Master of Social Work Program

Fields of Practice Concentrations

The MSW Program at Boston College School of Social Work offers you the opportunity to customize your graduate education by selecting one of six fields of practice. This flexibility allows you to concentrate your studies on the issues and populations that matter most to you, whether that’s supporting individuals, families, or communities.

By focusing your coursework and field experiences in a specific area, you’ll gain both the theoretical foundation and the hands-on skills needed to become an effective, compassionate social work professional.

With guidance from expert faculty and access to a wide range of community partnerships, you’ll be well prepared to enter the field with confidence and make a meaningful impact in your chosen area of practice.

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Tuition & Aid

Application Deadlines:
Early: November 15
Priority: January 15
Regular: March 15
Rolling

Required Coursework for all Fields of Practice

For Clinical

SCWK9933–9934 Field Education III–IV
Advanced learning and practice under the instruction of a qualified supervisor in a setting related to the student's major area of clinical interest. Three days per week in the third semester.

For Macro Social Work

SCWK9943–9944 Field Education III–IV
Advanced learning and practice which emphasizes knowledge and skill in community organization, planning, policy, and/or administration. Students are responsible for leading a major project and a final report. Three days per week in the third semester.

Black Leadership in Social Work

<h4>Required Courses</h4> For both Clinical Social Work and Macro Social Work SCWK8846 Advanced Practice in Afrocentric Social Work This course critically examines social work from an Afrocentric perspective, emphasizing Black communities as agents in shaping their experiences. Topics include developmental practice, intersectionality, anti-racism, and applications of the Ubuntu model and Hip Hop in clinical and macro practice.

The Black Leadership in Social Work field of practice takes an African-Centered approach to engaging individuals, families, and communities. We equip MSW students with the tools to critically evaluate, intervene, advocate, support, and lead with an African-centered approach to practice.

Fields of Practice Black Leadership in Social Work

Students interested in exploring and implementing an Afrocentric perspective across developmental stages with Black communities, families, groups, and organizations.

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Children, Youth, and Families

<h4>Required Courses</h4> For Clinical Social Work SCWK8872 Advanced Clinical Practice with Children, Youth, and Families An advanced clinical course on intervention skills with children and families, emphasizing prevention, self-efficacy, and resiliency. Students learn approaches such as parent management training, PCIT, solution-focused therapy, TF-CBT, and group therapy, with experiential labs supporting skill development. Macro Social Work SCWK8885 Management of Organizations Serving Children, Youth, and Families An advanced macro practice course focusing on personnel and financial management, strategic fundraising for child and family services, and leadership approaches. Topics include organizational change, supervision, power and authority, and applying diversity models for inclusive workplaces.

Children, Youth, & Families students intern in schools, non-profits, and health centers addressing trauma, poverty, homelessness, health, and immigrant integration. Advanced courses focus on activity-based therapy for youth, family therapy models, and school social work licensure.

Fields of Practice Children, Youth, & Families

For students committed to promoting the well-being of children, youth, and families through direct practice, advocacy, and systems change.

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Global Practice

<h4>Required Courses</h4> For both Clinical Social Work and Macro Social Work SCWK7797 Frameworks and Tools of Global Practice An advanced course preparing students for global social work practice through a rights-based lens. Focus areas include vulnerable populations (children, women, migrants), rights-based programming, and building sustainable systems, with emphasis on the Global South. Students engage with NGOs, governments, and UN systems while developing skills to work with diverse client populations.

Focused on human rights, security, development, and sustainable solutions to social issues. Students work with domestic or international partners on projects like supporting refugees, drafting immigration policies, preventing violence, and developing sustainable programs globally.

Fields of Practice Global Practice

Students who are prepared and motivated to work across cultures, borders, and international systems of care. Students might be interested in human rights and social justice in the form of immigration, refugees, international development, climate justice, and global inequality.

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Health

<h4>Required Courses</h4> For Clinical Social Work SCWK8873 Integration of Behavioral Health and Medical Care Practice An advanced course using the biopsychosocial model to assess individual and family responses to illness, exploring behavioral and alternative medicine, health disparities, and the role of social work in health care research. For Macro Social Work SCWK8897 Planning for Health and Mental Health Services This course introduces program and strategic planning, proposal writing, and service delivery models, with emphasis on proposal development, program design, and analysis of key issues in health and mental health care.

Clinical students focus on building strong assessment skills and learning evidence-based interventions for individuals, couples, families, and groups. Macro students develop policy, planning, and management skills to lead and advocate. Graduates work in health/behavioral health settings.

Fields of Practice Health

Ideal for students interested in promoting health equity and delivering social work services within healthcare systems, public health, and community settings.

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Latinx Communities

<h4>Required Courses</h4> For both Clinical and Macro Social Work SCWK8837 Social Services with Latinx Populations in the U.S. An advanced Spanish-language seminar on how Latino groups in the U.S. engage with social services, focusing on empowerment, best interventions, and practical skills to support Latino individuals and families. <a href="https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/ssw/academics/initiatives/lli-program.html#faqs" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer">FAQs</a>

Using an asset-based approach, students explore the barriers Latinx populations face in accessing education, social services, and healthcare, while learning to apply evidence-based interventions. In a Spanish-taught cohort, students intern with area partners.

Fields of Practice Latinx Communities

For students committed to empowering Latinx communities through culturally responsive practice, advocacy, and systems change.

bc:schools/ssw/fields-of-practice/latinx-communities

Trauma-Informed Mental Health

<h4>Required Courses</h4> For Clinical Social Work SCWK8874 Adult Psychological Trauma An advanced clinical course on adults experiencing acute or chronic trauma, emphasizing person–environment interactions, cultural factors, and integrated treatment approaches. Case presentations on specialized populations link theory, research, and practice skills. For Macro Social Work SCWK8897 Planning for Health and Mental Health Services This course introduces program and strategic planning, proposal writing, and service delivery models, with emphasis on proposal development, program design, and critical issues in health and mental health care.

Fields of Practice Trauma-Informed Mental Health

For students interested in integrating trauma-informed approaches into health and social service systems to promote healing, resilience, and equity.

bc:schools/ssw/fields-of-practice/trauma-informed-mental-health

Start Your Social Work Journey

The BCSSW Admissions team is available to support students throughout the application process. Join us for a virtual information session or connect with a member of the Admissions team for a one-on-one chat.

617-552-4024

swadmit@bc.edu

McGuinn Hall

Resources

Advance Your MSW
with Purpose

Fields of Practice Concentrations

Required Coursework for all Fields of Practice

For Clinical

For Macro Social Work