Academics

Grounded in real-world practice, our programs prepare you to empower vulnerable communities, change the lives of individuals with mental illness, and conduct research that enhances our understanding of global challenges.

Academic Programs

Choose a specialized practice

Clinical

In clinical social work you relieve individual suffering for people with mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges.

 

Macro

In macro social work you focus on changing the external environment to alleviate suffering.

Choose a field of practice

Fields of Pratice

Afrocentric Social Work
Children, Youth & Families
Global Practice
Health
Latinx Communities
Mental Health

Customize your learning experience 

Optional Certificates

Advanced Research 
Aging Populations & Gerontology
Black Leadership
Child Welfare 
Design Thinking for Social Change
Global Humanitarian Practice
Latinx Leadership 
Leaders for Equity and Justice in the Workplace 
Neuroscience & Social Work 
Refugees & Immigrants 
School Social Work   
Trauma
*Early Childhood Policy and Leadership (Lynch School)

Explore Certificates

Dual Degree Programs

Combine your MSW with a JD, MBA, or MA in Theology & Ministry

Dual Degrees

 

At a Glance

Designed as a 4-year program

You'll spend two years gaining research skills, 
then two years conducting independent scholarly research.

Individualized Support

Work alongside a faculty mentor
who shares similar research interests

 

 

Five Areas of Focus

Research
Teaching
Research Focus
Communication & Presentation Skills
Theory

BC Continuing Education, in collaboration with BC School of Social Work, offers a series of Social Work Workshops online via Zoom three times a year—in spring, summer, and fall—for new and experienced social workers looking to earn CEUs to maintain their license.

We also offer three online professional certificate programs, with each individual course offering 6 CEUs.

Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults
For the experienced clinician, the Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults provides a deep exploration of the cutting-edge theoretical perspectives of attachment, trauma-informed care, and neuroscience, as well as courses in various Treatment Modalities and Treatment Focuses, as they relate to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adults.

Advanced Clinical Practice for Children, Youth, and Families
For the experienced clinician, the Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice for Children, Youth, and Families provides a deep exploration of the cutting-edge theoretical perspectives of attachment, trauma-informed care, and neuroscience,  as well as courses in various Treatment Modalities and Treatment Focuses, as they relate to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of children, youth, and families.

Management and Supervision in Human Services
The Management and Supervision in Human Services Certificate program is geared toward professionals who find themselves in a management or supervisory role at an agency or organization, yet have not had formal management training or leadership experience.

Sponsored by the Center for Social Innovation, the Interdisciplinary Certificate in Humanitarian Assistance (ICHA) is designed to ensure that our graduates and humanitarian partners have access to up-to-date knowledge on how best to respond to rapidly changing needs in the field. Developed in close partnership with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and building on the academic strengths of Boston College faculty and staff, ICHA is a curriculum of eight modules available in an online format. 

Flexibility

This is a self-paced learning experience.

You will be able to stop and start the module at your convenience.

 

Modules

Migrants and Refugees in the Global Landscape
Basics of Refugee Determination
Community-based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Introduction to International Child Protection
Climate Change, Displacement and Human Rights
Gender Based Violence
Public Health in Emergencies
Education in Emergencies

Duration to complete each module: 4-6 hours approximately

Learning Formats

Videos
Text
Slliders that reveal information as you move
Hotspots on an image
And more

Learning Objectives

By the end of this certificate, you will be able to:

  • Identify different critical issues in humanitarian settings (e.g., migration, and forced displacement, emergencies) in order to prioritize levels of intervention needed in the field
  • Apply a biopsychosocial framework when designing effective, inclusive, and respectful interventions in humanitarian settings
  • Integrate interdisciplinary approaches to interventions in humanitarian settings to address multiple needs
  • Describe the foundations of interventions that are evidence-based, community led, and culturally sensitive programming
  • Identify the ethical and postcolonial tensions that exist in humanitarian settings in order to understand the role of the humanitarian workers for more effective interventions
  • Explain the principles of equity, justice, and inclusion as they relate to humanitarian interventions

Field Education

Learn from a mentor, practice autonomously.

Strong partnerships, flexibility, proximity, and care are what makes our field experience program the best in the country.
 

Explore Field Education Placements

Groundbreaking Approaches to Equity 

Latinx Leadership Initiative

The LLI develops leaders equipped to work with the Latinx community on sustainable solutions for complex problems.

Black Leadership Initiative

This initiative supports, develops, and prepares MSW-level practitioners to address issues faced by the Black community.

Leaders for Equity and Justice in the Workplace

This new certificate program (launched Fall 2021) prepares students to direct EJI programs at colleges, public agencies, and companies in the private sector.

By the Numbers

1:11

Faculty-student ratio

603

Master's students

24

PhD students

Social Work Library

Did you know?

BC's School of Social Work has its own library—the only one of its kind in New England. 

School of Social Work Library

2023–2024 Medical Insurance Information

Enrollment (2023–2024)

All students listed below are automatically enrolled in and billed for the student health insurance plan:

  • Students enrolled in a degree program, regardless of credit hours
  • Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
  • Non-degree students enrolled at least 75% of full-time. Students are responsible for monitoring their eligibility status. (For graduate students in the schools of Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Carroll School of Management, Connell Graduate School of Nursing, School of Social Work, School of Theology and Ministry, and Woods College of Advancing Studies, 75% of full-time is 7 credits or more. For undergraduates in the Woods College of Advancing Studies, 75% of full-time is 9 credits or more.)
     

Graduate students (non-Law): Registration for classes triggers your insurance enrollment, and it takes 5–7 business days for your insurance to show as active in the carrier’s system. While the fall semester coverage begins on August 7 regardless of when you register, you should keep this timeframe in mind if you have health care providers who will need to verify your coverage with the insurance company. You should register for classes by mid-July if you need your insurance to show as active in the insurance system on August 7.

Post-doctorate students are eligible to enroll on a voluntary basis.

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Waivers (2023–2024)

The medical insurance coverage periods are August 7, 2023 to January 11, 2024 for the fall and January 12, 2024 to August 6, 2024 for the spring. Waivers received by September 22, 2023 are for the entire academic year, and those received by January 26, 2024 are for the spring. By waiving the BC Student Health Insurance Plan, a student is waiving coverage for the full coverage period.

Waiver forms can be found on the Forms tab.

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2023–2024 Forms

Fall 2023

Enrollment Forms

Petition to AddThis form is for mid-semester enrollment for students who have lost their prior coverage due to a qualifying event.

Spring 2024

Waiver Forms

Domestic students—over 18: Log in to your My Services account. Select Medical Insurance Waiver from the Account and Personal Info section. You will need your insurance policy information to complete a waiver.
Domestic students—under 18: If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign your waiver
International students studying at BC:  Log in to your Gallagher account using your BC username and password and select the waiver option. The waiver will be available beginning November 20.
Students in exclusively online degree programs: If you are enrolled online only and not visiting Massachusetts, complete this form. You must be logged in to your BC Gmail or Google account to access the form.

Enrollment Forms

Dependent enrollment:  This option will be available in mid-to late December. Please check back then. Note for Graduate (non-Law) students: You need to register for spring classes to activate your own insurance enrollment before enrolling your dependents.  
Petition to cancel a previous waiver: You can cancel a prior waiver through your My Services account (instructions) or complete this paper form

For summer enrollment, select the Summer Enrollment tab on the left.

Contact Information (2023–2024)

Questions about:Contact: 
Enrollment and waivers
BC Student Services

800-294-0294

Email: studentservices@bc.edu

Plan benefits

Claims and payments

ID cards

UnitedHealthcare

866-948-8472

Email: BCStudent@uhcsr.com

http://customerservice@uhcsr.com/

Preferred providersUnitedHealthcareThe Preferred Provider network for the UnitedHealthcare plan is UHC - Harvard Pilgrim Joint Venture. Use their Find Care service here: UHC Options PPO - HarvardPilgrim Joint Venture. 

Enrollment verification letter

Dependent enrollment

Summer enrollment

Gallagher StudentHealth & Special Risk

500 Victory Road, Quincy, MA 02171

800-394-4026

GallagherStudent.com/BC

Tax formsUnitedHealthcare

866-948-8472

Email: BCStudent@uhcsr.com

http://customerservice@uhcsr.com/

General health insurance informationUnitedHealthcare

Visit https://www.uhcsr.com/video for quick tutorials on requesting ID cards, submitting claims, finding providers, and more.

Dental and Vision Information

The student insurance has limited pediatric dental and vision benefits. See United’s coverage information for details. Your student insurance includes discount (not insurance) plans for dental and vision. For dental or vision insurance, you can enroll in optional plans at additional cost.

EyeMed Vision Care Discount Plan: You are automatically enrolled in the EyeMed discount plan if you are enrolled in the student medical insurance plan. Note that this is a discount program, not a vision insurance plan. Please visit the Gallagher Student website or contact Gallagher at 800-394-4026 for more information.

Basix Dental Savings Program: You are automatically enrolled in the Basix discount plan if you are enrolled in the student medical insurance plan. Note that this is a discount program, not a dental insurance plan. Please see below for optional dental insurance enrollment. Visit Gallagher Student website or contact Gallagher at 800-394-4026 for more information about the Basix Plan.

Summer Enrollment for New Students (2023–2024)

The academic year insurance coverage periods are fall (August 7, 2023 – January 11, 2024) and spring (January 12, 2024 – August 6, 2024). Students enrolled in the spring insurance will continue to be enrolled through August 6.

New graduate students who are starting their program during the summer term are eligible to enroll in the insurance for a summer period beginning May 10 and ending August 6.

Print

2022–2023 Medical Insurance Information

Enrollment (2022–2023)

All students listed below are automatically enrolled in and billed for the student health insurance plan:

  • Students enrolled in a degree program, regardless of credit hours
  • Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
  • Non-degree students enrolled at least 75% of full-time. Students are responsible for monitoring their eligibility status. (For graduate students in the schools of Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Carroll School of Management, Connell Graduate School of Nursing, School of Social Work, School of Theology and Ministry, and Woods College of Advancing Studies, 75% of full-time is 7 credits or more. For undergraduates in the Woods College of Advancing Studies, 75% of full-time is 9 credits or more.)
     

Graduate students: Registration for classes triggers your insurance enrollment, and it takes 5–7 business days for your insurance to show as active in the carrier’s system. While the fall semester coverage begins on August 7 regardless of when you register, you should keep this timeframe in mind if you have health care providers who will need to verify your coverage with the insurance company. You should register for classes by mid-July if you need your insurance to show as active in the insurance system on August 7.

Post-doctorate students are eligible to enroll on a voluntary basis.

Print

Waivers (2022–2023)

The medical insurance coverage periods are August 7, 2022 to January 12, 2023 for the fall and January 13, 2023 to August 6, 2023 for the spring. Waivers received by September 23, 2022 are for the entire academic year, and those received by January 27, 2023 are for the spring. By waiving the BC Student Health Insurance Plan, a student is waiving coverage for the full coverage period.

Waiver forms can be found on the Forms tab.

Print

2022–2023 Forms

Spring and Summer 2023

Spring and Summer Enrollment Forms

Petition to Add: This form is for mid-semester enrollment for students who have lost their prior coverage due to a qualifying event. To enroll, log in to your Gallagher account using your BC username and password. Under Plan Summary, select the "Enroll-Qualifying Life Event" button in the 2022–2023 Spring Coverage section and follow the prompts.
Summer 2023 Enrollment: New graduate students and student-athletes beginning their programs in the summer can enroll in the summer policy. The summer insurance term is May 10 - August 6; the fall insurance policy begins on August 7. Log in to your Gallagher account using your BC username and password. Select the "Enroll" button under 2022-2023 Summer coverage and follow the prompts.

Contact Information (2022–2023)

Claims and Claim Payments

UnitedHealthcare
866-948-8472
Email: BCStudent@uhcsr.com
http://customerservice@uhcsr.com/

Preferred Providers

The Preferred Provider network for the UnitedHealthcare plan is UHC - Harvard Pilgrim Joint Venture. Use their Find Care service here: UHC Options PPO - Harvard Pilgrim Joint Venture.

Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk

500 Victory Road, Quincy, MA 02171
800-394-4026
GallagherStudent.com/BC

Discount Plans

EyeMed Vision Care Discount Plan: You are automatically enrolled in the EyeMed discount plan if you are enrolled in the student medical insurance plan. Note that this is a discount program, not a vision insurance plan. Please visit the Gallagher Student website or contact Gallagher at 800-394-4026 for more information.

Basix Dental Savings Program: You are automatically enrolled in the Basix discount plan if you are enrolled in the student medical insurance plan. Note that this is a discount program, not a dental insurance plan. Please see below for optional dental insurance enrollment. Visit Gallagher Student website or contact Gallagher at 800-394-4026 for more information about the Basix Plan.

Optional Dental and Vision Plans: Students can voluntarily enroll in Dental and Vision insurance plans through Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk. This coverage is NOT included with your student medical insurance plan; coverage is optional and purchased separately. You do not need to be enrolled in the BC medical insurance plan to enroll in this coverage. For more information, visit https://www.gallagherstudent.com/products/voluntary-dental-insurance/.