social science discipline in addition to considerable work experience. This program is especially well-suited for international graduate students, enabling them to acquire an understanding of fundamental American social welfare policy and social work practice prior to launching their advanced doctoral studies.
A minimum of 98 credit hours are required to complete the degree: 92 credits for academic courses and field work and 6 credits for the dissertation. Among the 12 elective credits, 3 elective credits are specified to be an advanced social or behavioral science theory course, and 9 credits are specified to be a methods course. Students must pass the qualifying exam at the end of year three. For the qualifying exam, students need to produce a publishable paper that meets the requirements for publication in a scholarly journal. Before beginning research on the dissertation, the student must complete all required courses and the publishable paper. Required courses include the following:
- SCWK7701 Social Welfare System
- SCWK7721 Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- SCWK7722 Psychosocial Pathology (Clinical) OR SCWK8833 Leadership and Social Transformation (Macro)
- SCWK7723 Diversity and Cross-Cultural Issues
- SCWK7762 Basic Skills in Clinical Social Work
- SCWK8800 Basic Skills in Macro Social Work
- SCWK8802, SCWK8805, SCWK8806, or SCWK8817 Advanced Policy course
- SCWK8872, SCWK8885, SCWK7797, SCWK8873, SCWK8897, SCWK8837, SCWK8865, or SCWK8823 Advanced Practice in Field-of-Practice
- SCWK8855 Clinical Practice with Children and Families: Assessment, Intervention and Evidence Based Practice (Clinical) OR SCWK8889 Social Innovation (Macro)
- SCWK8856 Clinical Practice with Adults: Assessment, Intervention, and Evidence Based Practice (Clinical) OR SCWK8886 Financial Management and Resource Development (Macro)
- SCWK9921 Field Education I
- SCWK9932 Field Education II—Clinical OR SCWK9942 Field Education II—Macro
- SCWK9933 Field Education III—Clinical OR SCWK9943 Field Education III—Macro
- SCWK9934 Field Education IV—Clinical OR SCWK9944 Field Education IV—Macro
- SCWK9950 Professional Development Seminar
- SCWK9951 Survey of Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Science
- SCWK9956 The Dialectics of Social and Behavioral Theory
- SCWK9959 Doctoral Publishable Writing Project
- SCWK9960 Regression Analysis for Social and Behavioral Sciences
- SCWK9964 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis
- SCWK9991 Doctoral Teaching Practicum
- SCWK9992 Theories and Methods of Teaching in Professional Education
- SCWK9993 Research Internship
- SCWK9994 Integrative Dissertation Seminar
Total Credits
The 98 credits are a minimal requirement. The actual number of courses taken by an individual student varies according to prior educational background and coursework.
Doctoral Funding
There are five major sources of funding available for students in the Doctoral Program in Social Work at Boston College:
- The Boston College Doctoral Fellowship in Social Work is awarded each year on a competitive basis to full-time doctoral students in social work. Full tuition and a stipend are provided for four years as long as the student maintains good academic standing and demonstrates progress toward the Ph.D.
- Two Fellowships are awarded each year on a competitive basis to full-time doctoral students to provide additional financial support to help encourage them to successfully complete their studies.
- Research Assistant positions are provided through faculty research and training grants.
- Teaching Assistant positions are available for some doctoral and M.S.W. courses.
- Additional grants and scholarship opportunities are available on an individual basis.
In addition to the financial assistance directly available from Boston College, SSW doctoral students are encouraged to apply for nationally competitive fellowships from private foundations and federal agencies.
For More Information
For a more detailed description of course offerings, the applicant should consult the Boston College School of Social Work Bulletin, which may be obtained by e-mailing swadmit@bc.edu or by writing to the Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management, Boston College School of Social Work, McGuinn Hall, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.