Advanced Standing
The Advanced Standing MSW is an accelerated program that allows you to complete your master's degree in only three semesters, so you can start making a positive change in your community sooner.
- For Students with a BSW: Our Advanced Standing program was developed for students who have already proven their commitment to improving vulnerable lives by earning a听bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work (BSW)听from a program accredited by the听Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).听
- Start Dates: Advanced Standing MSW students can choose from听two accelerated tracks听鈥� one that begins in听January听and one that begins in听May.
- Coursework:听All students are able to choose their听course of study听(macro or clinical);听one of six fields of practice, and听over听50 electives. Advanced Standing students can complete up to听two certificates. Advanced Standing students take courses and have field placements over three semesters.
At a Glance
Program format:
In person
How long will it take?
12 or 16 months
When is the start date?
January or May
Average student profile:
Mean age: 23
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Are scholarships available?听
When you submit your application for admission, you are automatically considered for 91滴滴SSW scholarships, fellowships, graduate assistantships, and research assistantships. There is no separate aid application for 91滴滴SSW.
General Requirements
- To be granted Advanced Standing, you must have finished an undergraduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education within five years of enrollment in our program.
- Preference will be given to students with GPAs of at least 3.3 during the final two years of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) study.
- As part of your application, one of your three letters of recommendation should be from your BSW program director or advisor, and one should be from your undergraduate field supervisor or current social work supervisor.
- Advanced Standing waivers will be considered for the following 91滴滴SSW courses:听
- Human Behavior and Social Environment
- Rethinking Diversity: Systems of Oppression and Privilege
- Basic Skills in Clinical Social Work Practice
- Basic Skills in Macro Practice
- The Social Welfare System
- Research Methods in Social Work Practice
- Field Education I
Training in the field
Our students engage in direct social work practice in public schools, medical centers, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and a wide range of settings in the human services sector. The听Field Education听team works with each student to ensure that they find an agency that aligns with their career goals.听
Sample agency sites include:
- Boston Medical Center
- Boston Public Schools
- Boys & Girls Club of Watertown
- Cambridge Health Alliance
- Camp Harbor View
- Carroll Center for the Blind
- Catholic Charities
- Italian Home for Children
- Jesuit Refugee Service
- United Way
- Veterans鈥� Administration Medical Centers
Practice Specialty听
You will choose between clinical and macro. The听clinical program听teaches students how to integrate evidence-based interventions.听Macro social work听aims to effect change within large systems at the community, organizational, and policy levels.
Fields of Practice
Within either specialized practice (clinical or macro), you will develop expertise by selecting one of听six fields of practice.听
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Build additional knowledge and specialized skills by completing an听optional certificate. Certificates give students the opportunity to build knowledge in subject-specific areas of social work. Certificates require the completion of three specified courses within a chosen area.听
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Our MSW program consists of听12 required courses听and听5 electives.
Each semester there are听50+ electives to choose from. With electives, students can customize their curriculum plan, deepen their knowledge, or venture into an area of practice that is new and fascinating.
听
5 tips for completing. your application:听
Personal Statement: Put time into your personal statement and tell us about yourself. What drives you to want to be a social worker? Who do you want to help and why?听
References:听Be sure to reach out to your contacts early so we can review your complete application. References should know you well enough to evaluate your potential in the field of social work.听
Apply Early: The earlier you apply, the better chance you鈥檒l have of getting more scholarships, tuition, and aid. Submit your application as soon as it鈥檚 ready.听
Transcripts:听Transcripts from all undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate schools attended are required for application review. Official transcripts may be sent electronically or in hard copy.
No GRE Required: We value your lived experience and look forward to seeing your potential as a future social worker. Think about ways you can stand out from the crowd in your personal statement.
Curriculum
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January Start Advanced Standing Curriculum Plan
Starting the program in January allows you to earn your MSW degree in 16 months. You will take courses and have field placements over three semesters. Summer classes are optional to lighten your course load in the fall and spring semesters. This option is available for students interested in Clinical or Macro Specializations.
| FIRST YEAR | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | CR | Spring | CR | Summer (optional***) | CR |
| 听 | 听 | SCWK 7722 Psychosocial Pathology (Clinical) OR SCWK 8833 Leadership & Social Transformation (Macro) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 听 | 听 | SCWK 8855 Clinical Practice with Children & Families: Assessment, Intervention & Evidence-Based Practice (Clinical) OR SCWK 8886 Financial Management and Resource Development (Macro) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 听 | 听 | SCWK 8856 Clinical Practice with Adults: Assessment, Intervention & Evidence-Based Practice (Clinical) OR SCWK 8889 Social Innovation (Macro) | 3 | 听 | 听 |
| 听 | 听 | SCWK 9932 Field Education II-CSW* OR SCWK 9942 Field Education II-Macro* | 3 | 听 | 听 |
| SECOND YEAR听 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | CR | Spring | CR | Summer | CR |
Elective | 3 | SCWK 8841 Program Evaluation | 3 | 听 | 听 |
Advanced Practice Course in Field of Practice | 3 | Advanced Policy Course | 3 | 听 | 听 |
Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | 听 | 听 |
| Elective (if not taken during summer) | 3 | Elective (if not taken during summer) | 3 | 听 | 听 |
| SCWK 9933 Field Education III-CSW** OR SCWK 9943 Field Education III-Macro** | 4 | SCWK 9934 Field Education IV-CSW** OR SCWK 9944 Field Education IV-Macro** | 4 | 听 | 听 |
*Field placement 2 days per week (16 hours) in first year.
**Field placement 3 days per week (24 hours) in final year.
***Global Practice students should see Global Practice Curriculum Plan.
May Start Advanced Standing Curriculum Plan
Starting the program in May allows you to earn your MSW degree in 12 months. You will take courses and have field placements over three semesters. This option is only available to students interested in the Clinical Specialization.
| FIRST YEAR听 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | CR | Fall | CR | Spring | CR |
SCWK 7722 Psychosocial Pathology | 3 | Advanced Practice Course in Field of Practice | 3 | Advanced Policy Course | 3 |
SCWK 8855 Clinical Practice with Children & Families: Assessment, Intervention & Evaluation Research | 3 | Elective | 3 | SCWK 8841 Program Evaluation | 3 |
SCWK 8856 Clinical Practice with Adults: Assessment, Intervention & Evaluation Research | 3 | Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| SCWK 9932 Field Education II-CSW* | 3 | Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 听 | 听 | SCWK 9933 Field Education III-CSW** | 4 | SCWK 9934 Field Education IV-CSW** | 4 |
*Field placement 3 days per week (24 hours) from June to August.
**Field placement 3 days per week (24 hours) in final year.
Hear from Our Community
Career Outcomes
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Boston Medical Center
Catholic Charities of Arkansas
Catholic Relief Services
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
The Home for Little Wanderers
Jesuit Refugee Service
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Massachusetts General Hospital
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Support to Help You Succeed
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Advising Center
Access academic guidance, including course selection, certificate information, and tips for maintaining work/life balance.
Field Education Team
The 91滴滴SSW field education team will help you find your perfect match. The team facilitates connections with agencies so you don鈥檛 need to find practicum experiences on your own.
Career Services
Through individual appointments, programming, and events, 91滴滴SSW Career Services helps students attain their career goals by maintaining relationships with employers and alumni who share their knowledge, networks, and opportunities.
Social Work Library
Enjoy a dedicated space to study and access hundreds of research databases. The Social Work Library is located right in McGuinn Hall.
Advisors听
Advisors support you throughout the program and range from full-time faculty members to active practitioners and leaders in various human services settings.
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Start Your Social Work Journey
The 91滴滴SSW 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.听