MSW Online

MSW Programs in Boston

Written by Lauren Osterhoudt – Last updated:

In this guide, you can find everything you need to know about getting an MSW in Boston and then becoming a professional social worker. Below, you will learn about the different social work jobs and education opportunities in the city along with how to become licensed in Boston. 

In this guide

If you want to become a social worker in the city, you can plan to join an estimated 5,592 social work specialists who are already practicing in Boston. In order to achieve one of these positions in the field, students must first obtain their social work license through the Board of Registration of Social Workers. 

Throughout the sections presented in this guide, you will find an overview of all the steps you will need to take in order to begin your career as a social worker in Boston. 

Campus-based degrees and MSW programs in Boston

If you are looking to complete your social work degree through a campus-based program in Boston, there are currently two campuses that offer on-campus classes. These schools include Simmons University and Boston University. Both schools are also accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 

Listed below are the graduation requirements and opportunities each school offers depending on the degree paths that are available. 

For more information about social work opportunities near and around Boston, be sure to check out the full social work in Massachusetts guide.

BSW Program at Simmons University 

At this time, Simmons University is the only on-campus school offering students with the opportunity to earn their Bachelor’s of Social Work (BSW) degree in the city. Additionally, all BSW students are also eligible for financial assistance during their first year. 

Some goals and opportunities the program offers are as follows: 

  • The BSW program at Simmons University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
  • The program emphasizes a passion for promoting positive changes in the community and a commitment to social justice and human rights
  • The program typically requires the completion of 85 credit hours.
  • Students can also opt for the school’s unique 3 +1 Social Work Degree which allows them to complete both their BSW and MSW degree in as little as four years 
  • Students must complete all required fieldwork. Hours are based on the student’s chosen degree path  

MSW Program at Simmons University

  • The MSW degree program at Simmons University is CSWE-accredited 
  • The program has a focus on social justice values, multicultural perspectives and a strong emphasis on fieldwork 
  • The program offers students with a full-time, part-time and an advanced standing MSW program, which can be completed at an accelerated rate 
  • Fieldwork and internships are required for each semester in order to graduate the program 
  • To apply for the MSW program, you must complete all application forms, provide a college transcript and three letters of recommendation 

MSW Program at Boston University

  • The MSW Program at Boston University boasts 100 years of social work education and is CSWE-accredited 
  • The program has a focus on racial, social and economic justice 
  • Degree completion plans include options for a clinical or macro major, three dual-degree options and four specializations. Additionally, the school also offers its students with an advanced standing option 
  • Fieldwork and internships are required within each program’s curriculum 

Online social work degrees in Boston

For those who are in need of more flexibility in their schedule or are unable to attend on-campus classes, you can still earn your degree through an online program. In Boston, both Simmons University and Boston University offer virtual classes for social work students. 

Below, you can find an overview of what each online program offers. 

Simmons University Online Program 

  • Simmons University offers both a BSW and MSW online degree program that is CSWE-accredited 
  • For the BSW degree, students must complete 128 credits. Details about this program can be found on the school’s website highlighting their BSW online program
  • The BSW and MSW program offers full-time, part-time and accelerated degree options 
  • Tuition rates and fees can be calculated here

Boston University Online Program 

  • Boston University’s online MSW program is CSWE-accredited 
  • While classes are predominantly online, students are still required to attend weekly in-person classes once or twice a week 
  • Students must also complete a minimum of 1 field internship near or within the city 
  • For those who wish to complete their program at an accelerated rate, students can apply for the school’s advanced standing program

For a more extensive listing of other online opportunities outside of the state, check out our online MSW degree page.  

Social work fieldwork and internships in Boston

One of the best ways to learn what it’s like to have a career in social work is by completing an internship. Fieldwork opportunities provide students with real-world experiences and can help guide them in figuring out what they want to accomplish in the field. Additionally, most schools also require you to complete an internship before graduation or before receiving your social work license. 

Some examples of places in Boston that provide hands-on experience in the field include: 

  • Back on My Feet Social Services Internship: upper-level social work students encouraged to apply.
  • Student Social Work Clinical Placement at Fresenius Medical Care: limited experience required 
  • Internship at Arbour Counseling Services: must be enrolled in a MSW program and be able to commit to at least 9 months 

To discover the most up-to-date opportunities in and around Boston, sites such as Indeed.com and Google Jobs are great places to start searching for active internships in order to gain experience in the social work field. 

Social work license in Boston

To start your practice as a social worker in Boston, you must first obtain your social work license. By receiving your license, you will also be able to have more professional opportunities opened to you within the field. With more professional jobs, you are also more likely to achieve a higher paying salary and will not be stuck doing entry-level fieldwork. 

In the state of Massachusetts, there are four common types of social work licenses. These include: licensed social worker (LSW), licensed graduate social worker (LGSW), licensed certified social worker (LCSW) and private independent practice certification (PIP). 

Below, you can find the steps and qualifications you will need in order to earn one of these licenses in Boston. 

Steps to Become a LSW in Boston 

  • Candidates must first hold a BSW or higher from a CSWE-accredited program 
  • Complete and pass a 170-question examination provided by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The testing cost is $230 
  • Submit at least two professional references along with one supervisory reference 
  • Submit all necessary experience and supervised documentation

Steps to Become a LGSW in Boston

  • Applicants must hold a MSW or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited program 
  • Take and pass the master’s-level or the clinical ASWB examination. The master’s-level testing cost is $230 and the clinical cost is $260
  • Submit at least two professional references along with one supervisory reference
  • Submit all documented experience 

Steps to Become a LCSW in Boston

  • Applicants must hold a MSW or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited program prior to applying 
  • Take and pass the master’s-level ASWB 170-question exam. The testing cost is $230 
  • Submit at least two professional references along with one supervisory reference
  • No documented experience required 

Steps to Earn your PIP in Boston

  • Candidates must hold a MSW degree or higher from a CSWE-accredited program in order to apply 
  • Take and pass the $260 ASWB clinical examination 
  • Submit at least two references from licensed professionals along with one supervisory reference from an LICSW
  • Provide documented experience proving the completion of at least 3,500 hours of supervised clinical experience while practicing as a LCSW

For more information on how to receive your license in Boston, please refer to the complete Massachusetts state guide. 

Social work job opportunities in Boston

Before jumping into a social work career, it is important to be aware of the job opportunities and yearly salaries that are common amongst social workers in Boston. 

According to Indeed Jobs, the yearly average base salary for social workers in Boston is about $71,308. However, salaries differ by years of experience. For example, the greater the years of experience that you have, the higher your salary will likely be. 

Boston social work salaries by years of experience

  • Social workers with less than one year of experience can expect to earn $66,175 per year
  • Social workers with 1-2 years of experience can expect to earn $65,870 per year
  • Social workers with 6-9 years of experience can expect to earn $82,951 per year
  • Social workers with over 10 years of experience can expect to earn $84,822 per year

Here, you can find a few examples of local social work job openings at government organizations and independent agencies in the city: 

Becoming a social worker in Boston can prove to be a great career path, especially as the demand for social workers continues to be on the rise. However, if you are still uncertain of which social work path you would like to pursue, our career guide can help.