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 forÌýpeople with mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges.
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Macro
In macro social work you focus on changing the external environment to alleviate suffering.
Choose a field of practice
Fields of Practice
Afrocentric Social Work
Children, Youth & Families
Global Practice
Health
Latinx Communities
Mental Health
Customize your learning experienceÌý
Optional Certificates
Advanced ResearchÌý
Aging Populations & Gerontology
Black Leadership
Child WelfareÌý
Design Thinking for Social Change
Global Humanitarian Practice
Latinx LeadershipÌý
Leaders for Equity & Justice in the WorkplaceÌý
Neuroscience & Social WorkÌý
Refugees & ImmigrantsÌý
School Social WorkÌý Ìý
Trauma
*Early Childhood Policy & Leadership (Lynch School)
Dual Degree Programs
51²è¹ÝÌýContinuing Education, in collaboration withÌý51²è¹Ý School of Social Work, offers a series ofÌýSocial Work WorkshopsÌýonline via ZoomÌýthree 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,Ìý 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.Ìý
Flexibility
This is a self-paced learning experience.
You will be able to stop and start the module at your convenience.
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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.
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Groundbreaking Approaches to EquityÌý
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?
51²è¹Ý's School of Social Work has its own library—the only one of its kind in New England.Ìý