Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University MSW Programs

CSWE-accreditedBoston University School of Social WorkPrivate nonprofit

What MSW Options Does Boston University Offer?

Boston University offers 3 MSW options, 1 of them online. It is CSWE-accredited. BSW graduates can enter with advanced standing (40-43 credits). Estimated tuition starts at $52,000.

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3 MSW Options at Boston University

Specializations named on Boston University's pages: Clinical Practice (optional Macro minor), Macro Practice, Aging, Behavioral Health, Children, Youth & Families and Trauma, Violence & Justice.

Admissions, Structure and Cost at Boston University

ProgramAdvanced standingField educationGREPublished tuition
On-Campus MSW Program (Boston, Charles River Campus)Starts: Fall40-43 credits, 1 year full time; 3-4 years part timeTwo field placements (16 hours/week, then 24 hours/week); advanced standing students complete 1,000 hours of field workGRE not required$41,184 per year full time (12-18 credits); $1,287 per credit part time (fall 2026, spring 2027, summer 2027)
Online MSW ProgramStarts: Fall, Spring, Summer43 credits, 2 years part time (six consecutive semesters)GRE not required$1,018 per credit (Online Program rate, fall 2026-summer 2027)
Worcester Hybrid MSW ProgramStarts: FallNot offeredGRE not required$800 per credit in-person; $998 per credit online

From Boston University's own program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed September 30, 2026. Blank cells: the school's pages don't state that detail. Tuition changes each year; confirm fees with the school.

How Boston University Compares

Boston University's lowest estimated tuition, $52,000 for Worcester Hybrid MSW Program, is above the national median of $40,180 (256th lowest of 349 programs with an estimate). Its MSW requires 65 credits, against a national median of 60. It awarded 321 MSWs in 2022-23 (IPEDS), 2nd of 11 in Massachusetts and 17th of 309 nationally among schools on this site.

Boston UniversityMassachusetts medianU.S. median
Estimated tuition (lowest option)$52,000$51,000$40,180
Credits656260

Medians across programs on this site that publish the figure, September 2026. The MSW cost and loan calculator adds fees and federal loan limits.

MSW Dual Degrees at Boston University

Other Social Work Degrees at Boston University

Is Boston University's MSW CSWE Accredited?

Boston University's MSW is listed as accredited in the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) directory (September 2026). CSWE accredits the program, which covers every format the school offers it in. All CSWE-accredited MSW programs

Federal data (IPEDS) show Boston University awarded 321 MSWs in 2022-23.

From Boston University's MSW to a Massachusetts License

  1. Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
  2. Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LCSW
  3. Log supervised clinical hoursAt least 3,500 hours of clinical social work services over not less th…
  4. Earn the clinical license (LICSW)Independent clinical practice

Massachusetts license tiers from its social work board · License pathway planner

Similar MSW Programs to Compare With Boston University

Online MSW programs at other CSWE-accredited schools, closest in estimated tuition:

Boston University MSW: Common Questions

Is Boston University's MSW CSWE Accredited?

Boston University's MSW is listed as accredited in the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) directory (September 2026). CSWE accredits the program, which covers every format the school offers it in.

Does Boston University Offer an Online MSW?

Yes. Online MSW Program is offered online.

Does Boston University Offer Advanced Standing?

On-Campus MSW Program (Boston, Charles River Campus): 40-43 credits; 1 year full time; 3-4 years part time; Undergraduate social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program within six years of program entry; minimum 3.0 GPA. Online MSW Program: 43 credits; 2 years part time (six consecutive semesters); Undergraduate social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program within six years of program entry; minimum 3.0 GPA.

How Much Does Boston University's MSW Cost?

On-Campus MSW Program (Boston, Charles River Campus): $41,184 per year full time (12-18 credits); $1,287 per credit part time (fall 2026, spring 2027, summer 2027). Online MSW Program: $1,018 per credit (Online Program rate, fall 2026-summer 2027) (about $66,170 for 65 credits, before fees). Worcester Hybrid MSW Program: $800 per credit in-person; $998 per credit online (about $52,000 for 65 credits, before fees). Confirm current rates and fees with the school.

Does Boston University Require the GRE for Its MSW?

On-Campus MSW Program (Boston, Charles River Campus): GRE not required. Online MSW Program: GRE not required. Worcester Hybrid MSW Program: GRE not required.

How Many Field Hours Does Boston University's MSW Require?

On-Campus MSW Program (Boston, Charles River Campus): Two field placements (16 hours/week, then 24 hours/week); advanced standing students complete 1,000 hours of field work.

More MSW Programs in Massachusetts

Sources

  1. bu.edu: program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed September 30, 2026
  2. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs (September 2026)
  3. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
  4. Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Bureau of Health Professions Licensure

Every program on this site was checked against the school's own website. Accreditation status comes only from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) directory, license rules from each state's social work board, and graduate counts from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS). Sponsored listings are labeled and never change which programs we list or how we rank them. How we verify programs