School of Social Work

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Quick Facts

#11

ranked school of social work (U.S. News & World Report)

100%

of master's students receive financial support

1,000+

field agency partners

$8M

in grant expenditures (2022)

Academics

Our top-ranked Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers a strong foundation in social work theory, practice, policy, and research by combining clinical and macro coursework with field education placements at organizations serving vulnerable individuals, families, and communities.

 

BCSSW prepares tomorrow’s faculty scholars and researchers to advance the field of social welfare and social work practice through a highly individualized PhD program that promotes original research and the creation of new knowledge. 

Our Approach: Pioneering Practice and Research

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Boston College School of Social Work

Reflect, discern, and grow—in the classroom and in the field.

The Boston College School of Social Work (BCSSW) is a global leader in social work education, dedicated to finding solutions to the pressing social issues of our time through pioneering practice and research. Grounded in Boston College’s 160-year tradition of service, BCSSW pursues the highest standards of intellectual rigor alongside a deep commitment to social justice, developing practitioners who think in new ways to improve the lives of others.

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The BC School of Social Work Difference


We do more than talk about inclusion—programs like our Black Leadership Initiative and Latinx Leadership Initiative are redefining diversity education and expanding access to opportunities for historically marginalized groups. 

Students spend time in the field, working with real people. Our 1,000+ field placements—both locally and abroad—allow you to put your learning into practice, gain hands-on training, and form valuable relationships.

Our faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their research and practice. They draw on diverse disciplines—from social work and sociology to public health, epidemiology, and neuroscience—in their teaching and their work.

Transform lives. Build a lifelong community.


A degree that serves others. A school that serves you. 

Do the work that matters most
At BCSSW, we believe social work is more than a career—it's a calling to listen to the needs of individuals and communities and create real change. 

Mission-driven
As a Jesuit, Catholic University, Boston College is rooted in a worldview that calls us to learn, search for truth, and live in service to others. 

Equity, Justice, and Inclusion
Our equity, justice, and inclusion initiative is committed to courageous conversations, strategies for dismantling racism, and an anti-oppressive social work practice. 

Life-long Network
Our supportive and inclusive culture begins on our campus and extends to our alumni network, where more than 9,000 BCSSW grads continue to uplift one another after graduation, offering career guidance and networking opportunities. 

The only dedicated social work library in New England is found at BCSSW. Our library connects students and alumni to a robust collection of books, journals, and databases.

Gautam N. Yadama
To solve the most intractable problems of our day—and of tomorrow—we must draw upon a diversity of disciplines and partner with those who actually experience the problems. Only then can we create and scale up appropriate evidence-based interventions.
Gautam N. Yadama, Dean, Boston College School of Social Work